Bristol and Bath tram network proposal gains momentum ahead of metro mayor election

Plans for a 21st-century tram network in Bristol and Bath are emerging as a key focus for the upcoming Metro Mayor election in May 2025.

Heather Mack, a Bristol city councillor and the Green Party’s candidate, has indicated strong support for the idea following a presentation from Dr David Walmsley, a leading UK transport analyst specialising in tram networks.

The proposal seeks to reintroduce trams to the region, following successful projects in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Bristol’s original tram system was dismantled after the generator building was bombed during World War II. Since then, the city has struggled with traffic congestion and has lacked a mass rapid transit system.

Creating such a system has been a topic of discussion for years, but previous Metro Mayors have not advanced beyond initial feasibility studies. The challenge has been balancing the costs, projected at billions of pounds, with the long-term benefits of reduced congestion and increased revenue.

The Green Party and Labour candidates for Metro Mayor have both emphasised the importance of transforming transport in the region. Heather Mack is advocating for a tram system to meet future demand, while Labour’s Helen Godwin has pledged broader transport improvements, including reliable buses, extended free travel for young people, and integrated ticketing.

Transport decisions for the region fall under the West of England Combined Authority, led by the Metro Mayor. Current Metro Mayor Dan Norris has highlighted the financial limitations of the bus network, pointing to other cities that subsidise buses through revenue from tram systems.

The introduction of a tram network could become a pivotal issue in the 2025 election, with candidates outlining their visions for tackling the region’s long-standing transport challenges.

Picture credit: Moving Bristol Forward