Protest over Bristol transport plans

Campaigners for a tram service in Bristol staged a demonstration at the end of Prince Street Bridge today.

The Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance is against plans for a high-speed bus system between central Bristol and the Long Ashton park-and-ride site.

The Alliance - which represents 26 different organisations, with a total of more than 2,000 members - wants the idea dropped by the West of England Partnership of local councils later this month.

“We want a tram instead. It would be cleaner, it would fit in better with the environment and it would be more popular,” said Alliance spokeswoman Pip Sheard.

The proposed bus rapid-transport route might involve a new bridge running parallel to Prince St Bridge, say the campaigners.

They want to route the tram across the existing bridge.