Cable car for Bristol

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

Imagine being able to travel from the SS Great Britain to the Clifton Suspension Bridge in just a few minutes, taking a journey between Brunel’s two engineering marvels in a third – but this time utilising state of the art 21st century technology.

A cable car system for Bristol might initially seem far-fetched, but a team made up of experienced transport planners, property professionals and architects has been working behind the scenes for several years on a plan that they passionately believe will work.

The route along the Floating Harbour, across the Cumberland Basin, through the Avon Gorge and up to Clifton is also just the first phase of a scheme which could one day see cable cars connecting different corners of the city.

What would initially begin as a tourist-focused project as early as 2020 could in the next two decades act as a key commuting route from Temple Meads to as far afield as Hengrove, Avonmouth, Filton and Emersons Green.


The Clifton Cable Company has been founded by architect David Rhodes, property professional James Broome and transport panning consultant Richard White.

The Whiteladies Road-based firm estimate that the first phase of the scheme would cost between £15m to £20m, which would be privately funded.

Rhodes, Broome and White have already been in lengthy discussions with a French company, POMA, who are the world leaders in cable car technology and believe that the system could work very well within Bristol’s urban environment.

A number of large pylons would have to be erected to allow the route to connect different parts of the city, with stations needing to be built in areas such as the Cumberland Basin.

The Clifton Cable Company believe that a station here could help facilitate the redevelopment of the area with integrated transport, as part of the city council’s Western Harbour plans.

2,500 people per hour could travel on the new system initially, rising to 4,000 people if it proves successful.


The view from inside a possible cable car station at the Cumberland Basin

Broome said: “We believe that this is a pivotal moment for Bristol as it looks to deliver new infrastructure and housing to serve future generations.

“This scheme would be provided by the private sector and would not require council money. It would significantly enhance Bristol’s tourism offer and enable commuters to travel around the city centre sustainably, which will help alleviate traffic congestion, and will provide wider economic benefits for the city.”

POMA UK^▸ (United Kingdom) sales manager Vincent Carrie said: “In Bristol, as all around the world, cable car technology can be integrated into the urban network and is upgradable and recyclable with low energy consumption.”

Cable car schemes are already tried and tested in cities including New York, Rio de Janeiro and Singapore, with other schemes planned in Gothenburg and Amsterdam.

In Medellin in Columbia, an innovative cable car system has helped link previously disconnected parts of the city:


The Clifton Cable Company have yet to hold high-level talks with the city council. A spokesperson at City Hall said: “This is an exciting idea. We look forward to seeing the plans.”

But the proposed scheme has already got the backing of Destination Bristol chief executive John Hirst, who also sits on the newly formed Bristol Transport Board.

“I see this as an ideal chance to promote Bristol even further as a city that links key points with cable cars,” Hirst said.

“It would be interesting, exciting, different and would speed the process of people moving around the city during these challenging transport times.”

Hirst added: “I do realise, however, that there will be some challenges and this is why I think we should all now be giving this serious consideration.”

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/exclusive-lofty-ambitions-for-cable-car-system-in-bristol/

[JayMac]

Bristol City Council will find a way to operate it with buses instead.

[Timmer]

Bristol City Council will find a way to operate it with buses instead.

Yup. A company wanted to do something similar in Bath and that like many other things got thrown out. We are very backward about going forward in this part of the world.

[johnneyw]

Blinkin' flip! I've heard talk of a cable car before but that was just as an extra crossing over the Floating Harbour and that went away very quickly.
This could have been published at the beginning of next month, everyone would have accepted it as a spoof and had a good laugh but this is not April 1st and this sounds like it has had considerable planning groundwork carried out on it.
If it is actually feasible it sounds really good but as a regularly used transport option as well as for tourist appeal, it has to come with realistic fares. Also it might have issues with periods of high winds.
I'm quite excited about this and it could really add to the cityscape. Just one thing though; didn't the one in London fail commercially?

[grahame]

The Mexican experience

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/magazine-40951326/flying-over-the-city-the-urban-cable-car

2 years to build; $85 million
1.5 hour journey down to 22 minutes
Capacity of 3,000 passengers per hour.

In a Bristol context, extend to Portishead?

[Red Squirrel]

...didn't the one in London fail commercially?

That'll be the Emirates Air Line. I'm not sure how you measure whether or not this was a commercial success, given that it has received a large subsidy from Emirates Airlines who presumably get some benefit from this deal.

The London system cost £60 million for a 1km line, which to a layman suggests that £15-20 million for a 1.4km (as the crow flies) route from SSGB to the Suspension Bridge is a bit optimistic.

[Bmblbzzz]

Though presumably higher land prices were a factor in London. Then again, it doesn't actually need much land. Would it have to pay some sort of way-right* fees to the owners of property it passes over, I wonder? Can't imagine that's a major consideration though.

*That's not the correct term. Can't remember it, sorry, but one of you clever people will know.

Edit: Way leave.

[Red Squirrel]

Judging by the Wikipedia article, it looks like the legals and land may have added an un-budgeted £15 million to the bill...

[grahame]

Judging by the Wikipedia article, it looks like the legals and land may have added an un-budgeted £15 million to the bill...

An interesting article.  I also note the height of 90 metres above the ground, which considering the cable car's in a pretty flat area means tall towers which will have added cost, and (from trying to use it but being blow out) I recall a rather smart building, exhibition space, cafe, etc on the south bank which would have been further £££.

Cost comparison is rather like comparing the cost of adding a single track basic railway from Meldon Quarry to Bere Alston for local use and emergency connectivity with the cost of upgrading from Exeter St. Davids to St Budeaux to 100 m.p.h. standard with dynamic loops if not double track all the way.

[johnneyw]

On reading the article again, that possible 2020 start date looks unrealistic by normal progress time standards let alone Bristol progress time.
I hope this has some real chance of success though.

[TonyK]

The Clifton Cable Company have yet to hold high-level talks with the city council.

Boom boom! Here all week, folks!

This is the second time this idea has been mooted, which means that it will have to be dropped and re-announced at least twice more before getting anywhere. Like Portishead railway, trams, electrification, Arenal, Clifton suspension bridge....

[broadgage]

NIMBYs
Costs of regulation and compliance.
Disabled access.
10 years of studies, consultations, and reviews.
Political changes, leading to another round of the above.
Mumsnet claiming that perverts will be able to see children from above.
Newts.
Bats.

[Red Squirrel]

Well...

Costs of regulation and compliance - I don't know about you, but I quite like the idea that cable cars comply with safety regulations.
Disabled access - Isn't it reasonable that the system should be designed to be accessible?
10 years of studies, consultations, and reviews - Mmm, well it would be nice if we could find a way to speed up the decision-making process...
Mumsnet claiming that perverts will be able to see children from above - Flying perverts?

[broadgage]

Cable cars might comply with PRESENT regulations, in which case an upgrade to the regulations is clearly needed.

Full disabled access for the seriously physically impaired looks much more challenging than with a train.

Flying perverts will no doubt converge, no child will be safe !

(seriously, in Nunhead, south east London, there was considerable local opposition to the introduction of double decker buses on route 78 due to the risks of perverts riding thereon and "looking in children's bedroom windows"

[TaplowGreen]

NIMBYs
Costs of regulation and compliance.
Disabled access.
10 years of studies, consultations, and reviews.
Political changes, leading to another round of the above.
Mumsnet claiming that perverts will be able to see children from above.
Newts.
Bats.

Buffets?