How would you improve transport in Bristol?

If there is one subject to get us all hot under the collar, it’s about the problems of getting from A to B.

For the launch of Bristol24/7’s new quarterly magazine, ten people involved in Bristol’s transport – from campaigners and charity workers, to politicians and a cycle courier – were asked about how they would improve the way we move around our city.

They were asked a simple question: how would you improve transport in Bristol?

Zoe Banks Gross, Sustrans

“Adapting to climate change means we need to think about how people will travel in the future” – photo: Sustrans

“We need to design transport infrastructure with social justice at the heart. People across Bristol need walking and cycling paths that are safe, easy to access, and help connect them to school, work, shops and GP surgeries. And more leafy routes segregated from car traffic not only leading into the city centre, but also between neighbourhoods.

“Adapting to climate change means we need to think about how people will travel in the future, and plan for that city now. Adding more trees and green spaces creating shady areas for hotter summer weather and the capacity to absorb the increased rainfall we anticipate. A walkable, cycle-friendly city will be healthier and fairer for everyone.”

Tim Weekes, Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FoSBR)

“WECA plans to open some new stations, but it’s happening too slowly” – photo: Tim Weekes

“We need a better alternative to the car. Walking, buses, bikes and scooters are all hugely important. But they all have to compete for road space with cars. Bristol has a huge underused asset: its local railways. Railways have their own right-of-way, so they don’t need to compete with anyone.

“WECA plans to open some new stations, but it’s happening too slowly. FoSBR wants more stations to be opened, with better access and turn-up-and-go electric services. We want full integration with buses, scooters and walking. This would give large areas of Bristol the high quality public transport we desperately need.”

Sarah Berry, Living Streets trustee

“Too often on our streets cyclists and drivers come into conflict on our roads” – photo: Living Streets

“For me the best way to improve transport in Bristol is to give everyone their own space. Too often on our streets pedestrians and cyclists come into conflict on our pavements and cyclists and drivers come into conflict on our roads. If we have a strategy for everyone to have their own space – for pavements free of clutter for walking and wheeling, and segregated cycle lanes for safe cycling and scooting – then everyone will have a safer and more joyful journey.”

Rob Bryher, transport campaigner

“We need an administration in Bristol who will champion and talk about the need to transition away from car-dependency” – photo: Rob Bryher

“Communities need to be supported to understand the options for changing their streets so they are more focused on what makes people happy and connected to others, and less around stationary vehicles taking up space. We should not wait for parklets and cycle hangars; we should just go ahead and experiment with our streets now.

“We also need a citywide understanding that through traffic isn’t needed on most streets, and a plan to decrease traffic on major roads too that goes beyond the Clean Air Zone’s narrow parameters. Most of all, we need an administration in Bristol who will champion and talk about the need to transition away from car-dependency.”

Richard Bonner, West of England LEP

“When I look to Leeds, I see real ambition” – photo: West of England LEP

“It is vital that we have a long term plan for a larger scale of transport investment that focuses on the key strategic transport corridors, creating segregated transport routes, moving citizens around the city region cost effectively, helping us to remove cars, and meet our net zero ambitions, as well as connecting to designated growth areas for housing and employment.

“When I look to Leeds, I see real ambition, and a plan, that links a variety of modes to key transport nodes, park & rides, train stations, and the airport. Here, we should be aspiring to have similar ambitions, and where necessary, this could include below ground running in our congested and historical city centre.”

Mandy Sherman, Bristol Ferry

“Stepping onboard the ferry from Temple Meads and heading into the city and beyond is undoubtedly the best welcome to Bristol!” – photo: Martin Booth

“I would love to see a ferry boat service which is integrated into the public transport system of central Bristol. This would offer an all-year-round timetabled service, with extended hours, servicing the commuters and evening passengers, on warm covered boats in the winter. Where every landing stage has clear noticeable signage, a shelter and timetable and real-time digital updates for waiting passengers.

“Even, dare I say, the possibility of the landing stages being safe and accessible for public use would be a good start! Stepping onboard the ferry from Temple Meads and heading into the city and beyond is undoubtedly the best welcome to Bristol!”

Leah DeHaan, cycle courier

“At the moment it’s a bit crazy because we’re not sure how to interact with each other” – photo: Bristol Cycling Campaign

“We need more distinguished boundaries between different transport modes for safety and we need to respect other people’s choices. At the moment it’s a bit crazy because we’re not sure how to interact with each other. It would be great to see infrastructure supporting what’s happening at the moment in active travel for example, designated cycle, cargo bike and scooter lanes.

“The next thing that’s needed are public charging points for e-bikes. Say you stop off in a cafe, it would be great if you could charge your bike at the same time. For instance, Cotham Hill is closed to cars now, so public charging points would support local businesses but it would also support a healthy city.”

David Wilcox, co-shadow cabinet member for transport

“Walking distances of less than one kilometre needs to be the default option for all able-bodied people” – photo: David Wilcox

“Public transport in Bristol needs to be everywhere, seamless, accessible and owned by the people of Bristol. We need to make cycling safe for everyone from eight to 80 by building a network of separated cycle lanes.

“Walking distances of less than one kilometre needs to be the default option for all able-bodied people. Making any of these three options the first choice to move around will go a long way to make our city cleaner, healthier and less congested. Bristol has limited road and pavement space; its availability needs to be prioritised for the economy and health of our city.”

David Redgewell, South West Transport Network

“Local council leaders must support the metro mayor to deliver the bus, train, ferry and future light rail system” – photo: David Redgewell

“We need to set up a proper regional transport authority and give WECA mayor Dan Norris the power to raise taxes to fund bus, train, ferry and future mass transit services. An integrated transport authority would get on and run our public transport network with cheap integrated travel cards, and bus, train and ferry passes especially for young people. Local council leaders must take responsibility for our region’s public transport network and support the metro mayor to deliver the bus, train, ferry and future light rail system for the benefit of all passengers and all communities.”

Alan Morris, Bristol Walking Alliance

“Pavement parking, and the lack of toilets remain deterrents to walking” – photo: Alan Morris

“Walking is good for people’s health, good for the city, and good for the planet.  In 2019, the Bristol Transport Strategy included the goal: ‘Walking to be safe, pleasant, accessible and the first choice for local journeys and combined with public transport for longer journeys’.

BWA’s booklet 50 Ways to Better Walking sets how to achieve this. We welcome progress made in restricting traffic in the city centre, on some school streets and elsewhere.  But the development of Liveable Neighbourhoods is slow.  And pavement parking, and the lack of toilets remain deterrents to walking.”

Main image: Possible

Read next:

• Is walking a neglected mode of transport in Bristol?
• ‘How can we reach net zero when our public transport system is in shambles?’
• Bristol underground would cost £18bn, secret report reveals
• Bristol’s bus network is ‘near collapse’

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