2017: What didn’t happen in Bristol

When all’s said and done, 2017 has not been a bad year – especially when compared to say, 2016.

We had a snap General Election in June that saw Labour win a clean sweep of seats in Bristol.

And, the month before that, we gained yet another mayor: Tim Bowles, the first ever West of England metro mayor, who is now being invited to meetings organised by the likes of London mayor Sadiq Khan to represent the city.

Then there was a fun summer of street piano music, festivals and foodie offerings aplenty, the announcement that the Colston Hall is to shed its slave trade links with a change in name and Bristol gaining international recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.

You will also have noticed canary yellow bikes across the city as YoBikes introduced their dockless cycle hire scheme.

While we don’t like to dwell on the negative, it’s hard not to notice as the year draws to a close that a few gaping holes remain in the city landscape – including the Cheesegrater Bridge near Temple Meads, which has been closed since September after a lorry drove onto it.

Perhaps most notable for those heading up the nearby Bath Road is the barren stretch of land earmarked for the long-awaited Bristol Arena.

Hopes that the 12,000 capacity venue would be ready soon were scuppered when the council parted company with its appointed contractor in January, while further brakes were put on the project as mayor Marvin Rees expanded the scope of a team of consultants looking at the arena’s future.

The ‘bridge to nowhere’ awaits the new arena

Bristol City Council has already poured £9m into the major regeneration of the derelict area, a new vehicle bridge is ready and waiting, and another footbridge is currently being built.

Beautifully-drawn posters depict an artist’s impression of the final project, but as for the real thing? Don’t hold your breath.

Then there’s the MetroBus scheme, with ongoing works and delays creating traffic chaos across the city – even causing businesses such as  Caffe Vero on Small Street to close its doors, citing “unacceptable noise and dust creating an unsatisfactory environment for customers”.

Of course, it would be impossible to complete major infrastructure improvements without a large degree of disturbance across the city, but plagued with setbacks and over budget to the tune of some £15m, the scheme has won few popularity points.

The MetroBus works have not gained the project many popularity points

Transport woes continued as the bid to improve Bristol to Bath rail links and reopen Portishead’s passenger line hit a serious hurdle with the announcement that costs are set to rocket by as much as £117m.

Network Rail is overseeing the upgrade and latest estimates are that the figure could almost triple to up to £175m.

From track to field: it’s not been a year that has seen Bristol’s major mens sports teams showered with glory either. But Bristol City have made a late bid for success with their astonishing Carabao Cup run which in December saw them beat Manchester United in an unforgettable night at Ashton Gate.

Bristol Rugby were relegated to the Championship in May after only one year back in the Premiership. Luckily, the women have bucked the trend, with Bristol Ladies Rugby finishing top last season, only to lose against Aylesford Bulls in the Premiership Play Off final.

Cricket fans were also able to watch top women’s sport as the Women’s World Cup featured several games at the County Ground.

Despite high hopes pinned on the Bristol West constituency, 2017 wasn’t to be the year that saw The Green Party gain a second MP in parliament.

Launching their election campaign at the Avon Gorge Hotel, against the dramatic backdrop of the Suspension Bridge, party members appealed to young voters as they prepared to do fight in what was dubbed “the most important election of a generation.”

Alas, Molly Scott Cato failed to take the seat from the incumbent Labour candidate Thangam Debbonaire, who stormed to victory with a huge majority.

Read more: 15 people who made the news in 2017