5th Annual Joint Transport Forum

Find out more about transport in the West of England and join us at the

5th Annual Joint Transport Forum

Topics covered at the forum will include:

• What's new in 2008
• Greater Bristol Bus network
• Rail update
• Weston and Bath Packages
• Rapid Transit
• Transport Innovation Fund

If you would like to join us please email transport@westofengland.org

£70 million boost for public transport

The work to improve public transport corridors and ease congestion in the West of England partnership area will go ahead, thanks to an award of £42 million announced today (Tuesday 20 May) by Transport Minister Rosie Winterton to fund the next stage of the Greater Bristol Bus Network.

Ten new route corridors and over 70 bus routes within the West of England Partnership area will now benefit from local improvements.The improvements will start in summer with work on the M32 bus lane - improving punctuality and reliability for buses into Bristol without reducing any road space for cars. The final details of changes to all routes are not yet finalised and passengers, local residents and local business will be fully consulted about proposals. Regular updates will be provided to keep people informed of progress, timings of future consultations and completion of key milestones.

The total cost of the upgrades is £70 million comprising £42 million from the Department of Transport, £20 million from local bus company, First, with £6 million from developer contributions, with the balance funded by the four local councils.

The benefits of similar improvements can already be seen on the Henbury to Hartcliffe showcase route 1 and Bristol centre to Cadbury Heath showcase route 2, with the increase in passenger usage.

As part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) programme the following routes will be significantly improved:

• M32, from south of Junction 2 to Bristol city centre
• A4018 Bristol to Cribbs Causeway
• A4018 Bristol to Cribbs Causeway via Parkway and North Fringe
• A432 Bristol to Yate
• A4 Bristol to Bath
• A37 Bristol to Midsomer Norton and Radstock
• A 4174 Avon Ring Road
• A370 Bristol to Weston-super-Mare
• A369 Bristol to Portishead
• A367 Bath to Midsomer Norton and Radstock

 Improvements brought about under GBBN will include:

• Bus priority measures such as new bus lanes and intelligent traffic signals to minimise delays and improve journey times.
• New buses with easy access low floors, lower emissions and improved comfort and cleanliness.
• Real time information where and when passengers need it. Simple and easy to understand information to put bus users in control of their travel options.
• Improved links to and from park and ride sites.
• More services and new routes where there is most demand.
• New shelters with raised kerbs, improved lighting, seating and CCTV to improve access, comfort and cleanliness.
• Improved maintenance and service agreements will ensure buses and shelters remain clean and damage free.

 Cllr Helen Holland, Leader of Bristol City Council and Chair of the West of England Partnership said: "A high quality bus network is a top priority if we are going to successfully tackle congestion in our city and across the West of England. The new cleaner buses on faster routes will make a noticeable difference to bus journey times and encourage more people to use public transport in and around Bristol. It's not just bus passengers who will benefit. The programme will enable us to improve pedestrian and cycle access and safety - and design more attractive street environments that will ensure better neighbourhoods for all."

Responding to the Greater Bristol Bus Network award, Cllr Charles Gerrish, Bath and North East Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Customer Services commented: "Bath and North East Somerset Council welcomes this funding award to enhance the bus travel experience. It reflects our aspiration to improve transport by increasing local bus passenger journeys and reducing congestion, particularly journey times during the morning peak. We have already begun technical work on improvements to the Hicks Gate, Keynsham roundabout and conducted consultation on how best to implement the improvements on the Wellsway, Bath. We are engaging and communicating with local residents on how best to improve our bus network."

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Planning, Highways and Economic Development at North Somerset said: "For North Somerset this is one small step in the transport infrastructure, which we hope will give residents more confidence in the reliability and quality of the bus service on two of our key routes. Nevertheless, we will be continuing to press for further improvements for bus, rail and private car users over the coming months, including a new rail link for Portishead and improvements at junctions 21 and 19 of the M5. I hope to make further announcements on these improvements later this year."

Cllr John Calway, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, added: "We are delighted with the announcement which will deliver a high quality public transport network for our residents. A lot of hard work by the four local authorities has gone into ensuring this scheme was approved by the Government. Working with our partners we are committed to tackling congestion, poor air quality and the challenges that climate change presents. This project will lead to a greater choice of bus routes, modern low emission vehicles, new bus shelters and real time information and, faster and more frequent services."

Justin Davies, Managing Director, First Bristol and First Somerset and Avon said, "This funding announcement is very welcome and we look forward to working with our partners as this programme develops so that we can provide a safe, reliable and punctual bus service across the area."

All aboard for train trip to see Rail Minister (2 April 2008)

Councillors from the West of England Partnership met Tom Harris, Minister for Rail at the House of Commons on 2 April 2008.  Joined by local Members of Parliament this was a meeting to discuss opportunities for developing rail in the region.

Executive Members for transport and officers from the four councils plus the Chair and Vice Chair of the West of England's Planning, Transport and Environment Group (PTEG) all attended.  The meeting was a good opportunity to demonstrate the four councils working together, raise the profile of the West of England and the importance of rail and the growth agenda.  An offer for the West of England to take part in train technology trials was well received by the Department for Transport.

The importance of resignalling and transforming of Bristol Temple Meads for delivering increased capacity was raised and the Minister gave a commitment to ask Network Rail on their plans for this key national and regional network bottleneck.

This was a productive meeting.  In a letter to us of 30 April 2008 Tom Harris said:

“I also found our meeting useful.  I note what you say about the development of governance arrangements in your organisation in response to future development challenges and your views of the resignalling and transformation of Bristol Temple Meads.  In relation to your desire to be considered a potential partner in new rail technology trials I have ensured that a copy of your letter has been sent to officials in the department working on these issues.”

The West of England looks forward to meeting and working with the Minister again on sub-regional transport priorities.