Clearing the Air – Trams for Bath

Prof Lewis Lesley

BRLSI 1^st April 2015

· Air pollution kills 29,000 people per year in the UK

Proportion of greenhouse gas emissions:

· Transport 20%

· Energy 35%

60 Billion trips made in total in Britain per year

· 64% by car

· 12% by public transport

· 8 tram systems in UK carrying 0.3% of total trips made

Whole year’s pollution quota exceeded by transport sector in first 15 days of the year!

Tram solution:

8 times less energy required than to use a bus and is electrified meaning can be powered by renewable, low-carbon electricity sources.

Shallowest system would be most suitable & cost-effective

· Easiest & quickest to install

· Most resilient to damage by road traffic (buses etc)

Bath trams operated from 1904 – 1939

Looking at historical precedents for inspiration for developmental models of successful tram systems:

· Imperial Tramways build 20 tram systems in the UK from 1905-1910

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