We replicate it here, so its irony can be celebrated, especially the bit marked in bold.
The West of England Partnership is developing a proposal to create a 16 km rapid Bus Rapid Transit route from Emersons Green in South Gloucestershire to Ashton Vale in Bristol.
The aim is to cut congestion on the highway network by offering a high quality public transport alternative to the private car for commuters and visitors. Now the idea is to be developed into a full proposal for consultation.
Part of the proposal involves running alongside the Bristol to Bath railway path. New high quality, low emission vehicles would run on a dedicated guideway alongside the cycle track, which would itself be widened and improved as part of the scheme.
Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Bristol City Council's Executive Member for Access and Environment, said:"I understand the concerns expressed by many people concerning the Bristol to Bath railway path and the proposals for a rapid transit link. The cycle path is a strategic route in its own right and a powerful symbol of our city's need to find alternatives to the car.
“We will continue to work with cyclists, environmental and other partners in preparing more detailed proposals for how the cycle path can be enhanced and co-exist with the rapid transit link. There are other examples of where this has been achieved and we have enough expertise in our city to make this a reality.
“As a strong supporter of sustainable travel choices, this council wants to ensure an effective rapid transit network can be realised, alongside promoting other transport choices such a cycling.
“It is possible that the rapid transit link could enhance use of the cycle path, making it easier for more people to use the path by combining a cycle and transit trip. We want to do all possible to improve the cycle path and make it easier to use.
“I also recognise we need to do more, working with our neighbouring authorities, to better explain rapid transit. I also want to make clear that no contracts have been awarded regarding the rapid transit operators.”
There we have it: combined cycling and transit journeys could improve the railway path experience. Readers of this site are encouraged to explore this possibility by trying to get a bicycle on a FirstBus bus.
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4 comments:
Scary deja-vu experience getting a Google alert to this post, before I realised it was to mark the anniversary.
But then I remembered they haven't withdrawn the plan to run BRT down the Path but have merely put it on hold until such time as the think they can push it through.
And for hanging this sword of Damocles over our heads the City Council get awarded Cycling City status. How can one satirise that?
Is there due to be some kind of "victory" anniversary celebration in a couple of months time?
When I see these pictures of the BRT it brings to mind light rail. Why on earth would they want to be using bendy buses and not electric trams for these new routes they are planning?
If I was in charge of creating a public transport system in Bristol, the very first thing I would do is run light rail along Temple Way connecting Temple Meads and the Bus station. I dont know why it hasnt already been done, it seems so simple to me.
-I don't think there will be a big victory celebration as we aren't yet convinced we've won. We still need to track everything that goes on with BRT to Emerson's Green. The engineers want the route, some of the politicians know it is untenable, but not all.
-I think I'd like to have a victory family ride rather than a big parade.
REALLY, its time to think ahead. Because climate change is creating rels dangers. Here's my NEW BOOK PRESS RELEASE
In the 1960s the U.S. Congress created the Department of Transportation (DOT), with authority to control many aspects of the transportation. One of the new Department's first acts was to develop legislation supporting urban transport. But basic problems remained, and indeed grew faster than the population, and faster than the gross national product. More families became multi-car families, driving more trips each, and less alternative transports were available to greater portions of our population.
President Clinton, to improve urban travel, agreed in 1991 to support $-billions for yet another program of development. His introduction of funding of magnetically-propelled transport systems came at a time when it had become apparent that further development of the road-only traffic systems would lead to catastrophic climatic damages, as well as increasing world land use, with its accompanying social disruption.
The test center in Pueblo, Colorado set out to develop a vehicular system that made use of magnetism. The system made use of magnetically elevated vehicles. But they were then propelled by mighty aircraft-like IC. engines! Other work produced wheel-less vehicles that maintained a separation from the road with an air cushion. All these developments were taken into use, providing mass-transits that left the internal engine supreme for the car.
The pollution problem continued unabated.
By the start of the 21st century, another problem of global proportions was gaining public attention, caused by the emanation of sundry pollutants into the atmosphere and commonly named Global warming.
As the third world develops, and scramble to join the automobile rat-race, the damage done universally to the Earth has dramatically increased. Probably the major source of the damage today is atmospheric reflection, Global warming, or more accurately, Global Climate Change.
Making some use of the upper limits has become (relatively) simple with photovoltaic generation of electrical power. And because the Linear motor – the work-horse of the Amcar
system – drives vehicles using direct current electrical power, this system is intrinsically
more efficient than AC uses of the power generated from solar sources (about 30% more efficient). Global leaders called for a variety of half-measures including the ‘carbon tax,’ but
The pollution problem continued, unabated.
Not only do present cars release greenhouse gases, but the dust from tires, typically hydrocarbon and silica pollutants, remain in the lower atmosphere for indefinite periods.
Other health-related problems, of carcinogens and agricultural losses are also improved by Amcars. This system eliminates them as it is a wheel-less vehicle, taking the Linear Motor from its common use on the factory floor. Amcars offer a different practical use for it, as the ‘Guideway.’ A second patent from the 1920s, the ‘Merger,’ allows the wheel-less vehicles to glide smoothly from their course on one Guideway to another, use electromagnetism to speed their vehicle on. It offers riders the ability to choose their path and destination.
Finally, with developments in major solar power, of up to 6kWh/square meter/hour, from Photovoltaics of the end of the 20th Century, the whole system can be powered by renewable energy. Amcars requires no roads, very little carbon fuels and works best when the vehicles are not quickly obsolescent. Read ‘The Power Play to End the Car.’[ISBN 978-1-60693-139-4]
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