South Bristol rapid transit route consultation starts

It is hoped the route will help cut congestion and encourage new businesses to set up in south Bristol

People are being invited to have their say on plans for the south Bristol section of the West of England rapid transit network.

The route aims to link Long Ashton Park and Ride to the new hospital, Skills Academy, the shops at Imperial Park and leisure centre at Hengrove Way.

It will have fast boarding and smartcard ticketing linking with wider bus and railway services.

A planning application is due to be submitted in the autumn.

The route will link into the wider rapid transit network with direct access to Bristol city centre and along the M32 to Cribbs Causeway and Emersons Green in the north of the area.

But campaigners opposing the proposed south Bristol link road say it is a "staggering" waste of public money.

They say the cost of the 3.1 mile (5km) road is £43.1m and works out as more than £8,600 per metre.

Bristol City and North Somerset Councils are contributing some £15m towards the cost of the road with other funding coming from the Department for Transport.

Bristol City Council said the road would help "unlock" south Bristol.

"We want to make it easier for local people to get into the city centre for work, leisure and retail facilities and to encourage investment in south Bristol," said a spokesperson.