Major investment in public transport, including some form of mass transit, around the Bristol city region has been recommended by the government’s official infrastructure advisers.
Greater Bristol is one of four Ƶ city regions, alongside Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, that the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has identified should receive a share of £22bn worth of additional funding.
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The report seeks to set out a programme of “transformation” for the country's energy, transport and other key networks over the next 30 years. The NIC said its findings drew on two years of analysis, including a number of meetings with Bristol City Council, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and local business leaders.
The NIC said it had found that only half of Bristol’s population can currently reach the centre of the city by public transport within 30 minutes – which it said was worse than for many European cities of a comparable size.
The Commission also said the potential future growth in passenger numbers in the region could see an estimated capacity gap of up to around 6,000 people who would be left unable to get into Bristol city centre during the midweek peak by 2055.
The assessment found the scale of Bristol’s transport needs would require “some form of mass transit”, though the exact type and mix of projects would need to be a decision for cities to determine with the government, based on the costs and benefits, with business case development required “as soon as possible”.
The Commission suggested that the city regions benefiting from the proposed investment should make a financial contribution of at least 15-25% of capital costs, and that a combination of mechanisms such as business rate retention and capture of land value increases should be considered.
Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “Growing the size and productivity of places like Bristol will help rebalance the country’s economic geography as well as create more well paid jobs locally. Better public transport and easing traffic congestion is key to that. Bristol is one of four city regions with a clear case for significant government investment in a step change in transport capacity.
“While the way we travel around our big cities may change over time, keeping people moving affordably and efficiently is a key ingredient in economic growth and quality of life. Our recommendations to government set out a costed programme for delivering cleaner, faster travel, shaped by local leaders.”
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “We welcome the findings of the National Infrastructure Commission, with their expert analysis adding to the chorus of calls for genuine investment in mass transit for Bristol and the wider region. Their report sets out the major need for £22bn of additional investment in regions like ours.
“As a growing, global city, we must remain ambitious for our future. Bristolians need and deserve a reliable mass transit system, like those already in place in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Tyne & Wear, and hundreds of other cities around the world.”
Bristol’s Mayor Marvin Rees has long been a proponent of a mass rapid transit system,and first suggested such a scheme back in 2017.
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris recently reiterated "there will not be an underground in Bristol", amid calls from chamber Business West which represents thousands of businesses in the region - for “an ambitious and green” public transport system for the West Country.
Commenting on the NIC's recommendations, Mr Norris said: “This report highlights what we all know - that there is a need for major investment in public transport in the West of England. It makes it clear too that we are in a competitive race for funds with other parts of the country.
"That is why any plan I take to government must be affordable, realistic and deliverable. It’s precisely why I only back overground options for improved public transport. Buses and one day trams, or very light rail meet these tests. Local people don’t want to be stuck in traffic jams. Big change is also required to achieve the sort of carbon reductions we need to see from transport.
"There is no money attached to this report, but it is useful to have national recognition of the scale of the challenge the West of England faces on public transport.”
The NIC report also stressed the need to accelerate the rollout of public charge points for electric vehicles, to ensure that government’s expectation of 300,000 chargers by 2030 is met.
Government is expected to respond formally to the Assessment within 12 months.
