Bristol one of four UK city regions identified for major public transport investment

The Greater Bristol area is one of four city regions identified for public transport improvements by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).

The NIC is the executive agency responsible for providing expert advice to the UK Government on infrastructure challenges facing the country.

One of the recommendations of the second National Infrastructure Assessment - a five yearly review conducted by the NIC - is giving four places a two-thirds share of £22bn funding for major public transport schemes.

This would include the Greater Bristol area, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

The Assessment points out how only half of Bristol’s population can currently reach the centre of the city by public transport within 30 minutes - something the Commission notes is worse than for many European cities of a comparable size.

Mayor Dan 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.”