Anger that Bristol's bendy bus route misses Cribbs Causeway
Liberal Democrat councillors have attacked the proposed route of the rapid transit 'bendy bus' in Bristol and South Gloucestershire for not serving Cribbs Causeway.
They said it was outrageous the shopping complex had been left out of the bid for funding for the £191-million scheme.
But South Gloucestershire Council's transport chief, Brian Allinson, hasn't ruled out extending the system to Cribbs Causeway in the future, if the project gets off the ground.
It was a row over the destination of the Mall shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway that led to plans for a tram system being scrapped more than six years ago.
An economic study supported Bristol City Council's proposals for an eight-mile tram service from the city centre to Parkway railway station, instead of South Gloucestershire's preferred terminus of the Mall.
Bristol councillors also opposed the Mall as a destination because they didn't want shoppers taken away from the city centre.
The two councils are now working together on an alternative scheme to tackle traffic congestion, using bendy buses that will run on traffic-free routes where possible, sometimes on and sometimes off existing roads.
It will link the Bristol north fringe to Hengrove in the south of the city, with two branches in South Gloucestershire's section. One is proposed to go from Aztec West to the M32 and the other from Emersons Green to the motorway.
The councils are currently carrying out separate consultation exercises on their routes before combining the results and presenting a joint business case to the Department for Transport in March.
But Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Hockey said a connection to Cribbs Causeway should be included in the funding bid.
Her Patchway colleague, Jan Woodley, said: "It's absolutely essential that the bus rapid transit route goes to Cribbs Causeway. That is both where thousands of people wish to go to shop and where many hundreds of people go to work."
She claimed connecting the centre of Bristol with the Mall would not harm the retail centres but benefit both shoppers and retailers. But Mr Allinson said: "Those in the partnership are behind this and it was vital to get the route sorted. After all the transport fiascos of the past, including the costly failure of the tram, we need to deliver a scheme that stays within the funding envelope that we have been provisionally allocated. This transport package is an initial building block on which we can expand when further funding is available in the future."
Chris Sane, head of transportation, said the proposal as it stood provided "a very solid foundation" on which to bid.
23 Comments
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by K, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 7:30PM
“I bet if the Bristol boundaries change and everthing inside the M4/M5 motorways comes into Bristol suddenly the bendy bus will find a terminus at Cribbs.
Its about time the Bristol councillors get with the times and realised that if we are going to go to Cribbs or Cabot Circus we will go - transport system nor no!!!”
by david, S G
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 4:53PM
“It will never get the go ahead,what with all the council's not backing each other on anything that is good for this area.”
by The Original Richard, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 4:33PM
“Thanks the Hedgehog.
Dr Rogers, with Jamie's concerns could there be a possible compromise in exchange for using some of the allotment space, could you provide more allotments in the grounds of Purdown close to the bridge which local people can access? Also could you look at opening up the path at the end of Frome Valley Way for cyclists and walkers to connect to Fishponds.. resurface, new lighting and a bike park at the park and ride in partnership with cycling city. This will provide a safe heaven for students and employees.”
by PB, Chippenham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 3:37PM
“I'm having massive dejavu after reading this article as this is the same argument that scuppered the tram proposals. However, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has a major advantage over trams, in that services can fan out beyond the actual reserved track and run on public roads to serve a wider area. So, I say to Counsellor Pat Hockey, leave the scheme as it is, and just run the BRT vehicles on the public highway from Aztec West to Cribbs, perhaps via the A38, Patchway Roundabout and Highwood Road. These roads are all dual carriageway and the outer lanes can easily be converted into bus lanes for this purpose. South Gloucestershire should be able to fund this by reassigning their existing highways money.”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 2:21PM
“Sorry, Richard :-((( Of course, I meant Michael the Motorist.
I totally agree with your post, and have been urging North and South Dibley Parish Councils to get their act together for more years than I care to think about.
While I disagree with Jon Rogers about the Cycling City (and the spelling of our first names), I appreciate his open and honest approach on this and other fora.
If officials of the other councils were as constructive, we would be well on our way to an local Transport Authority and a decent public transport system.”
by The Original Richard, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:44PM
“The Hedgehog, Horfield. I'm not sure if your comment was aimed at me... if so it has no substance... I'm thinking of the region; yes we have a fantastic shopping centre, beautiful towns all around us and huge private and public investment, however The failed Arena, the failing greater Bristol transport schemes, the closure of the Imax and Wildwalk and much more was terrible. After investing £13m on the Arena (BBC 2007) they abandoned the project. An Aquarium and the Imax is opening again thanks to private money (but if it was open in the evenings for the majority of taxpayers it would have probably paid for itself).
Dr Rogers is a very good councillor and he proves his qualities by answering questions on here. If only the rest weren't all faceless wonders!”
by anon,, Bradley Stoke
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:35PM
“Lived in Bradley Stoke for 17 years,promised a proper tram system to Bristol & Cribbs Causeway by the councils.Land around Bradley Stoke still there for the track to go.All this argueing between the councils & no thought for the residents has made me decide to emigrate to Canada in January 2010.Enjoy your gridlock people!!!”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:32PM
“They're not listening to small spiny animals, Your Grace. Maybe a Peer of the Realm can do better.”
by JAMIE, Frenchay
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:32PM
“Sorry plans not palns typo!”
by JAMIE, Frenchay
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:31PM
“Cllr Rogers
Thank You for your reply I am unable to attend tonight due to work but will be at the next one in the coming week. I still see this area as the wrong place to put P and R, I believe the biggest problem to traffic in Bristol is the School run funny how easy it is to travel during school holidays. Park and Ride or not Mummy and Daddy will still be driving there little darlings to the school of there choice on a daily bascis. I also see on the palns it says 60% of the allotments could be saved surely that should read will be saved?”