News / Politics
Metro mayor’s ‘lack of ambition’ on Bristol underground ‘staggering’
Marvin Rees has hit out at metro mayor and Labour colleague Dan Norris after Norris said that Bristol would never get an underground.
“The lack of ambition of both Bristol city opposition councillors and the combined authority is staggering,” Rees said.
“I remain committed to the mass transit system including the use of underground in central areas.”
is needed now More than ever
Norris was asked on Points West whether Bristol will ever get an underground and he had one word to say: “No.”
A mass transit system would see three or four routes built in Bristol, with underground and overground railways. The scheme was estimated to cost £4bn several years ago.
In a statement strongly defending his plans to deliver a mass transit system, Rees said: “Bristol residents recently made it clear that transport is the number one dissatisfaction in the city and without the mass transit, there is no plan for improvement, particularly as the city continues to grow.
“We cannot keep spending money improving ways to bring people into the city when residents cannot move around the city.”
The mayor added: “Any growing city with a major economy must have a world class transport system and we have the opportunity to build one in a sustainable low carbon way.
“Delivery of infrastructure has to stay ahead of the growth of population and the economy.
“Ours has lagged behind for decades and we created WECA to change that.
“Any delay or change of direction now is simply repeating the failures of the past and failing Bristol.”
WECA is due to consider a extra £15m investment allocated for the mass transit system at a meeting in March.
Main photo: Bristol City Council
Read next:
- Critics of Bristol underground need to ‘stop talking city down’
- Mayor promises to steer ahead with underground railway
- London-style frequency to be introduced on key bus routes
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