Bristol rapid bus network gets £34m funding go-ahead from the DfT

The scheme for Bristol is designed to reduce congestion in the city

The scheme for Bristol is designed to reduce congestion in the city

A new rapid bus network for Bristol will be built after the DfT announced £34m funding towards the project. 

The announcement comes after the Government granted Bristol and North Somerset councils the powers to build the £45m scheme last year, after the transport secretary endorsed the conclusions of an inspector that it would provide journey time savings.

The scheme will provide a new bus service from the south-west of the city to the centre along a new 2.5 mile segregated busway from the Long Ashton park-and-ride site, following former rail routes and featuring a new bridge over the Bristol to Portishead rail line.

The DfT said the city would enjoy "better connections between key areas of employment, housing, retail and leisure, tackle congestion, help create regeneration and support new jobs and homes". Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: "The Bristol Metrobus will provide a step change improvement for public transport." The work will be completed in April 2016.