Sustrans, the Bristol-based transport charity, is encouraging businesses to help it shape its ‘Good Transport Plan’ for the city, which aims to cut congestion and stop the environmental damage caused by traffic.
With snarl-ups costing the local economy an estimated £600m a year, businesses have a key role to play in making sure deliveries and people can move more freely and safely around the city in the future through good transport planning. 
The plan, developed for the Green Capital Partnership, also looks at how more effective transport systems and better road use can improve the quality of life in the city – a vital factor in attracting inward investment.
Businesses across the city were involved in the Bristol Green Capital Partnership Transport Action Group that developed the plan, including Business West, FirstBus, Enterprise RentACar, specialist software firm Esoterix, architects AECOM, engineering consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff and Jacobs, the provider of technical professional and construction services with two offices in Bristol.
The plan sets out how travel in Bristol will be changed through a range of major projects. It sets out nine themes, including:
- better bus and train services,
- protected walking and cycling routes with safer crossings at junctions,
- more low emission vehicles and fewer lorries on our roads,
- reducing through traffic in the city centre,
- community-led street improvements
To get people to discuss the vision for transport in the city, Sustrans is taking the Good Transport Plan out to various events including next weekend’s RedFest, the South Gloucestershire Show, Make Sunday Specials and an open meeting of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership in September.
The team has already been to events, including Southmead Festival and the Sky Ride and received views from more than 300 residents.
Views can be shared through Sustrans’ website, where the current plan is available. Those received will help shape a revised version of the plan, which will be published by the end of the year. 
Sustrans regional director Ian Barrett, pictured, said: “We want to set out a positive vision for transport in Bristol that everyone can get behind.
“Bristol’s roads are already full. We need to invest more in other ways of getting around as the population grows, or congestion and air pollution will get worse.
“The plan sets out how we can improve transport in Bristol and help create a city with vibrant public spaces and thriving community streets.”
To view the plan go to: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/change-your-travel/your-community/changing-bristol-streets/good-transport-plan-bristol
