Category: Opinion
Bristol buses
Tim Weekes reflects on a month of bus travel around Bristol, Bath and the West of England using his Birthday Bus pass.
Tram-trains: A mass transit solution for Bristol and Bath
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is considering its options for Bristol’s Mass Transit system. Could tram-trains be the solution?
Does Bristol need a gadgetbahn?
A gadgetbahn is a public transport system based on alternative, unusual or untried technology. Gadgetbahns are usually promoted on the basis that they will be cheaper or better than traditional trains, trams or buses. The word gadgetbahn was coined in the early 2000’s. It combines the English word ‘gadget’ with the German word ‘bahn’, meaning…
Low carbon alternatives for Severn Beach Line
What can be done to decarbonise the Severn Beach line quickly? FoSBR supporter Shabs Hussain looks at some low carbon alternatives.
Rails to Clevedon
Clevedon, 18km to the west of Bristol on the Bristol Channel coast, has a similar population to Portishead. Portishead should soon, finally, be reconnected to the national rail network. Gavin Smith of Transport for Greater Bristol makes the case that Clevedon should also have its rail connection restored: Link to Regional Hub Clevedon is at…
Net zero by 2030: Can local rail help?
We need to act rapidly if we are to avoid the worst effects of the climate emergency. There can be no doubt that unless we change the way we do things, and change quickly, the consequences for life on Earth will be dire. The current UK government target is to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050.…
£30 million to ‘improve’ A4174: A good investment?
South Gloucestershire Council plan to spend £30 to ‘improve’ a 7km stretch of the A4174. Is this a good investment?
Electrification through Bath
Electrification of the Great Western Main Line stopped short of Bath. Was this down to the Bath Preservation Trust, or Chris Grayling?
TfGB submits plans to speed up zero carbon transition
Transport for Greater Bristol (TfGB), an alliance of transport, environmental and community groups, has written to Transport Minister Grant Shapps with comprehensive proposals to speed up the transition to zero carbon emissions in the West of England. Their proposals include a rapid transit plan for Bristol and Bath, parking and traffic management plans for Bristol,…
Bristol Bridge closure
Bristol City Council have announced that Bristol Bridge will be closed to private cars from 2nd Angust 2020. Why does FoSBR think the closure of Bristol Bridge is good news, and why is it important? This scheme is about much more than closing a road; it is about removing all through private traffic from the…