Former executive chairman of First Group Trevor Smallwood and John Grimshaw, founder and president of Bristol-based cycling promotion group Sustrans, have joined Bristol Mayor George Ferguson’s new transport advisory group, which met for the first time this week.
Mr Smallwood led the management buy-out of Badgerline from National Bus Company in 1986 and during the following 13 years engineered the growth of the business, which became First Group, from one employing 800 employees to one with £2bn turnover and profits of £100m with a worldwide reach. He was also chairman of Bristol and Sheffield airports.
His other roles have included chairman of ULTra, the Bristol-based hi-tech transport firm whose driverless ‘pods’ are used at Heathrow Airport, chairman of Greater Bristol Foundation, and non-executive director of UKRD radio stations and Bristol Water.
Also on the four-person group, which will help steer the mayor’s plans to improve the city’s bus, rail and cycling routes, are vociferous anti-Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) campaigner Pip Sheard and Roger Key of Key Transport Consultants.
Major improvements to the Greater Bristol Metro were top of the agenda at the meeting along with changes to bus services, the introduction of traffic-free Sundays in the city centre, and the proposed ‘Freedom Pass’ – a travel ticket that could be used across different services and service providers.
Mr Ferguson said the Bristol Metro would be the “central solution” to improving Bristol’s transport system.
“This is an excellent, broadly based team with a wealth of transport experience to draw on. I am very grateful that they are willing to give their time voluntarily for the wider benefit of the city,” he said.
“I am certain that they will provide insightful and frank advice, and help me deliver the major improvements needed to the city’s transport system.”
Pictured: George Ferguson, third from left, with John Grimshaw, Trevor Smallwood and Roger Key. Photo courtesy of Bristol 24-7
