Could tram-trains be the future of transport in Bristol?
Is it a tram? Is it a train? No! It’s a tram-train and a group of campaigners think it could be the future of Bristol’s integrated transport network.
As the West of England Combined Authority considers options for a mass transit system for Bristol, Bristol Rail Campaign[1] (formerly Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways) have suggested that tram-trains are the answer.
Already operating as part of a pilot scheme in Rotherham[2], tram-trains allow passengers to travel both on the existing rail network and on the street on one continuous journey.
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“Tram-trains could allow us to build on the success of MetroWest rail services,” say Bristol Rail Campaign in a new article on their website[3].
“We believe that a mass transit system which can be extended incrementally, using known technology, is much more likely to be deliverable than one which relies on novel or untested systems.
“A tram-train system could serve Bristol Temple Meads station directly. The topology of Temple Meads makes it very difficult to access using road-based transport.
“Vehicles either stop on Temple Gate, a minimum 250m walk from the platforms, or potentially take a 300m detour into Friary – still leaving passengers 200m from the platforms.
“Tram-trains could connect to the existing rail network at Bristol Temple Meads Station adjacent to Platform 1, giving direct interchange with other train services.
“The JLTP4 (Joint Local Transport Plan 4[4]) routes to Bath and Bristol Airport could connect the existing rail lines at Avonmeads, using a disused railway route as far as Callington Road. Other JLTP4 routes could also make some use of existing rail corridors.
“New tram-trains could replace the unsuited and dirty diesel trains currently used for MetroWest services. This could act as a catalyst for electrifying these services, and could be done ahead of the JLTP4 routes.
“These vehicles use tried and tested zero-emission propulsion. And their batteries allow tram-trains to operate in areas where providing overhead wiring is difficult.
“Experience elsewhere suggests that once a tram system is built and seen to work, it becomes easier to make a case for extending it. We CAN do this!”
Main photo: Network Rail
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References
- ^ Bristol Rail Campaign (bristolrailcampaign.org.uk)
- ^ Already operating as part of a pilot scheme in Rotherham (www.travelsouthyorkshire.com)
- ^ in a new article on their website (bristolrailcampaign.org.uk)
- ^ Joint Local Transport Plan 4 (s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com)