A step change in powers and investment is required to meet the region's transport need's and the challenges of congestion, climate change, quality of life and air quality, building on good practice from around the country. This Manifesto introduces a practical, balanced, yet bold approach. It has been developed by a broad alliance of groups and residents who call on the councils, other organisations and MPs to support it.

• 1. A Transport Authority to be set up for the whole subregion to coordinate and regulate bus, rail and ferry services, and to integrate with other modes and policies. These powers, under democratic control, are essential to achieve more than the current piecemeal approach. Bristol should have the same status as the other major cities, like Manchester, whose powers are being reviewed, and more than powers in London. Powers should be integrated with the regional land use planning system.

Public Transport

• 2. Bus lanes on all possible radial and orbital routes in the city. Bus and rail park & ride on some. Other bus priority measures where necessary. Enforcement with heavy penalties for misuse.

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  3. Regulate bus services to ensure attractive, quality services, and cheaper fares. Bristol should demand full powers under the review by Government.

• 4. Minimum half-hourly service on all local rail, over extended hours, including Severn Beach line. Improve signalling around Temple Meads which will also improve the regional network. New stations to be opened and network increased in size, including Portishead and Henbury lines. Light rail service to be considered where appropriate.

• 5. Regulate to improve connections and integration, between local and long distance rail, buses, coaches, ferries, cycling and walking. Provide ticket machines at all stops on major routes.

• 6. Improve accessibility to and security on all transport modes for people with disabilities (including impaired vision) and socially excluded.

Cycling & Walking

• 7. Comprehensive, quality and integrated cycle facilities, well maintained and signed, with unbroken routes. This includes on and off-road routes and enforced no parking of vehicles on them. Secure cycle parking. Promotion and training for all ages.

• 8. Rolling programme to redesign streets to achieve 20mph safe zones in all residential streets (as in Portsmouth and Hull) and shopping areas to encourage local walking and cycling. Increased pedestrianisation and traffic-free areas of the city and neighbourhood centres. New signed key pedestrian routes including new harbour crossings.

Travel Planning

• 9. Enhanced programme to reduce car journeys to school, including cheap bus services, and to improve health and safety of children and teachers.

• 10. Extended ‘Smarter Travel Choice’ promotion and Travel Plan schemes to reduce car use in the workplace and colleges. Regular personalised travel marketing to all residents, especially when they move house. Encourage car clubs in new developments, car sharing, teleworking, flexible working and improved travel information.

Traffic Management

• 11. Road User Charging and/or workplace parking levies to restrain traffic and raise funds to be invested in public transport (bus, rail, ferry and light rail), walking and cycling schemes.

• 12. Residents parking schemes. particularly around the inner areas of the city.

• 13. No net increase in major road capacity. The £40m so far planned for the South Bristol Ring Road to be re-allocated to improving south Bristol public transport instead, possibly including light rail.

• 14. Implement the Air Quality Action Plan to enforce air quality standards across the city, including low emission zones. Require low emission and quieter buses, taxis and Council vehicles throughout the city.

Land Use Planning

• 15. Resist large new developments on Green Belt: rather increase housing capacity in areas already served by existing local facilities and public transport, walking and cycling facilities. Encourage high-density mixed-use development near local amenities and require developments to contribute more to the costs of local amenities and sustainable transport. All medium to large housing developments to be home zones with low parking and car clubs.

• 16. Reduce impact of travel to Bristol International Airport by not expanding current parking provision and a target of 50% public transport to be set by North Somerset council. BIA to provide a regular flyer bus service to Bath, Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare at a flat cheap rate such as £1. More stops to be introduced to extend service to local people.

Funding

• 17. Funding of this plan will be from a combination of new and increased sources from Government & regional grants, council tax, Road User Charging, parking charges and fines, transport companies, developers, re-allocation from Business Rates and fines from new fixed/mobile camera systems. A separate item on the council tax bill may be possible, like for the police.