Phase Two

A new Metro Terminal could be built next to Temple Meads Station, in an area currently used as a car park. There is an existing train line that could be extended, giving access for services transferring onto the tram tracks within the new Metro Terminal. Within the New Metro Terminal, the existing line will branch into several tram lines with their own platforms. The platform at Temple Meads Station, could still be used for tram Trains coming from the south of the city, to minimise disruption and any possible infrastructure issues. 

Red Line - Phase two will include adding a new tram line, connecting the Airport. This line will run between the airport via the new Metro Terminal and continue to Southmead Hospital.

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New Stations – Airport, Barrow Gurney, Bedminster Down, Ashton Vale Park and Ride, Hotwells, Anchor Road, City Centre, Bus Station, Cabot circus, Metro Terminal at Temple Meads Station, Eastville Park, M32 Park and Ride (New), UWE, Abbeywood, Air Balloon Roundabout, and Southmead Hospital.

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The Route – Leaving the Airport, the Tram Trains will head north on A38 to Barrow Gurney, and then to Bedminster Down, where it will go left onto Colliters Way, then onto Feeder Rd and into the Long Ashton Park and Ride, where it will join onto the Cumberland Basin (A370), Brunel Way, Bristol Gate and onto Hotwell Road. It will continue along Hotwell Road and join onto Anchor Road, and then onto the City Centre (A38). It will continue along the A38 and onto Lewins Mead, back onto A38, then east along the Bond Street (A4044). Continue south along Bond Street, then onto Temple Way, onto Temple Gate and into the new Metro Terminal. From here, the tram trains will go back onto Temple Way heading North, onto the M32 as far as Junction one, and turn left along A4174 Filton Road. Continue on Filton Road up to Air Balloon Roundabout. Then head along the B4056 Southmead Road to the Hospital.

New tram lines would be fitted on all of the roads, allowing other traffic to use the roads and to minimise disruption. A new dedicated lanes could be installed along the M32 and along the ring road (Filton Road) and Southmead Road, as far as BAWA. From here a single-track line would be used into the hospital, again allowing traffic to use the roads at the same time.

Southmead Hospital is a must for the new Metro network but is difficult to fit into the design without tunnelling etc, which would be at great cost. This route would allow the hospital to be part of the metro network but at a minimum cost compared to other options, and it also allows the use of other vehicles at the same time, minimising congestion. The route will also join up with Abbeywood (not using the main line but a new stop 100m away on A4174), allowing transfers to the north on the other lines (green line or orange line), meaning users can access the hospital without the need to get into Bristol Temple Meads first. For example, if you live in Yate, you can get the tram from yate, exit at Abbeywood station, walk 100m to the new Metro stop and get another tram to the hospital. It also allows people who live in the vicinity of the hospital, such as Southmead, Henleaze etc, to get a tram into the city centre, Cribbs Causeway and beyond, without needing to use a car.

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* There is an alternative for the red line which would be cheaper. Instead of using the Cumberland Basin, the new line could access the current bus only lanes via the Ashton Avenue Bridge. In this scenario, the tram would leave Long Ashton Park and Ride, accessing the current bus only route at Ashton Gate, go over the Ashton Avenue Bridge, carry on along Cumberland Road/Commercial Road/ Clarence Road, onto Temple Gate and into the new Metro Terminal. This is shorter but would mean that the city centre cannot be accessed. So, if this route was used, a circular (Loop) service should also be installed, allowing workers and visitors to get to the centre, as well as New Metro Terminal, Cabot Circus, Bus Station, Anchor Road, Hotwells, Spike Island, SS Great Britain and the harbourside.