[Closed] Bristol BRT2 route - Ashton Avenue Bridge

Actually, over 1ha of green space is going to be taken as the route runs to Long Ashton P&R, including part of a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest.

It does look as though most of the route is down railway line, looks like much of the green fields near Long Ashton has plans to be built on regardless of BRT2 anyway according to the route plans? As I say I'm against [i]this[/i] scheme, but some sort of scheme is needed. Seems to me that using existing disused/underused railways is a good way to start.

Sorry, i should have qualified, my hypothesisisisited route was the missing 900 or so yards of track between where the docks railway ends now at the create centre, and ashton gate junction, with a station outside m shed (where the platform is now) rather than rebuilding the hotwells route. The rails on ashton avenue bridge are in fact still extant under the weeds, I think it was last used at the festival of the sea when the trains ran to megabowl.
Ok, I understand the point of view that people would rather not have a mass transit corridor there. What about if the existing steam railway proposed extending to ashton gate, running only at summer weekends and sharing the trackbed with a cycle route, as with the avon valley railway at Bitton?

The odd saddletank steamer once every half hour on summer weekends? Would not really be a problem as far as I'm concerned, pretty much in keeping with the current ethos of the area I'd argue. A very different idea to a modern busy 24/7 mass transit corridor, on a through route (rather than a out-and-back full of tourists and kids dropping ice creams) stuffed with commuter traffic (or worse, hardly any commuter traffic) on a for-profit basis.

There is plenty of road space extant in the city. If clogging it up with cars is inefficient and leads to bottle necks, prehaps the council should grow some and force people to use this dedicated infrastructure. Rather than trying to provide an 'alternative' which won't chnage behaviour (see Park & Ride) as well as destroying the only currently available alterative.

It does look as though most of the route is down railway line, looks like much of the green fields near Long Ashton has plans to be built on regardless of BRT2 anyway according to the route plans? As I say I'm against this scheme, but some sort of scheme is needed. Seems to me that using existing disused/underused railways is a good way to start.

I was quoting from the council report...

I agree that we need to invest in public transport, but what we have here is many millions of pounds, a loss of green, walking and cycling space, predicted to take 0.1% of commuter traffic.

Hi Corbs - thanks for your interest. 🙂

As has been said, I suspect many current users of the Bridge would find extension of the steam railway to be a far more welcome prospect than the approaching BRT2 behemoth. More generally, I'm with Wordnumb on this: the way things are in Bristol [i]right now[/i], I'd rather not sacrifice an important vehicle-free route for the sake of the current scheme. As per ransos's post, it offers negligible benefits - not least given the likely expense.

I'm more against the way it's being forced through un-democratically

It's an equally important dimension to all this: BCC & the WEP have - essentially - bent the modelling to fit the DfT funding requirements, and then steamrollered the scheme through. As StopBRT2 write in [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/stopbrt2-letter-post ]their letter[/url] to the [i]Post[/i]: "It is as if there is a collective Council denial of the level of opposition to BRT2."

And whilst we're at it, here's a bump for StopBRt2's [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/ ]walk and picnic[/url] protest thing on the afternoon of saturday 6th July. The walk along the Ashton Vale route is at 2 pm, returning to the park side of the Bridge for a picnic at 3.30-6pm. If any of y'all are in the area, feel free to drop by.

Bump for the protest picnic noteeth talks about ^.
How's he going to picnic with no teeths? Go along and find out!

I'm 50/50 whether I can make it tomorrow, but it's 2pm for the walk and 3pmish for the picnic.

How's he going to picnic with no teeths?

Lots of chewing... 8)

[url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/ ]The picnic[/url]: as I understand it, there will be some music & other stuff (including activities for kids). The weather is looking good, so drop by and say hello! 😀

Yet more [url= http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bemmy-forum/messages/topic/3DtfTCBtWeM7EuetKDilCP ]drilling[/url] near the Chocolate Path this morning. Meanwhile, the link to the [i]Post[/i] article about the Cumberland Road decision appears to be permanently broken, despite the [url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/transport#axzz2YB8Df6RM ]rest of the page working ok[/url]. Perhaps George's "promise" about electric buses is being reined in - or maybe BCC are just embarrassed by how dumbass this whole thing really is.

Bump... it's today.

2pm: meet at the Bridge for a walk along the proposed Ashton Vale route.

3.30 - 6pm: picnic (on the 'grass side' of the Bridge).

Fantastic conditions, thanks weather gods. 😀

Consultation has opened concerning the new routes, you can respond on-line and have until 14th August: http://www.travelwest.info/metrobus

Thanks DoctorRad - question 9 on the [url= http://www.travelwest.info/metrobus ]consultation website[/url] allows you to make a statement concerning the new Ashton Vale Route (although Metrobus are saying that any issues concerning the Ashton Avenue Bridge have already been covered by the public inquiry). Still, it's an opportunity to voice discontent.

The picnic went well, given how much other stuff was going on in Brizzle that day - fine weather, good music & plenty of cake! Some peeps pinned artwork to the Bridge, but this was promptly taken down by the BRT2 neighbourhood watch (whoever they may be). A shame, because Mayor Ferguson was seen wandering around the area on the following day.

The next public meeting meeting is tuesday (tomorrow) 23rd July, 7.30 pm at the Hen & Chicken Pub, North Street. StopBRT2 have submitted some pretty leading FOI requests, and are now actively linking up with other groups, such as the Civic Society & Bristol Cycling Campaign. So, it carries on...

Excellent post on the StopBRT2 website:

[url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/ashton-avenue-bridge-why-investing-walking-and-cycling-without-brt2-great-value ]Ashton Avenue Bridge: why investing for walking and cycling (without BRT2) is great value[/url]

Further to the so-called 'consultation', there are exhibitions of the revised (i.e. Cumberland Road) Ashton Vale route at St Mary Redcliffe 6th Form Centre, Redcliffe Hill, on [b]31st July[/b] and [b]7th August[/b], between 4-8pm. The Bristol Civic Society are encouraging people to turn up [i]en masse[/i] at 6pm on 31st July, & ask awkward questions.

Metrobus are repeatedly claiming that people have [i]already[/i] been consulted about the Ashton Avenue Bridge plans... 🙄

Okaaay, the [url= http://www.bristol247.com/2013/08/13/consultation-draws-to-close-on-metrobus-plans-99839/ ]'consultation'[/url] on the revised (i.e. Cumberland Road) BRT2 route (now re-branded as Metrobus) ends tomorrow. Anybody who wishes to make a comment can do so at the Metrobus site: http://www.travelwest.info/metrobus. Again, this doesn't include the Aston Avenue Bridge section (which was covered by the previous TWA), but there are still plenty of implications for cyclists/pedestrians... not to mention a whole lot of expensive over-engineering & potential tree-felling...

As [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/impressions-and-insights-metrobusbrt-consultation-events ]StopBRT2 note[/url], the re-named scheme is still as idiotic as ever, and the exhibition of plans left plenty of unanswered questions. [i]Quelle surprise![/i]

Not a proper update as such... but the area around the Bridge (Sylvia Crowe Park) was [i]very[/i] busy yesterday, with plenty of people out walking and cycling (& a fair number of kids blackberrying!), all bathed in glorious bank holiday sunshine.

BCC & the WEP... don't do it! 🙁

Contractors were erasing the painted 'No Bus' signs on the Ashton Avenue Bridge this morning - it seems Bristol City Council cannot bear the negative publicity.

Would a shame it would be if new ones were to appear. 😈

Bunch of jobsworths. I thought we lived in a city famous for its vibrant street art?

Two new Twitter accounts have sprung up under the user names @metrobusTW and @sbristollink, presumably to try and win hearts and minds. Not sure who'd operating them - I'm guessing the WEP - but I'd urge everyone to ask them some awkward questions.

a city famous for its vibrant street art

Not if it interferes with BCC's rubbish transport planning. Shame there's not some old Banksy piece on the Bridge - judging by the madness of the art market, it would probably increase its material value tenfold.

We could always barricade that stretch of the Festival Way with some strategically placed Gromits. 8)

[url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Route-decision-disastrous/story-19783225-detail/story.html#axzz2egBetfdC ]Bristol City Council have now received a solicitor's letter[/url] raising the possibility of a legal challenge to their [s]transport scheme[/s] gurt white elephant.

It seems things are turning ugly.

Edit: [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/ ]StopBRT2 now have it on their home page.[/url]

Councillor Brian Allinson, chairman of the WEP transport executive, is currently moaning about the use of legal challenges - claiming that their use by "single-interest groups" is holding the city back.

[url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Martin-Luther-King-dream-ndash-nightmare-25-years/story-19800981-detail/story.html#axzz2f9QL3fJ5 ]'Martin Luther King had a dream – I have a nightmare...[/url]

In the case of BRT2, he would seem to be ignoring a number of salient facts - the supreme irony of which is almost amusing: [b]1.)[/b] Flaws in the scheme were repeatedly demonstrated by a large number of submissions to the Public Inquiry, from a wide variety of contributors. [b]2.)[/b] Many people voted for George Ferguson [i]precisely[/i] because of his stated opposition to the plans [b]3.)[/b] The proposed BRT2/Metrobus AVTM route remains hugely unpopular, as indicated by the thousands of signatures to the online petition, and the many letters of objection sent to Bristol City Council (all ignored, of course).

If anybody is guilty of acting like a secretive single-interest group, it's the WEP. 😈

The Gromits are massing in the old Habitat store at the top of Park Street ready for a surprise bridge protest.

The 81st Gromit, aka The George Ferguson Gromit, had to be withdrawn as it was frightening the children. Something to do with it's two faces, apparently...

😆

Gromit says, "Kiss my starfish George!"

[IMG] [/IMG]

There seems to have been a fair amount of clearance work (apparently done on friday night) in the area adjacent to the start of the Chocolate Path - hopefully this is something to do with the heritage railway, and not preparations for a new bus lane... 😕

Internet trade rag [url= http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/opinion/?id=35766 ]TransportXtra[/url] kindly published a letter from yours truly, bemoaning the coming transformation of the Ashton Avenue section of the Festival Way.

Dear Sir,

I note with interest Councillor Brian Allinson's reply to Gavin Smith at TransportXtra ("Putting the facts right on Bristol's BRT plan" - Issue 628/629 9 Aug 2013). As a resident of Ashton Road and a daily cycle/pedestrian commuter into central Bristol, I would like to make a number of points:

1. Given its continued neglect (& Grade II listed status), I would very much like to see the Ashton Avenue Bridge restored. However, its present structural state is not, in itself, an [i]a priori[/i] argument for the choice of bus route. The route should be decided on its own merits (and personally speaking, I see very little merit in the AVTM plans), not because it provides convenient investment capital for the upkeep of listed structures. The West of England Partnership are doing themselves no favours by continually suggesting that only buses will "save" the Bridge - other capital is available, e.g. the newly-announced funding for designated cycle routes. Besides which, some of the money already spent/wasted on BRT2 could have been spent on bridge upkeep!

2. I don't think anybody who opposes the current BRT2/Metrobus scheme is claiming that funding should only be used for trains and cycling. Buses are clearly a major part of the solution. However, it seems very likely that Bristol City Council/the WEP are going spend a vast amount of money in order to simply re-route buses off the Hotwell Road, with little in the way of proven benefits over the existing P&R route (which is within a few hundred metres of the proposed route). Neither the WEP nor BCC have done much to allay public suspicion that the scheme has been modelled to fit DFT funding criteria (i.e. in order to secure the capital), rather than actually addressing Bristol's transport needs. If all this proceeds in combination with BCC's continuing failure to challenge the dire provision of bus services by FirstGroup, voters will not be forgiving.

3. Councillor Allinson correctly points out that Bristol is a hilly city. It is certainly true that cycling is not a viable option for everybody. However, the section of the Festival Way most affected by BRT2 is decidedly [b]flat[/b]. Whatever its fascinating (rail/top-tier road) history, the stretch which includes the Ashton Avenue Bridge has become an important non-vehicular route into the city from South Bristol. It is [i]immensely[/i] valued by the large numbers of pedestrians and cyclists who use it, every single day - each of whom is already helping to resolve Bristol's gridlock. Placing them in immediate (and, to be frank, dangerous) proximity to a busy bus lane will entirely transform the experience, as even the BRT2 planners admit (pers.comm. - Metrobus consultation, 7th August). There is immense anger about the scheme among local residents and commuters - and those in charge of promoting it would do well not to underestimate the strength of feeling.

Yours sincerely,

Noteeth.

The clearance work is railway-related... its sudden appearance was slightly alarming, is all. I think they might be putting in a platform.

StopBRT2 will not be pursuing a judicial review, for various reasons (not least cost....). Still, it served as a good shot across the bows of BCC/WEP & generated some more publicity. It also helped flush out some rather, uuh, [i]un[/i]-democratic sentiments on the part of senior Brizzle politicos (e.g. [url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-councillor-fed-Bristol-schemes-hijacked/story-19789648-detail/story.html#axzz2fY7rq5I3 ]
Bristol councillor "fed up" with Bristol schemes being hijacked[/url], and see also Tony Dyer's article on Bristol 24/7: [url= http://www.bristol247.com/2013/09/18/must-challenge-cheap-attacks-judicial-reviews-53412/ ]We must challenge cheap attacks on judicial reviews[/url]).

So, it carries on. The next StopBRT2 meeting is 7.30pm, 22nd October, the Hen and Chicken Pub, North Street (subject to room availability).

Tanks fer readin. 🙂

Quick correction: the next StopBRT2 meeting is at 7:30pm, on the [b]29th[/b] October, the Hen & Chicken Pub, North Street - changed due to room availability.

There's been some [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/legal-challenge-press-coverage ]press coverage of the decision not to proceed with a judicial review.[/url] It's a shame StopBRT2 don't have the financial means to pursue it - I suspect that BCC/WEP know full well just how shoddy the whole process has been... 👿

Bump... the next public meeting is [b]tomorrow[/b] - 7:30pm, tuesday 29th October, at the Hen & Chicken Pub, North Street.

There's [i]still[/i] no sign of the [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/update-public-inquiry-inspectors-report ]Planning Inspector's report...[/url] Meanwhile, the redoutable Bristol Civic Society have called for an urgent inquiry into the financing of the scheme - [url= http://www.bristol247.com/2013/10/15/bristol-civic-society-calls-urgent-inquiry-brt-finances-38543/ ]“We do not want future generations to inherit and have to pay for the white elephant that is BRT2”[/url]

The idiocy rolls on. 😕

OK, quick update for anybody who is interested:

The StopBRT2 meeting took place [i]in[/i] the pub, as the usual function room was booked & some theatre types were treading the boards upstairs. So, such difficulties aside, the following was discussed/agreed upon.

StopBRT2 are actively pursuing an official (i.e. eventually to be taken to the Political Ombudsman) complaint against Bristol City Council and the West of England Partnership. The whole process has been decidedly shoddy, to put it mildy. They are also engaged in a FOI request as to why the (taxpayer-funded) Public Inquiry is taking so very looooong to be published.

It was agreed that there was a fair amount of common ground with the campaign against the proposed South Bristol Link Road - for all the sustainable travel gubbins, BRT2/Metrobus actually forms part of a significant road-building programme. Now, arguments about whether urban (& esp Bristolian) congestion is best solved by building [i]more[/i] roads is a whole 'nother thread. But suffice to say, North Somerset Council are [i]very[/i] keen to get Bristol to stump up for the majority (and liable) costs of BRT2, as part of the SBL. More here: [url] http://nosouthbristollink.co.uk/ [/url]

There will be some kind of publicity stunt/demonstration to highlight the pathetically-low projected patronage of the BRT2/Metrobus scheme - in simple terms, we'll be spending £50 million for the sake of an extra 50 passengers. More details to be announced.

Mayor's Question Time, 7 pm, December 3rd, Wills Memorial Building, Bristol Uni. Got any burning (transport or anything else) questions for the red-trousered one? Book yourself a spot [url= http://www.bristol.gov.uk/press/booking-open-mayor%E2%80%99s-public-question-time ]here[/url]. If I wasn't working that evening, I'd be asking why BCC/WEP have already spent so much public money (approx £8 million!) in advance of an official planning inspectorate decision.

Bristol "Green Capital" status: uhh, who says satire is dead? Given how BRT2 trashes much-valued green & vehicle-free space, there'll be a concerted effort to work the angle on this one.

Parks/estates survey: Bristol City Council are currently asking people for their views on favourite parks or estates.... this kind of thing always worries me (i.e. just what is being planned down the line? 😕 ), but the survey itself is quick n' easy to do:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bcc-parks.

Anybody who currently enjoys the Greville Smyth Park/Sylvia Crowe Park/Festival Way/Pump track area might like to highlight the detrimental effect of putting a busy bus lane right thru the middle of it. To that end, StopBRT2 are also talking to the fine folks at [url= http://www.frogs.org.uk/about.php ]FrOGS[/url].

Next public meeting is 7.30pm, 26th November, in the Greville Room, Hen and Chicken Pub, North Street.

Tanks fer readin'. 🙂

Bad news - the [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-50-million-transport-scheme-gets/story-20040632-detail/story.html ]Government has approved the AVTM route[/url], thereby rubber-stamping one of the most idiotic transport schemes in Brizzle's recent history - a whopping £50 million to re-route buses off the Hotwell Road, and slapping 'em down over part of the demonstrably successful (cycle/pedestrian) Festival Way. [url= http://www.travelwest.info/avtm ]Metrobus[/url] are crowing about how all this is in the "public interest", despite the whole process having been as bent as a Raleigh Activator that's been hucked to flat. Of course, many in South Bristol voted for Red Trousers precisely [i]because[/i] they believed he was opposed to the scheme... 🙄

Anyway, for those of us who regularly use the Festival Way into town, the Planning Inspector's report notes that [b]"the scheme [will] have an adverse impact on the enjoyment of some existing routes used by pedestrians and cyclists"[/b]. Basically, if you currently enjoy the green space in & around Sylvia Crowe Park (i.e. near the Pump Track), over Ashton Avenue Bridge and along the Chocolate Path, things are going to become a good deal less pleasant. And I'm willing to bet that the city will [i]still[/i] be in terminal gridlock - & money that [i]might[/i] have been used for, say, improving existing bus services will have been pished away.

A fugging ridiculous state of affairs, even by Bristol standards. 👿

Why am I not surprised? Ferguson has shown himself to be as bad as the rest of them. Bunch of self serving business cronies.

I thought the chocolate block path was going to remain intact?

I thought the chocolate block path was going to remain intact?

It will, as per the revised plans (and is likely to be upgraded with the new cycling-specific funding - so that's a plus). But the intersection at the Bridge end is likely to be pretty busy.

It really is a duff scheme, and is getting plenty of hate in the comments under the [i]Post[/i] article. 😈

Excellent article on Bristol 24/7 - [url= http://www.bristol247.com/2013/11/08/bristol-transport-another-depressing-sense-deja-vu-96718/ ]"Bristol transport: Another depressing sense of deja vu"[/url].

So, the unaccountable & [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/building-brt-financially-responsible ]financially-dodgy[/url] Bust Rapid Transit-juggernaut rolls on, despite opposition from all and sundry.

That said, the fine folks at [url= http://stokescroftchina.wordpress.com/retail/ ]StokesCroftChina[/url] have [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/perfect-gift-support-stopbrt2-and-local-business ]released a nice plate[/url] for sale. 😀

[img] ?itok=bxS1TkIq[/img]

@NoTeeth - The StopBRT2 Facebook page just quoted your communication with the Post... nice one!

ha, next stop Mumsnet! 😉

Although I can't actually view FB on this NHS library computer....

Unfortunately, [url= http://www.bristol247.com/2013/11/27/councillors-vote-yes-south-bristol-link-road-21697/ ]BCC's decision to wave through the SBL[/url] makes it [i]much[/i] more likely that buses will be running over Ashton Avenue Bridge. Regardless of what one thinks of the actual road (& I remain sceptical about the WEP hype), the proposed AVTM guided bus route is still utterly daft. But it rolls on... 😕

[url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/ ]StopBRT2[/url] have issued a statement to Bristol City Council, so as to put on record their opposition to BRT2/Metrobust.

Apologies for the gurt cut n' paste....

StopBRT2 statement to full Council 17 December 2013

StopBRT2 wishes to put on record the following:

There is a democratic deficit in local transport planning

Currently key transport investment decisions are led by the West of England Partnership which is unelected, unaccountable, is not even a legal entity according to its Chief Executive, and has no complaints procedure. Bristol City Council has one vote out of six, despite more than a third of people in the West of England residing in Bristol. It is clear from information on their website that the West of England Partnership wants to promote a programme of road schemes that belong to another era. As currently structured, the Partnership is able to impose its will on the people of Bristol without being answerable for it. The detailed work is being undertaken by consultants who are not accountable to the public for what they do, but who have cost us at least £12m.

There are huge financial, environmental and transport risks associated with BRT2

These include:
• a financial agreement with North Somerset which means that Bristol pays 80% of the capital funding gap-currently standing at around £14m
• the likelihood that BRT services will have to be subsidised as admitted by the project's own consultants. This can only be achieved by reducing other services. The Inspector for the BRT2 Public Inquiry also identified this as a risk (para 7.3.50).
• uncertainly over the feasibility of the Ashton Fields section due to flooding risk and its potential status as town green
• uncertainly over Network Rail's agreement to the flyover at Winterstoke Road
• very low impact on passenger numbers. The report to Cabinet on 27 June had figures buried in it that showed that passenger levels in the am peak hour are only 50 higher compared with the 'do minimum' in 2016. This typifies the Partnership approach: to go for soft options while failing to address the fundamental citywide problems of congestion; air pollution and safety. The Inspector for the BRT2 Public Inquiry said ' The scheme would unlikely therefore to have much impact on congestion levels in the City' (para 7.3.31).
• Unacceptable (to local people) impacts on local open spaces. When work is underway in the year of Green Capital, there is likely to be enormous public anger. This will challenge the credibility of Green Capital status for Bristol and potentially undermine the good work of other sectors that have helped win this award
• The stop-go short section of guideway is laughable and the accident history of the Cambridge system raises further issues about this part of BRT2

StopBRT2 and other groups will hold politicians to account when things go wrong

We issue this statement to warn of the dangers ahead, and it is made in the spirit of wishing to protect the City Council. We are well aware of who the lead politicians in Bristol are on BRT. When the public reacts and the projects start to unravel, we will call those politicians to account.

December 2013

[url= https://twitter.com/StopBRT2/status/413408623599972352/photo/1 ]Seasons Greetings from Metrobust[/url]

StopBRT2 Christmas Card. 🙂

When I saw that on the feed I actually, for only a moment of course, thought it was real! 🙂

But in my defence the Metrobus twitter feed is so bad at PR it wouldn't actually surprise me if it was true.

So we're spending millions on a pointless and destructive bus route, and now the swing bridge ist kaput which will cost millions to repair. I've been saying from the start that what's needed is an upgrade to the Cumberland basin road layout - this is the perfect opportunity. Put the Metrotoss money toward something useful.

Every time the [i]Post[/i] prints the [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/MetroBus-revealed-Bristol-s-new-transport-likely/story-20348117-detail/story.html ]latest Metrobust gubbins*[/url], there are [b]never[/b] any supportive comments. Nobody - apart from BCC, the (unaccountable) WEP and the gravy-train consultants - wants this dumbass scheme. And we will be paying thru the nose for it, even as other services are cut.

*I do like the fact that the muddy bank of the New Cut now looks like a beach... 😆

What's occurring: I'm [i]definitely[/i] buying one of those [url= https://twitter.com/StopBRT2/status/418337916239101953/photo/1 ]'Cyclists say no to BRT2' mugs...[/url]

Meanwhile, the [i]Post[/i] is printing more [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Best-city-happiness-wealth/story-20389754-detail/story.html ]PR puff[/url] about how the SBL & Metrobust will help to rectify [i]"the inequalities blighting our growth and prosperity over recent decades"[/i]. Coming next week, how badly-planned bus lanes will bring about World Peace... There was some more ground survey work going on today, under the flyover (i.e. near the Pump Track). The river was also in full spate, and running high on the banks of the New Cut - all of which bodes well for the costly engineering that will no doubt be required for the Metrobust AVTM route. 🙄

I understand from my involvement with building the pump track under the flyover that it's technically a flood zone. Hopefully they'll be running those super-reliable amphibious buses: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/29/duck-boat-passengers-rescued-fire-thames

As an aside, one of the blokes I went riding with recently has set up an action group for Hotwells residents who want to sort out the grim traffic situation round Cumberland Crescent - the "narrow gate of death crossing" between the Chocolate Path and the welcoming arms of the Nova. I reckon it's worth a click:

those super-reliable amphibious buses

A FirstGroup amphibious bus... I don't even want to contemplate it.* 😯

But they'll need something, [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/?logout=true&site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bristolpost.co.uk&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bristolpost.co.uk%2FSevern-storm-surge-Latest-updates-Bristol-area%2Fstory-20395641-detail%2Fstory.html ]cos the area is [i]very[/i] wet right now[/url].

(*to be fair to First, the recent reduction in fares means that a trip into town from my house is now pretty good value... if I'm not cycling, of course).

The planning application has now been submitted for the Cumberland Road route - [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/planning-application-brt2-cumberland-road-option-now ]if you so wish, you can comment and object[/url]. Quite aside from the fact that it's an utterly dumb idea (and one that is actually dismissed in the original BRT2 plans), Metrobust have been strangely silent on why they want to build their nonsense buslane upon what is [i]very[/i] obviously an active floodplain. That said, where cheaper & simpler solutions are available (i.e. spending the money on upgrading the Hotwell Road P&R route) their consultants do have form for suggesting expensive & over-engineered schemes. Why would that be, I wonder? ❓

[img] [/img]

The Chocolate Path a couple of days ago - hope the Metrobust route is future-proofed... 😈

For any of y'all following this....after the recent flooding, Metrobust have gone on a [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/MetroBus-bring-improved-flood-defences-islanders/story-20425614-detail/story.html ]PR drive[/url] to explain how their woeful scheme will protect the Avon Crescent/Cumberland Road junction from future tsunamis, earthquakes, attacks from outer space, etc. All of which merely demonstrates that the Cumberland Road option (as per the Mayoral Review) was [i]always[/i] going to be more complicated & expensive than the Hotwell Road route. But Metrobust, having its own demented logic & momentum, rolls on.

Even the [i]Post[/i] is getting angry about it - there's a great editorial in today's paper: [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Metro-Bus-end-congestion/story-20425506-detail/story.html ]Metro Bus will not end congestion.[/url]

[url= http://travelwest.info/sites/default/files/documents/BD5054%20-%20AVTM%20MetroBus%20Newsletter%20Jan%2014-Spread_web.pdf ]Metrobust have published their guide[/url] to the AVTM route... complete with all that extra (and expensive) over-engineering. I'm [i]still[/i] not clear on why P&R users will benefit from being diverted down Cumberland Road (i.e. away from the centre, as currently served by Hotwell Road).

Meanwhile, the Avon Crescent junction looks like it will be a bit of a mess... 😕

[img] [/img]

If you have any objections/comments regarding the planning application for Cumberland Road, you have until 14th Feb to submit 'em.

The consultants' own studies show that metrobus will not make any worthwhile reduction in traffic, even under their most optimistic scenarios. And I note that the planning application has not a single letter in support.

metrobus will not make any worthwhile reduction in traffic

Indeed, ransos. And yet it is forced upon Brizzle regardless - the ugly outcome of transport policy being dictated by a funding bid.

God that's going to be an even more exciting place to cross!

Can we stop calling them 'metrobus[b]t[/b]'? We know they're crap, we know it's a crap idea but calling them names just demeans the valid arguments against.

Whereas the valid arguments are ignored, unchallenged, and remain unknown to the vast majority of people living in Bristol. I agree that name-calling isn't particularly worthwhile but ... better ideas?

calling them names just demeans the valid arguments

Given how BCC & the WEP have ignored the numerous public objections to this scheme, I don't think that calling them names on a mountain bike forum is going to matter [i]that[/i] much.

Besides which, I started the thread... I'll call 'em what I want. 😉

Ho ho ho, noteeth you little scamp *ruffles his hair in a condescending way*, that was BRT2 that people objected to, MetroBus is completely different and not related at all. Why it even has a completely different name! Just like how Windscale and Sellafield are two completely different names .....

ruffles his hair in a condescending way

Male pattern baldness here... 🙁

Just like how Windscale and Sellafield are two completely different names

😀

It's two weeks until the deadline for comments on the Cumberland Road planning application. Disillusioned as we all are, I would urge anybody who has concerns to submit an objection online. I'm not pretending that the damn thing can be stopped/re-routed, but sufficient weight of numbers might throw a small spanner into the planning process works. And when it all gets underway & Avon Crescent looks like a motorway junction, at least there will be a paper trail documenting the reasons for public opposition. I suspect the BRT consultants and WEP minions are going to make a fool of Ferguson - who is now lumbered with explaining why Cumberland Road is a better option than simply improving Hotwell Road....

Planning application site is here: http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=MXL72EDN00J00

And StopBRT2 note the following (sorry for gurt cut n' paste):

This might help if you are writing a response.

The City Council website says:'All comments we receive about a planning application will be considered, but only planning issues can be taken into account. These include: Loss of light or privacy; Overshadowing on your home; Highway safety; Traffic and parking issues; Noise; Amenity; Wildlife; Historic buildings; Conservation; Design; Appearance of the development.'

From an initial look at the plans, detailed issues include:

•A 4m wide trench will be dug along Cumberland Road as part of the works to build a 1.5m wall between Cumberland Road and the railway line. Several thousand tonnes of concrete to be used. This wall will block views towards the Avon New Cut. Bristol should have its own flood defence plan and not be dependent on BRT2's vehicle restraint wall, which is being built to prevent buses toppling onto the railway
•The western end of Cumberland Road will start to resemble a series of motorway slip roads-in total four separate roads running in parallel-overall width 35-40m!
•The Cumberland Road crossing at Gaol Ferry Bridge will now be offset from the bridge, adding to pedestrian and cycling congestion in this area
•Trees likely to be lost on Commercial Road
•Green areas converted to tarmac
•A 'bus gate' will be installed on Cumberland Road. Where these exist on other Bristol roads, they seem to be so unsuccessful that bus drivers are seen driving into the main traffic flow!
•The coach parking is to be removed. The planning applications plans simply says that an alternative location will be found by the council, which is another hidden cost of the scheme
•At Bathurst Basin bridge, pedestrians will now have two roads to cross-no zebras are being proposed
The Council have published a colour brochure with visualisations showing the full ugliness of some of the BRT2 'features' here http://travelwest.info/sites/default/files/documents/BD5054%20-%20AVTM%2.... There are copies in Bedminster library. The brochure fails to note the points set out in the above and says nothing about Butterfly Junction. It also claims that BRT2 will stem projected traffic growth of 15% on Cumberland Road (doubtful!)*, although the Planning Inspector said that the project is unlikely to have a significant effect on congestion.

(*StopBRT2 address the Metrobus claims about traffic [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/case-brt2-undermined-fall-traffic-levels-2000-2012 ]here[/url])

Meanwhile, a rolling news site which [i]sort[/i] of looks like the [i]Bristol Post[/i] has covered the new transit system in depth: [url= http://bristolgroan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/new-mass-transit-system-is-kitten-on.html ]"We estimate that the scheme will carry up to 5 kittens per hour, being towed on a colourful nylon leash."[/url]

😉

Tanks fer readin.

Quick bump - one week left to submit objections to this ludicrous scheme. Thanks to those who have already done so - there's some great comments on there (and very little public support... not least from [url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/brt2-passengers-what-do-they-think ]903 P&R users[/url] who realise that they are now going to be diverted [i]away[/i] from the city centre - i.e. along Cumberland Road, and not the existing Hotwell Road route. Some of 'em are threatening to get back into their cars!).

As an aside, it seems that 100-200 homes are proposed for the [url= http://www.bowerashton.co.uk/news.htm ]Ashton Station site[/url] (hope the JCBs don't squash the Pump Track... 😯 ). It's pretty obvious that the BRT2/Metrobus planners have long-envisaged such a development. Funny that.

Drawings are on display in the Create Centre, if anybody wants to take a look.

5-days-till-stage-call-type-bump.

Objections coming thru pretty regularly now - Brizzle folk are clearly baffled by this nonsense. 😈

Done, thanks for keeping this issue on the radar.

Done

Thanks, thebunk. If nothing else, the number of submitted planning objections means that Metrobus can't claim public support for this [i]damn[/i] fool scheme. And - unlike Ashton Vale - there's no flood risk on the moral high ground. 😉

Three days left... objections are racking up pretty steadily, not least from angry P&R bus users - the [i]very[/i] people this dross scheme is designed to serve.

BTW, a warning for anybody who cuts n' pastes (i.e. from a Word doc) into the BCC Planning portal comment box - the site occasionally seems to play havoc with yer punctuation (random hyphens & apostrophes go MIA). A STW-style rant can end up looking like the author is slightly inebriated. 😳

Deadline for comments on the Cumberland Road Metrobus planning application inna Agency_Scum Mud Dock jumble-sale stylee...

[B]IT'S TOMORROW![/B]

Anybody with concerns, make them known here:

[url] http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=MXL72EDN00J00 [/url]

In a measure of just how surreal and disjointed this scheme is, Metrobus have justified the diversion of the popular 903 P&R service [i]away[/i] from Hotwell Road (and the two most heavily-used stops - Anchor Road & the Centre) on the grounds that projected congestion on this route is likely to worsen.... all added to, of course, by expected traffic on the new South Bristol Link road - which [b]Metrobus themselves[/b] are promoting. Needless to say, they are getting battered by 903 users in the submitted comments. 😈

As an aside, the [i]Post[/i] report on [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/WALLS-HELP-FLOODS/story-20617872-detail/story.html ]projected tidal surge/flooding risks[/url] again demonstrates the idiocy of building a new bus lane from Ashton Vale, thru Colliters Brook and along Cumberland Road. Even if they build a flood barrier/bus retention wall, it doesn't mitigate against the risks elsewhere on the Ashton Vale floodplain. Perhaps we'll have to jack up Ashton Avenue bridge on bricks... One of the submitted comments also brought up something I'd not really considered: a high wall along the Choc Path has the potential to make it feel a good deal less safe in terms of visibility & mugging potential. 😕

Thanks for reading.

Just returned from the cinema (ace '72 flick [i]The Getaway[/i] with the lovely Ali MacGraw... swoon) & had a quick scan of the submitted comments.... and - blimey - Metrobus are getting [i]hammered[/i]. 😯

It looks like access/parking on the Cumberland Road is going to be just as big an issue as rebellious 903 P&R users. The Rowing Club, in particular, are pretty miffed about it. Thanks rowers, whoever you are. 😉

Bump: deadline for comments is today - Feb 14th for a hot date with a transport white elephant.

Public planning comments are in. It's clear that the proposed route has [i]no[/i] popular support, and that Metrobus have conspicuously ignored the implications for P&R bus-users, other commuters, local residents and businesses alike. Key points seem to be: nobody accepts their rationale for diverting bus-services off the Hotwell Road, the displacement of parking and altered traffic flow along Cumberland Road is going to be a [i]major[/i] issue, the flood defence measures might actually be counter-productive for upstream locations, and the added complexity at the Avon Crescent junction is causing a battle all of its own.

All this compounds the issues elsewhere (the Festival Way, Ashton Avenue Bridge, Choc Path intersection, etc etc). I don't know what, if any, influence the comments will have upon the Council Planning decision - but, frankly speaking, it's good to see the Metrobus scheme being ripped apart. Hopefully it's giving them & their gravy-train consultants a big fugging headache. 😈

On that note, thanks to all those who submitted objections and spread the word. Cheers all.

Good work keeping people posted toothless one. I'm still cynical as to the powers-that-be listening to objections or looking at evidence, coherent as the arguments have been there's more chance that the number of bus users stating that they'll start driving again will swing it, if anything.

Noteeth, may I ask you an only vaguely related question? Or if anyone else knows...

I notice that the planning page linked to above makes public the name and address of everyone who has posted an objection. Surely there's issue here with data privacy, or am I being overly paranoid?

bus users stating that they'll start driving again

Metrobus are rather feebly trying to claim that the scheme was widely advertised & consulted upon. Strange - because none of the P&R bus-users seem to know anything about it! 903 commuters threatening to get back into their cars really does sum up why BRT2 is so very stupid.

re: data privacy - I wondered about that, too. I guess formal planning objections are published as such, although I can't say I'm wildly enthusiastic about addresses being displayed on the internet...

Quick info-type bump.

The BCC [url= http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=MXL72EDN00J00 ]Planning Committee Report is now online[/url], in advance of the meeting on the 19th March. As usual, there's some Council gubbins about how these are just [i]recommendations[/i] - but it's pretty obvious that the damn thing is being bulldozered through, whatever the public actually thinks (or wants).

Reading between the lines, it's clear that the vaguely-imagined riches of the proposed Temple Meads "Enterprise Zone" are being used to justify the AVTM route. Get ready for lots of platitudes about "connectivity", served up with lashings of greenwash.... 🙄

According to the report, 92% of responses were to object to it, yet opinion is described as "split". Also no mention of the consultants own research which showed that a trivial number of people are predicted to actually use the thing...

According to the report, 92% of responses were to object to it, yet opinion is described as "split".

I know - it's pretty much beyond satire.

The BCC Planning Committee meeting at which all this is to be [s]discussed[/s] steamrollered through is on Weds 19th March.

StopBRT2 will be boycotting the meeting, in protest at the [i][url= http://stopbrt2.org.uk/ ]"transport decision making process which has led to Bristol being saddled with this enormous white elephant"[/url][/i] (see also their point-by-point response to the Committee Report, on the same page). Can't say I blame 'em... this godawful scheme is about to be forced upon us - despite having [i]no[/i] popular support, and despite the complete lack of a convincing business/transport case.

Much as I love Bristol, it is ruled by clowns. 👿

Committee meeting is tonight.

I don't think it's going to be a very good outcome.

I still really struggle to see why old red trousers isn't against this - it seems to fly in the face of what he usually supports. I'm wondering if somehow there's some pragmatic politics being played here that allowing this steaming turd through means that something else good or at least less terrible happens.

I still really struggle to see why old red trousers isn't against this

It's the cash - BCC need to slap down something that qualifies for the DfT funding. Hence why the BRT2 consultants/the LEP are pushing the Cumberland Road option, with its suspiciously-skewed BCR - and they have his ear. I've heard some cynical mutterings about how all this might be tied-in with the Arena decision, but who knows?

Binning the scheme would cost Bristol in financial penalties - but it would still be better than the almighty cluster-fug that's coming our way. One thing's for sure: the AVTM Metrobus route is certainly [i]not[/i] worth £50 million + of public money. 👿

Predictably, it's not good news: [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Plans-Metrobus-Ashton-Vale-Bristol-Temple-Meads/story-20830717-detail/story.html ]Plans for Metrobus between Ashton Vale and Bristol Temple Meads gain momentum[/url].

Oh well, at least we tried - thanks all.

And a pox upon this council and their idiotic planning decisions. 👿

I've heard some cynical mutterings about how all this might be tied-in with the Arena decision, but who knows?

That's the sort of thing I'm wondering - it seems so much against what he has typically supported that there must be more to it.

What tyres for sitting in front of diggers? [/arthurdent (not as played by M Freeman)]

What tyres

[img] [/img]

To repeat an earlier post: if all else fails, I think we should deny the Ashton Avenue Bridge to the enemy. 😈

Quick update on the coming Festival Way bus-apocalypse... there's an excellent letter in a recent edition of the [i]Post[/i] - [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Reader-s-letter-MetroBus-scheme-insult-Bristol/story-20946889-detail/story.html ]Metrobus scheme is an insult to Bristol[/url]. Brizz_Tony's comment beneath is worth quoting in full, as it nails the financial lunacy that is being foisted upon us... apologies for the gurt cut n' paste:

It is first and foremost a road-building scheme, with a token bus service to justify it. It will not bring money into Bristol City Council, except for the Department for Transport's contribution towards this crackpot scheme. The cost of the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads route (AVTM) has risen by £2.4 million, and the engineering costs of the South Bristol Link (SBL) have been written up by £10 million before anyone with sense has wielded a shovel. Government funding for AVTM is £34.5 million, leaving £14.5 million for the councils to find. Under a bizarre deal struck by a former BCC, 80% of any over-runs falls to BCC, a formula which has already cost us £1.6 million. The engineering over-run, although dressed up as an accounting device, exposes us to an £8m hit before the Lord Mayor has cut the first sod, under a volley of ripe tomatoes. So there is no bonus for BCC, merely a (so far) bill of around £15m, just for the AVTM route, which will actually slow the journeys of 80% of the people who currently use the 903 to get to work, and which will mainly use public roads. This could actually add to congestion as drivers choose against the Long Ashton Park and Ride. The model for Bust Rabid Transit has been held up as the Cambridge BRT. That followed the closed St Ives to Cambridge railway, around 14 miles. To reopen the line would have cost around £42m. To build the Bust Rabid Transit was originally slated at around £60m, but was finally agreed between Cambridge CC and BAM Nutall as £83.9m. The final tab, after an acrimonious relationship between CCC and the contractors BAM Nutall, was £188m. That led to legal action, finally settled by the two parties with CCC paying BAM Nutall £84.7m on the steps of the court. But other matters pushed the cost of this scheme up to £152m. Legal costs etc meant that CCC have to dip their hands to their pockets to find £36 million, over and above their original profile. How much their council tax will have to rise to meet the interest payments may only become clear after the next election. In the meantime, the auguries are not good for libraries and swimming pools in Cambridgeshire, nor for Bust Rabid Transit. The Cambridge BRT is 14 miles of expensive concrete, using guided busways for safety along the the whole length, with breaks for crossing roads. I have found word of at least 5 serious accidents. The AVTM route will be the shortest, most pointless, and probably the most expensive guided busway. Either bus operators will need to be sure that fitting the special guiding kit to their buses is worthwhile, and that the new slower route is worthwhile, or BCC will have to subsidise the whole business, as well as pay interest on the loans we have to take to cover the inevitable cost over-runs, made essential by South Glos laying on new workers from Filton Airfield Residential Estate to work at the Enterprise Zone - 100% of the council tax receipts of a few £m yearly, some s106 agreements to pay for woefully inadequate provision for schools, later to be taken up by central government if they don't decide to abandon the area, but only 10% of the risk of this cr@p scheme which will only get their taxpayers as far as the BCC border before the bus hits the M32 queue into town. Death to Bust Rabid Transit will save us all but the fee for Atkins, who in 2005 advocated conversion of the Severn Beach line to a Bust Rabid Transit. The million passengers who will ride on it this year show the stupidity of that idea, as well as the value of railways when given then the chance. Get ready for a huge bill.

Additionally, there is [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Reader-s-letter-Does-think-Bristol-s-North-Fringe/story-20938621-detail/story.html ]growing anger over the impact of the BRT3 (North Fringe to Hengrove) Metrobus route[/url] upon the environment of Stoke Park. Unsurprisingly, many of the concerns echo those raised during the BRT2 planning applications... plus, there's a [url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Say-unrealistic-road-scheme/story-20926886-detail/story.html ]hefty war-of-words being fought over the rat-run-versus-shared-space[/url] issue on Avon Crescent.

Of course, if BCC are stupid enough to go ahead with this wretched scheme, then they deserve all the planning headaches that will be coming their way. It's just a shame that we will be paying for it. 👿

Anybody interested in the likely impact of the BRT3 Metrobus scheme upon Stoke Park and the Stapleton Alloments can keep up-to-date via the [url= http://www.bluefingeralliance.org.uk/metrobus-junction-planning-application-support-session/ ]bluefingeralliance[/url] homepage. Objections to the proposed development can be submitted online [url= http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=N2FHD4DN00J00 ]via the Council Planning portal[/url].

Needless to say, it all makes an utter nonsense of the Green Capital rhetoric - and there are also suggestions of land speculation in advance of the scheme.... yet another delightful aspect of this godawful transport "plan".