Plans were published some 9 months ago for a Bristol Underground.
These plans were generally welcomed as the congestion problems in and around Bristol as we all recognize are severe. Some considerable doubt was cast however over the funding required for such a radical scheme. If Bristol is to have a future as a dynamic city this is a massive hurdle that has to be overcome. I would suggest that doubters visit Bordeaux to see what can be achieved.
In terms of what the scheme as proposed would deliver was in my mind, however, most disappointing.
Principally, the catchment area was within a narrow north/south channel, so that there was little attraction to residents living in Western or Eastern areas. Further, the system proposed was very much Bristol city centre centric. The newly introduced Metrobus line also occupied much the same catchment areas.
My view at the time was that there had to be a more imaginative design that would address these issues.
I applaud you for your imagination, JC. And for your look at precedent and the sort of thing that can be achieved - in your example Bordeaux.
There are many, many experts who have qualifications and experience in town and city and transport planning and operation, and vested interests in that field too. I don't know your background, but the knee-jerk reaction to the potentially inexperienced, though bright and thoughtful idea is to wonder what's wrong with it, on the basis that the whole business is far too complicated for a newcomer to understand, so something must be wrong. Such experts may have a natural aversion to not-invented-here, a feeling that the suggester isn't going to stick around for the long term and could give them a baby then leave them to bring it up, and a feeling that it's going to be biased towards providing a superb service for the suggester's home and typical journey far more that it merits. They will also,almost inevitably, be in the midst of 2, 5, 10 and 20 year transport and scheme plans, in which effort and money will have been invested, and will not want to change horses mid-race, with a problem that the race is a perpetual one so there's never a good time to change.
Please do not shoot the messenger!The intention was to use much of the existing infrastructure where possible. On the continent, where new integrated city transport networks have been successfully introduced, this was shown to be crucial in delivering a cost-effective solution.
Yes, sensible
It was also felt highly desirable to link up with the Henbury loop line which has gained considerable support and backing.
Generallity - who felt that. Figures? Evidence? Group policy?
I'm asking the questions here that others will wonder but may not ask.Another key consideration was the need to minimise disruption during the construction phase where possible.
GWR▸ and Network Rail don't seem to agree with you on that one - or if they do, they're not making a very good job of it.
There is indeed a need to keep services running ... but there is a balance between time, cost of work, and disruption. For example, they have gone for 50 weekdays of closure of Pewsey, Bedwyn, Kintbury, Hunderford, Newbury, Newbury Racecourse, Midgham, Thatcham and Aldermaston this year to get works done quicker and cheaper than if they worked at nights and on Sundays. Same thing for Filton Bank and the Severn Tunnel.
.... To achieve these goals and commitment all round, healthy debate has to be encouraged.
As regards myself, I would describe myself as a frustrated Bristol resident shocked at the transport legacy systems in use, shocked at the political in-fighting within the whole area, and shocked at the lack of foresight/imagination of the powers that be.
Agreed on healthy debate ... but then
JFDI▸ . (definition of JFDI within
[here] )
The plan I have put together is based on 3 loops, together with an Airport Expressway.[See attached] The overall schema entails 4 interlinked construction projects to be phased over some 15 years.
There will be numerous civil engineering challenges but none of which are perceived to be insurmountable.
It is envisaged the network will consist of a combination of existing tracks, new tracks both overhead and above ground, plus underground tracks - some of which in the centre will be tunnelled below Bristol's waterways.
I'm going to let others comment on that; I am not a Bristolian and have enough different views and thoughts from experts, politicians and residents without me (none of those three) chucking another load of specifics and ideas in. If it were me, I might suggest that Portishead could be served by a branch off a redoubled Severn Beach line at Sea Mills to Pill - a few hundred yards of straight and level track, with (admittedly) a bridge, that would make a huge saving through the gorge.
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