Bristol busway to cover twice the distance thanks to extra cash from DfT

The scheme aims to cut congestion in Bristol

The scheme aims to cut congestion in Bristol

The Bristol MetroBus scheme is to receive £27m grant from the DfT to extend the scheme including with a further three miles of busway, transport minister Baroness Kramer has announced.

The funding for the £43m second phase of the scheme will provide a South Bristol link connecting to the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads section already under construction. The aim is to provide rapid bus services that will increase use of public transport and cut congestion. The promoters are also providing dedicated cycling and walking facilities alongside the routes.

Both the Conservative transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Lib Dem transport minister Baroness Kramer commented on the release of funding. McLoughlin said it was part of the Government's "long-term economic plan to improve the lives of people," a Conservative election slogan.

The first phase has suffered cost escalations which the city council has said can be reined in but the scheme continues to be attacked by campaigners as "misconceived". The work on the second phase is scheduled to be completed by November 2016.