Off the tracks

The Conservatives appear to have shunted their election promise about a light rail system for Plymouth into a siding, says Labour's transport spokesman
In a reply to Mr Williams's questions, Vivien Pengelly, the council leader, said: "The council is not actively promoting a light rail system for any parts of Plymouth and therefore sources of funding are not being explored."

Mrs Pengelly went on to say that work was being commissioned to identify opportunities to enhance the existing public transport network, and that this would include examining the feasibility of light rail.
In a reply to Mr Williams's questions, Vivien Pengelly, the council leader, said: "The council is not actively promoting a light rail system for any parts of Plymouth and therefore sources of funding are not being explored."

Mrs Pengelly went on to say that work was being commissioned to identify opportunities to enhance the existing public transport network, and that this would include examining the feasibility of light rail.

I have always felt that this was a non-starter for Plymouth, especially under the current government, and unlikely under any future conservative government either. It does now seem that local councillors are realising this too. With a bit of imagination, the autorities could do something special along the Plymouth - Plymstock - Sherford corridor. A decent bus system with plenty of priority lanes or even scope for full reserved bus tracks seems to be the best option especially with First Group keen to promote its ftr which would fit in well along this corridor.

The big question is - do our local councillors have that imagination? The Park and Ride in Plymouth has shown what can be done when they try and work with the bus companies. Lets hope thats the benchmark and all future schemes will be of equally high quality.

a future for ftr in Plymouth?

© Happybuses (Flickr blog)

This is Plymouth reports tonight:

Plymouth City Council has revealed the full scale of £80 million plans to beat traffic congestion and pollution on key main routes in and around the city.The authority wants £58million from the Government and £22million from private sources to finance a number of initiatives, including building a Deep Lane park-and-ride and widening the road at Laira Bridge.It needs the cash because proposed housing developments at Sherford and Plymstock Quarry, and the Langage power station, are likely to increase dramatically the city's already heavy traffic flow.

Its 'do-maximum' wish list also includes spending £10million on improvements to Laira Bridge and £25million sorting out the Deep Land junction.It is also planning to spend £16million on a High-Quality Public Transport (HQPT) system, dubbed the 'superbus' scheme, taking commuters into the city centre and on to Millbay and linking Sherford to Colesdown Hill, near the Plympton by-pass.As part of that scheme the authority wants to splash out £4million on 11 futuristic 'bendy' buses.The articulated single-decker concept came to Britain with a scheme in York this year where 'Streetcars' with a streamlined snub nose, a low floor and concealed wheels were brought in.

Well it seems that Plymouth City Council were impressed when the ftr was demonstrated last year. Of course there is a long way to go before anything like this happens in Plymouth:

It must show the Department for Transport by next summer that the scheme will offer value for money if it is to get conditional approval to proceed with its plans.

With this citys poor record in getting things done and the current governments even worse record in allowing schemes to run across the country I dont hold out much hope.

Superbus!

Its my birthday today and as a present This is Plymouth give me this story:

12:00 - 13 April 2006 (This is Plymouth)
Plymouth City Council wants to install a £60 million European-style 'superbus' system from the A38's Deep Lane Junction to the city centre under radical plans to cut congestion. Transport and planning bosses also want to put an extra lane on to Laira Bridge to ease congestion in the east of the city. The 'superbus' system, which features extra-long 'flexible' buses as used in European cities - will run from a park-and- ride site at Deep Lane.The buses will go through a new 1,500-home town at Sherford before continuing through Plymstock and into the city centre - using old railway line routes next to Billacombe Road. They will have designated stops along the way.A third westbound lane on Laira Bridge is intended to ease congestion, and diverting vehicles from the A379 around a circular route in Prince Rock would, says the council, cut down on emissions in Cattedown.

This does sound promising. I will be very suprised if it ever happens mind you, as Plymouth is very good and suggesting grand schemes but very poor at actually delivering any of them.
It all sounds good and I am sure such a scheme could - and indeed should work well. Do I hear the faint sounds of "ftr" in the background to all this? seems to me to be a perfect choice of vehicle to use on such a service.
I also like the idea that it could utilise parts of the old railway from the Yealmpton Branch Line. By coincidence I have just this week recieved a copy of an excellent book on this very line so intend to explore further along the area when I get the chance.

ftr

The 23rd July was the "Running Day" of the Plymouth Bus Rally organised by First Devon & Cornwall. It was not brilliant weather but it didn't spoil the show with a good selection of buses to ride on covering several different routes around Plymouth. Highlight for me was the first prototype of First's new "ftr" built around a Volvo chassis by Wrights. This was a very special bus and it certainly gave a quality ride. In the right conditions this bus will be a winner for First Group. Cant quite see it happening in Plymouth though - far to good for us I am afraid!
see my fotopic album for more pictures of the event - including more of the ftr.


didbygraham