News / Transport
Multi-million-pound investment in Bristol transport
An investment of more than £229m in Bristol’s transport network is designed to drive “significant change” in the way people travel.
Cabinet members are set to rubber stamp details of the city’s £191m share of a £382m pot allocated for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) region at a meeting on Tuesday. They are also asked to agree to an additional local spend of £38m over five years.
Described as “transformative” funding by the mayor, the money will be invested in a number of major projects that include improving the Long Ashton and Hengrove metrobus lines, making railway stations more accessible and delivering two liveable neighbourhood pilot schemes.
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Money will also be spent on improving public transport corridors in the city.
Mayor Marvin Rees said: “This transformative funding will allow us to invest in our transport infrastructure, and bring about real change in the way we travel across the city and region.
“We are on a journey to be net zero by 2030 and this funding is a huge boost in helping us reshape our public transport and build the infrastructure needed to encourage more people to walk and cycle and take public transport.
“Many of the projects cross city and county borders and will involve working closely with the West of England Combined Authority and our neighbouring local authorities to develop business cases to unlock this funding.
“This gives us all a huge opportunity to really tackle some of our biggest issues, such as congestion and air pollution, while increasing connectivity across the city and region. This is vital if we want to sustainably grow and prosper.”
The City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement has been awarded by the Department of Transport to WECA for projects that support inclusive economic growth, provide better connections between places and encourage more people to use sustainable and zero-carbon transport.
The required £38m contribution from Bristol City Council will be made up of £9.7m allocated for the clean air zone, due to be implemented in September, and section 106 funds, provided by developers for specific projects to mitigate impacts on communities, according to cabinet papers. It is proposed a further £20m could come from the economic development fund for the M32 park and ride.
If the distribution of the CRSTS funding is approved, business cases will be drawn up for each of the proposed projects and these will go before cabinet before getting underway.
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read more: Finding a sensible solution to Bristol’s transport woes
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