A new station must go in here as soon as possible

“katachua
I think it is very easy to see that there has been a massive improvement in cooperation over the last few years with the result that government are directing money our way rather than to "anywhere but Bristol".You would have thought that 30 years of fund starvation would have made campaigners rather more positive when the funds start arriving.
South Glos . has had a mixture of control over the last few years and obviously we do not agree with them on every area of policy but we have managed to form strong alliances on transport (and waste) that have been very important.
I think it was also easy to see a few years ago when we first took over in Bristol that there was deep distrust between Bristol and all the surrounding councils.
We have a very different approach on many issues to Tory North Somerset but that has not stopped us cooperating well on transport issues and they will play their part in the progress at Ashton.
It should not be assumed that the groups of a particular party are the same in every council.Whilst Liberal democrats have regular meetings accross the council boundaries to improve cooperation it was interesting to note how isolated the Bristol Tories appeared to be and of course outside Bristol Labour is very weak.”

“by katachuaTuesday, September 04 2012, 10:40AM
"@Pipsbeard

We are fully aware that you are against rail development. Perhaps you'd be kind enough to tell us precisely what you are FOR?"

I am certainly "FOR" the rapid transit system, unlike ALL the so called public transport lobby groups who oppose it, I am also "FOR" any measures that ease congestion in and around Bristol. I would be a little more sympathetic to the case for rail if those who support it could be a little less one dimensional in their approach to these matters.”

“@Gary

In other words, Toytown politicians quarelling while the chance of a Metro slipped away.”

“Yes . The main objection from the Bristol Labour side was the refusal to let the line finish up at Cribbs which caused lack of confidence all round.
There were accusations from both sides with differing versions but when the Bristol Labour rep refused to have recordings of the meetings most people started to get a clue.”

“@gary_hopkins

"The comment is based on the record of the Labour party in Bristol.

Fighting with the neighbouring councils (rememberthe tram foul up )"

Indeed I do remember - if I recall correctly, that 'neighbouring council' was Lib Dem South Glos...”

“Brennus
What manifesto?

The comment is based on the record of the Labour party in Bristol.

Fighting with the neighbouring councils (rememberthe tram foul up ) and older readers may even quote Dawn's veto of transport for Avon.

Add to that the attitude that taking on the government would be a Labour Mayor's priority (political posturing before positive action for Bristol) and that Labour Cllrs voted at council to water down plans for transport improvements and there is very serious grounds for concern.”

“Mr Hopkins:

'The Bristol Metro ,which we had drawn up plans for will now be delivered unless we get a Labour Mayor' - how can you possibly claim this? Does Marvin Rees have a 'sink the Bristol Metro' plank to his manifesto that we haven't been told about?

'Ironically the rail enthusiasts that are objecting to BRT undermine the metro delivery because part of the reason government granted us 1/3 of the national pot is because we are delivering.'

What are you delivering? I've seen no difference whatsoever between you and Labour re transport - lots of talk and pretty graphics, but no actual action.

'The money is available and the plans are ready' - really? The last time I looked, the GWR franchise had ommitted much of the Bristol Metro's aspirations - better Weston to yate services, the henbury Loop etc. etc. So how are you going to pay for this? Green Shield Stamps?”

“@Pipsbeard

We are fully aware that you are against rail development. Perhaps you'd be kind enough to tell us precisely what you are FOR?”

“gary_hopkins wrote "Ironically the rail enthusiasts that are objecting to BRT undermine the metro delivery because part of the reason government granted us 1/3 of the national pot is because we are delivering".

There you go once again the rail lobby are exposed. I note that plenty were willing to give me a minus "rating" for my comments below but no-one willing to debate my points properly, says it all really. I do hope they put Dave Wood's column on line again this week so that we have another opportunity to shred it, oops I mean discuss it.”

“Borisl.ot
The BRT bid was started under the lasty government. I am afraid that they were not friendly towards trams or rail.
The West of England had to be realistic and bid for something that had a chance of approval and did.
Although the new government was far more rail and light rail friendly the process did not start afresh.We tried looking at variations and even did a review to see if we could switch to ultra light rail. This is a texchnology that I and my colleagues personally liked.
Changes to that bid were not possible so instead what we had to do was use our good relationship with the new government and their enthusiasm for rail to fill in the next part of the picture.
The Bristol Metro ,which we had drawn up plans for will now be delivered unless we get a Labour Mayor.
The money is available and the plans are ready.This is no longer a far off dream by rail enthusiasts but something that will happen quickly.
The new stations will be there and the modes will interconnect.
Ironically the rail enthusiasts that are objecting to BRT undermine the metro delivery because part of the reason government granted us 1/3 of the national pot is because we are delivering.
Squabbling between councils,with the government and between enthusiasts for different modes left Bristol 30 yrs behind the game.
We have a chance now to move ahead of the game. Lets not blow it.”