Evening Post Transport Debate
Date: February 2009“We need more money for cross-city rail services.”Letters page Evening Post 13 March 2009
Everyone committed to providing an alternative to the private car will support Stephen Williams MP’s campaign for the electrification of the Great Western Main Line. (We deserve a railway fit for 21st century Post 10 March 2009).
However we in the South West also need his support for local rail in the current round of public spending. Both the public and the decision makers of the four councils agree that the Bristol Metro of cross-city services and infrastructure such as the Weston-Super-Mare and Bristol Parkway platform are essential. These will support employment and housing growth around the region, just as the reopening of the Henbury line would do for the area around Airbus at Filton. And everyone agrees that the re-opening of the Portishead line is a matter of urgency.
However decision makers in the South West Regional Assembly have prioritised road schemes in their bid for government funding at a cost of about £100 million.. Many of the road schemes would not be necessary if we had affordable, frequent & reliable bus and rail services. The public transport schemes are in areas of future population growth, areas of higher deprivation and will have a greater economic impact.
On 23 February I wrote Mr Williams urging him to speak out on behalf of the long suffering inhabitants of the Greater Bristol area in support of the rail bid. I await a reply. Mr Williams must ensure that the local rail service, as well as intercity services, are dragged into the 21st century.
The Regional Funding Advice is now in the hands of the Minister for the South West, Mr. Ben Bradshaw MP, as it begins the various stages of scrutiny. Mr Williams, as a constituent, I urge you to monitor the progress and report through the Evening Post.
Julie Boston
17 Belmont Rd
Bristol
BS6 5AW
23 February 2009