‘A major problem is the extortionate average cost of installing tram lines per mile’
Images released by the West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin showing how a mass transit system could look, with trams at Bristol Airport.(Image: WECA)
Bristol Live readers have been sharing their views on renewed discussions about mass transit for the West of England, with many expressing scepticism about the costs, timescales and whether it should be a priority. Some are calling for more affordable, faster solutions.
Others are highlighting examples from other areas and alternative transport options.
The scheme to establish a mass transit system in Bristol and the West of England for the first time in more than 80 years has moved forward significantly, with the Government launching a new ‘Mass Transit Taskforce’.
The national working group will back the West of England’s attempts to turn a mass transit project into reality in the coming years, drawing on ‘best practice from across the world to make recommendations on how mass transit systems can be delivered more quickly and efficiently’.
Bristol remains the largest city in the UK without any form of mass transit – whether that’s underground trains, metro trains or trams – and European cities considerably smaller than Bristol already have systems in operation to allow residents to commute and travel using public transport.
The West of England secured one of the smallest allocations of any region in England in the Government’s most recent public transport funding distribution – primarily because Bristol and Bath lacks existing mass transit, while other cities received billions to enhance their current systems.
Alongside the creation of the ‘task force’, the Government also revealed that metro mayors will receive enhanced devolved powers, granting them final authority over transport proposals, including mass transit schemes.
The two announcements were welcomed by West of England metro mayor Helen Godwin. She unveiled the region’s new ‘transport vision’ earlier this year, placing the creation of a mass transit system for Bristol and Bath at its core, while also prioritising improvements to the cities’ current bus services.
One of our readers, Dbanderson says: “So another 79 years to wait.”
While Shaun202020 adds: “When Hell freezes over. Ha Ha.”
Englishgas writes: “So the gravy train continues. More reports, feasibility studies, someone coining it right in again. End result, jack all. Repeat.”
Xercesblue12 replies: “Actually, these are merely artists’ impressions. WECA has done no serious work on what type of tram, or even mass transit, system would be most appropriate. Remember, the MCA covers the region and not just its core city. Ms Godwin has floated ideas about mass transit systems connecting up the 5 ‘new towns’ as well as within and between cities (and the airport) without costing any of it. A major problem is the extortionate average cost of installing tram lines per mile in the UK compared with Europe (roughly double the cost). With the row over defence shortfalls and the UK’s precarious fiscal position, I doubt that this ‘task force’ will come to much.”
Kinglarry remarks: “If the Coventry Very Light Rail system takes off then it could be future of mass transit. As for the article it is incorrect to say Bristol is the largest city without mass transit, it is in fact Leeds.”
Bluemorpho11 answers: “Leeds, under West Yorkshire MCA, received £200 million for initial work within a larger £2.1 billion government transport grant to the MCA for a mass transit system (Vastly more than WECAs central transport grant). One aim of the system is to link Leeds with Bradford. Although it has experienced problems, Leeds mass transit is being constructed.”
Kinglarry states: “No visible work on the project is seen in the city. Not a spade or inch of track. £200 million to talk about what may happen. Hope it goes ahead, but have my doubts.”
Xercesblue12 adds: “True, there is a substantial delay as the original plans may have been overambitious and much has been spent on consultants (it is a Labour controlled MCA), but, unlike WECA, there is a start here.
“Coventry’s Very Light Rail system of trams has the cost advantage of being a shallow track system, avoiding having to remove underground utility pipes. (These shallow systems are common in Europe, reducing track installation costs). It also doesn’t need overhead cables. It is battery powered and is cheaper to run than a conventional tram. However, each tram takes only up to 60 passengers, with a number standing, so its passenger capacity is similar to a bus and significantly less than a conventional tram. Its main advantage is as a speedy hop-on and go service, but a conventional tram would better serve larger waiting crowds.”
Over on our Facebook page, Lee T comments: “Idea. Create a network of a maximum of 12 metro routes which link up most population centres around the region, each with a distinct name so they are easy to remember. Have buses run every 10/15 minutes. Link up all the park and rides and use them as transport hubs. Have circular as well as central routes. Have fewer stops for these buses, which only stop once per neighbourhood. Have a fancy-looking map showing the routes.
“The underground is powerful because everyone knows the routes, and you don’t have to think about timings when getting the bus, you just go. Nobody complains that they need to walk 10/15 minutes to the nearest stop. You don’t need to spend millions of pounds on tram systems or underground systems, which will only serve those in the centre and ignore everyone else, and take decades to achieve. Just invest in the system we have and make it work for everyone in the city!”
Verdine L-S asks: “What is this obsession with trams? They simply aren’t suitable for Bristol’s medieval road patterns. They work in Manchester because they make use of former railway routes. We already have perfectly good mass transit connections between Bristol and Bath – railway trains and express bus routes. These could easily be improved without the need for additional infrastructure.”
Would you like to see these plans come to fruition? Comment below or HERE to have your say.