From my inbox (my thanks to an
FOSBR▸ member) :
Thank you for your letter of 15th July. Though I am still fairly new to this post and still getting briefed I share many of your concerns and I am determined to do what I can to improve transport in Bristol through my position as the member of the Council's Cabinet responsible for transport.
As you have observed, proposals to construct a rapid transit (tram) network serving Bristol were not successful. The main reason for this was that the cost of funding trams escalated and they have become simply unaffordable for government, the main source of funding. In addition to the Bristol scheme, government funding was similarly not made available for schemes also at an advanced stage of preparation in Leeds, Liverpool and South Hampshire (Portsmouth/Gosport). The only tram schemes that currently appear to be progressing are extensions to existing schemes (Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham) or where different national government funding regimes are in place (Edinburgh).
Department for Transport advice has been for local authorities seeking to promote fast mass public transport systems to concentrate instead on bus rapid transit which are seen as being able to provide most of the benefits of a rail-based tram as well as greater flexibility at a fraction of the cost. Bus rapid transit uses current bus technology, but with greater use of design of the vehicle and operating environment to provide fast and attractive services, segregated as far as possible from traffic congestion. An example of the type of vehicle being considered is to be found currently operating in York.
Taking heed of the government advice, the development of a bus rapid transit network for the greater Bristol area was recommended in the Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study which was published last year and carried out by consultants acting on behalf of the Government Office for the South West, the Regional Development Agency, the Highways Agency and the four local authorities in the greater Bristol area.
This advice has now been included in the Joint Local Transport Plan for the period up to 2010/11 , adopted last year by the four local authorities. I believe that this plan provides an extremely comprehensive approach on a number of fronts to deal with traffic congestion that you refer to, and also other transport issues, and I consider that this is the effective plan you seek.
The greater Bristol area has been successful in obtaining a greater than expected share of funding earmarked through the Regional Funding Allocation, and work is now taking place to develop both the bus rapid transit proposals and four other major transport schemes in the greater Bristol area. For the first of these schemes developing the existing Greater Bristol Bus Network - the four councils are in partnership with First Group who will be investing ^20 million in new buses as part of a ^62 million partnership. This will extending the successful Showcase Bus Route concept already completed on the A38 route through Bristol and nearly completed on the A420/ A431 , to ten additional corridors. A government announcement confirming this funding is expected soon which will enable this transformational project to be completed over the next four years. For Bus Rapid Transit, which will be implemented after the GBBN project and be complementary to it, there has been no discussion yet with potential operators of such a service, so it is incorrect to assume that this is being developed in association with First Group.
Some of your concerns relate to national issues of funding and taxation which are beyond my remit and powers. Like you and many others, I can see that many places abroad have developed more ambitious public transport systems than we see in Britain with, in many cases, lower fares. This has arisen almost invariably from different government investment, public subsidy and taxation strategies.
However, I do draw some comfort from the recently-published draft Transport Bill which, when enacted, will provide the opportunity to create a Strategic Transport Authority covering the greater Bristol area. I am enthusiastic about this idea recently supported by members of alLPolitical parties locally - as I believe it will provide an opportunity for greater co-ordination of plans, a common purpose and above all - unlock further funding for investment.
I do hope that I have answered your questions. Like you, am frustrated by the traffic problems we see daily in Bristol, and I intend to see a marked improvement while I am responsible for this area of work.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor Mark Bradshaw
Executive Member for Access and Environment
Quotes :
"Taking heed of the government advice, the development of a
bus rapid transit network for the greater Bristol area was recommended in the Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study which was published last year and carried out by consultants acting on behalf of the Government Office for the South West, the Regional Development Agency, the Highways Agency and the four local authorities in the greater Bristol area.
This advice has now been included in the Joint Local Transport Plan for the period up to 2010/11 , adopted last year by the four local authorities. I believe that this plan provides an extremely comprehensive approach on a number of fronts to deal with traffic congestion that you refer to, and also other transport issues, and I consider that this is the effective plan you seek."
The bus rapid transit network for the greater Bristol area was recommended by Atkins and includes turning the Severn Beach Line into a guided busway (see map on page 3 of the link below.)
http://www.gosw.gov.uk/497666/docs/164775/418726/gbstsexecsummYou now have a good idea as to why I am always interested in what this consultancy firm gets up to (see link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=550.msg1812#msg1812
