MP warns mayor 'tinkering' with bus scheme could kill off funding
BRISTOL South Labour MP Dawn Primarolo has warned city mayor George Ferguson that "tinkering" with the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system threatens to kill off transport funding from the Government for a generation.
Mr Ferguson has revealed he wants to change the BRT route from the Long Ashton park and ride site into the city centre so buses do not pass in front of the M shed museum and over Prince Street Bridge.
But Ms Primarolo says that Mr Ferguson's review of the scheme will put Government funding for the project in doubt.
She said: "Throughout the election, the mayor indicated that he would stop BRT, and seek to use the funding for alternative transport proposals.
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"Two transport secretaries have confirmed to me that this would not be possible. However, I would have had some respect for the mayor if he had done as he had previously suggested, and fought Bristol's corner.
"Instead, he has announced, unilaterally on Twitter, that he will make a significant alteration to the route. BRT has been drawn up painstakingly over six years – to make changes like this now will see years more delay while congestion gets worse.
"To make these changes while we are still awaiting the outcome of the public inquiry is rash, premature and ill-judged. I have asked to see the advice the mayor was given, to see whether he took a considered decision, or if he is simply acting on a whim.
"During the mayoral election, the 'Bristol Disease' of delay and indecision was frequently discussed, and many Bristolians thought that Mr Ferguson's business experience could get things moving.
"The reality is that his announcement puts the whole package of Government funding in doubt. Worse than that, it risks damaging Bristol's reputation in Whitehall for a generation.
"I wish that the mayor had been more considered in his comments. However, we are where we are. It is now imperative for him to find an alternative route quickly and cost effectively, so that we can finally getting on with making the transport improvements Bristol needs, rather than just talking about them."
Mr Ferguson has told The Post he has ordered a review of the system and has been talking to transport experts in Whitehall about the changes.
He said: "I have been speaking to members of the transport executive and I have made it clear I will not accept the rapid transit system on Prince Street Bridge or on the Harbourside.
"I have asked for a review to be carried out and this will have to take place pretty quickly as we are working to a timetable.
"I want to get the BRT system out of the Harbourside but we need to move speedily on this, because we do not want to lose the funding from central Government."
Comments
by johnneyw
Friday, January 18 2013, 7:08PM
“The Bristol South MPs comments are an irrelevance. Sour grapes politicis in the tired old style. BRT needs changes and not being concerned about money spent on a mistake shows contempt for the taxpayer.”
by Paulienash
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 1:03PM
“Sour grapes indeed, Dawns man Marvin luckily didn't get in and fortunately it appears GF isn't taking the previous Labour/Lib Dems Councils strategy of just 'getting the money'.
Dawns still stuck in the previous labour administration spiral of borrow, borrow, spend, spend, spend, borrow some more.
I appreciate the majority of Labour/Lib Dems see money from central Govt as somehow 'free' but the tax paying voters of Bristol know exactly where it comes from.”
by bris28
Monday, January 14 2013, 9:48AM
“Another gripe from the Rt. Hon.Member for Bristol South. Is it just sour grapes 'cos Labour's man didn't win the Mayoral Referendum? And it''s clear the Member doesn't care much for Mr. Ferguson. Put personalities aside and let's hear something constructiive from this red corner of the city.”
by DM_Fishponds
Monday, January 14 2013, 7:14AM
“The BRT2 route through Bristol Docks is not the only badly planned section of this so-called "better than nothing" scheme.
1. The Bus-only junction on the M32 where Stoke Lane currently crosses the motorway. This is a complete white-elephant, costing an estimated £13.5 million. Especially when there is already a new bus lane running from Abbey Wood along the A4174 to Junction 1 of the M32. Please save the £13.5 MILLION and use Junction 1 instead.
2. Planning a route from Hengrove to Emersons Green via the city centre is absurd. The 'ring' road needs to be completed with a "South Bristol Link", something which Whitchurch Park Councillor, Tim Kent, always opposed for some reason.
While considering BRT2, please consider a new M4 junction which could connect directly with the ring road somewhere near the new Science Park. When I asked a representative of the Highways Authority at a BRT2 informal consultation why a new junction had not been considered to remove pressure on the M32, he replied, "Because people would use it, and that's not what motorways are for!"”