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 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 Scheme Overview Ashton Vale to Temple Meads

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 Progress In 2007/2008 Technology Review  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

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 Progress In 2007/2008 Technology Review  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:

Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2 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 Joint Transport Forum I Rapid Transit Line 2