Partner Article

Bristol businesses to benefit from Rapid Transit System

Traffic congestion causing problems for Bristol’s business community could soon be solved as a result of a Network Rail rail scheme and a new Bristol Metro project.

Bad traffic and a poorly connected public transport system has long been an issue for companies based in the South West city.

Officials have responded to complaints from Bristol firms with the “Bristol Rapid Transit System” project, which was revealed in May 2012, although some groups oppose the transport plans.

Northern and Southern areas of the city will be linked by a new interchange, a new bridge over the River Avon and an additional M32 junction, while new bus lanes and speed restrictions will also be introduced.

Furthermore, towns and suburban areas around Bristol will be linked to the city centre by a new metro system.

£200m of government funding will support the scheme if it goes ahead, while Network Rail has plans to electrify the rail line between Bristol and London to speed up journey times to the capital.

Philip Morton, head of agency at property advisory firm, CBRE Bristol, commented: “It is no secret that one of the biggest problems facing Bristol for many years has been the level of traffic in and around the city.

“Companies have seen congestion as a real barrier to doing business in the city and it is an issue that has never been that far away from the headlines. It always rears its head when companies are considering relocating to a new city or town.

“Over the years various schemes and projects, including a tram network, have been drawn up but until now nothing has ever materialised.

“One of the biggest problems faced by Bristol was the fact the various organisations appeared to be pulling in different directions to one another.

“However, it now seems as though there is a renewed appetite for everyone to work together and for the formation a transport body or organisation covering the whole of the Bristol city area.

“When it comes to transport there is a definite need for a strategic overview if you want a system that works properly for the area it serves.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .