Improvements announced to the city transport network could help balance traffic disruption triggered by a ‘perfect storm’ of roadworks at key points around Bristol.
That’s according to Paul Williams, Head of Agency at Bruton Knowles Great George Street office, who has highlighted two potentially significant factors which could bring some relief for long suffering commuters.
He said: “Businesses and commuters will welcome the West of England Joint Committee’s announcement of a new single platform railway station on the Severn Beach railway line at the Portway Park & Ride site – which could persuade more motorists to abandon their vehicles for their twice daily trek along the Portway.
“It is also encouraging to see that First Bus Bristol have been awarded the contract for the the first MetroBus route which is scheduled to come on line later this year.”
Double-decker buses will run on the MetroBus route from Ashton Vale to Temple Meads alongside the new South Bristol Link Road, which Paul says has brought benefits for business and commuters trying to cross the city – or access the popular South Liberty Lane commercial areas.
“Piece by piece, these policies are and will prove beneficial to traffic and people movement in Bristol.
“While buses and trains don’t hold all the answers, they do help steer a percentage of travellers away from their cars, easing traffic on main routes such as the Portway.
“This is an example of the sort of joined up thinking that businesses in Bristol have long been calling for. Together with other key announcements we are encouraged by the bold and purposeful approach the Joint Committee has adopted.”
Metro Mayor Tim Bowles said the committee was aiming to deliver on projects aimed at creating “a better connected region”.
Paul Williams said: “We would welcome these announcements as Bristol is groaning under the strain of chronic congestion, leading to additional costs for businesses due to time lost in traffic jams and increased congestion due to fumes from queuing traffic. An improved rail service is clearly an important element in the solution.
“What we really need is a comprehensive travel plan in place which gives workers the option of leaving their cars at home and using the train network instead.
“If the Metro Mayor can also grasp the nettle of creating an additional junction on the M4 to improve access to the Bristol and Bath Science Park and ease peak time congestion on the north eastern fringe of the city area, this would really be the icing on the cake. Long suffering Bristol motorists would think all their Christmases had come at once.”
