Portishead Railway Group

 

The following are key points extracted from the Executive Summary and the Supporting Documents of the Joint Local Transport Plan prepared by the four Unitary Authorities of the Greater Bristol Area and now submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport.

 

Executive Summary

 

  1. This is the JLTP for transport improvements to be implemented over the next five years (2006 – 2011) and a vision of improvements for the next 20-30 years.  Ref. 1.1
  2. Greater Bristol out performs Manchester and Birmingham and is second only to London in economic output but this puts increased pressure on infrastructure.  Ref. 1.3
  3. Over the next 20-30 years up to 100,000 new homes will need to be provided.  With appropriate investment in public infrastructure, this JLTP area has the capacity and expertise to reduce overheating in the south-east.         Ref. 1.4
  4. Transport infrastructure is vital for this continued economic and social success.  The 4UAs study in 2004 showed that at least £300M is required to address the under-investment of the last 20 years. It also calculated that the time lost to congestion cost the local economy £350M/yr.  Ref. 1.5
  5. The Government’s Regional Funding Allocation invites Major Scheme Bids.  There are 8 in the list for 2006-11 and a further 10 being worked up.  Ref.1.8
  6. Large–scale housing growth has not been accompanied by sufficient investment in transport infrastructure, and consequently 23% of local journey times are spent stationary in traffic queues.  Ref.4.2
  7. In the period beyond 2011 there will need to be a step change in public transport provision.  We shall continue to work with DfT, Train Operators and Network Rail to support our vision for local and regional rail travel.  Ref. 6.1 & 7.3
  8. The challenge we face in improving transport cannot be understated and the social and economic impact of failure is stark.  The councils see the JLTP as:
                A step to securing the investments needed to improve the transport infrastructure, and
                A basis for integrated measures to reduce dependence on car travel.

          Ref.9.1

Supporting Documents

 

  1. The area’s local rail network is relatively sparse and poorly related to development.  It is also a relatively under-used asset.  Rail patronage on existing operations has risen by 30% since 2000 and thus demonstrating that rail is performing a key rôle in securing a shift from the private car on key transport corridors.  Ref. 4.3
  2. Growing rail use will lead to the need for new sites for track, stations etc.  The necessary land requirements will be safeguarded through Local Development Frameworks.  Portishead is on that list.  Ref. 4.5
  3. Transport improvement schemes envisaged in the longer-term plans (2011+) will be developed during the life of this five-year plan.  Seven such schemes exist and the reopening of the Portishead line is first on the list, citing the building of 4000 homes as a key factor.  Ref. 7.3