News / Bristol
Could Bristol have an underground system within 10 years?
Plans for Bristol’s underground rail network appear to be forging forward, as the mayor says the city needs to think big to solve congestion problems.
A pre-feasibility study will be published early in 2018, complete with designs of the ambitious scheme, which is expected to cost between £2.5 and £4.5billion.
Marvin Rees told the BBC that he expects to deliver the project within 10 years and early plans include provision of a three-link network, linking Bristol Airport, Bradley Stoke and Emersons Green to the city centre.
is needed now More than ever
The system would also link to the yet-to-be-completed Metrobus network.
The mayor travelled to China earlier this month in a bid to secure investment for the transport scheme and other projects, including a complete overhaul of the Cumberland Basin.
The mayor wants to secure foreign investment for transport schemes that include an overhaul of the Cumberland Basin
Both the trip and plans for an underground system sparked criticism from his political opponents, with Conservative group leader Mark Weston blasting the scheme as “madness”, while Green Party councillors questioned the ethics of selling off potentially valuable land to Chinese investors.
But Rees remains deadly serious about the plans and said signs from the £50,000 pre-feasibility study are promising.
Marvin Rees expects to deliver the ambitious transport system within 10 years
“Tackling congestion is one of the biggest city challenges we face,” he said. “There is no single solution but we do need to think big and take into account a wide range of possible schemes to complement public transport systems already in place.
“The biggest and boldest plan of action is to build an underground or mass transit system that connects the heart of the city to major transport points in the city region.
“Ground conditions look good and there are some initial thoughts on routes already being considered. Costing the work up and establishing a financing model will be the next stage and whilst some will question the amounts being discussed, we have to be clear that to meet this challenge we must be ambitious.
“Without a viable alternative to using cars this challenge will continue to hold back Bristol’s continued success and growth.”
Full costings and financing won’t be done until the pre-feasibility study is complete.
Read more: ‘Underground system could solve Bristol’s transport problems’
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