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Journey by Journey => Bristol (WECA) Commuters => Topic started by: Lee on September 22, 2020, 09:05:37



Title: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Lee on September 22, 2020, 09:05:37
WECA have launched a survey on access to the proposed station at Ashley Down https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station#survey

This survey closes on Sunday 1st November 2020.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on September 22, 2020, 14:23:25
There's quite a lot of interesting stuff on the TravelWest site (https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station) now, including a rather good aerial view of the new station and a YouTube vid of the access arrangements (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=fFuC4w1hk8E&feature=emb_logo).


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Bmblbzzz on September 22, 2020, 14:57:06
A couple of comments, one frivolous, others less so. To get the frivolous one out of the way: Will there really be IETs calling at this station as the video suggests?!

And the others:
Opening in 2023 seems optimistic compared to the experience of other local stations.
They mention services to Henbury but nothing to Parkway. If this is correct, this will substantially reduce the usefulness of the station.
The design includes lifts for the footbridge rather than ramps. I take the point that this is less visually intrusive and also takes less platform space, but it will presumably incur increased maintenance costs. And I'm mildly surprised it's acceptable to have lifts on an unstaffed station.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: IndustryInsider on September 22, 2020, 15:20:07
And I'm mildly surprised it's acceptable to have lifts on an unstaffed station.

Until fairly recently it was a no-no, but now becoming more and more common at unstaffed/partially unstaffed stations.  I presume there are minimum requirements in terms of remote monitoring and response times in the event of someone becoming trapped?


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on September 22, 2020, 15:36:05
I'm still a little surprised that a bridge/lift is needed and that an access ramp from Station Lane on the Muller Road side is not possible.  I'll probably have a gander down there tomorrow to try to see why it's a non-runner.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on September 22, 2020, 15:45:48
A couple of comments, one frivolous, others less so. To get the frivolous one out of the way: Will there really be IETs calling at this station as the video suggests?!

And the others:
Opening in 2023 seems optimistic compared to the experience of other local stations.
They mention services to Henbury but nothing to Parkway. If this is correct, this will substantially reduce the usefulness of the station.
The design includes lifts for the footbridge rather than ramps. I take the point that this is less visually intrusive and also takes less platform space, but it will presumably incur increased maintenance costs. And I'm mildly surprised it's acceptable to have lifts on an unstaffed station.

I wondered about the IET too. There is, I suppose, at least the potential for Test Match Specials to call one day... Gloucestershire Cricket Club is less than 500m from the new station.

You are right that trains from here will all go to Henbury, not to Parkway, as plans currently stand. There will (presumably) be an option to change at Filton Abbey Wood for services to the north; for points east people may find it easier to head to Temple Meads rather than towards Parkway. It also opens up an opportunity to connect to the Severn Beach line, via Stapleton Road. The devil, as always, is in the timetabling!

Pre-COVID, YTL were in discussions about running trains across the Filton Diamond from Brabazon to Parkway. It is hard to imagine trains just shuttling back and forth between these points. So the future may hold a much more interesting service pattern. For now, the Henbury Spur on its own is still a Good Thing.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Bmblbzzz on September 22, 2020, 16:27:15
YTL? !!! Presumably this means they were trying to persuade GWR to run this service? Or are everyone's favourite Malaysian conglomerate now in the train business as well as water and arenals?


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on September 22, 2020, 17:03:24
They were talking to Network Rail.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on September 22, 2020, 17:12:42
I'm still a little surprised that a bridge/lift is needed and that an access ramp from Station Lane on the Muller Road side is not possible.  I'll probably have a gander down there tomorrow to try to see why it's a non-runner.

Ah, I think I can see the trap you've fallen into. It would probably be quite feasible to build a ramp from Station Lane up to the level of the station, but unfortunately at that point you'd still have to get across the main lines to reach the platform...  Blame TonyK!


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on September 22, 2020, 18:15:09
I'm still a little surprised that a bridge/lift is needed and that an access ramp from Station Lane on the Muller Road side is not possible.  I'll probably have a gander down there tomorrow to try to see why it's a non-runner.

Ah, I think I can see the trap you've fallen into. It would probably be quite feasible to build a ramp from Station Lane up to the level of the station, but unfortunately at that point you'd still have to get across the main lines to reach the platform...  Blame TonyK!

You're right and I will!


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on September 30, 2020, 11:01:55
Tours are available for anyone interested in the new landscaping:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ashley-down-station-walkabout-tour-of-proposed-landscape-design-tickets-123193540195?aff=Stakeholder

(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BD13149-Ashley-Down-social-media-slide2_1200x630.jpg)


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on October 13, 2020, 17:21:42
I went on the tour of the new access arrangements for Ashley Down station today.

(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ashley_down_gazebo.jpg)

Rather than duplicate it all here, I'll link you to my post on the FoSBR website:

https://fosbr.org.uk/ashley-down-station-tour/



Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on November 29, 2020, 12:10:12
According to the West of England 10 Year Rail Delivery Plan for Investment: 2020 - 2030 (see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=24296.msg297475#msg297475):

Quote
Ashley Down station
To facilitate the earlier delivery of Ashley Down station during the national COVID19 emergency, funding from the 'New Stations Fund' has been requested to accelerate the detailed design and construction including the preparation of the full business case. Ashley Down station's location on the Filton Bank lines means it should be possible for it to be served by existing services. This means it could be separated from the Henbury Line MetroWest Phase 2 works. The construction of the station would provide access to the rail network to a large number of people due to the residential area in which it will be located, noting there are significant challenges to be overcome with the location and gradient.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on July 06, 2021, 19:33:53
The planning application has been submitted: https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=QVERYKDNMMN00


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Richard Fairhurst on July 06, 2021, 19:58:08
I always wondered why Ashley Down was two words but Totterdown only one. But given the acronym that would result if it were called Ashleydown, perhaps it's for the better.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on July 07, 2021, 19:13:14
Eagle-eyed Carol Durrant of FoSBR spotted this in the planning pack:

Quote
As a result of the additional trains to service the Proposed Development, the predicted increase in noise is approximately 1 dB during the day and night periods. This increase in sound is predominantly due to the full power operation of the diesel locomotive which forms part of the Class 255 train as it pulls away from the station. This change in level is classified as ‘negligible’ under the criteria used on the most current rail projects in the UK.

They wouldn't, presumably, be planning to use 'Castles' out to Henbury. Maybe they're thinking of Bristol-Gloucester trains?


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: ChrisB on July 07, 2021, 20:00:52
Class 255 trains

What are these?


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: grahame on July 07, 2021, 20:04:01
Class 255 trains

What are these?

"Castles" to you.  ;D

From Wikipedia

Quote
Present
Great Western Railway's short formed HST sets have been designated the Class 255 Castle classification, though this is not a TOPS classification as they are still InterCity 125 trains


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: froome on July 07, 2021, 22:45:50
I always wondered why Ashley Down was two words but Totterdown only one. But given the acronym that would result if it were called Ashleydown, perhaps it's for the better.

Totter Down would be the better name, especially for anyone trying to walk down any of the roads that descend the ridiculously steep hill between Wells Road and Bath Road.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on November 30, 2021, 23:33:11
Happened past the site of the future Ashley Down station this afternoon.  It looked as if there has been some vegetation clearance recently as nothing much seems to have grown back so far.  Perhaps more interestingly, there also seem to be a couple of small blue items protruding from the cleared ground set in fairly new looking concrete as in the picture that I took below.
The closer blue object is a tubular shape while the rather more distant one is rectangular.  I've no idea what, if anything, this might have to do with the new station but I thought it might interesting enough to post here.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: broadgage on December 01, 2021, 17:46:25
Looks to me like an inspection cover that gives access to a small well or borehole. Probably too small to be a useful water source, more likely to be for survey purposes in order that the height of the water table table may be ascertained.



Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on December 01, 2021, 20:38:04
Looks to me like an inspection cover that gives access to a small well or borehole. Probably too small to be a useful water source, more likely to be for survey purposes in order that the height of the water table table may be ascertained.



Thanks broadgage, that would make sense.  I recall that less than exhaustive ground water surveys were one of the reasons that Bristol Portway P&R station was (still is) delayed so hopefully there won't be a repeat here.
Perhaps the more distant protrusion has a related function but it does look clearly different close up being rectangular in shape.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: stuving on December 01, 2021, 23:04:50
Looks to me like an inspection cover that gives access to a small well or borehole. Probably too small to be a useful water source, more likely to be for survey purposes in order that the height of the water table table may be ascertained.

Well spotted - the two shown do look very like this:
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxQ0bjgaRD7oitCby4cwsp05IXqGVa1cNStO1QPoL3Vy68Lh59A08xZfmPk8aksHqOv90&usqp=CAU)(https://25489-813672-raikfcquaxqncofqfm.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AluCover-2-200x200.png)

These are from a company called MGS, are described as well covers, and come in several sizes from 100 cm up. No doubt there are other makers, though perhaps not using that fetching shade of blue. Groundwater monitoring boreholes would be a typical use. The round ones are steel and the square ones aluminium alloy - why you'd want one of each isn't obvious, though it might be as simple as to identify two different kinds of borehole.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on December 02, 2021, 19:48:20
Many thanks for that stuving, those illustrations rather confirm it.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on July 07, 2022, 16:05:56
Some good news I think.  I've just received the notification below as an email attachment concerning approval for the reopening of Ashley Down Station by Bristol City Council.

Dear Sir/Madam
Notification of Decision
Application No. 21/03523/RA
Site Address: Former Ashley Down Railway Station Station Lane Bristol BS7 9LB
Following your comments about the above application, I can inform you that the proposal
was considered under delegated powers on 7 July 2022, and the decision was as follows:
Prior Approval GIVEN.
A copy of the officer report and the decision notice with any conditions attached, can now be
viewed from our website.
If you require any further information about this application, please contact us.
Yours faithfully
Development Management
Bristol City Council


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: TonyK on July 09, 2022, 08:20:20
Some good news I think.  I've just received the notification below as an email attachment concerning approval for the reopening of Ashley Down Station by Bristol City Council.


Hopefully, this link will take you to the planning application start page:
https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=QVERYKDNMMN00

The accompanying documents show that the station will use the western two lines, the slow or relief as you like. The buildings will be of the enhanced bus shelter type. It will give Station Road a station, something which I think will be unique among the Station Roads in the area. There will be a rather imposing footbridge with lifts, something that I would anticipate being the most contentious part of the structure with nearby residents, although parking will also be mentioned. The first works will see the removal of the remaining bits of the former platforms. Station Road will be the access for works vehicles that can't come and go by rail.

The renders show the usual idyllic scenes of empty spaces, trees, occasional bicycle, with happy people looking at phones rather than the sunlit uplands. They are missing the mixed race couples with 2.4 children and representations of various genders beloved by Bristol City Council, but they obviously did the trick. There are no public comments.



Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 09, 2022, 14:07:15
It will give Station Road a station, something which I think will be unique among the Station Roads in the area.
;D ;D


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on July 09, 2022, 16:02:42
...It will give Station Road a station, something which I think will be unique among the Station Roads in the area...

Now you wouldn't expect me to let that go unchallenged, would you?

By my reckoning Bristol has 15 Station Roads.

The nearest to Station Road, Ashley Down is in Montpelier, 1.5 km to the south-west. That leads to Montpelier Station, which is very much open.

Station Road, Filton is just under 3.5 km to the north. This was named after Filton (Junction) Station, which is no more, but it leads reasonably well to the station at Filton Abbey Wood which replaced it.

Fishponds, 3.5 km to the east, has a Station Road along with a New Station Road and a New Station Way. The latter opened long after the station closed. Given that it occupies the site of Fishponds Station, it would perhaps would have been better named 'Old Station Way'!

Patchway Station, 4 km north of Ashley Down and open, is served by another Station Road.

Henbury has a Station Road, about 5 km from Ashley Down. There is a plan to open a new station near here, but it will be over 400m away from Station Road. Arguably this could confuse some!

5 km to the south is Station Road, Brislington. No station here!

The closed station at Staple Hill, 5.5 km to the east, was served by a Station Road

Shirehampton's Station Road is just over 7 km west of Ashley Down, and leads to another open station.

Station Road at Pill, a little further to the west and over the River Avon, will hopefully soon lead to a station.

A similar distance in the opposite direction, Warmley's Station Road leads to quite a pleasant station, but it's rather unlikely to see another train.

Keynsham's Station Road, 9 km to the south-east, leads to a busy main line station.

Don't get me started about Station Road, Portishead - 13 km to the west. Suffice to say that a new Portishead Station will be some way away from here.

Further afield, Coalpit Heath and Winterbourne also have Station Roads. There are no current plans to reopen either station, though FoSBR would like to see Coalpit Heath reopened (https://fosbr.org.uk/campaigns/fosbr-plan-for-rail/).

So 5 of Bristol's Station Roads currently lead to stations still served by trains; 2 more will be served once MetroWest is complete. In addition, 2 Station Roads will not serve a station because it has been moved from its original location.







Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: TonyK on July 09, 2022, 16:14:36
...It will give Station Road a station, something which I think will be unique among the Station Roads in the area...

Now you wouldn't expect me to let that go unchallenged, would you?

By my reckoning Bristol has 15 Station Roads.

The nearest to Station Road, Ashley Down is in Montpelier, 1.5 km to the south-west. That leads to Montpelier Station, which is very much open.

Station Road, Filton is just under 3.5 km to the north. This was named after Filton (Junction) Station, which is no more, but it leads reasonably well to the station at Filton Abbey Wood which replaced it.

Fishponds, 3.5 km to the east, has a Station Road along with a New Station Road and a New Station Way. The latter opened long after the station closed. Given that it occupies the site of Fishponds Station, it would perhaps would have been better named 'Old Station Way'!

Patchway Station, 4 km north of Ashley Down and open, is served by another Station Road.

Henbury has a Station Road, about 5 km from Ashley Down. There is a plan to open a new station near here, but it will be over 400m away from Station Road. Arguably this could confuse some!

5 km to the south is Station Road, Brislington. No station here!

The closed station at Staple Hill, 5.5 km to the east, was served by a Station Road

Shirehampton's Station Road is just over 7 km west of Ashley Down, and leads to another open station.

Station Road at Pill, a little further to the west and over the River Avon, will hopefully soon lead to a station.

A similar distance in the opposite direction, Warmley's Station Road leads to quite a pleasant station, but it's rather unlikely to see another train.

Keynsham's Station Road, 9 km to the south-east, leads to a busy main line station.

Don't get me started about Station Road, Portishead - 13 km to the west. Suffice to say that a new Portishead Station will be some way away from here.

Further afield, Coalpit Heath and Winterbourne also have Station Roads. There are no current plans to reopen either station, though FoSBR would like to see Coalpit Heath reopened (https://fosbr.org.uk/campaigns/fosbr-plan-for-rail/).

So 5 of Bristol's Station Roads currently lead to stations still served by trains; 2 more will be served once MetroWest is complete. In addition, 2 Station Roads will not serve a station because it has been moved from its original location.



So apart from those five Station Roads, it will be unique.  ;D

I'm not going to try to weasel out of my mistake by arguing that two are in S Glos, one in whatever distant land Keynsham forms part of, and leading to an old station nowhere near an open platform shouldn't count, because I have been caught with my pants down, and am not Boris Johnson. I am indebted to my friend for the correction.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: Red Squirrel on July 09, 2022, 17:19:40
On this occasion I chose to define 'Bristol' as the area covered by the Geographer's A-Z Map Company's 'Premier Map of Bristol', 2015 edition.

Why, you might ask, would an old computer bod like Redny McSquirrel resort to such an analogue technique? Well I didn't find Google Maps at all helpful in this instance - rather than give me a list of Station Roads, it just highlighted the one it thought I might find most interesting. Odd coves, these algorithms... The A-Z, on the other hand, has an index which lists every street. Just the job... except that, oddly, it indicated a Station Road in St Annes Park. A beer to anyone who can tell locate it for me! I concluded that it was a Trap Street (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_street).

I suppose I could have called Endex (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=endex) quite early on, given that the nearest Station Road leads to an active station... but it was fun checking out the others.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: stuving on July 09, 2022, 17:30:53
The A-Z, on the other hand, has an index which lists every street. Just the job... except that, oddly, it indicated a Station Road in St Annes Park. A beer to anyone who can tell locate it for me! I concluded that it was a Trap Street (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_street).

Since there was a St Anne's Park station, Station Road obviously led to it. It still exists, as a track now leading to a road-rail access point, and gated at the entrance off St Anne's Park Road.


Title: Re: Access to Ashley Down Rail Station Engagement Survey
Post by: johnneyw on October 13, 2022, 13:17:17
The FoSBR Facebook page have announced that prior planning permission for the station has been granted and that a business plan is being drafted for submission next January.  Still talk of commencement of building next year although fading hopes of a 2023 opening.  Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/582422715176528/posts/5483286268423457/?flite=scwspnss


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on December 20, 2022, 15:23:29
This from St Werburghs Community News (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid07dvfcFgjkZmEjU1tDUbwHdGUNNknY1T4GoFTy8WjG2Eqj5NZuthACzScB4H8GBtdl&id=100067982104663) Facebook page:

Quote
Things now seem to be happening around the proposed Ashley Down railway station. Here is a message from the Ashley Down Station Project Partnership

"We are contacting you about progress with the new railway station in Ashley Down, which will improve the public transport service in the area.

Our project partnership includes the West of England Combined Authority working with Bristol City Council, Network Rail, Great Western Railways and contractors BAM Nuttall. Works will be carried out by accredited contractors on behalf of Network Rail and Bristol City Council.

We are in the final stages of securing funding for the project and hope it will be confirmed by the end of January 2023. We will then be able to begin delivering a new railway station at Ashley Down, with construction set to take place between early 2023 and 2024.

This means we expect to start engineering works towards the end of February 2023.

Ahead of work starting, we’ve set up two online meetings in January so we can speak with local residents and stakeholders about the works.

The sessions are a chance for us to answer questions and for the project team to set out what the works will involve. Details of these events are below:

Session 1: Tuesday 31 January 2023 from 6.30pm to 8pm – book now [no link - Red Squirrel - maybe try https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station. ]

Session 2: Thursday 2 February 2023 from 6.30pm to 8pm – book now [no link - see above]

The construction of the new station, and improvements to public land surrounding the entrance to the station, will involve a temporary closure and diversion of a section of the Concorde Way walking and cycling route.

The new station is being funded by the West of England Combined Authority, in conjunction with Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Bath & North-East Somerset Council as part of a wider programme of railway improvements funded by the West of England Combined Authority, known as MetroWest. This aims to improve connectivity, de-carbonise our transport network, and support economic growth across the region.

Following on from the consultation phase in 2020, we are keen to keep lines of communication open with you and local residents – both now as we prepare to start work in your area, and throughout the project.

In the meantime, you can find more information about the project at https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Transport Engagement at Bristol City Council by emailing transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk or phoning 0117 903 6449 and leaving a message on the answerphone.

Ashley Down Station Project Partnership"


I have renamed this thread to cover all aspects of the development of this station.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on December 20, 2022, 19:19:30
From the information link, this one had me puzzled:

Quote
By 2030 MetroWest 2 is expected to be remove 3 million kilometres from the road network, based on an average petrol car today this is equivalent to 500 tons of C02 each year.

I am surprised to hear that we have 3 million kilometres in the road network now.

But this is all good news and in the right direction, based on an average microwave oven being 750 Watts.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on January 03, 2023, 17:48:52
Quote
Construction of new railway station to begin early 2023
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/133D0/production/_127700887_4a7a7dcd-7ba6-4d7b-af2f-224c335c4e83.jpg.webp)

Construction work on a new train station in Bristol is due to begin early in 2023.

The station, at Ashley Down, will be between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, with services eventually running to the new YTL Arena in Filton.

It will be built on Station Road, just south of the Ashley Down allotments and should be completed in 2024.

The start date for the works should be announced next month at a West of England Combine Authority meeting.

The site used to be home to Ashley Hill Station, which closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts, which saw roughly 5,000 miles of track closed and more than 2,300 stations axed in the 1960s, mainly in rural areas.

Ashley Down station is part of the MetroWest Phase 2 project, which will also see new train stations built at North Filton next to the new arena, and at Henbury.

These two stations have been hit by delays and the North Filton station is expected to open in 2026, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/10A7D/production/_128112286_mediaitem128112285.jpg.webp)
Ashley Down Station is part of Phase 2 of the MetroWest public transport plan

Bristol mayor, Marvin Rees, said: "This will be the first time in almost 60 years that residents in the Ashley Down area will be able to catch trains locally, helping to better connect people to employment, education and leisure opportunities, while tackling congestion and pollution, and reducing social and economic isolation."

Green councillor, Lily Fitzgibbon, also welcomed the plans, but said a residential parking scheme should be brought in when the station opens.

"People from further out may use the residential streets around the station as a free park-and-ride, and so we will continue to put pressure on the administration for a residents' parking zone," she added.
Source: BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-64077517)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on January 03, 2023, 21:15:16
That map shows stations at Portishead and Pill. When I fell asleep on New Year's Eve, did I wake up in 2023 or 2099?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on January 18, 2023, 11:26:33
Will the opening of Ashley Down station signal the start of half-hourly running to Yate and Gloucester, or is that dependent on something else?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on January 18, 2023, 13:41:29
Will the opening of Ashley Down station signal the start of half-hourly running to Yate and Gloucester, or is that dependent on something else?

The official line is that services terminating at Filton Abbey Wood will call here, and that these services will be extended to Brabazon and Henbury when these stations open.

It would seem very sensible for a 2TPH Bristol - Gloucester service to stop at Ashley Down, but no-one is committing to that at the moment. Whether that service goes ahead in May 2023 is another question, what with the funding gap and potential lack of suitable units to run it.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on January 18, 2023, 16:22:20

The official line is that services terminating at Filton Abbey Wood will call here, and that these services will be extended to Brabazon and Henbury when these stations open.

It would seem very sensible for a 2TPH Bristol - Gloucester service to stop at Ashley Down, but no-one is committing to that at the moment. Whether that service goes ahead in May 2023 is another question, what with the funding gap and potential lack of suitable units to run it.


A shame. I have never thought much of the idea of trains terminating at Abbey Wood. I know a lot of the MoD staff get out there, but I am sure there are many who would happily catch a train there from Yate or Glos if only one was available. I would have thought the timing problems would have been sorted out to at least allow trains to terminate at Parkway by now.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 02, 2023, 16:55:57
From Public Document Pack - Questions and Mayor's Responses Agenda Supplement for West of England Combined Authority Committee, 27/01/2023 13:00 (moderngov.co.uk) (https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/b1827/Questions%20and%20Mayors%20Responses%2027th-Jan-2023%2013.00%20West%20of%20England%20Combined%20Authority%20Committee.pdf?T=9):

Quote
5. Cllr Heather Mack, Councillor for Lockleaze

Question 1

When will the Ashley Down, North Filton and Henbury stations open and trains start running on the Henbury spur? What are the risks of these timelines being pushed back?

Response from Mayor Dan Norris:

The current programme shows a target date for Ashley Down Station to open in 2024 and North Filton and Henbury in 2026. As we know from local experience of building new railways over the decades, that delays are always possible and indeed likely in projects of this size and complexity. Passenger services on the Henbury Spur are planned to be introduced as soon as North Filton and Henbury stations have been built and are ready for operation. Once ready to open, Ashley Down station has been timetabled as a stop on the existing Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood hourly service. This service will subsequently be extended to Henbury.

It is essential that funding is agreed in January 2023 for Ashley Down Station so there is time to secure key materials which are on specific lead-times, such as station platform units, in time for them to be installed during a 16-day “blockade” of the railway in June 2023. Here we really are at spade in the ground stage!

North Filton and Henbury station projects, are only at outline design stage and remain subject to planning approval (which the West of England Combined Authority has no powers to speed up). Officers continue to work closely with adjacent developers to ensure that respective designs and construction programmes are integrated, so as to try to minimise delays.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 03, 2023, 11:05:43
I attended an online drop-in session for neighbours of the new station last night, at which WECA, NR, GWR and Bristol City Council presented various aspects of the new station.

I'll put it down to post-COVID brain fog that it didn't occur to me to take screen grabs of the slides, so the following details are my best efforts at jotting down some key points.

Firstly, some dates:

27th Feb: Concorde Way cycle route to close between Mina Road and Muller Road. Work is apparently underway to resurface Boiling Wells Lane, which will act as a part of a diversionary route. This does however leave a 400m section where cyclists will be asked to dismount and walk along Muller Road. There seemed to be a vague hope that Bristol City Council might be able to improve on this! The closure is for an initial 6 months, but this is the maximum they can get in one go and they expect to need to extend it beyond that.

27th Feb: Site mobilisation. This will be daytime working, starting with piling which will start in March and finish in July. This will be done by auguring and grouting, so shouldn't be too noisy.

March - August: Install footbridge foundations.

3 - 19 June: Full blockade of relief lines. This is to allow some slewing of the track and installation of the platforms. The mains will continue running during this blockade, except for some overnight closures.

Late summer - Autumn: Mobilisation of public realm access works. These should complete by Summer 2024

Summer 2024: Station opens.

Some neighbours were concerned that parking was likely to be a problem. In response it was pointed out that this is to be a local station for local people (not their exact words; I paraphrase). Also there is a very large car park with, by then, a station right next to it at Porkway Park and Ride. Why would anyone scrat around Ashley Down looking for a parking space when they can easily park there?

Others didn't like the look of the station, saying it was 'a bit Minecraft'. There were also concerns about lighting, potential graffiti and noisy announcements. GWR pointed out that there will be CCTV, and they'll keep an eye on graffiti...

(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_minecraft.png)

Finally there was quite a lot of confusion and disappointment about the train service. A lot of people were hoping for direct trains to Bristol Parkway and other destinations.

Trains will run hourly during the day, half-hourly at the peak, between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood. On Sundays the service may be provided by stopping some Cardiff trains.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 22, 2023, 15:03:13
Site mobilisation is due to take place in a few days, so I thought I'd take a few 'before' pictures before things get rolling:

Station site seen from Station Road
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_station_site_from_station_road_20230222_scaled.jpg)

Boiling Wells Lane. This closure is to allow the route to be upgraded as a diversion to Concorde Way
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/boiling_wells_lane_20230222_scaled-scaled.jpg)

IET passes station site. Note passive provision for new platform between Mains (where the IET is) and Reliefs (foreground)
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/iet_passes_ashley_down_station_site_20230222_scaled-e1677076863510.jpg)

Ashley Down station subway. I can see why locals think graffiti might be an issue...
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_station_subway_20230222_scaled.jpg)

Works compound at Ashley Down station site, Station Lane
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_station_site_works_compound_20230222_scaled.jpg)

Ashley Down station site from Concorde Way, facing south. The bank beyond the walkers will be dug out to give more level access. 
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_station_site_from_concorde_way_facing_south_20230222-scaled.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on February 22, 2023, 16:51:42
Works compound at Ashley Down station site, Station Lane
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_station_site_works_compound_20230222_scaled.jpg)
I'm loving the alternative take on hard hat and hi-vis.  ;D


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 27, 2023, 12:21:16
Good to their word, contractors have mobilised on site at Ashley Down today.

Had a nice chat with another forum member who was also there to check how they were doing. We cleared off fairly quickly though as there were a lot of busy-looking people in hi-viz about and we didn't want to get in the way.

Here's the site compound this morning, with a lot of coming and going down quite a narrow access lane:
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ashley_down_site_compound_20230227-e1677499986674.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on February 27, 2023, 12:37:16
Yes, good to bump into you and have a quick chin-wag RS.
Here's one I took between various trucks and vans arriving and reversing out.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on March 04, 2023, 09:59:32
With thanks to FoSBR's Carol Durrant, here are a few pics showing further progress at Ashley Down:

Boiling Wells Lane, showing newly-surfaced section of the diverted cycle route through the farmyard:
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Boiling-Wells-Lane-3-Mar-2023.jpg.jpg)

Improvements to cycle diversion between Boiling Wells and Muller Road:
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Slope-from-Boiling-Wells-to-Muller-Road-3-Mar-2023.jpg.jpg)

Station site from Station Road. Local youths appear to be amusing themselves with recently-cut brash...
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ashely-Down-Station-site-from-Station-Road-3-Mar-2023.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on March 04, 2023, 10:04:26
Bristol 24/7 has picked up on the diversion of Concorde Way:

Quote
IMPORTANT WALKING AND CYCLING ROUTE TO BE CLOSED FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR

By MARTIN BOOTH, Friday Mar 3, 2023

Concorde Way between Ashley Down and St Werburgh’s is set to close for at least a year, leaving walkers and cyclists having to take a long and potentially dangerous diversion.

Part of the popular route is expected to close from Sunday [5 Mar 2023 - Ed], with a diversion via Boiling Wells Lane and Muller Road.

The closure of the path is to enable the building of the new Ashley Down railway station, part of a project which will reopen the Henbury Line between Bristol Temple Meads and Henbury to passenger traffic.

The new Ashley Down station entrance will be located on Concorde Way where the path meets Station Road.

This imminent closure of part of the Concorde Way comes at the same time as the closure of another traffic-free stretch of the route in Lockleaze between Constable Road and Bonnington Walk is set to continue for a further eight months until the end of August 2023.

Bristol Cycling Campaign say that it is “disappointing” that Legal & General Modular Homes have exceeded their own estimated duration of “a maximum period of six months” or managed to “do our best to open earlier” as they originally stated.

The pressure group are also disappointed that the diversion between Ashley Down and St Werburgh’s is a narrow road to Watercress Farm and then “a muddy, sloping footpath” that joins Muller Road close to Fairfield School.

The cycling campaign says that the proposals for Muller Road are “very unsatisfactory for all path users and (are) not considered to be a comparable route for cyclists with the need to dismount & walk or ride in the heavy traffic”.

...continues (https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/important-walking-cycling-route-closed-for-least-year/)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on March 04, 2023, 19:27:33
Can't please everybody, I suppose. Still, no pain and all that.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on March 12, 2023, 14:18:40
A few photos of the work now commenced at the Ashley Down Station site.  The underpass and access to Concord Way has now been fenced off although already a gap has been forced through.  At the time I was there, cyclists were using this way through, as did a family sat at a nearby bench.  More pics to follow.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on March 12, 2023, 14:24:56
A few more Ashley Down Station site pictures.  The site compound looks just about complete for now.  Some of those white water fillable fencing bases seem to have already been deployed trackside just south of the site (also pictured).  There's also been a fair amount of vegetation clearance as shown in one of the photos.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on March 27, 2023, 11:58:28
The local Beeb reports that Mayor Marv is willing to have another look at the Concord Way detour around the station building site after people's complaints about it.  It doesn't really say anything more than that but if you want to have a look at the article, it's on the link below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-65039482.amp


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on March 28, 2023, 18:50:36
I had a quick nose around the station construction site today and took some pictures.... sorry about the quality.... must try harder next time.  There was quite a bit of heavy equipment moving across the wider site this afternoon.  This might herald some serious earth shifting action soon so I'll pootle on by there again in a few days.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: froome on March 29, 2023, 09:08:30
Many thanks for all the updates about this site, which I know well.

For many years i had allotments on the Ashley Hill site and used to cycle up the path that later became Concorde Way and lock my bike to the railings at the entrance off the path (and once had it stolen from there  >:(). Very occasionally I could be seen taking my wheelbarrow down the path and through the tunnel into Boiling Wells Lane to visit the dubious pig farm there to collect manure.

It is not surprising that Concorde Way has become a popular route for both pedestrians and cyclists, given the gradients of alternatives and that they all involve use of very busy roads. I can't envisage what alternative can be found without allowing some use of the path, but when I'm next in the area I will go and have a look around myself.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on March 29, 2023, 15:59:26
I’ve seen a suggestion that an alternative route via Stoney Lane, the open space known as ‘The Loop’ and Dirac Road could work for some. Stoney Lane is steep and narrow, not rideable, but may be better than the Muller Road option.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on March 31, 2023, 15:41:31
Had a brief detour while passing nearby to look at the work going on today.  The big toys were in action but it was far too wet to hang around for long to see exactly what they were being deployed for.  Managed this quick snap between drenchings though.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on April 09, 2023, 14:34:19
No, it's not "The Mole" from Thunderbirds lending a hand but one of the parked up pieces of equipment on the western side of the future station.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on April 09, 2023, 15:24:26
Presumably that's going to auger some holes for the rebar assemblies on the right of your picture to drop into. As I understand it that's how the piling will be done - none of yer whacking columns into the ground with a big hammer!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on April 09, 2023, 19:18:41
Presumably that's going to auger some holes for the rebar assemblies on the right of your picture to drop into. As I understand it that's how the piling will be done - none of yer whacking columns into the ground with a big hammer!

There's another one parked between the main and relief lines on the south side of the station site.
I do hope that this augers well!


....I'll get me coat!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on April 10, 2023, 00:13:03
As long as everything augurs well, it should auger well.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on April 21, 2023, 11:15:16
Plenty of activity yesterday, in preparation for the possession on 27/28 May. There were a fair few orange-clad people about, but I seem to have missed them!:

(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ashley_Down_20230420.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on April 21, 2023, 11:43:25
Is the possession just the two lines? No bustitutions in RTT.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on April 21, 2023, 13:58:15
Is the possession just the two lines? No bustitutions in RTT.

Yes; this one (27-28 May) and the later one (3-18 June) just involve the relief lines. Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Rd will only be served by Severn Beach line trains during these periods.

I was going to say that this work would have been much more disruptive if there were still two tracks here, but as it wouldn't have been possible to open a new station the work  wouldn't have been done!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on April 21, 2023, 17:14:38

Yes; this one (27-28 May) and the later one (3-18 June) just involve the relief lines. Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Rd will only be served by Severn Beach line trains during these periods.

I was going to say that this work would have been much more disruptive if there were still two tracks here, but as it wouldn't have been possible to open a new station the work  wouldn't have been done!

I had reached the same conclusion independently.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on April 21, 2023, 22:47:18

Yes; this one (27-28 May) and the later one (3-18 June) just involve the relief lines. Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Rd will only be served by Severn Beach line trains during these periods.

I was going to say that this work would have been much more disruptive if there were still two tracks here, but as it wouldn't have been possible to open a new station the work  wouldn't have been done!

I had reached the conclusion independently.
Two platforms now!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on April 24, 2023, 21:22:51
Presumably that's going to auger some holes for the rebar assemblies on the right of your picture to drop into.

It looks like the auger has done it's job.  Although the attached picture was taken a few seconds too late to see it clearly, the photo shows the rebar assemblies being loaded up onto a truck, presumably to be transported to the new excavations.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on April 25, 2023, 12:33:16
Couple of pictures today:

A piling rig between the mains and reliefs:
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/piling_rig_ashley_down_20230425.jpg)

Work on the new access on the west (Station Road) side:
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/yellow_plant_ashley_down_20230425.jpg)

There seemed to be work going on towards Temple Meads too, but I couldn't get sight of it.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: paul7575 on June 02, 2023, 17:27:20
Report on Network Rail website of an upcoming blockade to install platforms at future Ashley Down station:
Quote
Network Rail is set to begin a more intensive phase of the construction of the brand-new north Bristol station at Ashley Down, with a solid 16-day period from Saturday 3 June to Monday 19 June, when teams will be working around the clock to install two new platforms.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/work-on-bristols-new-railway-station-steps-up-a-gear-as-platform-construction-begins-at-ashley-down

PS  Filton Bank reverts to a two track railway for the duration. “Two Track Now”  ;D

Paul


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: stuving on June 02, 2023, 23:11:02
Report on Network Rail website of an upcoming blockade to install platforms at future Ashley Down station:
Quote
Network Rail is set to begin a more intensive phase of the construction of the brand-new north Bristol station at Ashley Down, with a solid 16-day period from Saturday 3 June to Monday 19 June, when teams will be working around the clock to install two new platforms.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/work-on-bristols-new-railway-station-steps-up-a-gear-as-platform-construction-begins-at-ashley-down

PS  Filton Bank reverts to a two track railway for the duration. “Two Track Now”  ;D

Paul

At the end of that page NR say this:
Quote
This summer also sees essential track maintenance work taking place within the Severn Tunnel, which will be closed from Friday 9 June to Sunday 18 June for vital track replacement. Passengers are advised to check before travelling between these dates, as a bus replacement service will be in operation between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.

That work dictated the timing of the Ashley Down work, as it makes the closure of two tracks almost "free". There's an NR page an that work (https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/passengers-between-south-wales-and-bristol-reminded-to-check-before-travelling-ahead-of-essential-upgrade-works-in-the-severn-tunnel-1) too, which includes the surprising snippet of information that they are using tin-plated sleepers!

Quote
Trains will be diverted or replaced by buses between Friday 9 and Sunday 18, and on Sunday 25 June, as Network Rail works around the clock to renew the tracks in the Severn Tunnel.

Engineers will replace 3.2km of old track, as well as 5,200 sleepers (track supports) and 14,000 tonnes of ballast (supporting stone) over a ten-day period. 

Salt-water makes for a corrosive environment inside the tunnel and track that would usually last 25 years needs to be replaced every ten. The new sleepers will be coated in tin to extend their life. 

In 2022, Network Rail replaced 3km of track on the Monmouthshire side of the tunnel. This June, the track will be replaced on the South Gloucestershire side. 


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on June 03, 2023, 11:50:23

PS  Filton Bank reverts to a two track railway for the duration. “Two Track Now”  ;D

Paul

 ??? :o :(


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 05, 2023, 11:19:20
A hive of activity at Ashley Down yesterday (Sunday). This is a difficult location to photograph, but hopefully these give a flavour:

Station entrance from Station Road. The red brick building on the left is the old Station Hotel.
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ashley_down_20230604_1.jpg)

Work on the relief lines.
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ashley_down_20230604_2.jpg)

----------------------------------------------------

Cllr David Wilcox has some photos, taken from a passing train, on his twitter feed (https://twitter.com/David_on_a_bike/status/1665273290540081154). This one is more or less the reverse angle of my second photo, and shows the site of the demolished old platform:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fxw9NUEWwAMG1zq?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

...and this shows the reliefs being dismantled, and the pile tops for a new platform:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fxw9NUEWAAEYJUE?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 05, 2023, 11:24:38
Oh, and just spotted this vid from NR: https://twitter.com/i/status/1665040656358838272


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on June 05, 2023, 21:25:26
I didn't realize they were going to have to move the tracks. I thought they had been been put down with the potential platforms in mind when the four-tracking was done.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 05, 2023, 22:30:49
I didn't realize they were going to have to move the tracks. I thought they had been been put down with the potential platforms in mind when the four-tracking was done.

Interesting point. I guess it's hard to do passive provision when the design of the thing you're passively providing for hasn't been finalised?

There does appear to have been a fairly late adjustment to the platform widths, related (I think) to disabled accessibility and safety. Maybe that's why they had to slew the tracks? This also led to the closure period of Concorde Way being much longer than initially planned.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on June 05, 2023, 23:11:09
I'm sure I've seen posts on these very pages pointing out the passive provision made for future Ashley Down platforms! But if there's been a late revision to the design, that would clearly alter it.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: paul7575 on June 05, 2023, 23:33:57
I didn't realize they were going to have to move the tracks. I thought they had been been put down with the potential platforms in mind when the four-tracking was done.
I think at the site of Ashley Down the tracks installed were the new mains on the east side.  It varied side to side in different areas along the whole length of the bank, but it’s possible the relief side was still in its original position prior to four tracking.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 06, 2023, 17:24:00
I didn't realize they were going to have to move the tracks. I thought they had been been put down with the potential platforms in mind when the four-tracking was done.
I think at the site of Ashley Down the tracks installed were the new mains on the east side.  It varied side to side in different areas along the whole length of the bank, but it’s possible the relief side was still in its original position prior to four tracking.

Yes that’s true. When it was two-tracked, they swapped sides further up the bank. So that’s a simpler explanation. Occam’s Razor roolz.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on June 06, 2023, 17:40:53
Well, I'm glad they don't have to move the mains too!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 06, 2023, 18:19:56
I won't bore you by republishing all the photos on the Network Rail Western twitter feed (https://twitter.com/networkrailwest), but this one piqued my interest: Is this the packing material the platform sections came in, or the platform itself  ???

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fx7H48iXoAEUsVY?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

I heard that some new stations were being build using expanded polystyrene (https://www.railengineer.co.uk/platforms-from-polystyrene-whod-have-thought-it/), but it's still a bit of a surprise to see it!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Wizard on June 06, 2023, 18:33:03
If they aren’t careful they’ll have it open before Portway


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ChrisB on June 06, 2023, 20:21:45
In one of the communiques I saw around the Reading Green Park opening, Ashley Down was mentioned as the next to open....how true, I don't know.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: paul7575 on June 06, 2023, 21:43:15
I won't bore you by republishing all the photos on the Network Rail Western twitter feed (https://twitter.com/networkrailwest), but this one piqued my interest: Is this the packing material the platform sections came in, or the platform itself  ???

I heard that some new stations were being build using expanded polystyrene (https://www.railengineer.co.uk/platforms-from-polystyrene-whod-have-thought-it/), but it's still a bit of a surprise to see it!

There’s a number of case studies on their website, this link should go to the one about the Maidenhead platform lengthening.  Please see the 29 photo gallery, shows all the components.

I think once built they’re almost undetectable, as the walking surface is solid concrete and the visible front face under the coping is also a concrete “skin”.
https://www.megatechprojects.co.uk/projects/maidenhead/

Paul


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on June 07, 2023, 17:01:43
It's amazing what you can buy from Ikea these days.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Western Pathfinder on June 07, 2023, 20:25:56
Let's hope nobody loses the Allan key...


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ellendune on June 07, 2023, 22:20:44
Let's hope nobody loses the Allan key...

Its ok most people now have draws full of them as you get one with everything now!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 07, 2023, 22:59:15
Let's hope nobody loses the Allan key...

Its ok most people now have draws full of them as you get one with everything now!

Actually it's more like Lego, so no Allen key required:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyBbUNiWAAY9up2?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on June 08, 2023, 10:43:14
This sounds like a quick, economical and sensible way to build a station.....so it definitely won't be employed on the Portishead Line.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on June 08, 2023, 11:32:58
This sounds like a quick, economical and sensible way to build a station.....so it definitely won't be employed on the Portishead Line.

It is something that was investigated (I understand) by TransWilts as a quick win to extend the disused platform face at Westbury out to the the next track which is still in place, and the speed of construction and sensible cost of so doing were both impressive.  Sadly, that track is used by a lot of freight business, and the project of "Platform 0" being brought back into use in that way was kiboshed.

Edit typo: was -> way - Red Squirrel


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bmblbzzz on June 08, 2023, 11:39:46
Let's hope nobody loses the Allan key...

Its ok most people now have draws full of them as you get one with everything now!

Actually it's more like Lego, so no Allen key required:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyBbUNiWAAY9up2?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Ready painted, even. Which takes away some of the fun, doesn't it?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: JayMac on June 10, 2023, 19:31:04
Ready painted, even. Which takes away some of the fun, doesn't it?

One should always paint the bits of a kit before sticking them together. My Grandad taught me that with Airfix. :P


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on June 12, 2023, 14:31:46
I shall also not bore you with all the pictures from Network Rail Western's twitter feed (https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1668154324139282433), but I like the two new platforms.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyZurGSX0AA-jV9?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 12, 2023, 15:03:28
Yes, I was tempted to put that one up here. Impressive, isn't it?

I took the liberty of setting the width to make it a better fit on most devices.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on June 12, 2023, 16:04:40
Yes, I was tempted to put that one up here. Impressive, isn't it?

I took the liberty of setting the width to make it a better fit on most devices.

I am obliged to m'learned friend. It is indeed impressive to see two platforms appear in a fraction of the time spent talking about it.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on June 14, 2023, 10:00:06
I had cause to take the train from Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway yesterday.  Although I wasn't suitably located to take a passing picture, I have to say that the platforms are looking astonishingly advanced for the amount of time that they have been being installed for and the whole site is taking on an unmistakably station like appearance.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 14, 2023, 11:49:59
I had intended to document the progress of this station for forum members, what with it being close to where I live, but it has proved very difficult to find a suitable vantage point. But NR(W) have been so good at providing almost daily pictures on their twitter feed, it probably wouldn't add much!

I've watched their latest video (https://twitter.com/i/status/1668652750115053568) several times already!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Noggin on June 14, 2023, 11:53:17
Without wanting to denigrate the speedy performance, I wonder how much was a result of the Filton Bank re-quadrupling and NR knowing exactly where everything was, ground conditions etc. so there were few/no surprises?



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on June 14, 2023, 13:21:09
Without wanting to denigrate the speedy performance, I wonder how much was a result of the Filton Bank re-quadrupling and NR knowing exactly where everything was, ground conditions etc. so there were few/no surprises?

That can't have done any harm! Neither can the fact that there had been a previous station on the site; an original platform was still in place before work started.

The re-quadrifying did leave passive provision for the new station too, although the limitations of this approach showed - the relief tracks still needed to be slewed.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: WelshBluebird on June 14, 2023, 13:50:39
I had intended to document the progress of this station for forum members, what with it being close to where I live, but it has proved very difficult to find a suitable vantage point. But NR(W) have been so good at providing almost daily pictures on their twitter feed, it probably wouldn't add much!

I've watched their latest video (https://twitter.com/i/status/1668652750115053568) several times already!

I was tempted to pop over too (have literally just moved to this bit of Bristol), but given the coverage on their Twitter feed I didn't feel the need to!

I'm not sure how much audience the various NR twitter accounts actually have, or if anyone apart from us lot really pay much attention, but I do think the wider industry could learn a fair bit as I am pretty sure the more the general public sees of what actually gets done when lines are closed (or in this case partly closed), the more understanding they would be of the disruption caused! (Maybe I'm wrong but being more on it with showing what is actually being done can never be a bad thing in my eyes).


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on June 16, 2023, 12:17:36


I'm not sure how much audience the various NR twitter accounts actually have, or if anyone apart from us lot really pay much attention

The post on 13 June, showing a video summary of Week 1, has had 7,848 views so far. The tweet posted this morning at 7.15 has been seen over 1,200 times already. It can't be just us, surely?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on June 26, 2023, 14:16:00
All looking very station like.  Incidentally, a minute or so after the attached photo was taken a GWR service passed towards Filton Abbey Wood on the relief lines between the new platforms which rather confirms that the reliefs are back in use again.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 04, 2023, 12:53:22
Things seem to be moving on nicely at Ashley Down Station.  Lots of activity evident today.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 29, 2023, 15:50:42
I had a quick look at progress today.... it's noticeable.  Thought this picture would give some impression.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: stuving on September 29, 2023, 16:19:20
There's a video from Network Rail showing lift shaft installation (in this on XTwitter) https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1707361327725834710?s=46&t=poiwm-OC9QVNXOEEA9MsKw.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on October 14, 2023, 16:37:01
Here's a quickie picture that I took of progress just now.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on October 30, 2023, 19:50:20
Had a little pootle along by the Ashley Down Station site today and saw that the gates were open so took the opportunity for a quick snap.  Mysteriously, the entire area seemed eerily deserted....but it was lunch time I guess.  Also a picture from the top of the cul de sac.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on December 11, 2023, 12:54:56
It's a sunny day today so I thought that a few photos of progress at Ashley Down might be an idea.  The 'long shot' of the platform from the adjacent woods really requires sturdy footwear at this time of year....as I found out!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: infoman on December 25, 2023, 09:28:57
The over bridge is/has/been/will be put in place over the Christmas period,
might pop down to get a few photos,unless anyone has already been there.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on December 27, 2023, 15:53:22
A picture is worth a thousand words:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCWHKlKWgAAKnkF?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: infoman on December 27, 2023, 19:03:22
Nice one.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on December 27, 2023, 20:35:58
Suddenly, it looks like a railway station! Much to do yet, obviously, but the direction is now much clearer.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: infoman on December 28, 2023, 07:45:53
BBC points west local news were showing film footage of the bridge,on the 07:25am local news on thursday 28 december,should be shown again during the day.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on January 08, 2024, 15:26:02
I had a quick plod past Ashley Down Station site so took this picture showing real progress since my previous visit.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Oxonhutch on January 08, 2024, 16:04:47
Nice to see traditional English Bond brickwork used on a new building


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on January 22, 2024, 11:00:50
Quote
Creating a gateway to Ashley Down station

20 January 2024 at 10:22

Construction work on the new entrance of Bristol’s newest railway station is set to get underway next week at Ashley Down from Monday 22 January 2024.

This will be the second new station to be built in Bristol in as many years, after, in August 2023, Portway Park & Ride becoming the first new railway station to open in the city in almost 100 years.

Building work is continuing on Ashley Down station, which will improve connectivity in the area, giving local people more travel choices as well as helping de-carbonise the city’s transport network.

Bristol City Council is preparing for construction work to start on the gateway to the station as well as a section of Concorde Way that runs alongside one of the platforms.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Ashley Down station has been years in the planning, so it is wonderful that it’s taking shape and will soon offer another convenient, safe and eco-friendly way to connect local residents to the rest of the city and beyond.

“It is another milestone in our work diversifying transport for Bristolians, creating resilient and reliable alternatives to driving. This includes our work to improve public transport as we work towards our ambition for a mass transit system that goes above and below ground, which is our only realistic option for a transport system that will meet the needs of our growing city. Increasing the number of people who travel by train will further bring down air pollution across the city, with nitrogen dioxide down ten percent across Bristol a year after the start of the Clean Air Zone.

The work will involve connecting Station Road up to the new station entrance, making sure it offers Equality Act compliant access. It will include:

an accessible route to the station entrance and a resting bench
two disabled parking bays and a loading bay
improvement to the levels of Concorde Way
new steps from Station Road to the subway
new measures to reduce conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, including painting ‘SLOW’ markings and improving visibility along Concorde Way near the subway
a crossing point to the station entrance
landscaping works, including flowering hedges, meadow grassland, spring flowering bulbs, planting trees and shrubs, and installing bird and bat boxes
lighting leading up to the station entrance
The new entrance to the station will be on Concorde Way where the path meets Station Road. The route to the station, from Muller Road and Station Lane, will be through the existing subway.

The council’s contractor, ETM, will work alongside Network Rail’s contractor, BAM, who are continuing work to build the new railway station.

ETM will set up their site compound at the bottom of the cul-de-sac on Station Road from Monday 22 January. They need to set this up on the road, which will mean around 10 to 12 car parking spaces will be needed to make way for this. Access to pavements and properties will be maintained at all times.

It was hoped that work on the gateway to the station would start before Christmas, but negotiations and legal agreements have taken longer than anticipated, which means the closure of the section of Concorde Way next to the station may need to be extended. To complete the works safely as planned, an extra section of Concorde Way, from Station Road to Muller Road, will need to be closed towards the end of the gateway works with a diversion via Ralph Road put in place.

Councillor Alexander continued: “A new station needs an entry way that is accessible to all. We will do everything we can to complete the works as soon as possible and would like to thank everyone for their patience throughout. It will be worth it when we join our partner organisations in cutting the ribbon on another new railway station that serves communities in Bristol.” 

When complete, Ashley Down station will initially be served by hourly trains operating in both directions between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, with the ambition to extend to Henbury and beyond in the future.

The Ashley Down station project partnership sees Bristol City Council working with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Network Rail, and Great Western Railway.

The station is part of the MetroWest programme which aims to unlock opportunities for both business and leisure for residents between Ashley Down and Temple Meads, Filton and Henbury.

Find out more about Ashley Down station by visiting https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station.
Source: Bristol City Council (https://news.bristol.gov.uk/press-releases/d5ffee55-caa4-4753-9c87-55b8af2f7a18/creating-a-gateway-to-ashley-down-station)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on January 22, 2024, 11:16:47
...and I think we have a CRS code - looks like ASD.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on January 22, 2024, 20:16:59
ASD it is! First unadvertised service stop shows on RTT  (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:ASD/2024-01-28/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt)for this coming Sunday.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53479988782_9e21fd1516_c.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on January 23, 2024, 14:05:41
Incidentally my son, who is autistic, points out that we no longer refer to autism as ASD. This was once Autistic Spectrum Disorder and then the became the less-offensive Autistic Spectrum Disability, but they tell me that the preferred term now is Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). Which is Ascot.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on January 24, 2024, 12:15:21
Sunny day and new access works just started at the station site...... I feel a photo opportunity coming on.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on January 24, 2024, 15:06:21
Photos attached show much going on at the station itself, part of the new compound area for the company appointed to carry out the station access work and lastly a glimpse through the original compound gates which were obligingly open at the time.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: rogerw on January 25, 2024, 16:39:18
Is the blue surface on the lift shafts a permanent or temporary feature.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on January 25, 2024, 19:53:00
Is the blue surface on the lift shafts a permanent or temporary feature.

Just a covering I think.  After taking the snaps I had a brief chinwag with chap who was also having a quick look at the progress.  The discussion got onto the towers and the expectation that they would be brick clad.  Mind you, that would require a bit more scaffolding.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on January 26, 2024, 00:19:44
I've been assuming that the bricks would be the kind they use on most modern buildings, i.e. 5mm thick and bonded to a sheet of cardboard...


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: stuving on February 10, 2024, 15:05:00
Network Rail have come up with a not very informative update (https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/first-reveal-mayor-sees-new-station-footbridge-hails-critical-milestone), but it does have a picture:
Quote
First reveal – Mayor sees new station footbridge, hails “critical milestone”
(https://cdn.prgloo.com/media/d1733eb2a62d4cdeb4d0ca4f350fd139.jpg?width=1135&height=960)

Work to build the first station in Ashley Down in 60 years has hit a “critical milestone”, according to regional Mayor Dan Norris. Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, ‘Ashley Down Station’ is being built on the site of the previous Ashley Hill station which closed in 1964 due to the Beeching Cuts.

Mr Norris was track-side along with Cllr Don Alexander and other project partners to see for himself the brand-new footbridge installed over Christmas by Network Rail engineers.

It is scheduled to open later this year. Installation of the station footbridge completes the structural elements of the station.

Dan Norris, Metro Mayor, said: “We are at a critical milestone in getting this brand-new station built and open to Ashley Down residents to use and enjoy. I know how hard the team worked over the festive period to get this footbridge installed. It really is brilliant to see Ashley Down Station beginning to take shape. Remember the last time there was a station here – 60 years ago this year – Top of the Pops first aired, and man hadn’t yet stepped on the moon! I’m proud of my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s radical ‘reverse Beeching’ programme to give residents the new stations and train services they need and deserve.”
...


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: RichardB on February 10, 2024, 15:17:20
This Network Rail tweet and short video is good.

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1756015328448872836 (https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1756015328448872836)

Great to see how quickly this project has progressed.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 11, 2024, 17:22:41
Here's how the brick facings to the lift towers will work. Not, as I cynically suggested, thin slivers of brick glued to a cardboard backing! Looks like it'll be thin slivers of brick hanging off stainless steel (or maybe aluminium) rails. In this picture, taken on 10th Feb, you can see that the rails have yet to be trimmed to length...

(https://bristolrailcampaign.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ashley-down-station-cladding-system.webp)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on February 11, 2024, 18:04:53
Here's how the brick facings to the lift towers will work. Not, as I cynically suggested, thin slivers of brick glued to a cardboard backing! Looks like it'll be thin slivers of brick hanging off stainless steel (or maybe aluminium) rails. In this picture, taken on 10th Feb, you can see that the rails have yet to be trimmed to length...


Still, cheaper than the traditional and hopefully durable. Few will notice, other than enraged bricklayers. I would much prefer proper brick, but I'll wager it was that or graffiti-ready rendering.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: stuving on February 11, 2024, 18:19:48
Still, cheaper than the traditional and hopefully durable. Few will notice, other than enraged bricklayers. I would much prefer proper brick, but I'll wager it was that or graffiti-ready rendering.

Not quite - from the planning decision:
Quote
Initial concerns were raised in relation to the design and appearance of the footbridge and lift shafts, which were sought to be constructed/faced entirely of grey metal cladding. The footbridge and lift shafts will be highly visible pieces of infrastructure not just within the station itself but, due to the height, within the wider townscape. As such, following Case Officer advice the design and appearance of the footbridge and lift shafts were amended.

Increased areas of glazing and void were included to the footbridge to give it a more lightweight appearance, with the use of part glazing of the parapets and open space above helping to reduce the bulk and increase transparency/visual permeability. This will also maximise safety, views and daylight for users of the bridge. A roof cover was also included to the bridge and staircases which will provide greater shelter for passengers using the bridge and station. Large scale detailed drawings of the roof covering are secured via condition to ensure it takes a slim-line appearance. Large scale detailed drawings of the staircase and glazed elements are also secured via condition. The framework of the bridge will be powder coated steel, with the roof covering to match. This is acceptable in principle; however the overall colour and finish will be finalised and determined at a later stage, secured via condition.

The lift shafts have been amended in design, with the material amended so they will be faced in red brick slips to reflect and appear in keeping with nearby development. Additional detailing in the form of darker brick banding, a ground floor canopy and grey flashing/capping to match the footbridge roof cover are also proposed. It is considered that the design and appearance of the lift shafts will now appear acceptable in principle given the context. Large scale detailed drawings of detailed design elements however are secured via condition to ensure they are of a good quality, and material sample panels of the brickwork are also secured.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on February 20, 2024, 12:02:09
Finally got around to having a look at the attached letter posted to me from Bristol City Council regarding Ashley Down Station.
It appears to be about access changes by Station Road.  A quick glance at some of the linked documents on the BCC planning site talk about amendments that require a consultation period.  I'll readily admit that I couldn't really make much head or tail of it but I hope it doesn't herald a delay in opening the station.   Anyway here's a photo of the posted letter from earlier this month.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 20, 2024, 13:59:49
It is all a bit confusing, but the way I read it NR want to change the wording of the planning conditions from

"No development shall take place over the route of any public right of way prior to the confirmation of a Town & Country Planning Act 1990 path diversion/stopping up order"

to

"No development shall take place over the route of any public right of way prior to the application of a public path diversion/stopping up order"

Others with a greater understanding of highways law may be able to explain whether this is likely to be a significant obstacle.




Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: eightonedee on February 20, 2024, 16:22:02
It's a technical question regarding the process for applying to divert or stop up a public right of way.

Confusingly there are two ways of doing so, either under the Highways Act or the Town & Country Planning Acts. For some reason the planning permission specified the latter, but Network Rail appears to have applied under the former.

The proposed amendment will rectify this, albeit that I would have thought that the council would want to make the prior condition the making of the Highway Act order, rather than the application.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on February 20, 2024, 18:02:45
Fingers crossed that the application won't cause any delays then.... although I'm fairly certain that a "spring 2024" opening date had been banded about until recently but now the Network ,Rail Bristol Rail Regeneration web pages mention a second half of 2024 opening time.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Noggin on February 20, 2024, 18:31:38
Fingers crossed that the application won't cause any delays then.... although I'm fairly certain that a "spring 2024" opening date had been banded about until recently but now the Network ,Rail Bristol Rail Regeneration web pages mention a second half of 2024 opening time.

I suspect that someone will invoke pre-local-election purdah rules, and as politicians usually want their photos taken beside new stations, if it doesn't open by late March then it's going to be May, with perhaps the next timetable change being the starting point?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on February 20, 2024, 19:41:55
There is one objection so far, which is to do with the removal of fruit trees. I can see no reference to fruit trees in the application, so assume this is part of the wider project. Wrong type of apple?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on February 26, 2024, 13:55:26
Took a picture today of the "brick" cladding going up on the lift towers.  The cherry picker is preferred to scaffolding and each brick cladding piece seems to slot into the metal frame.  Apparently the unfilled horizontal bits are going to be for contrasting bricks to give it a spot of variety.
There's also much activity....and mud.... around the station access area.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 26, 2024, 17:12:21
Quote
Ashley Down station taking shape, with Concorde Way closure extended

23 February 2024 at 17:00

Bristol’s latest new railway station is taking shape in Ashley Down. Its platforms, footbridge, and lift are now in place following a huge effort since construction began in March 2023.

While work continues on building Bristol’s second new station, after the city’s first new station in almost a century opened last year at Portway Park & Ride, the council is leading on the project to create a gateway to the new entrance to Ashley Down station.

To carry out the station build safely, it was necessary to close Station Lane and a section of the Concorde Way walking, wheeling and cycling route. Ongoing station building works and the entrance works unfortunately require Concorde Way to remain temporarily closed for longer than anticipated.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Transport has granted an extension of the temporary closure until 30 September 2024 or until completion of the station works, whichever is earlier. It is unlikely all this extra time will be needed and work is continuing at pace to complete the new station and entrance works and to reopen Concorde Way as soon as possible.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “I know lots of people from Ashley Down and Lockleaze will be looking forward to using their brand new station later this year, massively improving connectivity. I recently visited the station to see how works are progressing and it’s great to see it taking shape.

“It’s disappointing that the Concorde Way closure will need to be extended and I’d like to thank residents for their continued patience. This work will be well worth it, when, later this year, we have another new railway station that serves communities in Bristol.

“New railway stations, such as Ashley Down, open up sustainable transport options for communities across Bristol and the wider region, and give us an idea of the multiple benefits a mass transit system could bring, which would be truly transformative for travelling through the city.”

To complete the works safely, an extra section of Concorde Way, from Station Road to Muller Road, which is included in the closure application but has remained open so far, will need to be closed to complete the entrance works with a diversion via Ralph Road put in place.

The Ashley Down station project partnership includes the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority working with Bristol City Council, Network Rail and Great Western Railway.

The station is part of the MetroWest programme which aims to unlock opportunities for both business and pleasure for residents between Ashley Down and Temple Meads, Filton and Henbury.

When complete, Ashley Down station will initially be served by hourly trains operating between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood from Monday to Saturday and a more limited service on Sundays. The service will be extended once the planned stations at North Filton and Henbury have opened.

Find out more about Ashley Down station at https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station

The gateway works involve connecting Station Road up to the entrance to the new station, making sure it offers Equality Act compliant access. It includes:

  • an accessible route to the station entrance and a resting bench
  • two Disabled parking bays and a loading bay
  • improvement to the levels of Concorde Way
  • new steps from Station Road to the subway
  • new measures to reduce potential issues between cyclists and pedestrians in a narrow space, including painting ‘SLOW’ markings and improving visibility along Concorde Way near the subway
  • a crossing point to the station entrance
  • landscaping works, including flowering hedges, meadow grassland, spring flowering bulbs, planting tree and shrubs, and installing bird and bat boxes
  • lighting leading up to the station entrance
Source: Bristol City Council (https://news.bristol.gov.uk/press-releases/43b0db40-63b1-404a-afb6-a7c06854bc58/ashley-down-station-taking-shape-with-concorde-way-closure-extended)










Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: PrestburyRoad on February 26, 2024, 22:03:55
That brick cladding on the lift towers looks rather like a modern version of mathematical tiles, adapted for modern building technologies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_tile (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_tile)

The appearance looks fine to me; I hope it lasts well.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on April 04, 2024, 14:57:35
There's been visible progress since I last took a picture from the same location so I thought that I'd post one from today to show the difference.
The access is coming on as well but as it was a tad busy there I decided best not to get in the way to take a picture.... perhaps save that for a sunny evening when it's quiet.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on April 15, 2024, 21:08:23
It was a nice enough evening to have a quick look at the access works to the station after the orange clad ones had gone home and take a few pictures.
The excavations and landscaping are beginning to make sense now and hopefully a spell of drier weather will help accelerate the process.....the recent prolonged period of wet conditions can't have helped.  Anyway here's two photos of the works plus an overview shot of how the bridge and platforms are shaping up.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on May 05, 2024, 17:10:17
Took a look yesterday when it was quiet to view the progress.  The main visual changes now centre around the access work being undertaken at the bottom of Station Road.  It's beginning to look a lot less like a bad day at The Somme with the bulk of the soil/mud excavation now seemingly completed and the installation of supporting structures being evident.

As usual, a few photos.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 05, 2024, 21:07:39
Thanks for your updates here, johnneyw  ;)



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on May 15, 2024, 19:06:11
Ten days of pretty decent weather since my previous visit has produced further progress, as is hopefully demonstrated by the pictures below showing further news excavations and the construction of supporting walls.
I also managed to find a more helpful vantage point to take the photos from.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on May 24, 2024, 10:23:26
Network Rail have posted an update on Ashley Down Station here: https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1793673242692968593

In essence, they're at the systems testing phase.

Bristol 247 put up a story based on this tweet, which I won't quote here as it doesn't really add much. You can read that here; https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/ashley-down-station-could-open-before-end-2024/



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on May 24, 2024, 10:59:49
The race is on between who will finish first, the Network Rail Contractors for the station itself or Bristol City Council's contractors for the access works.
My money's on the NR people.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: bobm on June 13, 2024, 19:41:28
Looks like a test train is pausing at Ashley Down tonight.

 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V24774/2024-06-13/detailed#allox_id=0 (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V24774/2024-06-13/detailed#allox_id=0)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on June 22, 2024, 14:26:22
It's some while since I last took a few snaps of how things are going.  I'd describe progress for the access works as steady rather than spectacular but the station looks like it's pretty much done.
Anyway, three photos from today showing where the steps have been cast and some of the supporting structures as well as more evened out ground.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: IndustryInsider on June 22, 2024, 17:51:33
Excellent.  I await the opening once the works have been finished and the usual 12 month bureaucracy has passed by.  ;)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on June 23, 2024, 10:55:47
the usual 12 month bureaucracy has passed by.  ;)

What?  Such reckless haste by our local authorities?   ;D


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on July 12, 2024, 16:26:56
Some photos from yesterday:

Station entrance:
(https://bristolrailcampaign.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/asd_20240711-1-scaled-1.jpg)

View from Station Rd, showing new steps and access ramps under construction:
(https://bristolrailcampaign.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/asd_20240711-2-scaled-1.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Sulis John on July 23, 2024, 07:29:06
Note that an opening date of “late August / early September” is now being quoted - which seems commensurate with the progress on the ground visible from passing trains.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on July 23, 2024, 13:49:37
Note that an opening date of “late August / early September” is now being quoted - which seems commensurate with the progress on the ground visible from passing trains.

Had a quick butchers at it yesterday and sadly the scene seems unchanged since the photo was taken ten days earlier.  Going by that I'd say the opening date will be more like September to October.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Sulis John on July 23, 2024, 16:46:24
I think that it’s in those intervening 10 days that the parapet visible in the last photo has been half demolished and reconstructed, presumably meaning it is now safe to do things where it might otherwise have fallen.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on August 15, 2024, 18:36:23
Between clocking off time at the station site and the heavens opening, I managed to get a few photos of the progress so far. You can now get a much clearer impression of the layout and it does look (dare I say it?) like a completion date may be on the horizon.



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: bobm on August 15, 2024, 20:59:47
Latest news from GWR is that the station will open “by the end of this September.”


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 15, 2024, 23:46:53
Thank you again, johnneyw, for braving the elements to bring us those latest pictures.  ;)

It's beginning to look like a very good station facility now.  We just need a rather similar ramp access constructed at Nailsea & Backwell ...  ::)



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on August 16, 2024, 12:14:25
Thank you again, johnneyw, for braving the elements to bring us those latest pictures.  ;)


Ha ha, more a case of damp jeans than dampened spirits!

Although I didn't get a picture of it, the cycle/footpath further along seems to have been resurfaced so hopefully that should be ready for reopening soon too.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on August 31, 2024, 14:30:03
Compared to the last set of photos, the station access is looking nearer completion today (31.08.24) with tarmac being laid and lighting installed amongst other things.  Maybe it's time for the local dignitaries to think about getting their posh frocks cleaned and pressed.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: XPT on September 05, 2024, 13:25:04
Latest news from GWR is that the station will open “by the end of this September.”

I think it's looking very unlikely now the station will be open by the end of this month.  If it was going to open by then, surely there would have been an announcement by now.  So probably won't be by the end of this month.  We can hope it will be by the end of October though!

I note that when it does open, the station will be served hourly by services between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood at off-peak times, and half hourly during peak morning and evening Mondays-Fridays.  It would be better if the station was served half hourly throughout the day in both directions really.  As for people who live in that area and travelling to/from Bristol Temple Meads to travel to/from other destinations, just an hourly service to/from Ashley Down may not be very convenient with the other services they're getting.  And would be handy if there were some direct services at times to destinations further north than just Filton Abbey Wood, such as Bristol Parkway, Gloucester, Newport and Cardiff Central.

The additional stop at this station will easily be able to fitted in to the current hourly Bristol Temple Meads-Filton Abbey Wood services.  Especially as they have long turn around times at Filton Abbey Wood.  Though I know that fitting an additional Ashley Down stop into any of the other current services would not be easy. 





Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: IndustryInsider on September 05, 2024, 13:36:55
Latest news from GWR is that the station will open “by the end of this September.”
I think it's looking very unlikely now the station will be open by the end of this month.  If it was going to open by then, surely there would have been an announcement by now.  So probably won't be by the end of this month.  We can hope it will be by the end of October though!

We've learnt from Reading Green Park and Worcestershire Parkway (and also other places further afield like Kenilworth), that red tape often delays things by several months nowadays, despite the station being finished.

So, don't be at all surprised if it doesn't open until the December timetable change, or very possibly not until 2025.

Also, according to RTT it's an hourly service all day.  We know that RTT isn't always accurate on future services though.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: XPT on September 05, 2024, 16:28:29
Yes I wouldn't be atall surprised if it doesn't open until the December timetable change or even next year.

Also if the station will only be served by the hourly services between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood.  I've had another thought.  Quite often on my travels, I've noticed that a number of these services are frequently cancelled!  Which won't be good for passengers travelling to/from this new station.  So hope this situation will have improved by then.

It won't really effect me anyway, as I won't have any need to use this station.  But it will be good to see a new station open in the Bristol area.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 05, 2024, 19:47:17
Latest news from GWR is that the station will open “by the end of this September.”

I think it's looking very unlikely now the station will be open by the end of this month.  If it was going to open by then, surely there would have been an announcement by now.


It might be that the various PR and Press Departments of those involved (NR, Bristol City Council etc) have learnt to be "own goal averse" from previous experiences of their opening announcement dates proving to be overly optimistic.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: WelshBluebird on September 06, 2024, 22:58:34
I think we only got just under 2 weeks notice for Portway Park and ride opening so who knows in terms of timing!

As for services, I'm a little confused too as all the initial press said hourly in the day but half hourly in the peak. However the most recent comments (and the timetables in RTT) show just the hourly services provided by the Filton shuttle that have pretty poor first and last train times (first train to temple meads at 7.48am, last train to Temple meads at 8.55pm).


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on September 08, 2024, 19:45:59
I don't know whether this is a pointer. On 14 December, RealTime Trains shows Ashley Down as "Service stop unadvertised", but on Sunday 15 December and thereafter, that qualification is missing.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 08, 2024, 20:24:19
I don't know whether this is a pointer. On 14 December, RealTime Trains shows Ashly Down as "Service stop unadvertised", but on Sunday 15 December and thereafter, that qualification is missing.

With apologies to Arte Johnson.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: WelshBluebird on September 11, 2024, 09:42:58
NRE are now showing Saturday 28th September as the opening date (tipped off by the local street WhatsApp group who clearly have a fair few people keeping an eye out!).


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ChrisB on September 11, 2024, 20:32:45
So that would be the official launch the day before for local dignitaries & GWR


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on September 12, 2024, 11:28:13
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53989875210_0761e84754_c.jpg)

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/ashley-down/


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 13, 2024, 17:01:29
Looking near grand opening ready. 

Soon time for the brass band to get in a practice session and the local great and good to shine up their regalia.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ChrisB on September 13, 2024, 17:12:13
The ORR has approved the station cfor opening on that day. I will post the URL later when I get home


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: bobm on September 13, 2024, 19:36:14
Latest news from GWR is that the station will open “by the end of this September.”

You heard it here first.    ;D ;D


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bob_Blakey on September 14, 2024, 12:01:08
This is excellent news as I will now be able to get to the County Ground Seat Unique Stadium, for the 29th September England v Australia cricket match, mainly by train instead of having to catch a bus from BRI.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 14, 2024, 14:28:59
This is excellent news as I will now be able to get to the County Ground Seat Unique Stadium, for the 29th September England v Australia cricket match, mainly by train instead of having to catch a bus from BRI.

It would be interesting see how many match attendees choose the rail option to Ashley Down at this early stage.  Are Gloucestershire Cricket Club going to plug the station on their website.... especially their ticket sales pages?


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: JayMac on September 14, 2024, 14:46:02
This is excellent news as I will now be able to get to the County Ground Seat Unique Stadium, for the 29th September England v Australia cricket match, mainly by train instead of having to catch a bus from BRI.

It would be interesting see how many match attendees choose the rail option to Ashley Down at this early stage.  Are Gloucestershire Cricket Club going to plug the station on their website.... especially their ticket sales pages?

From GCCC's visitor information page:
Quote
New for 2024! We expect Ashley Down train station to open in late summer 2024. This train station will feature direct services between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway. Further information will be published in due course.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 14, 2024, 18:06:53
This is excellent news as I will now be able to get to the County Ground Seat Unique Stadium, for the 29th September England v Australia cricket match, mainly by train instead of having to catch a bus from BRI.

It would be interesting see how many match attendees choose the rail option to Ashley Down at this early stage.  Are Gloucestershire Cricket Club going to plug the station on their website.... especially their ticket sales pages?

From GCCC's visitor information page:
Quote
New for 2024! We expect Ashley Down train station to open in late summer 2024. This train station will feature direct services between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway. Further information will be published in due course.


They'll need to update the direct services to and from Bristol Parkway bit.  It would be good if their ticketing pages for the Australia match onwards reminded purchasers that there was now a railway station very nearby.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: IndustryInsider on September 14, 2024, 19:47:47
This is excellent news as I will now be able to get to the County Ground Seat Unique Stadium, for the 29th September England v Australia cricket match, mainly by train instead of having to catch a bus from BRI.

It would be interesting see how many match attendees choose the rail option to Ashley Down at this early stage.  Are Gloucestershire Cricket Club going to plug the station on their website.... especially their ticket sales pages?

From GCCC's visitor information page:
Quote
New for 2024! We expect Ashley Down train station to open in late summer 2024. This train station will feature direct services between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway. Further information will be published in due course.

I hadn't realised it was so close to that ground and also pretty close to the Bristol Rovers ground as well.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on September 14, 2024, 20:24:22

I hadn't realised it was so close to that ground and also pretty close to the Bristol Rovers ground as well.

Per Google maps, it is 0.6 miles, 13 minutes, by Shanks's pony, and some of that is walking the length of the cricket ground to get to the entrance. It's a little further - 0.9 miles - to the entrance to Rovers' ground. Neither seems a bar to going by train. A bigger issue is the lack of a service north other than to Filton Abbey Wood, although you can change there for south Wales or Gloucester. Not having a direct service to Parkway from Ashley Down looks like a serious limitation.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ChrisB on September 14, 2024, 21:29:32
The ORR has approved the station cfor opening on that day. I will post the URL later when I get home

it's on Twitter here (https://x.com/railandroad/status/1834248357499334902?s=43&t=xkfWmHOnbkxHSxxmzGCejw)

or 'here on their website (https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-news/orr-authorises-new-bristol-ashley-down-station-ahead-public-opening)

Quote
ORR authorises new Bristol Ashley Down station ahead of public opening
12 September 2024
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has authorised the new Ashley Down railway station ahead of its public opening on Saturday 28 September. The new station will facilitate a new hourly service into Bristol Temple Meads.

Ashley Down is part of the MetroWest programme of rail enhancements, which has seen the re-opening of the Henbury Line and new stations at Henbury and North Filton. It is located on the site of the previous Ashley Hill Train station, which closed in 1964.

ORR’s authorisation of the station covers the construction of two new, 126m long platforms, a sheltered footbridge with lifts and stairs connecting both platforms, shelters, signage, and other works including track realignment.

ORR’s authorisation is a key milestone in getting new, upgraded or renewed infrastructure, such as Ashley Down, ready to open. It confirms that standards on areas like health and safety, accessibility, environmental protection, and reliability and availability have been met.

ORR has worked with Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority from the outset of the project to support them through the authorisation process, ensuring that important checks and surveys are carried out.

Giles Turner, Head of Interoperability and Rail Vehicle Engineering at ORR, said:

This is a significant upgrade for connectivity in and around Bristol and we look forward to seeing the station open for passengers shortly.

We’re pleased to have played our part in getting Ashley Down ready to open. Our team worked closely with both Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority to support them through the authorisation process, just as we do for new trains and infrastructure across the country.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Red Squirrel on September 22, 2024, 15:37:27
Bristol Rail Campaign members will be on the first public train from Temple Meads to Ashley Down, leaving Temple Meads at 07.25 on Saturday 28th Sept. Anyone wishing to join our contingent will be most welcome!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Bob_Blakey on September 26, 2024, 13:13:11
The schedule for 2U09 EXD 0759>CDF 1023 on Sunday 29th September has been modified with an additional stop at ASD. RTT shows that this service will not stop at ASD on subsequent Sundays so the assumption has to be that this is purely for the England v Australia cricket match. Several gold stars to GWR for making this happen.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Western Pathfinder on September 27, 2024, 14:03:52
The great and the good ! Appear to have opened the Station this morning there was a very brief snippet on ITV West lunchtime news ,more this evening I would venture.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 27, 2024, 15:09:30
The great and the good ! Appear to have opened the Station this morning there was a very brief snippet on ITV West lunchtime news ,more this evening I would venture.

What a shame that they don't appears to number the public who have campaigned so hard for they and for whom the station is provided amongst the great and the good!

Bristol Rail Campaign members will be on the first public train from Temple Meads to Ashley Down, leaving Temple Meads at 07.25 [tomorrow] on Saturday 28th Sept. Anyone wishing to join our contingent will be most welcome!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ChrisB on September 27, 2024, 16:10:13
The great and the good ! Appear to have opened the Station this morning there was a very brief snippet on ITV West lunchtime news ,more this evening I would venture.

Indeed, Network Rail Western tweeted about this (https://x.com/networkrailwest/status/1839676551555662171) not too long ago....

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYfYCuOW8AA__x0?format=jpg&name=small)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYfYCu2XwAAIeY7?format=jpg&name=small)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYfYCxbXgAAY5Qa?format=jpg&name=360x360)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 27, 2024, 17:01:03
Anyone wishing to join our contingent will be most welcome!

Except grey squirrels, obviously.  :P


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 27, 2024, 17:50:36
There's a lot of freshly-laundered orange hi-viz there ...  ;D



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Western Pathfinder on September 27, 2024, 18:19:43
The people who really matter will be there. In the morning I've no doubt.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 27, 2024, 18:31:25
Hmmm, I cannot help but feel that this was a somewhat cynical ploy at hijacking the all the credit where many other individuals and groups did much of the actual campaigning.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on September 27, 2024, 20:50:10
Hmmm, I cannot help but feel that this was a somewhat cynical ploy at hijacking the all the credit where many other individuals and groups did much of the actual campaigning.


To quote Tom Jones, "It's not unusual". Figureheads get the pictures in the Post, not the hordes of planners, plotters, risk assessors, diggers, theodolite holders, equal opportunities officers, rail layers and the like, and they change over the course of any civil engineering project bigger than a new street sign. The plans for Ashley Down station began even before the Mayor for West of England was a thing, IIRC, when the Joint Transport Committee for the West of England LEP held sway over matters related to stations.

Before this Grand Opening we had the Portway Parkway station, promoted first by Cllr Tim Kent, now a footnote in the political history of Bristol, but with credit taken by a jostling cohort of then-current politicians. It follows that credit for the Portishead line will be taken by someone who wasn't even born when work to reopen it first began (and may not have been born yet, heaven forbid). An angel-voiced child at primary school now could become the red-nosed shouty man with a bell and a dressing-up box who announces "Oyez, oyez, we welcome our first train on this day in the reign of our sovereign George the Seventh", as the head of the Green Party Mayoral Collective for Parts of Bristol steps off their bike to cut the vegan tape with non-sharp scissors.

I hope not, but Bristol and its surrounding authorities  don't have a reputation for dealing with anything quickly, unless it has a ticking fuse.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 27, 2024, 21:14:17
Hmmm, I cannot help but feel that this was a somewhat cynical ploy at hijacking the all the credit where many other individuals and groups did much of the actual campaigning.


To quote Tom Jones, "It's not unusual". Figureheads get the pictures in the Post, not the hordes of planners, plotters, risk assessors, diggers, theodolite holders, equal opportunities officers, rail layers and the like, and they change over the course of any civil engineering project bigger than a new street sign. The plans for Ashley Down station began even before the Mayor for West of England was a thing, IIRC, when the Joint Transport Committee for the West of England LEP held sway over matters related to stations.

Before this Grand Opening we had the Portway Parkway station, promoted first by Cllr Tim Kent, now a footnote in the political history of Bristol, but with credit taken by a jostling cohort of then-current politicians. It follows that credit for the Portishead line will be taken by someone who wasn't even born when work to reopen it first began (and may not have been born yet, heaven forbid). An angel-voiced child at primary school now could become the red-nosed shouty man with a bell and a dressing-up box who announces "Oyez, oyez, we welcome our first train on this day in the reign of our sovereign George the Seventh", as the head of the Green Party Mayoral Collective for Parts of Bristol steps off their bike to cut the vegan tape with non-sharp scissors.

I hope not, but Bristol and its surrounding authorities  don't have a reputation for dealing with anything quickly, unless it has a ticking fuse.

Make a well known saying out of the following words "ca, change, plus"!   ;D



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 28, 2024, 03:01:58
Let me quote what I read on Faceplant ... from late yesterday (27th September)

Quote
Today saw the first passenger service to Ashley Down. This was the grand opening in preparation for the commencement of services tomorrow.

(https://www.wellho.info/pix/asdb4.jpg)

An irony that the first sentence say "today saw the first passenger service" and the second sentence talks about "the commencement of services tomorrow".  I would suggest that yesterday's train wasn't a service, though it might have been a celebration and certainly was a photo opportunity.

Look - it frankly won't matter even next month whether in opened on 27th or 28th September - it won't make much of a difference.  And we should celebrate ... today strikes me as a good day to do so as the first real passengers start to use the station.  I travelled out from the centre of Bristol to Fulton yesterday - started on a train that was going round to The Beach and was pretty lively with people and dropped back at Stapleton Road to a train going up the bank which was carrying more fresh air than people.  We wizzed through the new station that had already had its "grand opening" and I look forward to seeing that local train up the bank being much busier today and from here daily onwards.

The real reward for campaigners and the community and the environment will be to have the service appropriate, robust and well used. 



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 28, 2024, 04:32:01
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdenderyjr9o

Quote
27 September 2024

The first train has called at a station which closed 60 years ago.

Ashley Down station in Bristol has been re-opened as part of the West of England Combined Authority's work to add or re-open stations, external in the area.

It is hoped the station will reduce congestion around the nearby Memorial Stadium and County Cricket Ground on match days.

Tom Pierpoint, GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, said: "There's 13,000 people living within a short walk of this station and it will reconnect Ashley Down and Lockleaze to the rail network."


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 28, 2024, 09:17:03
BUSY first trains!   Full report to follow.

(https://www.wellho.info/pix/asdo001.jpg)

(https://www.wellho.info/pix/asdo002.jpg)

(https://www.wellho.info/pix/asdo003.jpg)

(https://www.wellho.info/pix/asdo004.jpg)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 28, 2024, 09:47:46
Quite a celebratory mood on the inaugural service to Ashley Down.  Big turnout too, hopefully eclipsing yesterday's political credit claiming exercise.
Here's a few pics that I took of arriving at Ashley Down and the crowd waiting for the return service to Temple Meads.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: johnneyw on September 28, 2024, 10:01:17
As a footnote to my above post.  Strolling back from the station, I bumped into an old friend out for a morning jog.  It turns out that that her son lives near the station and is hopeful that it might help with his commute to Yate.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: JayMac on September 28, 2024, 10:24:24
Could GWR not have re-jigged things and put on a 3 car Turbo for the inaigural passenger service?

A handful of dignitaries got a 3 car yesterday, today just 2 cars for the great unwashed. :P


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 28, 2024, 10:33:25
Could GWR not have re-jigged things and put on a 3 car Turbo for the inaigural passenger service?

A handful of dignitaries got a 3 car yesterday, today just 2 cars for the great unwashed. :P

It coped and helped the atmosphere having it so busy!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: fintan_stack on September 28, 2024, 11:34:53
Watching this with interest.

To the person looking at commuting to and from Yate- the connections at Filton Abbey Wood are very close or just miss so not viable if you have to wait 29 minutes.

To the person asking for a 3 car Turbo- instead of the Bristol TM to Filton trains being regularly cancelled as they were all week due to not enough units there's a Severn Beach and a Gloucester circuit cancelled to ensure the opening day of Ashley Down isn't disrupted.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 28, 2024, 17:23:24
The people who really matter will be there. In the morning I've no doubt.

(https://www.wellho.info/pix/asdo003.jpg)

I spy ... a red squirrel ;)



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 28, 2024, 17:37:50
BUSY first trains!   Full report to follow.

First train to Ashley Down - the 07:25 this morning - a 2 car 165 from platform 7 at Temple Meads, and stuffed with people there to welcome the new service - a mixture of "the usual culprid" campaigners there to celebrate a magnificecnt landmmark they have been advocating for years, with sea of yellow "Bristol Rail Campaign" T shirts. To the mixture add a very wide range of other campaign / rail interests, and a load of social media reporters.  Crucially too, a whole load of local folks there to welcome their new station.  I would guess around 200 people on the train.  A sprinkling joined at Lawrence Hill, and a good chunk more at Dtapleton Road.

Crowded platform as we pulled into Ashley Down clearly GWR were in some anticipation of this as there were three or four "customer service" types there looking after a well behaved, but excited, crowd, and at least a couple of managers - I'm not sure how much was duty and how much interest and I'm pretty sure it was a mix.

It's the "opposite" of Portway Parkway as a new station if you want to describe it as that. Two platforms, and a magnificient bridge an lift rather than just a single plaform, but very limited facilities away from the station. Which perhaps explains the lack of a "big show" opening - nowhere for people to park or to run the event.

I took the first train towards Temple Mead along with a rather large crowd, but bailed at Stapleton Road to catch the seond arrival.  A very much quieter train, but still a number riding up to Ashley Down, and still quite a gathering there.  A change to take a few more photos, and look round in a bit more detail, including outside the station.

I walked down to the main road - and where work has been done to apply signage (including towards the sports grounds), nothing has been done to improve the bus stop which is minimal, dirty, and lost in the undergrowth. Not sure even where the bus stops across the road.   The track down is reasoably wide, and hard surfaces, but throught the trees and looks unlit. Speaking with a local lady, she feels safe using it but would suspect that not everyone will.

The area of Bristol comprises largely nices terraced Town Houses, but built before every family owned a car or two and walking across the hill to the main Gloucester Road, I was struck by the nose to tail cars parked on both sided of the residantail streets.  The station, stated to have an immediate cathcment of around 12,000, should have a rich vein of people moving away from driving to harvest - that's assuming the trains reliably go where and when they want. Random stop at a coffee bar on Gloucester Road to upload that ealier report, and then onwards for the rest of the day.   Just pulling out of Swindon on my way home now.


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: ChrisB on September 28, 2024, 17:48:24
Good luck Chris from Nailsea - plenty above for you to edit!


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: grahame on September 28, 2024, 17:52:25
Good luck Chris from Nailsea - plenty above for you to edit!

Indeed - my smell checker could not be reached due to an icky connection. I will have a look when I get home if I don't call straight asleep. Just off to count passengers now though


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 28, 2024, 18:13:55
Good luck Chris from Nailsea - plenty above for you to edit!

Thanks for your post, ChrisB.  ;)

I don't regard it as 'editing' - more as 'tidying up after grahame has posted'. I tend to correct some of his typos (not all of them!), only where they change the context: for example, where grahame has typed 'now' instead of 'not'.  He and I have a long-standing agreement on that. ;D

CfN.  ::)


Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 28, 2024, 18:26:59

The area of Bristol comprises largely nice terraced Town Houses, but built before every family owned a car or two and walking across the hill to the main Gloucester Road, I was struck by the nose to tail cars parked on both sides of the residential streets.


Tell me about it.  I used to have to find somewhere to park my Mercedes Sprinter van, within reasonable walking distance of a customer's address, just to deliver essential groceries to them. ::)



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: JayMac on September 30, 2024, 23:43:41
Geoff Marshall has done his obligatory 'new station' video.



Spot the minor errors...



Title: Re: New station at Ashley Down, Bristol
Post by: TonyK on October 01, 2024, 21:48:26
Geoff Marshall has done his obligatory 'new station' video.

Spot the minor errors...



It's still better than a lot of the major media players would have managed. The Express might have managed "New bus station opens", the Telegraph "Yet another vastly over budget station opens somewhere in the provinces", and the Guardian "New station opens in Borstal".



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