Ivo
Established Member
Looks like Bristol may finally get the LRT scheme it desperately needs - but not quite how we all thought.
From the BBC
Good on the council for trying, but a pod plan is nowhere near enough. Of course, if it was restricted to the Business Zone, then fine - but then it wouldn't exactly help with the more pressing issue of linking the area to the rest of the city centre, as suggested later in the article, in which case this thing would have to run every 30 seconds to come even close to managing.
If this did happen, I would suggest confining it to the Business Zone - and then providing interchange with a new tram (etc) system to link with the city centre. Yes, this would be expensive, but it would eliminate two serious problems in one go...
I for one would certainly be willing to give it a go though. Sounds like fun.
From the BBC
Pod travel plan for Bristol enterprise zone
Automated pods on a guided roadway may be used to transport workers around a multimillion-pound enterprise zone in Bristol.
The city council is considering the plan for the business park close to Bristol Temple Meads station.
Liberal Democrat transport councillor Tim Kent said the pods were one of many options under consideration.
"It's a lot cheaper than a traditional tram and it's good for an area as small as the enterprise zone," he added.
The zone was announced in April by the government and aims to encourage firms, with a business rate discount and simplified planning rules.
The pods would be similar to those in use at Heathrow Airport, which were designed by a firm from Aztec West near Bristol.
Officials from the city council have already visited Heathrow on a fact-finding mission.
It is likely that the cost per journey would be between £2 and £3.
"It obviously wouldn't be a very large system, it would be quite a small system but we think the option is very good and we have been talking with one provider and looking at it as a possibility," Mr Kent added.
Mr Kent said the system would link up with nearby Temple Meads railway station and could eventually run to Cabot Circus shopping centre.
Good on the council for trying, but a pod plan is nowhere near enough. Of course, if it was restricted to the Business Zone, then fine - but then it wouldn't exactly help with the more pressing issue of linking the area to the rest of the city centre, as suggested later in the article, in which case this thing would have to run every 30 seconds to come even close to managing.
If this did happen, I would suggest confining it to the Business Zone - and then providing interchange with a new tram (etc) system to link with the city centre. Yes, this would be expensive, but it would eliminate two serious problems in one go...
I for one would certainly be willing to give it a go though. Sounds like fun.