Consultation starts on transport package
26 November 2009
South Gloucestershire Council in conjunction with Bristol City Council is undertaking consultation on the development of a major transport scheme – the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.
The Package was identified in the South West Regional Funding Advice with a total allocation of £168m and comprises of a proposed rapid transit network with two branches in South Gloucestershire. One in Aztec West – through Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke and Coldharbour Lane. The second branch will run from Emersons Green past Hambrook and both routes will go along the M32 to Bristol city centre.
In July, the Government announced ‘in principle’ funding for the scheme.
Consultation has now started in the run up to submitting a Major Scheme Business Case to the Department for Transport in March 2010.
Residents and businesses are urged to get involved and have their say over the proposed rapid transit routes.
Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “By working together through the West of England Partnership, the four authorities have an impressive track record in attracting major investment in transport in the area, including the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.
“This important transport scheme is designed to tackle congestion and enhance quality of life by improving road safety, air quality, and access to job opportunities. It is also intended to help people get to school and work more efficiently and strengthen the local economy by ensuring that there are realistic alternatives to car travel. All in all, it will have a hugely positive impact for our residents and businesses.
“We look forward to hearing the views of residents and businesses on our proposals and hope they will take the time to respond to this consultation.”
Exhibitions are planned for:
• Aztec West 30 Nov to 4 Dec (un-staffed)
• Willow Brook Centre (Tesco) Bradley Stoke 30 Nov to 7 Dec (un-staffed)
• University of the West of England (Frenchay campus, One Zone lounge) Thursday 3 Dec noon to 2pm (staffed)
• Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre/Library Saturday 5 Dec 9am to noon (staffed)
• Sainsburys Emersons Green 7 to 14 Dec (un-staffed)
• The Community Hall in Little Stoke 9 Dec 4pm to 8pm (staffed)
Information including a questionnaire is now available on the website – www.travelplus.org.uk/NorthFringetoHengrove – alternatively call 01454 868004.
Postcards with details of the exhibitions are being distributed to 30,000 householders along the route. Leaflets will also be available in local libraries from Monday 30 November.
For South Gloucestershire the scheme includes:
Rapid transit route from Aztec West to Bristol via Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke and University of the West of England:
This route will run from the Aztec West business park to the M32 to Bristol city centre. This includes the Stoke Gifford transport link – a new route across the railway line – which will combine a rapid transit route with additional road space to help relieve the current congestion around Bristol Parkway station.
There is an additional opportunity to provide a spur off the main rapid transit route to serve Bristol Parkway station and the nearby park and ride.
In Harry Stoke there are two route options to either go through the heart of the proposed new housing development or to skirt round the edge. However there is the flexibility that if the housing development is not built in the timescales the rapid transit will go round the edge and this can be altered in the future if preferred.
Finally, two route options are being put forward in the University of the West of England area; either running through the University campus enabling people to change to different bus services or direct along Coldharbour Lane.
Rapid transit route Emersons Green to Bristol:
Starting at the Emersons Green district centre there are two main route options. Firstly, to go through Downend along Westerleigh Road and onto Cleeve Hill and Bromley Heath Road before rejoining the ring road, this will involve improvements to infrastructure such as priority for rapid transit at junctions but not a segregated lane for the rapid transit.
The other option is to go along the ring road on a segregated route where necessary to Hambrook and then onto Bristol. Within this there is also the additional option of diverting off the ring road to serve the Emerald Business Park in Emersons Green.
It is intended that either option will serve both the new science park and the proposed park and ride site at Emersons Green East.
Benefits of rapid transit include turn up and go frequencies, journey time reliability, modern vehicles, real time information and improved ticketing facilities.
Bristol City Council
Subject to discussions with the Highways Agency, in Bristol there is a proposal to develop a park and ride near the M32 within the city boundary which can be accessed only from the motorway. Also a rapid transit link between Hengrove and the city centre.
What happens next?
The consultation closes on 8 January 2010. The results of this will feed into the development of the scheme and a bid will be submitted to the Department for Transport early in 2010. If the DfT approves the scheme, construction could start in 2013 and would be expected to last around three years. Further detailed design work will be required and as the scheme progresses there will be additional opportunities for everyone to give their views.
Travel+ initiatives
South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council are working jointly on the scheme and are both starting consultation this week (w/c 23 November). It is one of the Travel+ initiatives which includes the £14million Weston and £54million Bath packages, as well as the £48million Ashton Vale to Temple Meads rapid transit route being developed by the West of England Partnership to tackle congestion and improve the quality of life in the area.
For more information visit www.travelplus.org.uk/NorthFringetoHengrove
ENDS
