Call for study into new tram network for Bristol as possible alternative to underground

Trams and electric trolley cars could be the future of the Bristol region’s public transport rather than a costly underground, say Green councillors.

The city council’s main opposition group fears a recent commitment from the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) that “tunnels may well be needed” at pinch-points in the city could rule out other options for a mass transit system that are less harmful to the environment.

Green Cllr Emma Edwards has submitted a motion to full council on Tuesday (March 15) calling for a £5million Weca feasibility study, recently announced by Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, to include other alternatives rather than “putting all our eggs in one basket”.

An underground has long been championed by Bristol’s Labour mayor Marvin Rees, although he has previously said it is unlikely to mirror London’s tube network.

It received a boost in January when West of England metro mayor Dan Norris agreed an amendment tied to the combined authority’s investment fund formally accepting tunnels were likely to be required at areas including Temple Meads and Gloucester Road.

Cllr Edwards’ golden motion, which is guaranteed to be debated at the Bristol City Council meeting on Tuesday, says: “There is a risk that alternative mass transit options, which might be at least as effective or have a better benefit-to-cost ratio, may not be taken forwards if all political focus is on underground rail.

“Only by comparing all options will Bristol be able to most wisely spend funding and deliver a world-class mass transit system in a timely manner.

“Other mass transit system options such as: improving, increasing and greening bus infrastructure; a tram system or similar mass transit such as electric trolley cars, should be assessed alongside the underground network.”

It says that if the study shows alternatives are “more impactful than the underground proposal” then these will need to be implemented instead.

Trams were last used in Bristol in 1941. At their peak, there were 17 routes across the city - but they saw a fall in usage due to the rise in car ownership before bombing in the Second World War finished them off.

Cllr Edwards said: “After years of transport inaction Weca has now approved significant funds to develop a mass transit project for Bristol.

“It’s urgent that we end up with an achievable plan based on clear criteria, which first and foremost takes the climate emergency and the effects of climate change into account, and can be delivered in the fastest time with the least carbon emissions.

“Marvin Rees has stated on his blog that this money will be looking at a plan for tunnels for an underground.

“It should be spent finding the transport system which is most deliverable for Bristol now, and take into account active travel as well.

“The mayor – currently the lone supporter of an underground in Bristol – will step down in two years’ time.

“So this motion is seeking to ensure the decisions about transport we make today are ones which still hold up in three or four years’ time, and avoid Bristol wasting any more time and money going back to the drawing board once again.”

She said lots of ideas needed to be explored, including trams, light rail or simply improving bus routes.

“Given concerns around cost, deliverability and climate risk of an underground system, we cannot afford to put all our eggs in one basket – we need to consider all the options to ensure we get value for money and effective action on the climate emergency,” Cllr Edwards said.

“My motion sets out a clear demand for Weca and Bristol to do this, and ensure we aren’t leaving any better projects on the table.”

Green Cllr Ed Plowden, who will be seconding the motion, said taking road space away from cars to protect routes for buses and cycling may be the best option.

He said: “There’s a common assumption, often from politicians, that huge-scale engineering projects are the solution to all our transport problems, but really good city design and planning doesn’t have to cost the earth.

“It’s crucial that before we commit to spend billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on any mass transport scheme, we also examine the tried and tested practical measures we can take right now to transform transport in the city – such as greening our buses, reallocating existing road space or car parking to make room for bus or bike lanes, and a whole network of liveable neighbourhoods to support active and sustainable travel.

“For too long these measures have been overlooked in Bristol in favour of flashy long-term ideas with little detail behind them.

“This motion will ensure those practical, affordable options are properly weighed up and considered