Prime Minister asked about Bristol public transport

2.07.00pm GMT Wed 28th Oct 2009

Bristol West MP Stephen Williams has used Prime Minister's Questions to ask Gordon Brown about public transport in Bristol.

Stephen asked the Prime Minister: "Bristol's economy and environment suffers from poor public transport. We have high bus fares from a monopoly provider and far too few passenger trains on our local rail network. Will the Prime Minister instruct the Secretary of State for Transport to expedite plans for the Greater Bristol area to be given an integrated transport authority so that service improvements can be brought about?"

The Prime Minister replied that he would look into the matter.

Stephen said: "I used this rare opportunity to question Gordon Brown to raise what I know is the top concern of many constituents. We will be unable to plan for better and cheaper public transport in Greater Bristol unless we are given similar powers as those enjoyed, for instance, by the Mayor of London. This is a major democratic deficit in our area."

"I know the Lib Dem administration at Bristol City Council is keen for these powers to be granted to Bristol and shared with the neighbouring unitary authorities. It is important to realise that most local bus and rail services begin or end outside the city boundary, which is why we need an authority to cover the whole travel-to-work area."

The video of Stephen's question can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T50yT8R4u-M