Lockleaze Lib Dem Cllr Sean Emmett is calling for the proposed bus-only junction of the M32 for the MetroBus to be scrapped and the money saved to be used to re-open Ashley Hill and Horfield/Lockleaze stations instead.
He said “Having studied the detailed plans, the M32 bus-only junction, including a new bridge north of Stoke Lane, makes no sense at all without the Park & Ride. It will only save an estimated 200-210 seconds for inbound journeys from UWE during the rush hour, and even less at other times”.
Back in early 2000s Lockleaze was set to be served by the LRT Tram scheme, which was scrapped in 2004. Out of that came the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) proposal (now MetroBus) and belatedly the rail-based Greater Bristol Metro (MetroWest), neither of which was initially planned to serve Lockleaze/Horfield.
Lockleaze has just lost its direct buses to Fishponds/Kingswood (507) and to St Pauls (25). The Glenfrome Rd area of the ward has now lost all of its services (4). Well over a hundred people have already signed Cllr Emmett’s petition to bring those services back.
Cllr Emmett said “Local residents are seething that £millions is now to be spent in shaving a few seconds off bus journeys for seemingly more important people elsewhere while they struggle to walk further to get a bus at all. We have a ready-made transport corridor running right through the middle of the ward – the railway – with no guarantees we will get our stations back, and certainly not any time soon. And Lockleaze residents are expected to lose a chunk out of Stoke Park as well”.
Cllr Emmett is concerned at suggestions that slip roads could be built directly from M32 to Stoke Lane as that would have a much greater adverse impact on Stoke Park – although Sims Hill and Stapleton allotments would be left alone.
“Having waded through the planning application I am not convinced the new bus-only junction on the M32 is needed, especially if the P&R is scrapped permanently, and suggest that MetroBus uses J1 M32 with improved bus lanes to/from UWE. The money saved could be used to deliver re-opened rail stations at Ashley Hill and Horfield/Lockleaze on their original sites or nearby alternatives”.
Bristol City Council has now confirmed that the formal period for comments has now been extended to 2nd June 2014 (see link below) and have asked the project promoters to hold an information event in Lockleaze – further information on this should be available shortly.
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/planning-and-building-regulations/metrobus-north-fringe-hengrove
