Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 Our Future Transport I West of England Sub Region

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2

Our Future Transport I West of England Sub Region


Contents

Scheme Overview

– Rapid Transit Network

– Ashton Vale to Temple Meads via Bristol City Centre

Progress in 2007/2008

Technology Review

Hengrove to North Fringe

Emerson’s Green to Temple Meads

Programme and Next Steps


Scheme Overview Rapid Transit Network

Bath Package

Ashton Vale to Temple Meads

Hengrove to North Fringe

Temple Meads to Emerson’s Green

Bath to Cribbs Causeway


What is Rapid Transit?

Provides a fast, direct, more environmentally friendly alternative to private car use

– Journey time reliability through provision of dedicated routes

– Regular services in peak and off-peak

– High quality passenger facilities – covered stops, real time information, CCTV, off-board/integrated ticketing

– Fully accessible public transport system

– High quality walking and cycling links, safe/secure access to system

– New low emission vehicles


Current Status

Major Scheme Bid end this year/early next year must be submitted to:

– access first tranche of £71 million Central Government Funding allocated to South West region

– ensure construction of the scheme can get underway in 2011 in line with regional programme requirement

– provide a high quality public transport system which is needed if the West of England is going to tackle congestion and deliver regeneration, planned housing and job growth sustainably


Scheme Overview Ashton Vale to Temple Meads


Scheme Overview Ashton Vale to Temple Meads

On corridor Mostly segregated, two-way corridor with parallel 3 to 4 metre shared

pedestrian and cycle path Network of regular services:

– Frequent rapid transit services between Long Ashton P&R and Temple Meads via Bristol City Centre

– Services from Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Nailsea also benefiting from segregated infrastructure

High quality, fully accessible stops and articulated low floor vehicles New, low emission vehicles, aiming for hybrid vehicles

In Bristol City Centre Much improved bus priority lanes and priority at signals Option to introduce wider bus circulation, traffic management and

public realm improvements


Progress In 2007/2008 Ashton Vale To Temple Meads

Consultation with key stakeholders including environmental bodies

Assessment of route options - Segregated corridors, on-street options

Seasonal environmental surveys for protected species, consulted environment groups

Assessment of impacts of proposals on pedestrians and cyclists (underway)

Assessment of city centre issues and traffic impacts

Established design for submission in MSB (still under iterative development and assessment)

Established business case for submission in MSB (still under iterative development and assessment)

Assessment of technology options


Progress In 2007/2008 Hengrove to North Fringe

Work commencing September 2008

Initial review and assessment of route and technology options

Consultation early 2009

Full assessment and appraisal Summer 2009

MSB submitted September 2009


Progress in 2007/2008 Emerson’s Green To Temple Meads

Strong public concern over impact of putting a rapid transit route next to the Bristol to Bath railway path

Leading to a Bristol City Council full Council motion

First phase for Ashton Vale to Temple Meads only

The need remains to provide an improved, more sustainable public transport option to the eastern side of the urban area and new development proposed at Emerson’s Green

Work is ongoing looking at on-street options


Progress In 2007/2008 Technology Review

2006 Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study “further work is required to identify the type of vehicle used to operate the service but modern, low-floor, articulated buses are likely to be the most appropriate, flexible and cost effective vehicles to satisfy the requirements of the service”

2007 Review: high level review of all modes more detailed review of Rapid Transit options,

including non-guided, physical guidance, optical guidance, electronic guidance



Concern more innovative technology not considered

2008 review– high level review of all modes– more detailed review of newer

technologies:• Tram-Train• Ultra Light Rail

– Assessed• Fit with scheme objectives• Deliverability• Technical Review• Comparison to rapid transit



Report Recommendation – rubber-tyred rapid transit for Ashton Vale to Temple Meads, on the basis of:

– Meets scheme objectives and will deliver the benefits

– Cost, access to DfT funds– Deliverability within current timescales– Can accommodate services from further

afield

Not discounted use of other technologies in the future

Full report: www.westofengland.org


Programme and Next Steps

Consultation

– September/October – stakeholder engagement

– Route based consultation beginning November – public exhibitions

Major Scheme Bid – January 2009

Line 3 option identification, assessment and consultation 2008/2009

Line 3 Major Scheme Bid – Autumn 2009

Work ongoing on Emerson’s Green to Temple Meads

Thank you


Documents

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 Our Future Transport I West of England Sub Region