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Title: The City of PCB Post by: grahame on September 10, 2018, 07:49:19 Heavily edited to extract from correspondence received
Quote As I understand things, Poole, Christchurch and Bournemouth (PCB) will become a Unified Authority and one of its first acts will be to apply to become a city. This, it will give it more powers, more than perhaps a London Local Authority. I was told we will be getting a tram system! Do your contacts have any views there? NR has told me that it’s better to go for a guided busway (Edinburgh Council almost went bust apparently). Any confirmations, denials, smoke without fire thoughts, etc?? Title: Re: The City of PCB Post by: Lee on September 10, 2018, 08:11:29 It's true - https://futuredorset.co.uk/
That insight from the ever forward-thinking Network Rail wouldn't surprise me either. Title: Re: The City of PCB Post by: grahame on September 10, 2018, 08:25:30 It's true - https://futuredorset.co.uk/ That insight from the ever forward-thinking Network Rail wouldn't surprise me either. In which case I will move this from "Rumour Mill" (where I started the thread) to another (public) board. Title: Re: The City of PCB Post by: Lee on September 10, 2018, 11:13:30 On a potential tram system, there has been a consistent official line for some time now that, due to funding constraints, it would be no more than a long term aspiration (ie 2026 and beyond).
From the Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Local Transport Plan 3 (Pages 75 & 76) : (https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/roads-highways-maintenance/roads-and-pavements/documents/ltp3-bournemouth-poole-dorset-strategy-document-final.pdf) Quote from: Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Local Transport Plan 3 9.6 Rapid transit 9.6.1 Light rapid transit would represent the most significant step change in public transport provision in the LTP area. Initial feasibility and appraisal work has established that a Dorset Area Rapid Transit System, operating from Christchurch to Hamworthy, is broadly feasible and would attract significant patronage. The scheme would operate tram-trains on the heavy rail network, with on-street links in Bournemouth Town Centre providing a frequent, reliable service between the main urban centres of the conurbation. Integration of rapid transit with the Quality Bus Corridors and key walking / cycling routes would help to create the centrepiece of a modern, sustainable transport system and an attraction for visitors, providing wider economic benefits. Due to expected funding levels, and that this concept is still in its infancy as far as the UK is concerned, it is recognised that rapid transit is unlikely to be implemented until after 2026. However, it represents a longer term aspiration for the LTP and further feasibility work and the development of specific scheme proposals will be undertaken. POLICY LTP H-6 The authorities will promote the future development of rapid transit and develop proposals during the LTP3 period for a future Dorset Area Rapid Transit System operating in the South East Dorset conurbation. This strategic view was confirmed as recently as September 2017. From the Daily Echo: (http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15540230.No_trams_coming_through_Bournemouth_town_centre__for_now_/) Quote from: Daily Echo Cllr Philip Stanley-Watts asked cabinet member Cllr Mike Green, portfolio holder for transport, cleansing and waste, if a demonstration of a potential transport system would be supported. Cllr Philip Broadhead, speaking in verbatim for Cllr Mike Green, said: “In fact the council already has within the adopted local traffic plan long term aspirations for such a system after 2026. “The authorities will promote the future development of a rapid transit and develop proposals within the LTP3 period for a future Dorset rapid transit system operating in the south east Dorset conurbation. "It's visualised this might run from Christchurch to Hamworthy using established train lines with on-street links in Bournemouth town centre, however in the current funding environment I think we have to be realistic. "The set up costs would be very significant and it seems unlikely that government money would be forthcoming for such a project. "Nevertheless, it remains an aspiration and an ambition and I hope that in future officers will look into opportunities as and when it looks like funding might become available.” The proposed Rapid Transit system, including the feasibility of the tram-train element/extensive use of the existing rail network, is described and assessed in detail in the 2012 South East Dorset Multi-Modal Transport Study (Pages 188-196) - https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/roads-highways-maintenance/roads-and-pavements/documents/south-east-dorset-multi-modal-transport-study.pdf grahame - What I would be interested to know is whether the source who informed your correspondent that "we will be getting a tram system" was imparting a genuine change of policy that would move the implementation of such a system into the short/medium term timeframe (presumably by removing the quoted funding constraints through the use of some of the significant savings envisaged by moving to a unitary system), or whether they were simply jumping the gun/living in hope. There is certainly potential there in my view. There are already LTP commitments to work towards an integrated transport authority, Quality Bus Corridors, and the main bus operators (RATP and Go) are both well experienced in the kind of partnership working that could even facilitate successful Bus Franchising if so desired. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |