The missing link
The South Bristol link road is essential. We would all like to have the green belt land kept as it is. But we in Bristol have our share of increased immigration to provide housing for, which is something this government never thought about.
To avoid using this green belt land, we would need a reduction of three to five million in the total population over the next five to 10 years, which realistically I don't see happening.
If as a country we start to have a policy of manufacturing things again, where are we going to put the new factories ?
Consider what has happened to the land from our previous largest employers. The Board Mills, Mardons,Wills, Robinsons, Carsons and, most likely, the Shaw site and Cadbury site. All are now 70-80 per cent houses. In some instances, 100 per cent houses. There is no room on the old industrial sites for factories.
New industries and factories will have to be built on green field sites, and the new roads will be essential to service them.
Regarding phase three from Hicks Gate. Our local councils say there is no money for it. But one bendy bus route from south Bristol is likely to cost £140 million. The money for which appears to be no problem.
The problem is, there is no political will at national or local government level to build new roads. Considering the south link is estimated at £40 million, taking the £140 million from one of the bendy bus routes would cover the phase three from Hicks gate.
If we have to, why not make it a toll road, at least we would have it.
David Whittern Knowle
Something needs to be done about the city's congested streets
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