It’s been over a year since talks about Bristol getting its own underground first began.
But even if the ambitious plan gets off the ground it will still be many more years before we get a subterranean line in the city.
At the time public reaction to the news ranged from mild scepticism, full-blown cynicism, to downright mocking hilarity.
But since it was first discussed by Bristol mayor Marvin Rees in 2017 there has been little real news on the actual plans for a Bristol underground.
But just because we are at least a decade away from a completed network doesn’t mean that work is not taking place behind the scenes to keep the multi-billion pound project moving forward.
This is why people got upset over a 'Bristol underground map'
During a Facebook Live earlier this month Mr Rees said the second feasibility study into the project was underway and should be completed by the end of the year.
He said that if it was “positive” then work on a full business case could begin.
Mr Rees added: “We know we need a chapter change in the way we do public transport - but we are dealing with a legacy of failure for the past 40/50 years.”
Initially the mass transit network included just three lines which would connect Bristol Airport with the city centre and as well as lines through the north and east fringes of the city.
But a fourth line is now being considered which would connect Bristol and Bath.
The key routes that are being looked at:
- Bristol to Airport - connecting the city centre, South Bristol, and the Airport
- Bristol to North Fringe - connecting the city centre, North Bristol, Southmead Hospital, Cribbs Causeway
- Bristol to East Fringe - connecting the city centre, East Fringe and East Bristol
- Bristol to Bath - Initial priority for metrobus corridor to Bath, with longer-term ambition for a high-frequency mass transit solution between Bristol and Bath
The 6 things Bristol has loved the most and lost
Back in February the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) approved spending an initial £200,000 to further develop a strategic outline business case which is one of the requirements set by the Department for Transport.
WECA is chaired by regional mayor Tim Bowles and is made up of three member councils – Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
North Somerset Council is not part of WECA but sits on the joint committee and gets to comment on issues which affect the North Somerset area - so will get to comment on the mass transit project.
The DfT has a three-phase process which requires authorities to submit a strategic outline, outline and full business case, and this is expected to cost around £100m and take at least six years to complete.
And this is before a single track or bus lane is even built.
WECA has said this next stage will look in more detail at demand, scope of project, and its potential outputs and benefits.
