Bristol transport expert panel appointed

Bristol mayor George Ferguson has appointed a panel of transport experts to advise him on matters such as bus routes and metro services.

Mr Ferguson has recently said he wants to change the route of a planned rapid bus service in the city.

The panel will include John Grimshaw a founder of Sustrans, campaigner Pip Sheard, light rail businessman Trevor Smallwood and consultant Roger Key.

The group will not be paid for monthly meetings with the mayor.

A fifth person, who has not been named, will also join the panel.

Bristol Metro

Several members of the panel have previously supported the idea of trams coming back to Bristol's streets but Mr Ferguson said it was unlikely to happen now.

Mr Ferguson said using railways around the city was something he was investigating.

"Trams are expensive so they may play their part but they're not going to be the central solution," he said.

"What is going to be the central solution is the Bristol Metro.

"Everything is based on making a bigger Bristol Metro that uses the existing rail infrastructure and improves on that."