Proposals to overhaul public transport and upgrade roads in the former county of Avon, in response to economic, housing and airport growth, were finalised last week. The finalised Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study recommends bus-based rapid transit, an expansion of park and ride, motorway widening, and a new southern ring road, in response to a predicted 34% rise in vehicle trips over the next 25 years. Proposals include widening the M4 between junctions 19 and 20, building a second Avon crossing to relieve the M5, and build the south Bristol ring road between the A4 and A38. While the strategy assumes distance-based road-user charges averaging 14p a mile, it does not include the estimated 10% cut in person car trips that promoting ‘smarter choices’ such as workplace travel plans, tele-working and home shopping would produce. ‘They are generally outside the control of local authorities,’ the report states. Five new park and ride sites and expansions of existing facilities, a four-line rapid-transit bus system and increased rail services are also recommended under the multi-modal strategy, commissioned by the Government Office for the South West. Bristol City Council transport planning manager Bob Hewitt welcomed the backing for park and ride, urban bus services and ring road completion. ‘Plans for the ring road have been in place for 30 years. Finishing the southern section will relieve traffic congestion around Bristol,’ he said. The Atkins report highlights both the severe congestion on the constrained highway network in the area together with restricted accessibility from it to other parts of Greater Bristol. Elected members of the unitary authorities will now consider which schemes and measures should be taken forward. • Greater Bristol strategic transport study : www.gosw.gov.uk/gosw/ transport/regtransstrat/gbsts/