Over the 23 years that this website has been in existence there are several subjects which keep coming up and then disappearing again, and one of those is trams for Bristol and the West and England. And its back on the agenda, or at least the concept of mass transit to link to the airport which could include trams or light rail. Its all come out as part of the West of England Transport Vision, recently unveiled by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The vision says that Bristol Airport is the largest airport in the UK without a fixed mass transit link. The National Infrastructure Commission also identified the region as one of the four places in the UK most in need of mass transit investment.
When you compare Bristol with other regions of Europe you see that there are 23 cities in France smaller than Bristol which have a mass transit system, whilst Utrecht, Netherlands (a region similar in population to the West of England) has three tram lines serving more than 40 stops. Studies have also shown that less than 50% of Bristol’s population can access the city centre within 30 minutes by public transport, the European average for similar-sized places is 70%.
Now as part of the Vision, WEMCA want to deliver mass transit to the airport. Obviously at this stage – as is always the case – there is no guarantee they would go with trams or light rail (or indeed that it would ever happen) but they state that they are open to different modes, which does include tram, light rail, guided bus or metrobus extensions. They would hope to commence delivery of the first projects within 4-5 years and would deliver a segregated, high-quality and high-frequency mass transit network.
The Vision is so much more than Mass Transit though, and would also include better buses, more trains, active travel and improved streets. All with the idea of reducing congestion in the region – said to cost £150 million to the economy in Bristol and Bath alone.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of West of England, said: “Nobody wants to sit stuck in traffic or hang around for a bus that never turns up. Our record transport investment secured from government must make a real difference that people across the West can see and feel. We can start to give people their time back: to be home sooner, get out into nature more, or visit the many attractions that make our part of the world so special.
“We need a transport system that people can trust, wherever they live. Together, we can and must deliver the integrated transport system that people need and deserve. As we lay the foundations with existing transport projects, and step things up a gear for better buses, more trains, and mass transit plans, we will seek our fair share of further funding to really get the West moving.”
Cllr Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, added: “We have already seen how beneficial targeted investment in our city’s transport system can be, from our new fleet of eco-friendly buses to new train stations that better connect our communities. Yet, we continue to be held back by a transport network that struggles to maintain pace with the growing demands of our city.
“That is why this newly set out vision is so important. Bristol continues to punch above its weight culturally and economically, yet we are still crying out for real, sustained investment into our transport system. Through this plan, we can take the first steps to delivering the modern, reliable, and future proofed transport network, which includes a mass transit system, that our residents deserve and continue to unlock the full potential of our city centre and the wider region.”
The next steps will see the development of a Transport Strategy which will outline the infrastructure that needs to be delivered to enable these ambitions for the future.