Bristol edges slowly towards congestion charges

Bristol City Council has published a draft transport strategy that includes a mass transit scheme, as well as possible congestion and workplace parking charges.

It said the strategy outlines how it plans to tackle ‘challenges such as congestion, growth in housing and jobs, inequality and health problems caused by inactivity and air pollution’.

While the council highlighted proposals to improve public transport, including an underground or tram mass transit scheme and better bus and rail services, it presented workplace parking levies and road user charging/congestion charge mainly as potential sources of funding.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: ‘We all know some of the big challenges holding Bristol back when it comes to transport, with congestion being the most significant due to the scale and complexity of the problem.

‘Our vision presents an opportunity to tackle these challenges head on and you can help us to agree the most effective approach.’

However, the council’s Conservative Group leader, Mark Weston, told a local newspaper: ‘It is inaccurate and disingenuous to suggest that a congestion charge could be used to pay for the mayor’s underground scheme. At best it could make a small contribution towards the interest payments on the borrowing for such a massively expensive project.

‘Such a levy will disproportionately hit those on low incomes who currently rely on their car to get into and around our city.’

Other measures in the draft strategy are:

• More park and ride sites
• Safer walking and cycling routes
• Road safety improvements
• Invest in technology, such as smart phone apps to help people plan journeys
• Efficient freight movement to consolidate goods into fewer vehicles.