‘Rees’ final months in office will be characterised by point-scoring’
Marvin Rees’ response to the A4 consultation[1] signals his final months in office will be characterised by point scoring rather than serious engagement in Bristol’s future.
The basis of his objection to the West of England Combined Authority’s[2] (WECA) ambitious plans is their failure to make provision for a mass transit option.
The real failure on mass transit has been the mayor’s inability to explain how it would be funded.
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In the absence of a credible funding strategy, the project has never been taken seriously outside the walls of City Hall.
Orange routes indicate what lines could run partly underground – image: Bristol City Council
A mass transit system would be incredibly expensive – no matter whose estimate you believe[3].
It will inevitably require a huge central government subsidy, which puts the onus on local leaders to make a compelling case.
The state of the public finances means departmental budgets are incredibly squeezed, with what little there is swallowed up by HS2.
Next in line is Northern Powerhouse Rail, backed by a powerful lobby from local politicians and businesses.
Rees had to take on this reality, frame a compelling proposition and make a knock out case for why Bristol should be funded ahead of all others.
He hasn’t done it – despite being in power since 2016.
Sadly, there is a sense mass transit is not even on radar of ministers.
🚇 The Bath Road corridor needs fully segregated mass transit to give people a real alternative to their cars
🚧 The old railway path in Brislington does not need to become a busy road, full of private traffic
✍️ WECA’s consultation lacks ambition: https://t.co/kq3wYYJ2gb pic.twitter.com/ngDTINrk2U[4][5]
— Marvin Rees (@MarvinJRees) August 22, 2023[6]
It’s disappointing that he appears to be taking out his frustration on the excellent A4 proposals, which, by contrast, are bold but deliverable[7].
We can add this to the list of strategic misjudgements that also includes the arena, failing to run a referendum campaign and expending time and energy picking petty fights with local journalists and opposition politicians.
They say a leader is only as good as their team.
One wonders about the quality of advice provided by his highly paid, highly powerful – but unaccountable – head of office.
This is an opinion piece by Niall Phillips – a retired teacher who lives in Brislington
Main photo: Marvin Rees
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References
- ^ Marvin Rees’ response to the A4 consultation (www.bristol247.com)
- ^ West of England Combined Authority’s (www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk)
- ^ no matter whose estimate you believe (www.bristol247.com)
- ^ https://t.co/kq3wYYJ2gb (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/ngDTINrk2U (t.co)
- ^ August 22, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ the excellent A4 proposals, which, by contrast, are bold but deliverable (www.bristol247.com)