The cost of a proposed new bus rapid transit scheme for Bristol has risen, while expected contributions from developers have fallen.
The construction of three transit corridors to provide a largely-segregated transport system – with ‘tram-like’ rubber-tyred vehicles – was expected to require £71M of Southwest England’s £90M-a-year regional funding allocation.
However, the West of England partnership, representing the four former Avon authorities, has been warned that the first route alone, a city centre loop and spur out to the west, was now expected to cost £47.3M ‘with contingencies’. The second phase of this route is now estimated to cost a further £74M, while the second route is the largest component of a £169M package.
The South West England’s regional transport board was due to decide on its major scheme funding priorities for the decade up to 2018/19 as Surveyor went to press.
However, Peter Brown, programme manager for transport at the assembly, told a seminar in Weston-super-Mare in November to discuss the second regional funding allocation that £90M a year ‘does not go far’.
Other proposals include Devon County Council’s £90M Kingkerswell bypass, and Wiltshire’s £33M Westbury bypass. The downturn in private sector development, due to the recession, has created a further problem, given the Department for Transport’s requirement that local authorities cover 10% of major scheme costs themselves. Unless the development market revives, the four Avon councils would have to divert up to £4.7M from their combined £12M-a-year local transport plan block funding for the first phase of the first route alone.
Brian Smith, president of the County Surveyors’ Society, said that ‘colleagues from all over the country are reporting falling developer contributions as an issue’. The problem was due to ‘become much bigger in 2009,’ once money still being released from houses completed in early 2008 stopped flowing.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
