First phase of Metro set for 2017
THE first phase of the long-awaited Greater Bristol Metro is expected to be opened in 2017, the region's transport leaders were told.
It will include the re-opening of the Portishead line to passenger services and half-hourly trains on the Severn Beach line.
Phase Two of the Metro, which will provide local train services in the Bristol area, is not likely to be completed until 2018/21.
It includes half-hourly services to Yate and provides new services on the Henbury line.
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It is not clear at this stage whether trains will stop at the re-opened Henbury Station and return the way they came or use the Henbury Loop – a new link to the Severn Beach line.
Rail campaigners argue that the loop is crucial to the success of the metro network.
But consultants have told the West of England Partnership that trains stopping at Henbury would be more cost-effective than the loop option.
James White, from the West of England office, told The Post they were likely to examine the business case for the loop and were not locked in to a spur (there and back again option).
Transport leaders who represent the four councils in the former Avon area agreed at their meeting yesterday to go ahead with £7 million preparatory works on the Metro scheme.
But their decision will have to be endorsed by their respective councils.
The works include sorting out land deals, legal agreements and specialised paperwork and studies before work on the ground can actually start.
Another reason for optimism that the Metro will actually go ahead is that South Gloucestershire and Bristol city councils are both appointing rail officers to manage Phase One of the project. North Somerset Council is appointing a project manager to lead on the Portishead scheme.
Bristol mayor George Ferguson made a plea for the Portishead line to include the re-opening of the station at Ashton Gate.
He said there was a "really good case" for it to be used again.
Comments
by snowymalone
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 10:18PM
“What is this, now? Urban Transit Methods Top Trumps?
Will you listen to yourselves?”
by rapid2012
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 9:36PM
“WE HAVE ALREADY GOT IT PLUS SO BEET THAT OR SHUT UP”
by rapid2012
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 9:34PM
“to katachua, matic113, and whats the story
we are not interested in anything but getting on and building the system, and theres nothing wrong with trollybus. all we are saying if your bristol born and have lived in bristol when ata was about this would have been built if it was not for people like dawn primarola.
can you remember a business man who talked about the problems bristol was going to have with their transport and he was suggesting the same as the council and the south west partnership are now. it could have been built by now and running,
ALL WE ARE SAYING IS LETS GET ON AND BUILD IT, ATA2013 ARE READY TO AND WILL ALLOW BRISTOLIANS TO HAVE SHARES IN THE COMPANY”
by Samtron2000
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 9:24PM
“Good luck getting 40% Private Sector investment in a regional transport system!!!”
by Samtron2000
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 9:21PM
“You said you were 50, yet had worked in the industry for 41 yrs!
I don't believe for a second you've worked on any of those projects!
Exactly what told did you undertake on the Manchester project (assuming you are not some 13yo troll)
And what is the "Plymouth project"?”
by rapid2012
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 9:16PM
“do you know we have that and also are working with a company that is building them internationaly in britain.
Also the money the tresurary have given to the BRT is only for the study work, not to build it.
so if you have worked on the Manchester Project since the start you can name some names”
by rapid2012
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 9:11PM
“well thats funny because a i did not say i am 9
also i did not say cambridge was thinking of light rail
what i said is i have been involved in the Bristol Project, the Plymouth Project, the Manchester Metrolink (and still am today) Nottingham project, so i think you need to shut it.
also the Governments wording is that they will provide funding for transport projects as long as a minimum of 40% funding is coming from the private sector, and also the minister said last week who is this so called mayor of bristol,”
by Samtron2000
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 6:16PM
“@Whatsthestory Leeds is planning to reintroduce trolley buses!
@matic_113 it won't, you are having the wool pulled over your eyes!
@Katachua Rapid is clearly a troll!”
by Samtron2000
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 4:10PM
“I hope you don't write the press releases, as you spelling is shocking. There is only one idiot here and it's not me!
Please don't lecture me on Metrolink. I live in Manchester and I've had more to do with this and other light rail systems than you will ever travel on!
Nobody from Cambridge has stated that they wish they'd built a light Rail system instead. Yes the Cambridge busway was horrendously expensive and late, but it's been incredibly popular. I'm not saying that it's the right system for Bristol but it's worked for Cambridgeshire.
You are aware that the money the Treasury provided for BRT can't be spent on anything else! A tram system could not be afforded with what the Treasury have granted anyway. The extensions to Manchester Metrolink are costing over £1bn! A single tram on its own cost £2m and that's just for a basic one.
P.s I see you've glossed over the fact you said you started work at 9 years old!”
by WhatsTheStory
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 3:51PM
“Given that we clearly have two guiding lights on what does/does not constitute a metro I wonder if I may ask why electric trolley buses never seem to get mentioned when schemes based on reducing the environmental impact and improving useage of public transport are brought up?
After all they would need only a similar overhead line network to that of trams installing but with none of the additional hassle of dropping in miles of track.
Also they would be able to operate up/down the steepest of hills and unlike a guided busway system if one breaks down then other road users can just steer around it.
I'm no expert clearly but these sorts of systems have/do run well in other cities in the world and I just wondered why they were being overlooked.”