6 days ago
Trams in Bristol: Everything to know as £800m transport investment announced for South West
Our reporter Max Walsh rounds up today's announcement
It's been announced that the West Country will receive its share of billions of pounds worth of Government investment, to improve transport in the region.
The Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, says the £800 million worth of funding will be used to improve the frequency of trains, potentially see more electric buses rolled out, and create a more joined up transport plan - which could include trams - but will require a lot more government cash to turn into a reality.
Helen Godwin added that the announcement is 'day one' of a massive undertaking, describing the current network as "poor" and "in need of fixing."
The money will be used to improve bus and rail travel across Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire, as well as developing plans for a wider mass transit system. But it's not the first time attempts have been made to transform travel in the West Country.
Reflecting on the announcement Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Labour for Swindon South said: 'We know that our great cities and many towns outside of London have had historical underinvestment when it comes to their public transport networks.
"Making sure that people can access public services easier- reducing congestion on the roads- this is the way we grow our economy.'
Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport & Labour, Swindon South
History of trams in Bristol
The re-introduction of trams in Bristol has long been discussed. It all started in 1875, when the first horse drawn tram started operating in the city.
Plans for a tram system were also outlined by Avon County Council in 1995. Called 'The Westway,' the rapid transport system was promised - but failed to materialise.
In the years since, the West Country has become a region reliant on the bus, but it's hoped, a century and a half later, that today's' 800 million pound investment - could be an indicator of their return.
Analysis from ITV West Country political correspondent Lucy McDaid
This is a huge amount of capital investment announced by Labour, and potentially a major boost for transport across (most of) the WECA region. But the key word is 'potentially'.
Unlike other parts of the country that have been allocated much more cash to make things happen, the Treasury has allocated the West of England region £800 million, with £200 million to 'help develop' a mass transit system. Whether it ever gets delivered or not is another question, and one that will follow newly elected West of England Mayor Helen Godwin around for the rest of her premiership.
During her election campaign, Ms Godwin made it clear that better buses and trains are her number one priority, so
this investment will no doubt come in very helpful. Labour also hopes it will ease some public frustration over more controversial government decisions on winter fuel payments and welfare cuts.
It's also part of a drive from Westminster to give local leaders greater power over their areas and eventually boost economic growth and - ultimately - put more money into peoples' pockets.
But today's announcement is also about painting a positive narrative before next week's much anticipated spending review, where the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to set out a number of cuts to day to day spending in order to fund big increases to the defence and NHS budgets.
If the government can show voters that it is making some big commitments to long-term projects - like new rail routes, tram systems and hospital buildings - they might hope that people will start to see the 'change' that they promised ahead of last year's general election.
But there's one thing promising the projects, and another thing delivering them.
Rural areas- Anna Sabine MP weighs in
Some MPs in Somerset have expressed concern for their more rural constituencies - arguing they don't receive the same level of funding as more urban areas.
One of them, Anna Sabine MP, Lib Dem for Frome and East Somerset said: 'We see it with farmers, we see it with buses, we see it with discussions about broadband. I don't think they understand rural areas, I don't think they're prioritising them and it's really worrying and I have to do everything I can to keep fighting for areas like Frome and East Somerset which would really benefit from that investment.
'We also just simply need more support and understanding about how important buses are to rural areas - they absolutely unlock growth, they unlock the kind of growth the chancellor is looking for but if people can't get where they need to go- that growth can't happen.'
The Mayor admits the current public transport offering in the region is poor - which could become more of a priority when forming an effective mass transit system.
