Bristol connections: Metro, Bus Rapid Transit, PTE, ITA and local councils - discussion

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

Those coming from the south and west do so over the very popular cycle and walking route, away from all the traffic, that will be destroyed with the commandeering of Ashton Avenue bridge.

That's not the current plan. They were talking about this today (20 Jun) at the Sustainable Development and Transport Scrutiny Commission; the plan is to have one side of the bridge for buses (bidirectional) and the other for cyclists and pedestrians. It was also pointed out that there is no other source of funding to save this bridge from rusting away, though having said that I wonder if Sustrans could find the necessary dosh.

They also discussed (briefly) 'Option 4' - the one you and I favour!

[chuffed]

From the thisisbristol website:

The current forecast date for passenger trains on the Portishead Connection is May 2019, with the cost of reopening the line estimated at between ^49 and ^55 million.

Read more: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/change-Bristol-Metro-rail-plan/story-19349810-detail/story.html?dwrMeth=addComment&afterReg=Y#ixzz2Wq301PZO
Follow us: @thisisbristol on Twitter | thisisbristol on Facebook

So where has this latest six month slippage come from ? It was put back a year only a few weeks ago !

Never have so many words been wasted by so many people with so little result. It would  laughable if it wasn't taxpayers money, that 3 miles of track is going to take so long at such eye watering cost. The Chinese would have it all done in 3 weeks. Meanwhile Atkins, Halcrow et al and the 1001 consultants are creaming off the cash and laughing all the way to the bank. I despair !

[chuffed]

Perhaps , while we are waiting, and waiting and waiting for trains to run to Portishead again, we could turn it into a velo rail like they have on disused lines in France.......

[TonyK]

The decision on Bust Rabid Transit is scheduled for 27 June, at 6pm. I have had an e-mail from Stop BRT2 on the matter. The latest thinking is that the red-trousered Mayor will okay the Cumberland Road route. That to me is nearly as bad as the original route, as it will be intrusive for the residents, will detract from the route for cyclists and pedestrians, and introduces a large detour for most people who use the Long Ashton Park and Ride. I publish the e-mail in full - it was a round robin rather than personal - in the hope of getting a few more people to write to the Council.

Hi all,
 
thanks to those of you who have written in to democratic services at the Council and copied in members of the Cabinet and local councillors.If you haven't there is still time. Go to the website http://stopbrt2.org.uk/crunch-cabinet-meeting-brt2-thurs-27-june.
 
We are going ahead with a protest and photo-opportunity outside the City Hall on Thursday 5.30-6pm please come and support us if you can. The meeting starts at 6pm.We hope to get media coverage. Residents Parking and BRT2 are both on the agenda. We are expecting the Mayor to confirm the officer's recommendation and chose the Cumberland  Road route. In that event, the group has decided to continue to oppose any BRT^▸ (Bus Rapid Transit) route at all because we consider the Hotwell Road route to be the only one acceptable.
 
If this is the case, our protest walk along the route starting 2pm at Ashton Ave bridge and protest picnic will go ahead 3.30-6pm on Sat 6th July as planned.
Please bring some food and drink (or not if you are not eating). We are asking people to 'Bake for the bridge' and bring a cake. We are still looking for people to help us with artwork and making paper items on the day we can attach to the railings on the bridge to be left for all to see after the end. There must be some artistic people out there who can spare some time before hand in planning and on the day.

I am disappointed with the Cabinet member for Transport, Mark Bradshaw, who has gone from seeing the whole sorry BRT mess as a "lame-duck project with virtually zero public credibility" in November 2012 to being quoted as saying that Metrobus is an important contribution to solving Bristol's parlous traffic problems. I think he was spot-on first time, and has been nobbled. BTW^▸ (by the way), the cost of BRT2 has risen by ^3.2 million over the last 12 months, a cost that the four councils will have to meet, with Bristol ponying up the lion's share. There is soil testing work going on, but little else to show for the price hike.

It follows that the whole project is going to cost more than the King's ransom we originally thought, if the shortest bit is rising by 6% annually before shovel has hit earth in any meaningful way.  Yes folks, you heard it here first. A transport project in Bristol is going to cost a lot more than we thought, but will do more harm than good. Thank goodness we're used to it. Ashton Avenue bridge was closed to rail traffic in the late 1980s, and could not be used for the Parry People movers testing some years back. I recall the lifting of the sidings with some sadness. After that, the connection from the Portishead railway, then mainly disused, to the Harbour Railway was lost for visiting rail vehicles. The Ashton Avenue bridge went from "Fine for coal trains into Wapping Wharf" to "Imminent danger of collapse" almost overnight. In the Atkins report for the initial BRT2 route, it was resurrected to "Might need a lick of paint" status. My guess is that it will be found to be in need of considerable, and hugely expensive, strengthening, very shortly after contracts are signed., and the Hotwell Road option consigned to the recycling box of history. This one won't end well, I'm telling you.

"Metrobus" is to BRT what Snickers is to Marathon. Or probably more prosaically, what DRC is to Zaire. So I need a new snappy strapline for Bust Rabid Transit - MetNoBus, or MetrAbuse perhaps?

In the meantime, the Portishead rebuild has been put back again by 6 months, and is now thought likely to be complete by March 2019. Crazy. The GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) 3 report by Halcrow was done in 2010, so we will be looking at a 9-year gap between planning and doing for a project that will take only about 3 months for the actual physical rebuild. The suspicion must always be that West of England Partnership (WEP) are so worried about their crap Bus Rabid Transit being shown up as nothing more than a road building project that they need to delay the real solution to the problem.

[Red Squirrel]

The politics of this are challenging - if the Green-Trousered One (do keep up!) did the sensible thing and canned the MetroBus scheme, he could be accused of scrapping a public transport initiative whilst backing what many see as an anti-motorist scheme (the RPS).

All stick and no carrot makes George a dull boy, especially when he puts the cart before the dead horse he's flogging.

[TonyK]

The politics of this are challenging - if the Green-Trousered One (do keep up!) did the sensible thing and canned the MetroBus scheme, he could be accused of scrapping a public transport initiative whilst backing what many see as an anti-motorist scheme (the RPS).

All stick and no carrot makes George a dull boy, especially when he puts the cart before the dead horse he's flogging.

The trousers remain red until 2015. This is not really a public transport initiative, it is a road-building project, and an income stream for the contractors. I'm sure the Mayor could explain any cancellation perfectly well. There will be more trouble over this project, as the allotment holders beside the M32 are not going to go quietly. Then there's the south Bristol link road. I haven't heard of anyone challenging this scheme via the law courts yet - I can't afford to, because I'm working.

[ellendune]

He had green trousers when I saw him last week. But I think this was just for Bristol Big Green Week.

[TonyK]

In the plethora of stuff emanating from the Treasury today, I have found this template, giving a sort of precis of what looks likely. I hope it is not exhaustive, because there's no mention of four track, yet. It does say:

electrification of the Great Western line and the Welsh valley lines to improve the
connections between London, Reading, Cardiff, Swansea and the Welsh valleys;

and also mentions the Electric Spine, which I believe is planned to end in Avonmouth - a sort of electric backside? - so hopefully four tracking is still very much on the cards. Also, for the first time that I have seen, is a mention of Bristol and Cardiff as having potential for future connection to HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)). Round about the middle of the 27th century at the rate these things move.

[TonyK]

In other news, the Cabinet has approved the Cumberland Road option for Bust Rabid Transit, subject to "mitigation". The Lame Duck quacks again.

I predict the Bristol Post headline in 2018:
"^350 million Bust Rabid Transit to open "soon", as Mayor calls for calm".

[Red Squirrel]

Here's an example of why I think those of us who'd like to see more axed lines re-opened could afford to be more ambitious:

Bristol Temple Meads roundabout to have ^9.6m revamp

The roundabout outside Bristol's Temple Meads railway station is to get a ^9.6m makeover.

The Temple Circus gyratory close to the entrance to the Victorian station is to be reshaped as part of plans to open up access to the city's Enterprise Zone...

(see BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Website)

That's half the cost of requadrifying Filton Bank, to turn a roundabout (which many of us argued should have been built as a crossroads in the first place) into, presumably, a crossroads or a gytatory system similar to what was there back in the days of the Tempry Flyover.

So where's the 5-year GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) process? What's the benefit:cost ratio?

I actually think it's a good idea to get rid of this roundabout - it doesn't work well for any road users - but it shows up how cheap rail development schemes are compared to even relatively minor road schemes. Ten million quid would go a long way towards redoubling the Severn Beach line to Clifton Down...

[TonyK]

There is also the ^11 million allocated for a bridge into the former diesel depot. Roads for cars are flavour of the month right now.

[Red Squirrel]

How many times can you announce something?

Bristol Temple Meads revamp plans unveiled

Plans have been unveiled for a major redevelopment of Bristol's Grade-I listed Temple Meads railway station.

Network Rail wants to demolish the ramp at the station and build a car-free public space in front of the entrance.

It also plans to convert Victorian passenger sheds into a new platform for electric-powered trains to London.

Network Rail said it will recognise the station's history, but needs to "deliver a 21st Century transport experience".

The company's Mike Gallop said: "We need to make the station into a destination. The station can be far more than just getting on and off a train."

Source: BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

I am guessing that the journos went to this bunfight and, hearing nothing new, just retreaded last year's hot story.

This is all very frustrating - I am keen as mustard to find out how they plan to treat the large missing chunk of Fox's train shed, but so far (as far as I can see) detailed plans have not been published. So what does 'unveiled' mean in this context? Would 'vaguely alluded to' be more accurate?

==============================================================

There is also the ^11 million allocated for a bridge into the former diesel depot. Roads for cars are flavour of the month right now.

...that'd be the bridge leading to the Very Large Car Park. Hmm.

[TonyK]

There is a bit more information in the Post tonight, although not what you call a comprehensive plan.

A new ^100m vision for Bristol's Temple Meads

A VISION of how Brunel^s historic Temple Meads Station could look in the future has been unveiled.

Network Rail, the landlords of the historic building, are planning a radical ^100 million revamp of the Victorian structure as part of work to regenerate the area around the station.
 ​

 The new plan for Temple Meads


The improvements will be the biggest overhaul seen at the station for more than 140 years ^ and could even include the removal of the existing ramp leading up to the station.

The plans are still in a very early stage and discussions are due to take place with key organisations such as English Heritage but the outlines of the scheme are starting to emerge.

The aim is to complete all the work by the end of 2019, two years after the electrification of the London to Bristol rail line has been completed.

Details emerged at a conference held in Brunel^s Passenger Shed yesterday.

Delegates were shown proposals which would include the creation of a new entrance at the side of the station building, a subway and a new glass front.

The early drawings also show plans for a new pedestrian square at the front of the station, which would replace the existing concourse.

Around 300 delegates at the conference looking at the progress being made in the Enterprise Zone were given a sneak preview of the station plans.

There were also updates on the work being done to bring a 12,000 seater stadium to Bristol. The audience was told negotiations with an operator were well under way. Work on improving on access to the land earmarked for the arena is due to start within a matter of months.

Mike Gallop, from Network Rail, is part of the team drawing up plans to transform Temple Meads.

He said: ^Temple Meads set the template for modern commercial stations across the world. It was built as a driver for trade and commerce and that blueprint is what we are trying to recreate today.

^We want to link Bristol to London and the rest of the country and, at the same time, we will be recreating the engine of trade and commerce.

^There is a case for Bristol Temple Meads to be redeveloped to meet future passenger demand and to unlock the potential of the land asset around it, so that it supports the aspirations of Bristol Enterprise Zone and city council.

^However, the task to do so will be enormous. There are the considerations of building on a live railway, meeting the government^s efficiencies target and overcoming constraints posed by a heritage structure.^

Paul Wilson, below, the chief executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership, is overseeing the Enterprise Zone and the work being done in the area.

He revealed that negotiations are ^very much^ in progress to bring in an operator to run the long-awaited indoor arena, in the hope that the 12,000-seater venue opens within four years^ time.

The plans will also include a new passenger interchange at the side of the station, which would connect Temple Meads to the rest of the city^s public transport network.

A spokesman for the enterprise zone said: ^The station approach ramp is extremely congested, with conflicting vehicle movements, which Network Rail and Bristol City Council are hoping to improve.

^A successful passenger transport interchange will provide a seamless end-to-end journey between all modes of transport, including cycling and walking.^

George Ferguson has already pledged that an arena will be built before his term as Bristol^s first elected mayor comes to an end.

A feasibility study has been carried out for an arena on the former diesel depot site near the station.

The study found that there is support and demand for an arena, along with interest from leading operators in the entertainment sector.

Most of this is not news and has been announced before, as Red Squirrel points out correctly. The price tag is new, though, and makes me think that for once we just might get a bit of joined-up thinking. Although this is Bristol, I know.

The signal box has to go before the extra platforms can have rails laid in them, and I think that is scheduled for 2015. Then there is the new transport hub, which will need a subway below those tracks into the ticket hall. These seem like obvious first steps, unless the decision is made to do the entrance from Cattle Market Road or wherever first, so that the Plot 6 side can be closed off completely to allow for some serious building.

There would be no point in even thinking about spending what looks a huge amount of money - but look at Reading, Newport, or Kings Cross - unless there will be more trains for people to get on. So is this scheme dependent on four-tracking to Filton, or is it the other way around? Time will tell.

With all the other work likely to go on at the same time, with the roundabout, possibly Redcliffe Way, the Arena, electrification, and the by now infamous Bust Rabid Transit, I would have hoped that plans would be at a much more advanced stage than they clearly are, with meetings taking place between the council, NR^» (Network Rail - home page), and WEP on a regular basis, to co-ordinate the whole thing. What we don't want is to see someone digging up a newly laid roadway to do their bit, although it is the traditional way of working in these parts. In the middle of all this are also plans to concentrate all the government departments around Temple Quay, something else that will need a bit of stability to achieve.

[trainer]

An entrance from Cattle Market Road could lead to some unfortunate (but amusing) comments  - not least on this forum - when trains become even more crowded as the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) and 'sparks effect' arrives.  Perhaps a euphemism can be found, or a small open space created outside the doors with a posh name.

[TonyK]

Perhaps a euphemism can be found, or a small open space created outside the doors with a posh name.

 

Bovine Promenade, perhaps?

Can't wait, personally, as I live that side of Temple Meads. It should cut a good 5 minutes off the walk. Temple Meads approach at present is not a pleasant place to be some days, something partly - but not exclusively - caused by taxis queuing and inching forward. Catching any bus except the 8/9 or A1 to the station involves an uphill walk of about 250 yards, crossing a 6-lane dual carriageway if you come from the south of the city. Change is long overdue, as long as it's good change.