Transport 'Red route' changes could pave the way for a mass transit scheme

UPCOMING changes to several junctions in the city centre will pave an "unbroken" path for a new tram line.

- Alex SEABROOK

The route will stretch from the Long Ashton park and ride south-west of Bristol, through the city centre, and then up the M32, almost completely separated from traffic.

Over the next couple of years, major roadworks will take place on the Bedminster Bridges roundabout, the Redcliffe roundabout, Union Street, the Haymarket and Bond Street. These will allow the Metrobus M2 service to be extended and never get held up in queues of cars.

Looking ahead, this "red route" would then be ideal for the first line of a mass transit network, according to transport bosses at Bristol City Council. An update on the upcoming changes was given to councillors on the transport policy committee.

Green Councillor Emma Edwards said: "This route in future could potentially turn into a mass rapid transit route, whatever that might mean: more buses or maybe other modes as well. We're trying to solve a problem for the future by creating an unbroken route that could turn into mass transit. We're trying to think about the long term."

The sort of mass transit Bristol could eventually get is still undecided, but at the moment looks likely to be either trams or "bus rapid transit". The debate over mass transit has dogged the region for decades, and the new West of England mayor, Labour's Helen Godwin, was coy on what form she preferred in the run up to the mayoral elections earlier this May.