Task force to tackle Bristol’s congestion

The Mayor of Bristol has launched a new Congestion Task Group to make recommendations on how to tackle the city's traffic problem.

Marvin Rees has set up the group to create new ways to improve journeys across the city, including creating an updated managing roadworks policy and setting targets on journey time predictability.

The task force is comprised of representative from Bristol City Council, The Mayor’s Office, University of Bristol, Highways England, First Bristol and the RAC Foundation, among others.

Rees said: “I want build a better Bristol and a high-quality transport network is crucial to that future. Traffic congestion is holding us back and affecting our health, so I take a personal interest in this challenge. Nothing is off the table. I want a transport solution and so do the people of Bristol.”

Elsewhere in the city, organisations and businesses are collaborating to mark the UK’s first National Clean Air Day on 15 June, by urging drivers to switch off their vehicle engines to reduce exhaust emissions in the city. The collaboration includes Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, University Hospital Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and North Bristol NHS Trust.

Simon Wood, director of Facilities at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “As a healthcare provider and a large employer in the city it is important for us to do our bit to help reduce the impact of air pollution on our patients, visitors and staff as well as the environment. We will be encouraging people visiting us, and bus and taxi drivers, to switch off their engines when they are waiting outside the hospital and urge you to consider this if you are coming onto our sites.”