15th March
The tram network will feature lines named after connections to Bristol. My initial ideas:
The tram network will feature lines named after connections to Bristol. My initial ideas:
- Airport - Obvious name but then perhap not a bad thing if being used by tourists?!
- Wallace & Gromit - Or just Gromit? Homage to Aardman's biggest stars.
- Archibald - Cary Grant was born in Horfield in 1904 and was christened Archibald Alec Leach.
- Alfred - The name of Bristol Zoo's famous gorilla in the 1930s. Also replicated with Bristol Zoo's 'Wow! Gorillas' project in 2011 which featured gorilla statues placed around the city. Could be the name of the Zoo line.
- Ashton - Could lead to Long Ashton park and ride, via Ashton Gate stadium.
- Brunel - An obvious choice, would lead to Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- Banksy - Another obvious choice. Perhaps link to Stokes Croft area.
21st March
I spoke to local author Maurice Fells who has written many books on the subject of Bristol. I asked him about some suggestions for names of tram lines based on the history of Bristol and he suggested
I spoke to local author Maurice Fells who has written many books on the subject of Bristol. I asked him about some suggestions for names of tram lines based on the history of Bristol and he suggested
- Cabot - John Cabot sailed from Bristol on his ship, the Matthew, and is supposed to have discovered North America in 1497. There is a replica of the Matthew in the floating harbour today (photo 22nd March):
- Britannia - After the Bristol Britannia, nicknamed 'The Whispering Giant', a passenger plane famed for being quiet and economical. Could suit line going to airport but perhaps Concorde would be more suitable an obvious. Details and photos from the Aerospace Museum
(22nd March):
- Malago - The name of a small river that runs through south Bristol.
- Sir George White - (1854–1916) He was instrumental in the construction of the Bristol tramways and became a pioneer in the construction of electric tramways in England. In 1910 he formed the Bristol Aeroplane Company. As the main man behind the original tram transport system, if not a line named after him, perhaps the main station for example?
22nd March
One tram route will be the furnicular railway which closed in 1934. It will connect people from Hotwells to the Suspension Bridge at the top as Bridge Valley road is too steep for a tram. I took some photographs of what is left today to try and get some inspiration as this could be a sub-plot to the brief, a reimagining of the tourist attraction:
One tram route will be the furnicular railway which closed in 1934. It will connect people from Hotwells to the Suspension Bridge at the top as Bridge Valley road is too steep for a tram. I took some photographs of what is left today to try and get some inspiration as this could be a sub-plot to the brief, a reimagining of the tourist attraction:
26th March
Research shows importance of Alfred as city icon so this will certainly be name of line connecting zoo. The image of a gorilla will provide some fun advertising ideas and also help people recognise it is related to the zoo. The other book emphasises that Old Market was an important point in the original tram network so this would work in my plan - close to cabot without interfering with current buildings.
Research shows importance of Alfred as city icon so this will certainly be name of line connecting zoo. The image of a gorilla will provide some fun advertising ideas and also help people recognise it is related to the zoo. The other book emphasises that Old Market was an important point in the original tram network so this would work in my plan - close to cabot without interfering with current buildings.