Agenda item

A Tram Study report by Atkins is attached. There will also be a presentation at the meeting.

Kelvin Packer, Group Manager Highways and Traffic introduced the report and gave a presentation to the Panel on ‘The Potential Introduction of Trams to Bath’ which covered the following:

·  Strategic Evidence – Commuting by car/Commuting by bus/Bus accessibility/Key Corridors

·  Technology

·  Corridor Arrangements – Highway widths/Highway Gadients/City Centre Highway Width/Summary of Constraints

·  Summary

·  Issues to be considered

·  Next Steps

The officer introduced Ian Brown from UK Tram who commented that there is nothing about Bath that precludes a tram scheme but that it is a big commitment and must be subject to a proper procurement procedure. He added that there were five considerations – economy, regeneration, environment and air quality, agglomeration effect and alleviating congestion.

Councillor Bull commented that members must serve all residents, not just those in the city of Bath. Ian Brown stated that people from all around the area travel into the centre for work and leisure so would be affected.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Bull asked what the added value of a tram scheme would be if there is already a Park and Ride in the area. Ian Brown stated that he had never seen a tram scheme that works from a Park and Ride and that is was unlikely it would be justified in that circumstance.

Councillor Butters asked about rail alignment and also which other cities of a similar size are going down this route. Ian Brown commented that if rail alignment is in place a tram scheme would be a lot cheaper. He mentioned that Birmingham built a scheme that stopped outside the city centre and was not widely used. He further explained that there could be a tram solution in Cambridge where science parks are being built.

Councillor Hale asked how much the study has cost and where the land would be found. He also stated that he had visited Croydon when the trams system was being installed and there was a degree of travel chaos. Ian Brown stated that Croydon serves as an example to others in terms of disruption but there is more technology in place now.

Councillor Gilchrist asked what provision there was in the budget regarding trams. The Strategic Director stated that there was a regional approach so this would be discussed with WECA, she explained that there is not a specific mention in the budget.

Following a question from Councillor Turner, Ian Brown commented that the first question is whether the authority wants a tram scheme and if so, the specification must be very clear - it takes 7 years to the paperwork, 3 years to build and 1 year to commission.

It was RESOLVED that a Task and Finish Group be set up with a view to looking at detailed issues regarding a Tram Scheme which covers the points mentioned in the ‘Next Steps’ slide (set out below):

•  Set up Officer Client Group to include an expert from UK Trams.

•  Undertake a detailed assessment on one corridor (subject to expert advice).

•  Investigate opportunity to progress the study further/develop a business case with support from WECA.

Members of the group – John Bull, Neil Butters, Alan Hale, Peter Turner and Brian Simmons. The Chairman explained that it was a future aim to hold a Scrutiny Inquiry Day on the issue to bring in bodies/experts.