Written evidence submitted by South West Transport Network (RLS0019)

Whilst we welcome the Government's inquiry into safety and security, it is essential that we continue to invest in camera safety partnerships in the Bristol area.  Bristol City Council and the Mayor have invested in station security and CCTV at local stations on the Severn Beach line at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Redland and Clifton Down with plans to extend coverage via the Communities Fund through GWR to Sea Mills and Avonmouth.

Bristol City Council is also investing in CCTV at Bedminster and Parson Street stations.  Investment into the British Transport Police has resulted in improved neighbourhood policing teams at Bath and Swindon including the provision of PCSO's and police officers riding on trains with a new police station at Swindon and provision for a new one at Taunton.  This is awaiting an investment decision from the British Transport Police although we do have a new police team working between Taunton, Weston-Super-Mare and Bristol.  This supports the G4S officers working at Bridgwater, Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol Parkway, Swindon and Cheltenham although there is still a need to provide more rail enforcement officers across the GWR network and maintain the existing police stations at Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Truro, Bournemouth and Southampton.

There is a need for improvements to bus and rail safety for the new MetroBus and MetroRail projects on the Portishead line and the Henbury loop.  Greater Bristol has a large BME and LGBT  community along the Severn Beach line around Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road and on the showcase bus routes between Bedminster and Parson Street stations, Withywood and Hartcliffe.

CONGESTION ISSUES

Bristol is one of the most congested cities in Europe and despite the investment in MetroBus and MetroRail we have seen very little improvements in traffic speeds which are on average 8mph.  Whilst the Council has plans to open 3 MetroBus routes and reopen 2 railway lines at Portishead and the Henbury loop, Bristol needs a Combined Authority with investments in gas/electric/hybrid buses and a light rail system using under-used rail infrastructure in the area including the trackbed of the Bristol - Bath railway via Fishponds, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield Junction, Warmley, Bitton and Kelston with the branch up to Yate via Westerleigh.

It is understood that North Somerset Council intend to bid for funding for a Bristol City Centre - Bristol Airport light rail scheme to reduce congestion on the A38 corridor which should be seen by Government as being an urgent priority.

21 November 2016