Metrobus MP calls for end to missing link in network
SOUTH Bristol’s MP has pledged to ‘hold the Metro Mayor to account’ over the ‘missing link’ of the £220 million Bristol metrobus project that is still empty.
The section of the route has been built already, but no metrobus has ever served it, in the almost three years since the service began.
Now Karin Smyth said she wanted the bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic to include the missing link between Hengrove and Long Ashton, and is once again calling for something to be done about it.
The metrobus project opened late and over budget in 2017 and 2018 following a string of controversies.
One of the most expensive single pieces of construction was the flyover at Ashton Gate, which connected the city centre m2 route with the Long Ashton park and ride.
A second section was built that was partly a road just for the metrobus and partly the new South Bristol Link Road, from Bishopsworth to the A370.
But no metrobus buses have ever used that route, bus stops remain empty and people living along it either have to walk to regular bus stops, or continue to drive. After a while, as more metrobus routes were added in the north of the city, metrobus even dropped the Hengrove to Long Ashton route from the map entirely.
For years, the South Bristol MP Karin Smyth, has called for the missing link to be added, and First Bus and the West of England Combined Authority finally admitted that the route would only happen once large scale housing development was built on this south western corner of the city.
Now, Karin Smyth said she is demanding action before then.
“Bristol South is home to some of the lowest rates of car ownership in Bristol. Families rely on reliable, affordable bus services to get to work, school and appointments,” she said.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted public transport - with changes to timetables and service provision, with reduced capacity due to social distancing requirements.
“I know this has led to issues for local people and I’m speaking to the relevant authorities and bus operators to try to improve things,” she added.
In April 2018, Ms Smyth accused metrobus of ‘deceiving’ the people of South Bristol. Now she said she had once again written to the Weca Metro Mayor Tim Bowles, to demand South Bristol not be left out.
“When metrobus was launched in 2018, the Hengrove to Long Ashton leg which we’d been promised had disappeared from the route map. I raised this and got it reinstated, but, two years on, we’re yet to see metrobuses operating on that South Bristol Link road,” she said.
“With metrobus announcing expansion into South Gloucestershire to help aid the region’s recovery, I was surprised to see no mention of this missing South Bristol link so pressed Mr Bowles on this.
“This week, he responded to confirm that the progress of that route has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic – with passenger numbers down by 50 per cent.
“He assured me that now passenger numbers were rising, he was working with local bus operators, including metrobus and the Airport Flyer to ensure services remain ‘ as intact as possible’.
“And he pledged to progress discussions around how best to provide a new service on the South Bristol Link road once passenger numbers returned to pre-pandemic levels.
“I will be monitoring this closely and holding the Metro Mayor to
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Metrobus has been a great success ... I want to see South Bristol share in this success West of England Mayor Tim Bowles
account on this,” added the MP.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said bringing new bus services up and running would be tough following the pandemic.
“Metrobus has been a great success, with one in five passengers now leaving their cars at home and opting to use the network and I want to see South Bristol share in this success,” he said.
“It is getting our region moving and giving practical public transport alternatives.
“However, the pandemic has reduced bus passenger numbers by 50 per cent, and that means routes that we once would have considered commercially viable, that are currently used and relied on by passengers, need considerable taxpayer subsidy to keep providing the already existing service.
“Nevertheless, I am working with our bus operators to keep our servicesas intact as possible, and discussing how we might provide a new service on the South Bristol Link road once passenger numbers return to prepandemic levels.”
YOU’LL NEED: An old wooden ladder, some knick-knacks and anything you want to hang on it.
WHAT TO DO:
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