Will the rapid transit scheme really help South Bristol?

By Gambit72 | Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 10:36

The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads rapid transit route will skirt round Southville and Bedminster, stopping at Ashton Gate and then Create Centre, passing Spike Island, onto MShed and then ... it doesn't go to Temple Meads!

£50m and it won't actually stop at its stated destination. Amazing! There isn't enough money to put a stop at Bristol's principle train station. So what's the point in doing this then? If we haven't got enough money to do it properly, why are we doing it at all?

The Council says the stops will have to be outside KPMG instead, at least a 10 minute walk from the station when you consider the amount of time you spend waiting at the pedestrian lights. Sounds marvellously convenient, doesn't it?! So much for an integrated transport system!

And this is part of the scheme that is supposed to be saving South Bristol from economic oblivion. I think the money could be much better spent elsewhere, or not spent at all.

What does everyone else think? Can anyone seriously see this rapid transit bendy bus scheme being the key to our economic future in South Bristol?

Or like me, do you think this is harebrained nonsense and wasting yet more of our money?

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Comments

If I remember correctly, you might be thinking of the £20 or so million they set aside for the trams or light trains or light rail, somethign like that. I've got a feeling they spent it all on the consultants stage!

By Mrs_W2009 at 20:09 on 30/07/11
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I have never known a Bristol Council capable of sorting out a transport system. Years ago they had money set aside which was spent, on what we never did find out. I agree bendy buses are known to be dangerous, are we now going to need road widening. I also understand companies are leaving the city I can't imagine others will be hanging around in hope of a new transport system.

By sapphire1208 at 12:58 on 30/07/11
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The council has been wasting money on transport schemes that come to nothing for years now. For once I'm actually hoping that this will be another of them. I don't see what great advantage the bendy bus has over other public transport. in fact they're worse, after all London got rid of its bendy buses because they were dangerous. Look at the last time the council mucked around with the buses on the centre, people were injured and killed. Bendy buses are too big for Bristol's streets.

By Mrs_W2009 at 16:52 on 29/07/11
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