Julia Dean, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) communications and marketing manager – MetroBus and MetroWest rail – dispels the myths that have built up around the project
There’s been a lot written about MetroBus. Some bad, some good – but frustratingly, it’s often inaccurate. I’ve been working on the MetroBus project for eight years and it’s great to see it being delivered at last. With all the permissions to build the network in place and funding approved by the Department for Transport, now is perhaps a good time to dispel some myths. 
The most frequent comment I hear is that “you should spend the MetroBus money on rail”. MetroWest rail is going ahead with £100m being spent on it. The plan has always been to have MetroBus and MetroWest. It’s part of the whole integrated transport strategy. We need both. The main danger to MetroWest rail is if MetroBus doesn’t go ahead. The West of England would then be seen as not able to deliver its agreed projects, jeopardising further investment in transport.
People say “we want a tram”. MetroBus has many of the qualities of a tram without the limitations of a fixed route. Once the tracks for a tram are down that’s it, you’re stuck with it. MetroBus fills the gap between local buses and rail for those who have a long commute and no railway station. Only eight of 35 wards in Bristol have a railway station – that means 27 don’t – and although more are on the cards, there will still be large areas of Bristol without access to rail. MetroBus has fewer stops on its routes than the current buses and many people will not have to change buses, meaning big time savings on some routes – a saving of 27 minutes between Hengrove and UWE and 38 minutes between Long Ashton and Hengrove.
The next objection is usually “it will mean more dirty, diesel bendy-buses on the streets”. Plain wrong. MetroBus vehicles will be green, clean and hybrid drive as a minimum.
MetroBus will be great for businesses. Take the South Bristol Link section as an example. Despite strong support from businesses over decades, the project has had its critics, many of who may not be completely familiar with the day-to-day issues in South Bristol. Finally, the building starts in the spring. Not a moment too soon for the locals trying to fight their way to work and college or the businesses trying to deliver to their customers. The Link news, as well as other key developments supported by the council, colleges, the LEP and other partners; such as the opening of the Green Business Park at Filwood, the agreed funding for the South Bristol Sustainable Construction Centre has given a boost to the whole area. South Bristol is seeing more investment, more jobs and more prosperity already, yet the myths continue to circulate. As an example here are a few killer facts about the South Bristol Link to dwell on:
South Bristol Link creates £12.30 for every £1 spent on it
The Link demonstrates a strong economic case, generating significant economic benefits. The calculations show that for every £1 spent on the scheme, it will generate £12.30 in economic benefits to the area. Excellent value for money.
South Bristol Link will improve access and journey reliability to Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport, now the most reliable airport in the country, has planning permission for a £120m expansion. It aims to increase annual passenger numbers from about 7 m to 10 m. You can’t have an international airport without good transport links and in combination with the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads part of the MetroBus network, the South Bristol Link will improve journey times of the Airport Flyer and journey reliability between the airport and city centre. As Eric Gates, the chairman of Barrow Gurney Parish Council, says: “Bristol Airport has a major access route that is closed twice a day at milking time, when a herd of cows crosses the road.”
South Bristol Link will take traffic off inappropriate roads
One of the objectives is to move traffic from inappropriate roads, helping local communities. In South Bristol traffic will reduce on Whitchurch Road, Kings Head Lane, Bishopsworth Road and others. Barrow Gurney, which is used as a rat-run, is a good example of where relief will be seen with the Link halving the traffic there at certain times of the day
South Bristol Link will build new cycle and pedestrian paths along its entire 4.5km length
Although the South Bristol Link is an express MetroBus and road scheme, it has pedestrian and cycle paths along its entire 4.5kms to encourage active and healthy journeys. Cyclists will be able to link to the Malago Greenway at one end and the Festival Way at the other. This has got to be good news.
We have very similar killer facts for the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and North Fringe to Hengrove sections, so next time you’re down the pub and hear, “they should’ve spent the MetroBus money on rail”, you’ve got some ready-made answers.
