Bournemouth's biggest industry is tourism and we do it well. As a seaside town we are one of the most popular in the country, but choices of destination (both domestically and abroad) continue to grow and we must therefore constantly look for new and imaginative ways of retaining and developing Bournemouth's attributes. This includes a long-term transport strategy, which harnesses local, national and private sector funding to keep the conurbation moving.
Our transport network could be better. The Coalition Government is offering incentives for towns to upgrade their infrastructure as long as projects will ''have positive economic impact and cut carbon emissions'. It was therefore encouraging to see Bournemouth Council working with its neighbours to pursue joint transport bids for a number of initiatives.
One idea that I proposed almost five years ago, of linking Bournemouth airport to the beach by tram/light railway, is also up for consideration. This idea was also one of the first items identified by Conurbation 2050.
A North to South tram route could take in key work and recreation hubs: snaking its way from the airport, via the hospital and law courts, past the Littledown Centre and JP Morgan, onto AFC Bournemouth after which it could link into the existing railway line at Boscombe. It could then break away at the main station and terminate near the cliff top.
The ability to travel swiftly from the main railway station and airport to key destinations in Bournemouth would have a game changing impact for those who visit, live, study and work in the area. It would open up new possibilities which would help reduce the number of cars on our overcrowded roads such as an airport based 'Park and Ride' scheme which could also serve a tram route East to Christchurch and South West to Poole.
Of course it would be premature to expect to see trams running any time soon. Aside from the funding challenges, Britain is not known for its pacey planning system. Croydon, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Liverpool and Edinburgh have proven, the idea has to start somewhere and this usually means serious interest by the local authority.
My idea is not new. I discovered not long ago that a similar proposal for Bournemouth was actually first mooted by former Councillor David Trenchard, when standing for in his first council elections back in 1969! Lets hope, almost half a century later, with modern trams now able to utilise existing roads and railway lines and navigate through the busiest of town centres, it will not be so long before these clean, efficient and popular modes of transport once more return to our streets.