News / Transport
Vision for ‘world class transport system’ for Bristol
An underground system in Bristol could be funded by a congestion charge according to new proposals aimed at tackling the city’s transport woes.
The city council estimates that the annual income from a congestion charge would be between £5m and £20m, dependent on its size – with a wider area recommended to boost funds that could contribute to the creation of a mass transit system.
While details are still vague about such a system, which could include underground rail networks and trams, Mhairi Threlfall, Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for transport, says it is still a priority. The feasibility report is due to be published in December.
is needed now More than ever
It comes as a new consultation is launched that reveals that the number of people using cars in the city centre needs to reduce from 53 per cent to 43 per cent by 2036, just to maintain traffic at its current level.
With little new information on the ambition to build a £4 billion mass transit system for Bristol, the stand out headlines in the council papers are the possible introduction of a congestion zone charge and workplace parking levies.
This is something the Tory group has already spoken out against, arguing such measures would disproportionately hit those on low incomes who rely on cars to get around the city.
People are being asked to give their views on an 84-page draft strategy document that outlines solutions to the current issues much of the population face just getting from A to B – and, crucially how they should be funded – as part of a consultation that launched on Monday.
The draft transport strategy document hints at changes ahead, drawing comparisons between Bristol and Copenhagen, where over the course of 50 years, the city centre has gradually evolved to incorporate more pedestrianised areas and cycle lanes – resulting in walking and cycling becoming the most-used forms of transport.
Cabinet member for transport Mhairi Threlfall says a a key focus is on improving public transport
Threlfall says that her “vision for Bristol is to be a well-connected city that enables people to move around efficiently with increased transport options that are accessible and inclusive to all”.
Speaking on the day of the consultation launch, she outlined the Labour administration’s vision for a “world class transport network” for Bristol.
Threlfall said: “We want to really open up the conversation on our ambitions and on the mass transit system. We are also asking the question of how we will fund this vision, with opinions sought on a range of funding options. These include congestion charges and workplace parking levies.
“It’s about improving connectivity and making transport more accessible and more reliable. It’s also about improving public transport to future-proof the city and respond to needs and population growth. It’s really important that we have this conversation.”
Threlfall said that in recent years, around £800m has already been invested in schemes to improve the city’s infrastructure through schemes such as Metrobus, rail improvements, walking and cycling upgrades, plus the seemingly never-ending roadworks at Temple Gate – but there is still a long way to go.
Creating safer cycle paths could encourage more people to travel by bike
Some of the key approaches focus around improving public transport – particularly to communities in south Bristol that have traditionally been left behind – make cycling and walking safer options, limiting the number of lorries and investing in technology, such as smart phone apps, to help people plan journeys.
If wading through an 84-page consultation sounds a bit dry, the council has created a handy film setting out its vision, or just opt to take matters into your own hands and complete the transport simulator to set out what solutions are needed and how they will be funded.
All of the responses will be fed back to the council to shape the transport strategy, which in turn will feed into the regional transport strategy, created by the West of England Combined Authority.
The consultation runs until November 2. It can be found online at www.bristol.citizenspace.com/growth-regeneration/bristol-transport-strategy/
Read more: More on Bristol underground revealed
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