I thought it was 1st April when I first read this?

[whole diary]

[Phantom]

https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/futuristic-magnet-train-proposed-1-5812684

A plan to build futuristic magnet train between Weston and Bristol has been proposed to avoid the creation of a ‘dormitory town the size of Wells’.

Calls for a ‘horrifying’ plan to build 2,800 homes near Churchill and Langford to be scrapped in favour of developing greenbelt land in The Vale, between Long Ashton and Barrow Gurney, have been renewed by the Churchill and Langford Residents’ Action Group (CALRAG).

As part of its proposal, campaigners have suggested constructing a levitating magnet train, or MAGLEV, between Weston and Bristol to create ‘21st century infrastructure’ to accommodate the homes.

The group, which represents 700 families in the area, believe a MAGLEV train would reduce congestion caused by the development by creating an easy commuter route into Bristol which would help take cars off the road.

Campaigners have proposed beginning construction between Bristol Airport and the city centre, before extending the route to cover Nailsea, Clevedon and Weston.

A spokesman for CALRAG said: “Building major new roads across the Mendip Vale is an idea which belongs to the previous century.

“A modern transport system is conspicuous by its absence in the JSP.

“A MAGLEV system would provide North Somerset with an unobtrusive, energy-efficient alternative, which suits traffic patterns in the area.

“We believe a MAGLEV system would make living in Weston or The Vale conveniently close to employment, culture and leisure – wherever you live.”

Previous calls for development to be moved to The Vale have been dismissed by North Somerset Council, which cited a need to ‘protect greenbelt land’.

Council leader Nigel Ashton has said The Vale would benefit Bristol more than North Somerset.

However, campaigners say development would only require two per cent of the North Somerset greenbelt to be built on, describing it as ‘poor quality land, with a ring road, industrial park and refuse tip’.

CALRAG met with North Somerset Council earlier in the year to discuss the plan but received no response.

The Mercury approached the council for comment but no reply was received before the print deadline yesterday (Wednesday).

[Red Squirrel]

A modern transport system is conspicuous by its absence in the JSP.

A MAGLEV system would provide North Somerset with an unobtrusive, energy-efficient alternative, which suits traffic patterns in the area.

...so CALRAG understand the framework into which new development and transport links have to fit. That's a sign of progress, in that the JSP is a WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about)-wide plan; it acknowledges that any new ideas need to be evaluated at this level.

As to whether the JSP lacks reference to a modern transport system: that depends on what you call 'modern'. We have a railway and a motorway between Bristol and WsM, and rapid transit links are in the JSP scope. Why CALRAG leap to a MAGLEV system rather than seeking to improve existing links is a mystery; I wonder where they would route it? Wouldn't investment in capacity and perhaps new stations on the existing railway carry much less risk?

A spokesman for CALRAG said: “Building major new roads across the Mendip Vale is an idea which belongs to the previous century.

The plans were indeed made in the last century. Junction 20 of the M5 was built to accommodate a new motorway link connecting with the A370; this link has re-emerged in the JSP. Meanwhile Bristol's Mayor is planning to demolish the terminal junction at the other end of the A370...