Support tram based Rapid Transit for Bristol

Lead Petitioner: diana sheard

Status: new > draft > rejected > accepted > collecting signatures > waiting submission > submitted to council > Pending owner response > closed > withdrawn

Status: withdrawn

Petition

The petitioners request that Bristol City Council supports an ultra light tram Rapid Transit system. We oppose the current bus Rapid Transit proposal, the South Bristol Ring Road and the urban extensions, which they both are designed to serve.

Background Information

We oppose the recommendation by the West of England Partnership's Consultants that the first phase of Rapid Transit on the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads route should be an 18 metre, diesel or hybrid bendy bus. 2-way bus running is inappropriate for the environment of the historic harbour and the Cut with pedestrians and cyclists nearby. An alternative ultra light rail tram running along the existing rail alignment would be quieter for local residents with less visual impact while maintaining a 5 minute service frequency. The 3000 passengers per hour with a 2.5 minute service proposed for Bus Rapid Transit is well over the needed capacity and will result in buses running with few passengers.

Both the capacity of the Bus Rapid Transit and the construction of the South Bristol Ring Road are designed to serve the new South Bristol urban extensions which we oppose. Destroying existing communities in South Bristol by cutting them in half with a major new road and bringing traffic, air pollution and noise to thousands of local residents is not a sane way to plan new ones. It will increase traffic and hence greenhouse gases.

For further details of the ultra light rail alternative, go to www.tfgb.org.uk.