News / public transport
‘Tackling air pollution and congestion are two of Bristol’s biggest challenges’
Air pollution and congestion are not only serious public health issues but are also affecting Bristol’s economy, says the council’s cabinet member for transport.
Mhairi Threlfall has the unenviable task of tackling one of the greatest areas of concern in a city booming with ever-increasing numbers of people, yet plagued with inadequate infrastructure and poor public transport.
With schemes afoot that include an underground rail network that could be built at an estimated cost of between £2.5bn and £4.5bn, no one could accuse the Labour cabinet of lacking ambition.
is needed now More than ever
Although public patience is running thin in the midst of ongoing MetroBus works.
MetroBus works have been the source of much frustration in Bristol
Threlfall says a strategic approach is needed to solve the city’s transport nightmare, as she outlines priorities, including improved communication and public involvement, a focus on sustainable solutions and setting out ambitions as part of a wider plan.
The Labour councillor for Eastville, who was first elected in 2013 with a majority of just one vote, has recently been chosen as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Filton & Bradley Stoke.
As the Labour candidate in Kingswood in the 2017 General Election she gained a 39.5 per cent share of the vote, finishing second to Chris Skidmore, and in Filton & Bradley Stoke she hopes to oust Tory incumbent Jack Lopresti with a focus on education, Brexit, the NHS and, yep, transport.
“One thing we have seen over the last 18 months to two years is how unpredictable politics can be,” she told Bristol24/7.
“Filton & Bradley Stoke will be adversely affected by Brexit. Transport is a big issue there, so that’s a big priority, as is education. Some parts of the constituency have high numbers that go on to higher education and other areas have low numbers, so it’s addressing that disparity.
“Just yesterday, the Tories voted for more police cuts. How can people afford to pay more from their council tax to make up for the shortfall? I will be giving it everything I have got – even if it’s just giving a voice to local people and local issues.”
Threfall with other agency partners at the launch of the ‘active roadworks’ campaign
After attending the 350-year-old Edinburgh independent school George Heriot’s School, Threlfall graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of Bristol, where she was president of the filmmaking society and represented the university at fencing.
From 2010 to 2011, she worked as entrepreneur in residence at the University of Bristol, before moving to UWE Bristol where since January she has been senior enterprise consultant, “embedding entrepreneurship in the curriculum”.
Speaking at the launch of an ‘active roadworks’ campaign, intended to ease frustration about disruption, Threlfall said that communication and transparency are key elements in her political strategy.
“One of the key things in Bristol is that we physically don’t have enough road space and that’s why schemes such as an underground rail network are coming to the fore,” she said.
“We are taking a more strategic approach to transport. It’s unfortunate that before we have been quite reactive in terms of getting funding and then doing work.
“We need to work better with other local authority partners to solve current issues, especially around congestion.
“A huge chunk of the mayor’s inbox is related to transport and it’s about moving the debate to the people and what we want our city transport network to look like. We are looking at the underground system and park and rides, and improving cycling links and the public realm.
“Transport is crucial in terms of linking people to places and jobs, so it’s about taking a more strategic approach and thinking about how we tackle some of the biggest challenges.”
Air pollution in Bristol is at crisis point, with Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels recorded at twice the legal limit in parts of the city, and Threlfall says a big focus is on creating sustainable transport networks to ease congestion on the city’s roads.
Improving cycling networks is a part of the council’s transport strategy
Read more: Could Bristol have an underground system within 10 years?
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