Bristol Tramway Light Rail System, United Kingdom

The Bristol Light Rail System has been projected by a public/private partnership between the local authorities of Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council (UK) together with the private sector, Citylink in association with Railtrack PLC.

It is believed that the proposed system will provide a fast and efficient public transport system at an affordable price.

REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

The new line will drastically reduce traffic congestion in some of the busiest areas of the city. In the planner's opinion, the light rail system will also have the potential to enhance the economic competitiveness of the North Bristol corridor as well as introducing protected green areas and reducing pollution.

The proposal for the new line came out after five years of research into traffic congestion carried out by the Bristol City Council. The proposals form a key element in the integrated transport policy for the area. The private sector has been involved with the two councils in the development of the route from the outset. The business case has been drawn up jointly with Citylink consortium.

If the project is successful it is hoped it will encourage more traffic reduction proposal between neighbouring local authorities.

PROJECT TIME-SCALE

The project was submitted for Government approval under the Public/Private Partnership Project (PPPP) in 1998. The order was granted at the end of the year 2000. The construction, according to project schedule, should be completed by autumn 2002. The line should be fully operational by the year 2003.

BRISTOL TRAMWAY ROUTE

The new line will run from a car park beside the M5 at Almondsbury, through Bradley Stoke before joining existing rail tracks leading to Temple Meads. Trams will then go on into the city centre.

Between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood (7km) the route will share Railtrack infrastructure using either existing or reinstated double track. It is intended that a new segregated track will carry the tramway to Almondsbury where it will terminate at a park & ride site adjacent to the motorway.

The route length is 16.7 kilometres, with 4.5 kilometres of this on street and with 16 stops. The full journey time will be 30 minutes with a service interval of 6 minutes weekdays & 15 minutes on Sundays. The cost is estimated as being approximately £120 million.

Other key elements of the project are that propulsion shall be by means of electric traction, the trams shall be low floor twin cars, giving easy access level entry, with a frequent and reliable service level (at 6 minutes to max. 15 minutes intervals).

The new line is projected to achieve a high average speed. According to the planners, much of this high average speed, will be achieved by the involvement of the Railtrack, who will make available a railway alignment from Temple Meads to Parkway, enabling mixing of light rail and heavy rail, reducing the route time of the vehicle.

The team behind the project is confident the light rail will attract some 15,000 passengers a day.

The project is the result of a private/public funding scheme which saw the government cooperate with the private sector (Thameslink) to reach the original £105million envisaged for the construction (presently the overall cost is believed to be in the order of £120 million). Commitment from the private sector accounts for some 60% of the total capital cost, which is so far the highest ratio for any such scheme in the UK.