Over the past couple of months we’ve been conducting a survey of local residents to see what your concerns are about transport in the local area. We’ve had replies with issues ranging from parking to trains to pollution to buses, and even some saying that they don’t think there are any issues! The Bristol Labour manifesto for the upcoming election, launched last week, details the ways in which we plan on improving transportation in Bristol. Below are the key points pertinent to Bishopston and Ashley Down:

• Create a truly integrated public transport network. This will include Travel Hubs to make journeys easier and multi-operator contactless tickets. We will also review bus routes to ensure that areas with poor bus provision (such as the streets in our ward further away from Gloucester Road) get the services they require. We will also ensure that community transport services are better supported.
• Invest in local rail. We will seek a 20 minute frequency on Bristol’s suburban rail network, will work to ensure that the planned Ashley Hill station is opened as soon as possible, and will make sure that proposals for a Horfield/ Lockleaze station are progressed.
• Demand greater cross-boundary transparency and cooperation. We will seek greater accountability and transparency in our existing inter-Council public transport organisations, and want to increase cooperation within that.
• Support and invest in cycling. We will do this by reviewing cycle lanes to make them safer, and by improving and maintaining them better. We will also invest in better signage on non-road cycle routes, and review the cycling network (both on and off road) to link routes and improve access to key destinations. (Read Tom and David’s response to the Space for Cycling campaign, which goes into more detail on our cycling policy).
• Prioritise the pedestrian. This will involve ensuring that all pavements are well maintained and safe, that pavement protection is in place on key routes, especially school routes such as Ashley Down Road, and that modern street lighting solutions are used throughout the city.
• Fix parking. We will not roll out any RPZs or 20mph zones unless communities and businesses make a specific request, we will scrap the ban on Blue Badge holders parking in RPZ bays, and we will remove the charge for permits for health, social care and other essential workers. Also, we will review access to on-street parking across the city to free up spaces, whilst ensuring those who need it the most get access.
• Make taxi journeys better. This will be achieved through improving passenger and driver safety, and by introducing an annual, transparent, taxi fare review. We will also ensure that taxi ranks are appropriately located.
• Tackle congestion. By developing a sustainable schools transport policy to promote cycling and walking, by working with public transport operators to improve punctuality and reliability, and by promoting car sharing, we will help to tackle the rush hour congestion we see in the area.
• Improve air quality. We will support the introduction of hybrid and electric buses, and will likewise replace the Council’s fleet of vehicles with low emission and electric-powered alternatives. We will also introduce a Low Emission Zone in the centre of the city, and will review the location of neighbourhood air pollution monitors. (Please sign our ongoing pollution petition, which calls for those in charge come May to help alleviate pollution!)

These are just some of the aspects we’ll be seeking to implement in transportation if Labour is successfully elected on the 5^th May. Have a read of our manifesto to see all of this and more, and please do get in touch if you have any thoughts or questions: BishopstonAshleyDownLabour@outlook.com