On Monday this week, the Mayoral candidates debated the future of transport infrastructure in the West of England at the Bristol and Bath Science Park.
The independent candidate for Metro Mayor, Dr John Savage CBE, has
outlined his plans to get the region moving and end the ‘nightmare’ congestion in the region.
Dr Savage said: “I want to be very clear about where I stand on transport. I want to end the transport nightmare in this region. Local government hasn’t been able to do it – so we need to work with our world class businesses and universities to find the solutions. For many years we have failed to be innovative and bold.
“Twenty years ago, we had plans ready to build a tram network, but this
was scuppered because of politics. I will commit to starting the process of building a modern tram network, with three key routes. One that connects Bristol City centre to Cribbs Causeway and UWE and another two that link Bath and Bristol to our world class Bristol Airport. Just look at Bordeaux and others of our partner European cities, this can and will be done if I am Mayor. We must also utilise smart technology to support how we move in and out of this region and to measure the performance of our transport companies. We will also provide incentives to people who opt to use public transport to reduce congestion by 15%, and I will bring to an end a culture of pointlessly attacking motorists when we don’t have decent alternatives.”
John also declared that he would stop the Park and Ride being built at Bathampton Meadows, stating that: “Devolution is about bringing people closer to power, and the plans to build this Park and Ride are at complete odds with this. I can assure residents in Bath that this Park and Ride would not happen under my watch. Park and Rides are part of the solution, along with many other forms of sustainable and alternative forms of transport, but there must be proper consultation.”
Liberal Democrat Candidate, Stephen Williams, will also be campaigning against the plans for a Park and Ride at Bathampton Meadows. He released a video on his Facebook page stating that the Park and Ride will not happen if he is elected and vowed to block proposals. In a post written alongside the video, he said: “I don’t think it will do anything to address the pressing issue of air quality.”
Instead he proposes looking at improving rail links from Wiltshire and suggests looking into reopening small stations at Box and Corsham. Labour’s Lesley Mansell said she also opposed the Park and Ride, and wants to invest more in cycling and public transport.
Dr John Savage, Independent and Stephen Williams, Lib-Dem, were joined at the hustings by fellow candidates, Tim Bowles, Conservative, Aaron Foot, UKIP, Darren Hall, Green, and Lesley Mansell, Labour.