News / Transport
Green light for controversial Metrobus scheme
Plans for a controversial multi-million pound Metrobus system in Bristol have been approved.
The scheme to link North and South Bristol with a new high-speed bus network has been described as a ‘white elephant’ by opponents.
However, the plans were given backing by South Gloucestershire Council at a meeting on Tuesday.
is needed now More than ever
Councillor Brian Allinson, Chair of the West of England Joint Transport Board, said now the entire network had been approved “we can rapidly move forward in delivering these vital public transport improvements”.
He added: “The MetroBus network will link key areas through a modern public transport network that is faster, more reliable, and more comfortable than existing bus services.”
Bristol councillors narrowly approved the scheme in August.
Supporters claim the MetroBus network will provide faster and more reliable journey times and has been designed to link and connect with existing rail and bus services.
‘Massively disappointing’
However, the Alliance to Rethink Metrobus group (ARM) which represents 19 different pressure groups said the ‘Metrobus’ routes are not integrated with the wider public transport system and the scheme is environmentally damaging.
Pip Sheard, spokeswoman for ARM, said they were “massively disappointed with the decision” and the group have fought the scheme for nearly three years.
“I am gutted on behalf of the city that this is all they can offer us”.
She added that the group were meeting a representative from the Department for Transport in London next week and the group will be asking for a response to “their concerns about the public transport white elephant”.
In a statement South Gloucestershire council said construction on the MetroBus network will begin later this year and “the project will work closely with local residents to keep them informed as work commences”.
MetroWest
Meanwhile, a £58m plan to improve railway services in and around Bristol is to be submitted to the government for approval.
The two phase MetroWest project would introduce half-hourly services for the Severn Beach line, the Bath-to-Bristol line. Phase 1 of the project plans to re-open the Portishead line to passenger train services by 2019.
The plans by the Joint Transport Board for the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership are to be submitted for approval on Friday although a decision may take up to 6 months.
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