A modern tram network for Bath and Bristol could be a key campaign promise for leading candidates in the upcoming West of England Metro Mayor election. Trams, or 'light rail systems', have been introduced or reintroduced in various 海角视频 cities including Birmingham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Sheffield, Rotherham, Nottingham, Greater Manchester, Edinburgh and Croydon.
However, Bristol has been without a tram network since its generator building in Redcliffe was bombed in 1941. Despite discussions about creating a mass rapid transit system in Bristol and the West of England for years, neither of the two metro mayors - Conservative Tim Bowles and Labour's Dan Norris - have progressed beyond initial feasibility studies.
However, Business Live's sister site Bristol Live has learned that plans could be in the pipeline. Heather Mack, a Bristol city councillor and the Green Party's candidate for the Metro Mayor election next May, confirmed that a tram network was 'definitely on the cards'.
READ MORE: {}
This followed a presentation to local politicians by Dr David Walmsley, a transport analyst and leading expert on the creation of tram networks in 海角视频 cities. Cllr Mack (Green, Lockleaze) joined the Green Party group leader at City Hall, Cllr Emma Edwards and other key figures in the region, for the presentation.
Former Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees had always maintained that any mass transit system would need to go underground once it reached the city centre, to avoid excluding other traffic or getting stuck in congestion like buses do on routes such as Gloucester Road, Bedminster Parade, Church Road and Bath Road. The debate over what a tram or underground system might look like overshadowed efforts to formulate a solid plan to raise the billions required for any such scheme.
Now, the concept of developing a mass transit system is likely to be a key issue in the next Metro Mayor election, scheduled for May 2025. Cllr Mack, the Green Party candidate, described her meeting with tram expert Dr Walmsley as 'brilliant'.
"I'm excited about the prospect of bringing trams to Bristol and Bath, we need to create the system and the right environment for the demand to follow," she posted on BlueSky. "(It's) definitely on the cards. Underground sections make it a lot more expensive, but I'll need to see the full feasibility study to see if it's necessary," she added.
Bristol's Green group leader Cllr Edwards was equally enthusiastic. "We learned trams are not only feasible, but vital for a growing city that is trying to decarbonise and be accessible. What we need is the political will, which is why we need a Green Metro Mayor for the region like Heather Mack," she said.
Most Read
Helen Godwin, the Labour candidate for the upcoming Metro Mayor and former Bristol city councillor, has pledged to overhaul transport in the region. Her plans include delivering mass transit solutions, ensuring reliable buses for every area, increasing train services, offering free travel for 16-19 year-olds, extending diamond passes, providing safe and step-free transport, and implementing integrated ticketing.
Transport in Bristol and Bath is now the responsibility of the West of England Combined Authority, under the metro mayor. The current Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, has often cited the absence of a mass rapid transit system as the main reason why the bus network cannot be publicly controlled under a franchising deal.
This system, which would cost billions to establish but could generate significant revenue, is something other cities like London and Manchester have been able to leverage to subsidise their bus services.
LIKE THIS STORY? WHY NOT SIGN UP TO GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOU INBOX