Great Western Coffee Shop

It should be ready in time for Bristol Manor Farm to play their first match in the Champions League.

may well be true ..but its a more commendable scheme than having rapid guided buses flying about all over the place

It should be ready in time for Bristol Manor Farm to play their first match in the Champions League.

Details for a high-speed bus route through the city centre have been revealed ^ but so has news of spiralling costs.  A Rapid Transit bus link from Ashton Vale to Temple Meads was initially expected to cost ^35 million and be complete by 2013.  But a report going before the West of England Partnership (WEP) on Thursday shows that the scheme is now likely to cost ^47.3 million ^12.3 million or 35 per cent more than planned.  And up to 10 per cent of the final cost which had been expected to come from the private sector could now have to be met by taxpayer, as the recession hits developers who were due to contribute.

A point: it is a shame that 4 tracks from Parkway to Temple Meads hasn't been included! Let's speed up the expresses....

On the other hand, the Rapid Transit route has hit problems: from the Bristol Evening Post -

On the other hand, the Rapid Transit route has hit problems: from the Bristol Evening Post -


See http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/New-Bristol-bus-route-revealed/article-626657-detail/article.html

And the route will benefit such a tiny percentage of residents, why should we all have to pay for it?

New transport links to the airport will take place alongside the development, including improvements to the A38, a new fleet of buses on the Flyer service from Temple Meads, an extension to the Rapid Transit route from Ashton Vale, new bus services to Weston-super-Mare and Bath and a link route around south Bristol.

Erm ... because it will eventually link up with the airport, presumably? ::)


See http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/Bristol-Airport-reveals-expansion-plans/article-632215-detail/article.html

talking of rapid bus schemes the one that runs in Swansea charges ^2.50 per single journey....so how much is the Bristol one going to cost,seeing as build costs are so high its only reasonable that the fares will be to

Plans for a new body with the power to sort out the Bristol area's transport problems have hit the buffers, thanks to the city's three neighbouring councils.

Bristol City Council wants an Integrated Transport Authority to take charge of road, rail and bus networks in the city and in North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.

Supporters say an ITA would give the Greater Bristol area much more muscle when it comes to lobbying the Government for cash.

It would allow councils to take greater control of bus and rail services, provide an all-in-one ticket system like the Oyster card in London and take over responsibility for motorways and A roads.

Bristol's executive member for transport, Jon Rogers, wanted the West of England Partnership, the group that represents all four local authorities, to agree to a two-year study to give the idea proper consideration.

But after pushing the three other authorities for a conclusive answer at a heated meeting yesterday, their councillors all said "no".

Dr Rogers accused the group of complacency and transport campaigners described the decision as a lost opportunity.

The spat recalled tensions that existed when politicians from the areas now represented by the four councils had to work together under the former Avon County Council from 1974 to 1996.

A Government think tank recommended four years ago that an ITA in Bristol could avoid a repeat of the 2004 supertram fiasco, when bickering between councillors in Bristol and South Gloucestershire was blamed for the collapse of a ^200 million light rail scheme.

Not having an ITA puts Bristol behind almost every other major urban area in England, including London, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South and West Yorkshire and the West Midlands.

The decision by councillors Elfan Ap Rees of North Somerset, Brian Allinson of South Gloucestershire and Charles Gerrish of B&NES means an ITA for the region is off the agenda for the foreseeable future.

Dr Rogers said: "If there is a reason why the three other authorities have decided between them, as Councillor Ap Rees has previously said, to kill it stone dead, you should say so. I would say we should be exploring the options. We do not punch our weight; there is a lot of complacency at this table. We have cross-party support (in Bristol) for this; these concerns were raised seven months ago but we seem to be kicking it into touch every time it comes up."

Mr Ap Rees was the most vocal opponent of an ITA. He said: "We need to be shedding responsibilities, not taking more on. We are in the worst recession since the Sixties and it will take 10 years to get back to the stage we were at in 2005. All an ITA will do is increase costs for local tax payers. It gives us no benefits we can't get by working with the bus and rail companies."

At the same meeting, councillors complained that the region is to receive 20-year-old rolling stock from London next year.

David Redgwell, South West Transport Network spokesman, said: "An ITA would have given us a better deal, powers to operate the bus services in Bristol and a light transit system in Greater Bristol."

Ian Crawford, of the Greater Bristol Transport Alliance, told councillors: "The city and region is nationally renowned for failing to do what is needed to reduce reliance on cars and reduce emissions. The complacency displayed by the partnership on a range of transport issues, and a transport system widely described as rubbish, is an insult to passengers. We have the slowest moving urban traffic, the highest rail fares, the highest age of rail fleet and the worst access to buses. We expect better of you."

It's time Greater Bristol had a transport system fit for the 21st century.

Most experts believe the key to this is railways, and our map shows a bold vision for the future.

(http://i.thelocalpeople.co.uk/275783/Article/images/12854178/2986856.png)
How Bristol^s suburban rail network could look

It illustrates how more than a dozen disused stations could be brought back into use, creating a suburban rail network that fully connects Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath.

The success of the Severn Beach line shows what can be done when investment is made in local rail ^ 20 per cent increases in passengers and more carriages.

And if the local rail network was developed in the same way, there would be more stations with more frequent services, more passengers and potentially cheaper fares.

But the only way this could come about is through an Integrated Transport Authority and today the Evening Post is calling for one to be set up.

<snip - click link above for full story>

Meeting backs ^43.3m Portishead to Bristol rail link

Transport leaders from councils around Bristol have met despite plans for a partnership board to be closed down.

The West of England Partnership is to be shut with some roles taken over by a Local Enterprise Partnership.

At a meeting in Weston-super-Mare the group decided to put forward a bid for ^43.3m of government cash to reopen the Portishead to Bristol railway line.

Plans were also announced for a rail summit in the autumn as part of a drive to tackle rail issues across the West.

An Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) could give councils greater power over buses and railways and the power to set fares was also discussed.

Network Rail said it would also be looking at doubling the number of tracks between Parson Street, in Bedminster, Bristol, and Temple Meads railway station.
'Key priority'

Commenting on the proposed Portishead to Bristol railway line, a North Somerset Council spokesman said morning rush hour journey times were typically 45 minutes but claim it would take just 17 minutes by rail.

If funding and planning issues are solved the council believes a realistic opening date for the line would be by 2017.

Councillor John Calway, who chairs the partnership, said the councils would continue to meet and bid for projects such as new bus routes.

"Transport remains a key priority for both residents and businesses in the West of England," said Mr Calway, the leader of South Gloucestershire Council.

"In recognition of this, the hugely successful West of England Joint Transport Executive Committee will continue in its current form."

The partnership was formed by Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils in 2003 and could be closed by the autumn.

We meet at 1:00 pm at College Green.
 
This time we will be talking about Bristol's transport difficulties in all its facets.
 
Various transport lobby groups for rail, buses, cars, cyclists and other will be invited.
 
What do people think about the plans to spend ^50 million on a rapid bus system?  Will we ever have a Portishead railway line for passengers?  Has the money on Cycling City been well spent?  Is the Council dragging its feet on the introduction of Residents Parking Schemes?  Should employers in the city centre be charged for Work Place parking? Are car owners being unfairly treated?
 
The transport lobby groups, Transport Alliance and South West Transport Network, will be there.

I fear the 3 smaller authorities will never agree to giving away their transport powers to such a power for fear that it will be dominated by Bristol

Increasing rail services for Bristol and the reopening of the Portishead-to-Bristol Temple Meads line to passengers have been discussed.

Rail industry bosses have met to debate plans for revitalisation of suburban train travel.

Delegates were also asked to consider whether electrifying the Severn Beach line was more important than reopening the Thornbury branch line.

They then took a tour to explore the local railway network.

Local councillors and campaigners had invited members of Network Rail and the Department for Transport to board the one-off passenger train to see the potential of improvements for what could be achieved in and and around the city.

The meeting was also told Network Rail is considering putting in new tracks between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, which would allow more trains to use the line, which goes to Bristol Parkway.

Earlier this week, a bid for ^43m to reopen a railway link between Bristol and Portishead was rejected by the government.

North Somerset Council applied for the money from the Regional Growth Fund to begin passenger services on the line, which was closed in 1964.

The authority said it was "disappointed" but added reopening the route was still a "high priority".

"Work will continue on pursuing all options for funding this important transport scheme," a statement said.

Part of the railway line into Bristol - from Portbury - was reopened to freight in 2002 but the rest of the route is still disused.

A study in 2010 showed travel time from Portishead would be 17 minutes, compared to an hour by road during rush hour.

A campaign to revolutionise Bristol's local rail service that could see trains from Temple Meads serving all local stations every half hour is being launched today.

The ambition of Bristol Metro 2013 is to run more frequent trains to stations like Clifton Down, Bedminster and Severn Beach, and potentially bring former stations back into use as well.

It is calling for a service every 30 minutes at every station in the Greater Bristol area.

Bristol City Council is joining forces with local transport groups to speak with one voice and lobby train operators and the government to try to make it happen.

They want whichever company that takes over the running of the Great Western rail network next year to include these kinds of improvements to local services.

Bristol Metro 2013 is on the same tracks as the Evening Post's Let's Get Bristol Moving campaign, which was launched last year and received support from commuters, transport campaigners and politicians. The campaign's aim was to establish a new transport body for the Greater Bristol area, which could help make the Bristol Metro a reality.

The cabinet councillor in charge of transport, Tim Kent, believes now is the right time to launch the campaign, because the Great Western rail franchise is currently up for grabs.

The government is carrying out consultations on what the new 15-year franchise should include until March. The idea is to convince transport companies that are likely to go for the franchise to include the Bristol Metro in their bid, and to convince the government that local improvements should be included in their list of requirements for the successful bidder.

Mr Kent said: "We want to shout loud about this to potential bidders for the 2013 franchise, and I hope others will join us. The Department for Transport has said they want to hear from interested parties but they're a tough nut to crack. I think the way to do this is to convince the bidders. We think they will want ways to make their bids stand out. We want to future-proof it so we want to include existing stations and any new ones as well."

A website to support the campaign is due to be set up and leaflets will be produced to help spread the message.

Pressure group Friends Of Suburban Bristol Railways has already thrown its support behind the campaign, after meeting with Mr Kent last week.

Spokeswoman Christina Biggs said: "We're very happy Bristol City Council is taking this seriously. We think it's important they also put money into improvements, and we are continuing to push for the ^200,000 saved during the re-negotiation of the Severn Beach line to be put back into rail. It will signal to bidders the council means what it says and isn't just trying to get something for nothing."

First Great Western has already announced its intention to re-bid for the franchise, despite calling time on the existing contract early last year. In the process it avoided having to pay ^800 million to the government thanks to a get-out clause included in their original 10-year deal.

FGW spokesman Dan Panes said: "Absolutely First Great Western will be bidding, and we always said that. We will be bidding for the best value for money for the customer, the tax payer and the Department for Transport. It's a prime opportunity to look at the services we provide and make sure they are an appropriate fit for 2013 and beyond.

"Ultimately the specification is down to the government. Local services are very important, they are what our customers use on a regular basis. That is why we have added an extra 900 seats in the Bristol area at peak times and will add another 900 before the summer this year. We will continue dialogue with all interested parties."

There are dozens of other rail operators across the country that could potentially bid for the franchise but the list of bidders is not due to be revealed until May.

Bristol city councillors have put aside their differences to back a campaign for better local rail services.

The authority has launched the Bristol Metro 2013 campaign ^ details of which were revealed by the Evening Post yesterday ^ to fight for a half-hourly local train service.

It would stop at all existing local stations and any new potential new ones.

The campaign's aim is to lobby the Government and transport operators ahead of a decision on who should run the Great Western rail network from next year.

First Great Western pulled out of its existing contract last year to avoid paying ^800 million to the government but will be bidding for the new, 15-year contract in the spring.

Councillors debated a motion to support the campaign at a meeting of the council yesterday.

Rather unusually, there was no disagreement, and it was unanimously passed.

The motion was put by David Willingham (Lib Dem, Bishopston), who said: "The new franchise must maintain the current levels of local and regional services that use Bristol as their hub, but deliver this with new and additional rolling stock.

"The franchise agreement should ensure the franchisee cannot be seen to profit if it fails to deliver. There can be rewards for success but there must be no rewards for failing the travelling public."

The opposition parties all agreed with the motion.

Mark Bradshaw (Lab, Bedminster) said: "We support the aspirations for a Bristol Metro service.

"Other cities are envious of the amount of rail infrastructure we've got. We've got the track, we've got the platforms ^ the problem is finding the capital to put it into use."

Peter Abraham (Con, Stoke Bishop) said: "We've got to be really robust with the new franchise.

"We do recognise more investment is the best step forward we can make.

"We need to ask anyone who comes into this area, are you really able to deliver the service we demand?"

Christina Biggs of pressure group the Friends Of Suburban Bristol Railways also attended the meeting to give her group's backing.

She said: "We believe it is vital the council and the West of England Partnership show leadership in pressing the government and potential bidders.

"Whilst we accept the priorities are for half-hourly services on existing lines and the line to Portishead, plus new rolling stock to ensure this, we believe it is vital to aim higher and to ensure nothing is done to prevent further improvements in the future, such as new stations, additional services or light rail."

Transport campaigner David Redgwell supported the aspirations but sounded a note of caution, warning of the potentially high costs involved.

He said: "I'm a realist. Cross rail costs ^90 million a year, of which ^30 million is in this area.

"If we reopen the line to Portishead that would be between ^37 million and ^45 million."

Public consultations on the future of the region's rail services are open until March.

'We need joint approach to tackle city transport'

PEOPLE who want better rail services are being urged to keep pushing for one body to sort out Bristol's transport problems.

That was the overriding message from a "Rally for Rail" meeting held last night, which looked at problems with local train services and how they might be improved.

A left-leaning panel, including politicians, transport campaigners and unionists, gathered in front of around 30 people at the Council House for the debate.

Rail operator First Great Western was supposed to have a spokesman on the panel but he did not attend.

Repeated calls were made for the four local authorities in the Bristol area to set up an Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) or at least take on the equivalent set of powers.

That would allow the them to regulate rail and bus fares and services, and although they do cost the tax payer, the cities that have them tend to be more successful when it comes to lobbying the government for money.

The reopening of the Portishead rail line and an integrated ticketing system similar to London's Oyster card were also popular ambitions.

The effects of privatisation on the country's rail services and a government report on the future of the rail industry were the other main topics of discussion. The McNulty report was widely criticised, as unions believe it will lead to fewer staff at railway stations and on trains as a money saving measure.

Speakers at the meeting included Ian Crawford of the campaign group Transport for Greater Bristol; Labour councillor Mark Bradshaw; John McInally of the Bristol and District Anti-Cuts Alliance; Bernard Kennedy of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and Bill Monteith of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA).

Mr Bradshaw said there were a number of opportunities Bristol could take advantage of that could see improvements to local rail services.

They included the fact the Great Western rail franchise is due to be reappointed next year, on a 15 year contract. On Tuesday the city council launched the Bristol Metro 2013 campaign, that seeks to lobby the government to include a half-hourly local service as part of the new rail contract.

It would stop at every local station in the Bristol area, and any potential new ones.

Mr Bradshaw said: "We know the market is there, we know the enthusiasm is there ^ it's finding the funding. We have a lot of infrastructure that is rotting away, covered by weeds. There is an opportunity around electrification, not just for the main line. We've got to push for out local rail network to be electrified or made ready.

"The other opportunity is the urgently-needed upgrade of Bristol Temple Meads. We need a modern transport interchange for our city. It functions very much as a 19th century train station."

Mr Kennedy said: "There's loads more we can do, and electrification is a massive opportunity. If we miss this opportunity then forget it. We won't see the Portishead line reopen or the development of the Bristol Metro."

The panel agreed that none of the four local authorities had an officer who was sufficiently expert in the rail industry. Calls were made for one to be appointed to help push for better services.

There was praise the improvements transport campaign groups had won on the Severn Beach line.

But there were accusations that First Great Western did not carry out enough enforcement of fares, despite a huge surge in passenger numbers.

Mr Monteith said: "Why don't First collect the fares? The truth is they don't need the money. They can run local trains without any passengers on them and they still get paid tax payers' money. They check your tickets on trains to Paddington because they don't get money for that. That is the stupidity of privatisation."

When one speaker asked why First Great Western and First Bus couldn't do a better job of co-ordinating their services, Mr Monteith said they may be "two cheeks of the same rear end" but were run completely separately.

Transport campaigner David Redgwell said he feared B&NES, South Gloucestershire and particularly North Somerset councils may continue to resist the idea.

He said: "They need to get real."

People were urged to lobby their local councillors and MPs, particularly in South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and B&NES, to support the formation of an ITA.

Campaign launched for a Greater Bristol Metro link

Bristolians are being asked to get on board with a campaign to transform local rail services in the region.

Greater Bristol Metro Rail aims to bring former stations back into use, increase frequency of services and secure greater investment in branch rail services.

It^s the brainchild of the four former Avon authorities, who are working with transport campaigners to lobby the government throughout 2012.

The campaign website was officially launched yesterday, and a petition is due to be started soon.

There are four key aspects to the campaign; more trains, more often; reopening disused stations; reopening the Portishead rail line and four tracking along a section of the local railway line.

The four councils ^ Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset ^ want all of these included in the new Great Western rail franchise when it is appointed next year.

The government is currently consulting on what changes should be made to the Great Western rail franchise and the campaign will aim to have local rail improvements as part of the new contract.

Councillors believe they can prove that spending money on local rail pays for itself, pointing to the huge increase in passengers on the Severn Beach line since the service was increased.

The campaign will need to prove their is local support for better rail, and that people will be willing to use trains more often if the service is upgraded.

So councillors want businesses, MPs and the general public to write to the Department for Transport and join the fight for better local rail in Greater Bristol.

Bristol City Council^s executive member for transport Tim Kent says he wants people to demonstrate their passion for local rail.

He said: ^The long-term aspiration is ensuring at every station there is a train every 30 minutes or better.

^At the moment there can be a two- hour gap between trains. We want a turn up and go service.

^We will be working up a business case. There has been a 90 per cent growth on the Severn Beach line in the last seven or eight years, that^s phenomenal. Local rail can pay for itself.^

Key stations to reopen include Portishead, Ashley Hill and Horfield, Mr Kent says.

Each would cost a different amount but the council has estimated an average of ^5 million.

Reopening the Portishead railway would cost around ^50 million more and providing four tracks between Parsons Street and Filton Bank could be around ^30 million.

Originally there were four tracks on the route but two were removed, so the campaign wants them replaced.

It is essential if rail operators want to run more trains. At the moment the stretch between Temple Meads and Filton Bank is one of the most congested in the country.

The key question is where will the money come from.

Mr Kent said: ^There are opportunities, and whoever gets the franchise should invest in the network.

^We have major scheme money for the Bus Rapid Transit but there is a new pot in 2015. A large proportion of that could be put into rail between 2015 and 2020.^

Campaigners have been fighting to re-open the Portishead railway line to passenger trains for years, but so far without success.

Mr Kent said: ^We have seen a massive expansion of the population in Portishead. If we want to have sustainable transport we need to use the rail link we have.

^We think there is a real chance. Everyone is talking about rail locally and in government. It adds up economically and environmentally.^

South Gloucestershire Council^s executive member for transport Brian Allinson says the Greater Bristol Metro will also benefit people living outside of the city.

He said: ^With the possible development of Filton Airfield the Henbury Loop will be important.

^Wherever people can, we want them to contact their MPs, their councillors and people of influence to explain how important it is to get Greater Bristol moving.^

Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance is one of a number of groups backing the initiative.

Although it^s fair to say many of these improvements have been wanted for years, the group believes now is the right time for success.

Spokesman Ian Crawford said: ^We^re supporting the campaign and we^re pleased the city council has led on it and managed to get some of the West of England Partnership on board. We^re now starting to face the same way.

^We see the key part of the campaign as the Great Western rail franchise and the response to the DfT.

^We will be lobbying all our local MPs in March to get them in support.^

Consultation on the franchise runs until the end of March, with a shortlist of potential bidders due to be released later this year.

Once this shortlist is announced the campaign will switch focus to the bidding companies, to convince them to include local rail upgrades as part of their bid to government.

For more on the campaign, go to It^s the brainchild of the four former Avon authorities, who are working with transport campaigners to lobby the government throughout 2012.

The campaign website was officially launched yesterday, and a petition is due to be started soon.

There are four key aspects to the campaign; more trains, more often; reopening disused stations; reopening the Portishead rail line and four tracking along a section of the local railway line.

The four councils ^ Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset ^ want all of these included in the new Great Western rail franchise when it is appointed next year.

The government is currently consulting on what changes should be made to the Great Western rail franchise and the campaign will aim to have local rail improvements as part of the new contract.

Councillors believe they can prove that spending money on local rail pays for itself, pointing to the huge increase in passengers on the Severn Beach line since the service was increased.

The campaign will need to prove their is local support for better rail, and that people will be willing to use trains more often if the service is upgraded.

So councillors want businesses, MPs and the general public to write to the Department for Transport and join the fight for better local rail in Greater Bristol.

Bristol City Council^s executive member for transport Tim Kent says he wants people to demonstrate their passion for local rail.

He said: ^The long-term aspiration is ensuring at every station there is a train every 30 minutes or better.

^At the moment there can be a two- hour gap between trains. We want a turn up and go service.

^We will be working up a business case. There has been a 90 per cent growth on the Severn Beach line in the last seven or eight years, that^s phenomenal. Local rail can pay for itself.^

Key stations to reopen include Portishead, Ashley Hill and Horfield, Mr Kent says.

Each would cost a different amount but the council has estimated an average of ^5 million.

Reopening the Portishead railway would cost around ^50 million more and providing four tracks between Parsons Street and Filton Bank could be around ^30 million.

Originally there were four tracks on the route but two were removed, so the campaign wants them replaced.

It is essential if rail operators want to run more trains. At the moment the stretch between Temple Meads and Filton Bank is one of the most congested in the country.

The key question is where will the money come from.

Mr Kent said: ^There are opportunities, and whoever gets the franchise should invest in the network.

^We have major scheme money for the Bus Rapid Transit but there is a new pot in 2015. A large proportion of that could be put into rail between 2015 and 2020.^

Campaigners have been fighting to re-open the Portishead railway line to passenger trains for years, but so far without success.

Mr Kent said: ^We have seen a massive expansion of the population in Portishead. If we want to have sustainable transport we need to use the rail link we have.

^We think there is a real chance. Everyone is talking about rail locally and in government. It adds up economically and environmentally.^

South Gloucestershire Council^s executive member for transport Brian Allinson says the Greater Bristol Metro will also benefit people living outside of the city.

He said: ^With the possible development of Filton Airfield the Henbury Loop will be important.

^Wherever people can, we want them to contact their MPs, their councillors and people of influence to explain how important it is to get Greater Bristol moving.^

Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance is one of a number of groups backing the initiative.

Although it^s fair to say many of these improvements have been wanted for years, the group believes now is the right time for success.

Spokesman Ian Crawford said: ^We^re supporting the campaign and we^re pleased the city council has led on it and managed to get some of the West of England Partnership on board. We^re now starting to face the same way.

^We see the key part of the campaign as the Great Western rail franchise and the response to the DfT.

^We will be lobbying all our local MPs in March to get them in support.^

Consultation on the franchise runs until the end of March, with a shortlist of potential bidders due to be released later this year.

Once this shortlist is announced the campaign will switch focus to the bidding companies, to convince them to include local rail upgrades as part of their bid to government.

For more on the campaign, go to http://greaterbristolrail.com/

A genuine chance to improve our trains

We could not ask for a Secretary of State to be any more explicit. Transport secretary Justine Greening has urged our MPs to talk to her about the future of railways in this part of the world.

That should be the cue for them to email or ring each other and then find a time when Ms Greening can see them.

They need to beat a path to her door with a list of requests.

They have already indicated a willingness to put aside party political differences and present a united front. And this is a chance in a generation to change things for the better.

We all know we need more carriages to ease the daily overcrowding.

We all know Bristol has a wealth of local lines that can be developed into the Bristol metro system.

We all know that the link to Portishead desperately needs to be re-opened.

And we all know that extra tracks are needed to end the bottleneck on Filton bank.

But none of these things will happen unless our politicians make their voices heard consistently.

Ms Greening is ready to listen, we must take advantage of this rare chance and ensure our railways are improved for good.

Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb lobbies government for rail upgrade

An MP has lobbied the coalition Government to fund a major upgrade to train services in South Gloucestershire.

Thornbury and Yate representative and Minister for Pensions Steve Webb has struck a cross-party alliance with 19 MPs from around the South West, including Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti and Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore, to jointly call on the Department for Transport to increase services for commuters in Yate and Severn Beach, among others, as part of the Greater Bristol Metro Rail campaign.

The inter-city link overhaul plans, put forward last month by four local authorities, including South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Councils, set out to provide a new hourly service from Severn Beach to Bath Spa and from Portishead to Severn Beach and Temple Meads from 2013. And Yate is also earmarked for half-hourly connections by extending Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Parkway services with a new turn-back facility.

Mr Webb said: "I welcome the decision to go ahead with electrifying the mainline service between Bristol and London but we also need to upgrade local services. We need more capacity, especially at peak times, and a greater frequency of service. I will continue to press the Department for Transport to look hard at upgrading the whole rail system around the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area."

In their submission to government the MPs asked for enhanced services, additional track capacity and carriages to mirror the Metro services in other major cities. This could involve either new facilities to turn trains back at Yate station or more services terminating at Gloucester and using the existing turnback system in place there.

South Gloucestershire Councillor for Yate and member of the Friends of Yate Station Sue Walker told the Gazette: "We desperately need more carriages, more regular services and a turn-back system. We were promised three carriages but we still only have two and people are crammed like sardines at peak times. People want to use the train but it gets so crowded that they can't."

Cllr Robert Griffin, who represents Severn Beach and Pilning on the district council, added: "We have seen the number of passengers using the station increase significantly over recent years as more and more people make the switch to rail. Frequency is something that commuters often raise, alongside reliability and affordability, which we would also hope to see improve if the campaign is successful."

The London trains that terminate often discharge their passengers, then turn back at Bedminster.

Is there a need to re-open the ex-Brunel platforms? Whenever I go to Bristol, the station hardly seems to be bursting at the seams.
Obviosuly, it was be good to open more platforms, but it mustn't just be for sentimental reasons.

AS A former railway man, I am writing to comment on a recently announced proposal, to bring the old Brunel Train Shed at Bristol Temple Meads back into use, as the terminus of the post-2016 London route electric trains.

Although this sounds like a nice idea, it is, unfortunately, operationally barmy. This is because it entails a wasteful use of limited capacity. And we need all the capacity we can get, if we are to have improved local services, under the other recently announced (all council backed) concept of a Bristol Metro network.
 
(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/3751435.jpg)​

How Brunel's Train Shed could look with electric trains

It would add to the number of platforms, but they still have to be used sensibly, according to the direction of travel of the various services.

Put simply, the Shed is on the left, and via Bath, London trains turn right, so there is conflict with all left-turning services (the busiest exit from Temple Meads, with trains for Parkway, Cardiff, and Birmingham etc).

This is not a problem currently, because London via Bath trains mostly use platforms on the right hand side of the station.

I wrote to Great Western Trains to ask where they stand on this vital issue. 'No comment at this time' was their response.

I interpret this as meaning they know my caveat is valid, but dare not say so, for 'political reasons'.

J A G**** (British Rail Western Region civil engineer, 1968-93)

South Bristol rapid transit route consultation starts

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/60075000/jpg/_60075159_rapid_trasport.jpg)
It is hoped the route will help cut congestion and encourage new businesses to set up in south Bristol

People are being invited to have their say on plans for the south Bristol section of the West of England rapid transit network.

The route aims to link Long Ashton Park and Ride to the new hospital, Skills Academy, the shops at Imperial Park and leisure centre at Hengrove Way.

It will have fast boarding and smartcard ticketing linking with wider bus and railway services.

A planning application is due to be submitted in the autumn.

The route will link into the wider rapid transit network with direct access to Bristol city centre and along the M32 to Cribbs Causeway and Emersons Green in the north of the area.

But campaigners opposing the proposed south Bristol link road say it is a "staggering" waste of public money.

They say the cost of the 3.1 mile (5km) road is ^43.1m and works out as more than ^8,600 per metre.

Bristol City and North Somerset Councils are contributing some ^15m towards the cost of the road with other funding coming from the Department for Transport.

Bristol City Council said the road would help "unlock" south Bristol.

"We want to make it easier for local people to get into the city centre for work, leisure and retail facilities and to encourage investment in south Bristol," said a spokesperson.

I concur with your sentiments regarding the Mayor and how he or she may well be supported by the Coalition Government.

Looks like the 13% of the total electorate in Bristol who voted for a directly elected Mayor could well have set the ball rolling for some very interesting transport related capital expenditure projects in the city in the coming years.

Let's hope Bus Rapid Transit goes no further than what's already funded, or gets quietly dropped, and the emphasis is shifted toward Light and Heavy Rail.

considering Bristol is the only city to have said yes to having a directly elected mayor I can see the government being generous with funding just to show the cities who voted no what they are missing out on.

On the other hand, the Bristol Mayor might find the opposite, that because on a national basis most people voted against it, there won't be any extra funding at all.  Are DfT really going to be running a special scheme just for Bristol?

Paul

That's a very astute comment, if I may say so! I hadn't thought if it like that. Bet you're spot on, as well. Interesting!

The Bristol metro map on http://greaterbristolrail.com/ shows a metro service out to Yate, Patchway, Weston-Super-Mare and Bath Spa. From reading text on the site, I think this is planned to be half-hourly.

If the plans do not include electrification, then Yate to Bristol will be diesel under the wires for much of it (unless Yate is being electrified anyway, which I don't think it is). Similarly, if the Weston-Super-Mare service runs through Temple Meads to one of the northern destonations, rather than terminating at Temple Meads, it incurs quite a bit of under-wires running. One hopes a half-hourly metro service (on top of the existing hourly service to Taunton?) would make a very good case for extened electrification in the area.

The problem with increasing the number of lines to be electrified, is that all over the country there are many similar situations to that of Bristol and how do you prioritise which area out of many would get the electrification given that the available capital finance is very unlikely to be made available for all such schemes. Secondly, electrification as already authorised will release many diesel trains as electric trains replace diesels. A vast increase in electrification would mean a much more costly and therefore likely to be the less economic option of stock acquisition needed to run such services.
What is needed is a longer term plan for the development of the national rail network over the next 50 years or so and I cannot see that happening from either of the major political parties. The much greater use of electic traction on the continent has been achieved over the last 50 years or so. Its just that Britain has frozen rail development for so many years that it would take many years to catch up with better continental systems.

THE £100-million Bristol Metro train network which will bring massive improvements to local railways is to go ahead with the first services running by 2016.

It comes as a result of the City Deal agreed between local council and the Government which was announced yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. It will mean the line to Portishead being re-opened and trains running to the town again within four years. The Henbury line will also re-open in 2018 as part of the plans. The list of new and re-opened stations include:
 ​

 Coming soon
• • • •



● Ashton Gate

● Horfield

● Ashley Hill

● Saltford

● and Henbury

They will form part of a local rail network that supporters hope will see trains running every half an hour.

The dramatic improvements are part of the £1 billion deal, which the Post revealed yesterday, and which was confirmed by treasury minister Danny Alexander on a visit to Bristol.

The City Deal has been agreed between Westminster and councils in Bristol and the surrounding area which promises to revolutionise the way the area is run.

The plans also include the re-opening of the so-called Henbury Loop in north Bristol.

The fine details of the deal, which will see money raised in parts of the city through business rates kept in Bristol, were still being worked on as late as Wednesday night.

Mr Alexander claimed the deal represents a revolution in the way the city is run and financed and will see power shifted back from Westminster to the West Country.

The minister said: "Local leaders and strong leadership are essential to the future prosperity of Britain's cities. These new powers will allow Bristol and the surrounding area to decide its own priorities for local public transport and flexibility on skills training – benefiting both employers and young people.

"By allowing Bristol to keep the business rates growth in its Enterprise Areas, this deal will support up to £1 billion of investment locally.

"This unique deal will hugely benefit ordinary people and businesses in Bristol. It also marks an important step in Government's commitment to decentralise power and re-balance local economies."

The Enterprise Zone set up around Temple Meads station is set to be at the centre of economic growth for the city. All the money raised in the area in business rates will be kept in the city to fund major public projects and improvements to the road network in the city centre.

Talks are taking place to bring the BBC to the Enterprise Zone and to build a 12,000-seat indoor arena on vacant land close to the station.

Around £500 million would be raised but the four local authorities in the region have been given permission to raise loans against the expected revenue with immediate effect.

Mr Alexander believes the City Deal and Bristol's decision to opt for an elected mayor will give it a major advantage over other regional rivals. He said: "What we are doing is giving Bristol the chance to shape its own destiny, and an elected mayor will certainly help in shaping that process. This is a deal and of course we expect something in return in terms of jobs and economic growth but what we are doing is putting the building blocks in place for the future of Bristol and the region."

The deal has seen Bristol council working alongside North Somer- set, South Gloucester- shire and Bath and North East Somerset councils. There are also plans to create a new public body or company to take control of transport across the Bristol region.

The Local Enterprise Partnership, the organisation which replaced the South West Regional Development Agency, has played a key role in the negotiations.

Colin Skellet, the chairman of the organisation, said: "I think this is great for Bristol and the surrounding area and has come after a lot of negotiations. This is the first time the benefits of economic growth will be ploughed straight back into the city rather than being redistributed elsewhere."

He added: "This announcement is a massive vote of confidence from Government in our region's businesses to drive growth and create jobs. It is also an excellent example of what can be achieved by the four local authorities and business working together so effectively. This is a deal for hi-tech growth that builds on the West of England's strengths in engineering, the digital and creative sectors. It gives us unprecedented input into the skills training of our young people to ensure we're meeting the future needs of businesses across the city and region."

Bristol City Council leader Simon Cook said: "The package represents a historic devolution of powers from Whitehall that we have long argued for. It is very good news that business rates will be back in local hands and that we will be able to borrow against those revenues to invest in development. For the first time we'll have the ability to drive our own economic strategy and make the much-needed investment in our infrastructure, in particular in our rail system which is in urgent need of more capacity."

Business leaders also welcomed the announcement. Michael Bothamley, president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is fantastic news, it provides a huge boost for business and our wider community and will help stimulate investor confidence in this area. Investment on this scale into our local rail infrastructure, to boost skills and help create the space for new jobs, are things business has been asking for and are what this deal is all about. It's proof that government is backing what we have all been saying – that this city region will deliver substantial new private sector job growth.

"Very significantly, it provides the financial incentive for our local authorities to further support economic growth and job creation. It's also another success for close partnership working between business and local government through our Local Enterprise Partnership."

Bristol is one of eight cities across the UK to have agreed a deal with the Government.

The city's MPs were broadly supportive although Labour's Kerry McCarthy declined to make a comment.

Charlotte Leslie, Conservative MP for Bristol North West, said the announcement was a "game-changer" for the city. She said: "This is obviously fantastic news. The Government has recognised just how central proper transport infrastructure is to Bristol. It really has been lacking in relation to other cities."

City leaders will need to work with neighbouring local authorities to manage the investment, which ministers said would boost the economy by up to £1 billion.

Kingswood Tory MP Chris Skidmore said: "This is a milestone moment for Bristol and the surrounding region. Never has so much power or funds been given back from Whitehall to the local community.

"This deal is about trusting local businesses and organisations who know how the region should be run best, giving them freedom to decide our city's destiny rather than the old-fashioned top-down 'We know best' approach of the state. This is an exciting time for Bristol."

Bristol West Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams added: "This deal will give local leaders the power and money to grow the Greater Bristol economy and transform our transport. I'm pleased to have helped in the negotiations."

The fine pine print of the package includes:

● A new growth incentive and the economic investment fund, which will allow West of England to keep 100 per cent of growth in business rates over 25 years to invest in projects, allowing authorities to deliver an investment programme worth £1 billion over 30 years.

● Ten years of major funding allocation for the Greater Bristol Metro; flexible delivery for the Bus Rapid Transit Network which will allow savings to be recycled locally; and new powers over rail planning and delivery.

● A Public Property Board will manage up to £1 billion of city council assets and an estimated 180 land and property assets to unlock more land for economic growth or housing and to lever in additional investment.

● A city growth hub with up to £2.25 million of government funding which will provide additional support to inward investors. This will be based in the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and will work closely with UK Trade and Investment.

● The business community and local enterprise partnership will have more influence in skills provision in the city region, in particular the £114 million Skills Funding Agency funding for Further Education colleges for post-16 provision, to help capture employer demand.

...beginning with four-track to Filton (a particular interest of mine!).

Really I would never have guessed it from your username!

Will four tracks be possible through Filton Abbey Wood? Orwill there always be a short stretch of 3 track?

Really I would never have guessed it from your username!

I dont think you could fit 4 tracks through Filton Abbey Wood there just isnt the room unless you cut the embankment back so more than likely it will stay as 3 tracks
Posted on: Today at 12:23:10 PM
 Posted by: ellendune

I am very suprprised that there has not been much more comment about this. Apparently the best news about railways in the Bristol area for 50 years ...to be met with an almost deafening silence on this forum ! Or is everyone feeling cynical that it will never happen ??

HLOS is the key here.

I expect Ms Greening's forthcoming announcement (see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=10987.msg114060#msg114060) will also tie in with Network Rail's shortly announced projects to be funded in Control Period 5, 2014-2019.

It's the other way round I think.  DfT will announce the projects it wishes to be funded, and the funds available for them.  ORR then decide if the funds are adequate for NR to do what DfT wants.  If you read the Express's article in woody's post right through, you can see they aren't referring just to an electrification announcement, as the headline suggests, but to the whole CP5 HLOS.

Paul

Perhaps you should now change  your name to Four Track Soon!!

Four track for Filton Bank? That^s a yes
Posted on July 16, 2012  by commsofficer

A corporate sweat broke out on the forehead of the four authorities when dawn broke this morning, as we waited nervously to see if the government had funded our four tracks to Filton Bank.

And then Rail Minister Theresa Villiers swept into Temple Meads (looking a lot calmer than us) to confirm that four-track from Temple Meads to Filton Bank will go ahead.

Anyway, it^s all down to you again, wonderful public who like trains. Four track is the crucial bit of the jigsaw that we have to put in place to get Greater Bristol Metro Rail to work. So many, many thanks to the hundreds of you who wrote special letters to the ministers about it. Half-hourly trains in Bristol and the region, a new line to Portishead, and all those re-opened stations can actually happen.

TRANSPORT ministers have given the green light for a package of long-awaited rail improvements ^ the first step in making the dream of a Bristol Metro possible.

Government minister Theresa Villiers unveiled a series of improvements for the rail network around Temple Meads on a visit to the city.
 ​
(http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275775/Article/images/16547255/3970543.png)
 Transport minister Theresa Villiers at Temple Meads


Yesterday's announcement, part of a multi-billion-pound package of improvements nationwide, means two extra lines of track will be opened between Temple Meads and Filton.

The move means that a huge bottle-neck will be eased, opening the way up for increased services in and out of Bristol's main station.

There are also plans to reopen the old Digby Wyatt sheds at the side of the station ^ creating two new platforms in the process.

Network Rail, the firm which operates Temple Meads, has announced it wants to create a new main entrance at the station, opening into a main concourse which would run under the existing platforms.

Ms Villiers said: "This announcement is really great news for Bristol. Improving our transport system is a key part of the Government's strategy.

"We think it is vital for the region's economy that we have a transport system that works and is affordable."

The minister also confirmed that Bristol will get a direct rail link to Heathrow Airport, which will see current journey times cut by 30 minutes.

The line between the city centre and Filton was reduced from four to two tracks in the early 1980s, preventing more trains from being run and causing delays due to congestion. The widening of the track is seen as crucial for the half-hourly services to all local stations that are proposed under the Metro scheme.

A spokesman for the pressure group Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (http://fosbr.org.uk/) said: "This is fantastic news. This piece of vital investment will enable half-hourly services to all local stations ^ the Greater Bristol Metro ^ something FOSBR has been campaigning for, for many years."

"We are delighted, because it will make an integrated transport system possible. When the extra tracks are laid and new services running, the train will become even more convenient for local and longer distance journeys.

"This is a victory for local campaigners, our local politicians and the public, who have lobbied long and hard for a half-hourly service."

Patrick Hallgate, who is in charge of Network Rail in the South West, said: "We are excited by these Government announcements to add to the already massive investment programme on the Western route.

"Temple Meads station is at the heart of the new Enterprise Zone and these improvements are vital in terms of opening up the city.

"The station is no longer fit for purpose and what we are trying to do is create a station suited to the needs of Bristol as it is today.

"We had suspected that these items would be included in the new investment programme but it is good to see the Government's commitment to these schemes."

The business community also welcomed the announcement.

Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, which represents the area's companies, said: "This is great news for the South West.

"Our recent survey of businesses across the West of England area found that traffic congestion was the most significant disadvantage for businesses located in the sub-region.

"Business supports the Government's strategy to provide long-term strategic investment to improve transport infrastructure, rather than simply looking at short-term fixes. We will continue to push for a modern and efficient rail system that supports growth and improves competitiveness."

James Durie, Director of Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said he was particularly pleased with the latest news.

He said: "Rail is one element of our transport infrastructure that our members constantly tell us that they want improved.

"It is fantastic news that the Secretary of State wishes the industry to undertake work to expand the capacity of the railway serving passengers to and from Bristol. "Increasing route capacity into Bristol from Filton Abbey Wood and increasing station capacity at Bristol Temple Meads by bringing back into railway use the historic station building, will be a big boost for business in this region."

Transport Secretary Justine Greening also announced yesterday that the full details of the next Great Western rail franchise will be made public by the end of the week.

It's that, or drop the exclamation mark. I shall mark the event somehow.

My own un-informed personal opinion would be to close Severn Beach and run those trains around the loop to Parkway, and perhaps Yate where they could terminate.

There is a different map here: http://travelwest.info/sites/default/files/12.%20Greater%20Bristol%20Metro%20Map%20March%202012.pdf which is a little more detailed.

An hourly service to Henbury seems like a missed opportunity.

My own un-informed personal opinion would be to close Severn Beach and run those trains around the loop to Parkway, and perhaps Yate where they could terminate.

The 113,000 annual passengers at Severn Beach may disagree with you. A near, four-fold increase over the last 10 years. The bus services in Severn Beach are inadequate and none go direct to Avonmouth/Clifton/City Centre. Those passengers would be greatly socially disadvantaged.

Why does there seem to be a  reverse at Filton Abbey Wood?

Some of them already are, imho.


Just the way the map is drawn, possibly as an acknowledgement that the MoD building is a major stop from any direction. There certainly isn't a turn to the east there, or my daughter would have to move her desk.

(PS - I added a comma, to celebrate the good news. I am the master of understatement)

113,000 is about 300 a day. Surely a properly timed frequent bus with links to Avonmouth, P&R and the mass of employers currently not served by anything would be cheaper than maintaining the branch and benefit more people.

THE ^100-million Bristol Metro train network which will bring massive improvements to local railways is to go ahead with the first services running by 2016.
It comes as a result of the City Deal agreed between local council and the Government which was announced yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. It will mean the line to Portishead being re-opened and trains running to the town again within four years. The Henbury line will also re-open in 2018 as part of the plans. The list of new and re-opened stations include:
 Ashton Gate
^ Horfield
^ Ashley Hill
^ Saltford
^ and Henbury

They will form part of a local rail network that supporters hope will see trains running every half an hour.


The dramatic improvements are part of the ^1 billion deal, which the Post revealed yesterday, and which was confirmed by treasury minister Danny Alexander on a visit to Bristol.


The City Deal has been agreed between Westminster and councils in Bristol and the surrounding area which promises to revolutionise the way the area is run.
The plans also include the re-opening of the so-called Henbury Loop in north Bristol.


The fine details of the deal, which will see money raised in parts of the city through business rates kept in Bristol, were still being worked on as late as Wednesday night.


Mr Alexander claimed the deal represents a revolution in the way the city is run and financed and will see power shifted back from Westminster to the West Country.


The minister said: "Local leaders and strong leadership are essential to the future prosperity of Britain's cities. These new powers will allow Bristol and the surrounding area to decide its own priorities for local public transport and flexibility on skills training ^ benefiting both employers and young people.
"By allowing Bristol to keep the business rates growth in its Enterprise Areas, this deal will support up to ^1 billion of investment locally.
"This unique deal will hugely benefit ordinary people and businesses in Bristol. It also marks an important step in Government's commitment to decentralise power and re-balance local economies."


The Enterprise Zone set up around Temple Meads station is set to be at the centre of economic growth for the city. All the money raised in the area in business rates will be kept in the city to fund major public projects and improvements to the road network in the city centre.


Talks are taking place to bring the BBC to the Enterprise Zone and to build a 12,000-seat indoor arena on vacant land close to the station.
Around ^500 million would be raised but the four local authorities in the region have been given permission to raise loans against the expected revenue with immediate effect.


Mr Alexander believes the City Deal and Bristol's decision to opt for an elected mayor will give it a major advantage over other regional rivals. He said: "What we are doing is giving Bristol the chance to shape its own destiny, and an elected mayor will certainly help in shaping that process. This is a deal and of course we expect something in return in terms of jobs and economic growth but what we are doing is putting the building blocks in place for the future of Bristol and the region."

What did the GW ITT say about operating a re-opened Portishead Branch?

4.11.5.5 Option GW 5 -Bristol Metro Phase 1
Local commuter services around Bristol have experienced extremely high growth in recent years, fuelled by changing employment patterns including the developments around Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, which are set to continue. The local authority has provided support to improve services on the Severn Beach line and extra capacity has also been funded by the Government through its recent HLOS agreement with the current Franchisee.
Bristol Metro is an advanced scheme developed by the West of England Partnership with considerable public and political support, and accounted for one third of responses to the Department^s Great Western Franchise Consultation.
Both the Greater Bristol Metro and Portishead line were identified in the West of England Partnership^s Joint Local Transport Plan 3 2011 to 2026 as future priority schemes for capital funding. Subject to future major transport scheme funding allocations and a new prioritisation process the West of England Partnership will confirm its support for funding the Greater Bristol Metro in September 2012. The West of England Partnership^s Joint Transport Executive Committee formally resolved at its meeting on 19 June 2012 that it will be willing to take up ^priced options^ for the Greater Bristol Metro subject to the prices being reasonable and acceptable.
This priced option is for Phase 1 of the project and requires the provision of the following specification for 18 hours per day Monday to Saturday and 9 hours per day on Sunday:
Severn Beach ^ Bath Spa: one train per hour from Severn Beach to Bath Spa (calling at all stations). This provides an additional hourly service between Bath and Bristol & therefore two trains per hour overall at Keynsham and Oldfield Park;
Severn Beach ^ Portishead: one train per hour from Severn Beach to Portishead (calling at all stations); and
Portishead ^ Bristol Temple Meads: one train per hour from Bristol Temple Meads to Portishead (calling at all stations). This provides two trains per hour service on Portishead line in combination with the Severn Beach ^ Portishead service above.
Assumed start date: December 2017.
Weighting: 75%

Abbey Wood may be the tricky one. There were certainly four tracks to Filton when I first moved to Bristol in the late 70s. Of course, Abbey Wood station wasn't there then, and IIRC, the tracks diverged at the old Filton station, with two heading for Wales, and two for Parkway.Now, with the three platforms at Abbey Wood, it may still be possible to put a fourth line to the very west, without a platform, but whether the benefit will outweigh the cost is another matter. With four stations between BTM and Abbey Wood, however, it will still be viable to four-track to Horfield

Why not quote a sentence or two to wet our appetites, rather than just a blind link?  - see what I have done [here] (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11406.msg119085#msg119085) for example.  And add your own view. Thanks  ;D

Someone commented to the local paper that there was a problem about starting trains from there to London via Bath as they would have to cross over lots of lines to take the Bath line.  It was pointed out that of the 4 per hour, two would go via Parkway and two via Bath.  So only two would need to do this, in each direction of course.

only people specifically wanting Bath will go that way.

And Chippenham, which will in turn have it's numerous connections to Melksham.  ;)

The running time from Bristol to Swindon will only be about 5 minutes different,  and I suspect many people will simply go "first available train".  If that was :00 and :30 via Bath and :20 and :50 via Parkway, then that makes for the majority via Parkway, and for a regular quarter hourly service from Swindon onwards.  Add in 2 trains an hour from South Wales, 1 an hour from Gloucester and 1 an hour from the Cotswold line from Didcot onwards, and you're forming a "2 trains every quarter hour" pattern. And if that's gaps of 5 and 10 minutes, you have 4 slots free for stuff joining at Reading .... bias needed on the extra trains that are diesels, esp older diesels.

'Huge step forward' for rail links

AN MP has hailed a "massive step forward" for Bristol's rail links after ministers agreed to consider long-awaited improvements.

The Department for Transport will carry out a feasibility study into the benefits and costs of having a full Henbury Loop line ^ part of an improved Bristol Metro local rail network ^ rather than the spur currently proposed. It could lead to the Henbury Loop being included in the new Great Western franchise, which is currently on hold.

Yesterday a cross-party group of Bristol MPs met rail minister Simon Burns to call for extra improvements to be included when the line is put out to tender following a delay caused by the collapse of the West Coast Mainline deal.

Speaking afterwards, Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie, who organised the meeting, said: "We managed to get a pledge from him that the department would look into the feasibility of the Henbury Loop.

"It is real progress, and far more than I thought would come out of the meeting. It is potential game-changer for the Bristol Metro.

"It's not a promise that it will happen, but it's a massive step forward from where we were before."

The HLOS asks the rail industry to look at electrifying Derby -Birmingham - Bristol, and all major ports  after 2019. That is fairly active consideration, which may mean freight can be hauled to Scotland from Avonmouth by electric locos. The Deep Sea Container Port at Avonmouth could be up and running by then, which will greatly increase the amount of freight traffic coming out of Avonmouth via Hallen. Given there is a single track bit, it is difficult to see how a loop passenger service could be fitted in.

Any chance of more double tracks sections and passing loops installed?

New hope for Metro rail system for Bristol

HOPES that Bristol will have a fully functioning Metro rail system have taken a massive step forward.

Bristol North West Tory MP Charlotte Leslie, who led a cross-party delegation of city and regional MPs to meet transport minister Simon Burns last week, has now been given official confirmation that the Government has been convinced that it needs to look at the case for the so-called Henbury Loop Line ^ a rail link from a reopened Henbury station to the Severn Beach line.

Under current plans presented by the West of England Partnership, there would only be a reopened 'spur' to Henbury station which would mean that passenger trains could only stop there and return the way they came.

It would also mean that anyone travelling by train from Shirehampton to Henbury would need to go all the way into Bristol and out via Filton to reach their destination.

Ms Leslie has argued forcefully that a spur instead of a loop would represent a significant disappointment and leave the city's Metro system as a "massive missed opportunity".

Ms Leslie said: "Plans for mass housing development risk unacceptable congestion on north Bristol's roads, unless a loop line is in place.

"The loop would also mean people in north Bristol would have easy access to workplaces in and around Avonmouth, which has recently been designated an enterprise area."

Now, however, the possibility of a loop has been given considerable weight by Mr Burns.

And Ms Leslie is looking forward to working together on the project with Mayor George Ferguson who spoke in favour many times during his election campaign.

Ms Leslie, right, said: "The plans for the Metro, as they stand, fall short of ideal. While they are a massive step forward, I believe that without the Henbury Loop, it will be the missed opportunity of a generation. In short, as the plans stand, the line would 'stop' at Henbury, not link up to the Severn Beach Line ... meaning passengers travelling from Redland or Clifton Down looking for a connection to Cribbs Causeway would have to go all the way into Bristol and out again via Filton. The ironic thing is that the track is there for freight now ^ we just need the green light for passenger services along with a reopened Henbury station."

In his letter to Ms Leslie, Mr Burns said: "I was very interested to learn about the Bristol Metro Phase 2 and to hear your view that it should include services on a full loop line through Henbury and Avonmouth rather than for trains to turn back at Henbury as currently envisaged in the work commissioned by the West of England Partnership. As a result of the case you put forward, I agree with you that this merits further investigation, given the future plans for housing and commercial development in the area. Department for Transport officials will be happy to work with the partnership on this task. I will confirm this to them, strongly suggesting that any work to assess the scheme should include looking at the feasibility of introducing services on the whole Henbury Loop."

Ms Leslie has now launched a petition and campaigns on websites Facebook and Twitter to ensure that as many voices are heard to bring pressure on the partnership.

This can be found at www.henburyloop.bristolpetitions.com. There is a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/henburyloop and Twitter users can follow Ms Leslie at @CLeslieMP then #henburyloop

She said: "This scheme is vital to the future of Bristol and I will be fighting until it happens. I hope the campaign for a Henbury Loop brings businesses, charities, and residents together to fight to get Bristol on track. And to get things done in Bristol, political parties need to stop bickering and pull in the same direction. I have already involved Mayor Ferguson in these initial discussions and I look forward to working with him further."

Earlier this year, Ms Leslie brought together the region's MPs who signed a joint submission to the Department for Transport to fight as one for the region's best transport interests.

Why could they not put a fourth line to the east, between platform 1 and the footpath/cyclepath? I would have thought the space was there, even if it needed a lot of groundwork and would require a footbridge from platform 1 to the MOD exit.

Well, it's all grist to the mill but I have to confess that I wondered about residents of Redland and Clifton wishing to flock to the ghastly Mall at Cribbs.  I would not wish to go there under any circumstances.  I went there once, dragged by my MIL, and it's just nasty.  I regard the place as a straightforward planning disaster , as well as the abandonment of the adjacent Filton airfield, which should be Bristol Airport.

Ah, now we are talking. If Ms Leslie had the vision that the line could serve such a facility she could be starting to think strategically.

The consequences of Bristol not absorbing the peripheral suburbs there have had profound negative consequences for the sub regional area.  It still could be (even as the airport bits and pieces are being sold on eBay) be taken hold of by the scruff of the neck by a well-informed government.

Well, it's all grist to the mill but I have to confess that I wondered about residents of Redland and Clifton wishing to flock to the ghastly Mall at Cribbs.  I would not wish to go there under any circumstances.  I went there once, dragged by my MIL, and it's just nasty.  I regard the place as a straightforward planning disaster , as well as the abandonment of the adjacent Filton airfield, which should be Bristol Airport.

Ah, now we are talking. If Ms Leslie had the vision that the line could serve such a facility she could be starting to think strategically.

The consequences of Bristol not absorbing the peripheral suburbs there have had profound negative consequences for the sub regional area.  It still could be (even as the airport bits and pieces are being sold on eBay) be taken hold of by the scruff of the neck by a well-informed government.

Whoever thought we would ever miss the County of Avon?

Some of the antipathy from North Somerset probably stems from those with long memories who were never happy when that area was hived off from Somerset into Avon in 1974. Some reluctance I guess to returning some of their powers to an ITA which will logically be centred on Bristol.

If North Somerset won't play ball, then perhaps Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire should proceed with an ITA plan without them. Force their hand....

Perhaps 'Bristol Reconnections' could be a useful re-titling for this thread.

I am replying not pm, just so that others may wish to comment.  I think there should be one heading for the strategic stuff and it should not be in this 'chat' area but in the 'new services campaigns' one (but thanks for trying to accommodate my suggestion).  I also started off one about Temple Meads Hub and that also ought to be merged in (sorry I started it as I could have used an existing thread in 'campaigns for new services').

So on Bristol area, there would be one thread for commuters and operational stuff (as now) under 'journey by journey' and one for the general development of services in the Greater Bristol area (under Campaigns).

Thanks again for your constructive suggestions, swrural. I think I may have been interrupted by external circumstances while carrying out my intention in editing here, which was to achieve exactly what you describe.  :-[

However, I've now completed my work here, so we now have a topic in Bristol Commuters for the operational items, and this one in Campaigns for all the merged discussions about the sort of transport options we would like to have in Bristol (incorporating your Temple Meads Hub topic, too).  ;)

Hope this helps!  Chris.  :)

Could an Avon barrier protect Bristol from storm tides?

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/64879000/jpg/_64879048_64879047.jpg)
It is not the first time a barrier has been proposed for the Avon

With nearly 30,000 properties in Bristol at risk of flooding, defences similar to the Thames barrier in London have been proposed as a way of protecting the city from storm tides.

Concerned by November's flooding across the country, Bristol's newly-elected mayor George Ferguson said it was a "stark reminder" of the effects of climate change. He believes in the long term a rising sea level threatens the city centre, and a barrier is necessary for protection.

Although not caused by tidal flooding, many Bristolians in their 50s can remember how low-lying parts of the city flooded after freak thunderstorms on 10 July 1968. Parts of Ashton, Bedminster, Stapleton, Eastville and St George were among numerous locations badly affected. It showed the devastation that can be caused in a relatively short period of time once a river bursts its banks.

Next month councillors are due to hear the results of the Bristol central area flood risk assessment. This looks at what could happen when there is a combination of stormy weather at the same time as particularly high tides in the Severn Estuary - which in turn feeds the River Avon.

The city council has been recommended to look into whether a rising tidal barrier across the River Avon would be effective and what the costs are likely to be. But would a Thames-style barrier work in Bristol?

Retired University of Bristol lecturer Dr John Loveless said although the idea was a "positive thing" it would never pay for itself on the flooding issue alone. He said developing the River Avon was the "right thing to do" as part of a bigger picture and that Mayor Ferguson was "talking sense".

Hydrology, the science of water, its properties, distribution and quality, is something Mr Loveless has been passionate about all his life. He believes by putting a number of structures across the Avon the city could also unlock a host of other benefits. He wants to talk to Mayor Ferguson about his idea to build across the river at Netham Lock, Bathurst Basin, Cumberland Basin, Sea Mills and Shirehampton.

"Once you have river crossings this opens up all sorts of possibilities like putting rail crossings on them," he said. "Then you could start to build the city's equivalent of London's Circle Line which would help ease Bristol's transport problems. And there are other benefits. You could generate electricity, you can increase land values in the vicinity by up to five times, improve navigation and even make the area look beautiful.

"Imagine creating something like the Harbourside development on the New Cut, the section of river which runs along Coronation Road," he said.

The idea of a barrage across the River Avon is not new.

In October 1990 a feasibility study into the benefits of a weir across the Avon was published. The then Bristol Development Agency proposed a 30m (98ft) weir at Bathhurst Basin. The ^5m project would have led to permanent high water over a four-mile stretch to Netham Lock. But it noted more than 100 sewage or storm water outlets would have to be diverted to other pipes.

Then environment minister David Trippier described the idea as "very innovative" and one which would do "a great deal of good" for Bristol. It was scheduled to be finished in 1994 but never got off the drawing board.

... gin and tonic - which I'm enjoying as I type now. ;D

From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-20594309):

It is interesting to read of the mention of "value engineering". I first heard of this some 30 or more years ago in a lecture by a then prominent engineer. He said that the ultimate product of value engineering was the little BR piece of very thin plastic used as a sugar stirer in a paper cup of BR coffee. Just enough materials used with the minimum of manufacturing costs to produce the product to do just the job. He then went on to describe how value engineering brought the downfall of BMC and Leyland car manufacturing in Britain. A car such as the old Austin Ellegro was designed to last for 10 years before rusting away and the mechanics for for 100,000 miles use before irretrievably breaking down. This was just at the time that the very reliable Japanese cars were being introduced to Britain. That was "value engineering" as described to me.

Update.  I fired off a bit too soon.  The site cited by FTN does the business, I think.

As you have observed, proposals to construct a rapid transit (tram) network serving Bristol were not successful...          ... government funding was similarly not made available for schemes also at an advanced stage of preparation in Leeds, Liverpool and South Hampshire (Portsmouth/Gosport).

Department for Transport advice has been for local authorities seeking to promote fast mass public transport systems to concentrate instead on bus rapid transit which are seen as being able to provide most of the benefits of a rail-based tram as well as greater flexibility at a fraction of the cost. Bus rapid transit uses current bus technology, but with greater use of design of the vehicle and operating environment to provide fast and attractive services, segregated as far as possible from traffic congestion. An example of the type of vehicle being considered is to be found currently operating in York.

Taking heed of the government advice, the development of a bus rapid transit network for the greater Bristol area was recommended in the Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study which was published last year and carried out by consultants acting on behalf of the Government Office for the South West, the Regional Development Agency, the Highways Agency and the four local authorities in the greater Bristol area.

This advice has now been included in the Joint Local Transport Plan for the period up to 2010/11 , adopted last year by the four local authorities. I believe that this plan provides an extremely comprehensive approach on a number of fronts to deal with traffic congestion that you refer to, and also other transport issues, and I consider that this is the effective plan you seek.

However, I do draw some comfort from the recently-published draft Transport Bill which, when enacted, will provide the opportunity to create a Strategic Transport Authority covering the greater Bristol area. I am enthusiastic about this idea recently supported by members of alLPolitical parties locally - as I believe it will provide an opportunity for greater co-ordination of plans, a common purpose and above all - unlock further funding for investment.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Mark Bradshaw

Executive Member for Access and Environment

My view is that BRT (especially BRT2) is now a lame duck project with virtually zero public credibility.

The South Hampshire BRT, whose proposed light rail system was turned down at the same time as Bristol's, is up and running. It hasn't set the world alight, as this report from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-19571310) shows.

Probably as close to the mark as it gets, swrural, although the Government doesn't pay anything like the full cost. For BRT2, for example, the maximum Government contribution is ^34.5 million. Bristol CC's exposure is ^12 million, plus 80% of any further cost overruns. The announcement of the funding for BRT was done as part of George Osborne's first budget statement, and smacked of a desperate need for some good news amongst the Tales from the Economic Grim Reaper that constituted the rest.

If I was pouring scorn on previous portfolio holders, it wasn't intended - with the exception of WEP. Mark Bradshaw in particular deserves respect for the courage of his convictions, and is a very capable man. He at least sees that the watered-down remnant of BRT will do little to help, even if telling the world hasn't won him many friends in the political clique. The mix of four councils and a few unelected add-ons is never likely to come close to a true ITA in terms of results.

The South Hampshire BRT, whose proposed light rail system was turned down at the same time as Bristol's, is up and running. It hasn't set the world alight, as this report from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-19571310) shows.

New lease of life planned for tracks behind Thornbury quarry

Calls have been made for a railway line to be restored in Thornbury following the closure of a freight line.

South Gloucestershire councillors Brian Hopkinson and Trevor Jones are spearheading a campaign to bring the line, which once took passengers to Yate and on to Bristol but until recently served Tytherington Quarry, back into use.

​(http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275775/Article/images/17756234/4446391.jpg)
The entrance to Tytherington quarry

They are lobbying transport chiefs to ask that the old railway, which stopped transporting passengers in 1944, is reopened in order to ease congestion on nearby roads.

The councillors believe now is the perfect time for the reinstatement as Tytherington Quarry, operated by building materials company Hanson UK, was recently mothballed, meaning the tracks that run behind it could be given a new lease of life and returned to their original purpose. They believe that the local authority should "grab" the opportunity to request that Network Rail reclaim the line.

In a letter sent to chief executive Amanda Deeks they said: "We believe that it is within South Gloucestershire Council's strategic transport remit to request that Network Rail reclaim this line and protect its potential for future use and we request that this is attended to swiftly. We cannot countenance this line being scrapped and parts of the trackbed used as a cycle track/footpath or just allowed to 'return to nature' without the potential this line offers for commuter route alternatives being investigated."

Tory councillors Mr Hopkinson, who represents the Bradley Stoke Central and Stoke Lodge ward, and Mr Jones, who represents Frenchay and Stoke Park, say they regularly hear of Thornbury residents' "frustrations" about lack of public transport and employment opportunities. They also say the line could help cut thousands of lorry journeys if put to use should the planned construction of a nuclear power station in Shepperdine goes ahead.

In their letter they say: "With the Hitachi/Horizon new nuclear development at Oldbury back on the table, this line has the potential for running right into Oldbury. The amount of concrete, steel, equipment and construction workers coming into this area will be enormous. To see a greater part of this coming in by rail and the waste removed via the same route would, in our opinion, not only massively reduce the impact on our existing road infrastructure but could enhance the speed of construction and may well reduce overall costs to the developer. In addition it would fulfil the requirements for a long-term local legacy. We believe the council should act now to, at the very least, protect future options."

According to the West of England Area Rail Studies report published in April 2012, reopening the line would cost ^38 million with operating costs of ^3 million each year.

The Greater Bristol Metro Rail campaign, which aimed to bring former stations back into use and increase services' frequency, was launched by the four local authorities, including South Gloucestershire Council, last year.

Thornbury was not considered as part of the project's first phase, which is due to be rolled out around 2017, or second stage. But the two councillors have told The Post this does not mean the town should be disregarded and are they hoping the ^38 million necessary to make the line operational again will become available.

No one from South Gloucestershire Council was available for comment yesterday.

I suspect the community garden is there by the grace of the landowner, Network Rail. I doubt Eastside Roots have any title to the area used.

Seems the Portisheaad branch could be open by 2017 at least thats what the Bristol evening post are saying.

Bristol transport expert panel appointed

Bristol mayor George Ferguson has appointed a panel of transport experts to advise him on matters such as bus routes and metro services. Mr Ferguson has recently said he wants to change the route of a planned rapid bus service in the city.

The panel will include John Grimshaw a founder of Sustrans, campaigner Pip Sheard, light rail businessman Trevor Smallwood and consultant Roger Key. The group will not be paid for monthly meetings with the mayor. A fifth person, who has not been named, will also join the panel.

Several members of the panel have previously supported the idea of trams coming back to Bristol's streets but Mr Ferguson said it was unlikely to happen now. Mr Ferguson said using railways around the city was something he was investigating. "Trams are expensive so they may play their part but they're not going to be the central solution," he said. "What is going to be the central solution is the Bristol Metro. Everything is based on making a bigger Bristol Metro that uses the existing rail infrastructure and improves on that."

Bristol mayor George Ferguson approves metro funding

Bristol mayor George Ferguson has approved ^1.8m of council funding for a business case towards creating a city metro rail system. The project would use existing infrastructure and see stations at Horfield and Ashley Down reopened.

The funding still needs full council approval. The cash to build the ^94m scheme would come from the government.

Mr Ferguson said: "This is a huge leap forward for the greater Bristol region."

The system would be delivered in two phases. The first, costing ^35m, would establish half-hourly train services for the Severn Beach line, local stations between Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa and Weston-super-Mare and reopen the Portishead line to passenger services. This could be completed by 2017/18.

The second phase, costing ^34m, would aim to introduce half-hourly train services to Yate and hourly services on a reopened Henbury line, with additional stations at Horfield and Ashley Down.

There is also a ^25m proposal to add stations at Saltford, Ashton Gate and Corsham in Wiltshire. Funding bids would be submitted to central government for each phase.

At a meeting of the city council's cabinet on Thursday, Mr Ferguson gave his approval for funding to develop a business case for the project. The money will be set aside with ^559,000 from the council's revenue and ^1.24m from its capital budgets up until 2016/17. If rubber-stamped, the decision will enable more funding to be released by central government in 2015.

Mr Ferguson said: "This is something around which the transport lobby seems to be agreed. It's making use of current infrastructure and adding to it in places. Over the next 10 or 15 years it enables us to make a more integrated approach to our transport and will hopefully lead to an integrated transport authority in the long term."

On Thursday, the government announced that the greater Bristol area, including Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, could receive more than ^80m to spend on transport schemes. It comes as Transport Minister Norman Baker outlined plans to devolve decision-making on major local transport schemes to local transport bodies from 2015.

Further news items this week: from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-21157945):


Also from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-21196490):

Bristol could ideally trial a free shuttle bus running clockwise around the city linking key area's as they have in Manchetser and a few other places.

If Bristol were to introduce such a system. I'd be willing to share a seat with Rita Webb Peggy Mount or Norah Batty !

Certainly a good idea. The 8 and 9 don't do the job well, and have to be paid for.

Going slightly off topic but  are there any  bus routes in and around Bristol which could  justify a 24 hour service?

Agreement between the Mayor and First means night buses will run six nights a week from March

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Night buses, providing late night journeys to destinations throughout Bristol and South Gloucestershire, are to run six nights a week thanks to a new experimental agreement between Bristol Mayor George Ferguson and bus operator First.

The buses, which will begin operation on 24 March (subject to the traffic commissioners approval), will provide extra late night journeys across the city, giving shift workers and revellers the opportunity to travel much later than at present, helping people get to and from work and leisure destinations much more easily.

The move, which will see late night services run six days a week, is a significant improvement on the current arrangement, which sees late night buses operate just two days a week under contract to the city Council.

While the new journeys, which will operate on Services 40, 43, 44, 48, 54, 70, 75 and 90, will be pump primed by the city council initially (at a cost of ^60,000 a year) the plan is for First to take over the running of the services on a commercial basis as soon as they have established themselves.

The deal represents a positive step forward for the city, and taxpayers: at present the City Council supports night buses across six routes on Saturdays and Sundays only (between midnight and 6am) at a cost of ^40,000 a year, however under the new arrangement, journeys will operate six days a week on eight routes for an initial cost of ^60,000. Steps taken by First also mean that one of the routes - service 75 - will operate 24 hours a day on a commercial basis from 24 March, with buses running between Hengrove and Cribbs Causeway through the night, on an hourly basis in both directions.

The new six day a week service is expected to attract shift workers as well as the traditional pub and club market. It also means that theatres, restaurants and other leisure activities can consider longer operating hours.

Talking about the new service, Marc Reddy, Regional Commercial and Business Growth Director for First in the South West and Wales, says: "At the end of last year we began operating late night journeys on Service 73 (Bristol City Centre - Bristol Parkway Station via Gloucester Road and Filton Avenue) on a commercial basis and these have proved popular.

"As a result of this and knowing that the Council was considering its night bus commitments, we put forward a proposal which suggested that we could run the journeys for them, if they were willing to help support them initially while they get off the ground. They have agreed and plans are now in place to roll this out from the end of March.

"This is good news for Bristol. It means the city will have a much more comprehensive night bus service. Our plans to move Service 75 to be a truly 24 hour operation will, we expect, also be welcomed, especially by those who need to travel either for work or leisure in the small hours of the morning."

Bristol Mayor George Ferguson adds: "This is a good outcome. A major city with a late-night culture as vibrant as Bristols must have a night bus service. And it easily has the potential to run as a self-funding private business. It just needs to be bigger, bolder and braver. Better late night connections make the city a more attractive place for more late night activity which brings more users to the night buses."

"Firsts proposal points the Night Bus firmly in the direction it should be travelling, and Im happy to support its route towards commercial viability."

The services that will operate extra late night journeys from 24 March are as follows:

Service 40
Operates between Old Market & Shirehampton
From Old Market at: 00:00, 01:00, 02:00
From Shirehampton (Green) at: 00:30 and 01:30
*late night journeys will not operate via Church Road, Julian Road, Downleaze

Service 43/44:
Operates between Centre & Kingwood (Buses between the Centre and Kingswood will operate as Service 43 but will return to the centre as Service 44 travelling via Hanham. This means that people wishing to travel from the Centre to Hanham will be able to do so, travelling on Service 43 and staying on board for the journey via Hanham)   
Service 43 from the Centre: 00:00, 01:00, 02:00
Service 44 from Kingswood: 00:22, 01:22, 02:22 (the 02.22 journey will terminate at Laurence Hill (Croydon Street).

Service 48
Operates between Centre & Downend
From the Centre: 00:00, 01:00, 02:00
From Downend (The Leap): 00:28 and 01:28

Service 54
Operates between Stockwood & Cribbs Causeway
From Cribbs Causeway at: 23:20, 00:06, 01:06,
From Stockwood at 00:07 and 01:07

Service 70
Operates between Centre & UWE (Frenchay Campus)   
From the Centre at: 00:30, 01:30, 02:30
From UWE at 01:00 and 02:00

Service 75
Operates between Hengrove and Cribbs Causeway
This will be a 24 hr operation (60 min frequency 00:00 to 05:00) in each direction

Service 90   
Operates between Broadmead & Hengrove Depot
From Broadmead (Horsefair) at: 00:00, 01:00, 02:00
From Inns Court Green at: 00:30 and 01:30

As an old Hanhamite  - looks good, (service 43/44) but the BEP has spelt Lawrence Hill incorrectly.  Has the Grauniad taken them over?

Bristol harbourside bus route changes agreed

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65867000/jpg/_65867424_65867423.jpg)
Under the proposal BRT vehicles would not run across Prince Street bridge

Plans to change the routes of two new rapid bus routes in Bristol have been agreed in principle.

The city's elected mayor George Ferguson previously said he did not want buses running across Prince Street bridge or through the harbourside. But opponents of his plans said the city risked losing some ^140m for transport projects.

The changes were agreed with transport minister Norman Baker following a meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Ferguson said a "number of potential improvements" would give a better connection on the route between Long Ashton and Temple Meads railway station.

"This helps burst the bubble of those who have been claiming that my appetite for changes to the route around the harbour would mean the Department for Transport withdrawing all the money," Mayor Ferguson said. "There are huge potential improvements to be gained in terms of route, vehicle and nature of the scheme with better connection to Temple Meads."

But one of his unpaid transport advisors, Pip Sheard, resigned following the meeting with the minister.

"I'm very sorry that without even waiting for an update at this afternoon's gathering of the transport advisers Pip Sheard has tendered her resignation," Mr Ferguson added. "But she is asking for what would amount to an illegal change of transferring funds to other modes of transport, however desirable that might be."

Ms Sheard said she had resigned because she wanted a "proper discussion" on the options and "the advisory group didn't look like being the proper forum for that".

"We were going to be given a chosen option with very little opportunity for putting forward alternatives and what we need here is a genuine debate on which is the best public transport route," she added.

Found myself on one with Dame Joan Bakewell back in November .. thinking man's crumpet as was...

All correspondents call it the BEP and we shall continue to do so

Bristol is now only second to Leeds as the largest urban area in mainland GB not having any form of metro/light rail public transport.

Diesel engined buses are not a long term solution, even if they are to run (in but a small part) on dedicated infrastructure. Come on Mayor Ferguson. You're doing well pressing the case for heavy rail in and around Bristol. Why not start the ball rolling on light rail as well? Think of the legacy. You could be the man who brought trams back to Bristol.

I know leeds are looking at electric trolly busses so perhaps Bristol could look at something like this for this BRT scheme

Perhaps it is a sign of my getting old but when I lived down west, the Centre was always known as the The Tramway Centre and Bristol Buses as "Bristol Blues" when they were painted green. What would we do without nostalgia?

George Ferguson @GeorgeFergusonx

#Cambridge #BusRapidTransport another accident, sent me by Pip Sheard: http://ow.ly/hMWqc  Does not fill with confidence re #Bristol #BRT[/url]

Cambridge 'guided busway' crash leaves three injured
 
An eyewitness said a bus crashed into the back of another


Three people have been injured after two buses crashed on a guided busway in Cambridgeshire.

The collision at 15:50 GMT at Swavesey was between two buses heading in the direction of St Ives, Andy Campbell from Stagecoach said.

Three people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed.

Passenger Michaela Murray said the bus she was on slowed down for horses and another bus hit it from behind.

"Glass smashed into the bus. No-one knew what had happened. The driver got up and asked if everyone was all right," she said.

Ms Murray said she saw people who looked like they had broken their noses and she took herself to the doctors after having neck pains.

Diversions were put in place while the buses were recovered.

The 16-mile concrete-tracked busway opened last year and runs services between Huntingdon and Trumpington, south of Cambridge.

It is the second crash on the busway in three months.

In November a bus came off its tracks, with the driver treated for shock. No defect was found in the vehicle, an investigation found.

Great news BNM.  I hope you both have a camera for when it's interesting, otherwise I shall have to send my son down there.  He lives about a mile away in Ashley Hill.

FGW welcomes opportunity to improve transport in Bristol

First Great Western has welcomed the opportunity to continue to work with partners to improve transport in Bristol.

Speaking at an Institute of Directors event held at the M-Shed last night First Group^s Bid Director for the First Great Western franchise Matthew Golton said: ^This strategic transport debate is being held to build on discussions about Bristol^s future transport priorities. There is still much to do and we will keep planning for growth - working with business, the Mayor, the City and with Government - to support the communities we serve and keep people moving in an increasingly congested world. We have worked in close partnership with local authorities, the Local Enterprise Partnership, rail users, communities, Government and our industry partners to secure long term transport investment for the Greater Bristol area, including electrification and new Intercity Express trains.^

Mr Golton went on to cite First Great Western^s record in Bristol, which has seen 100% growth for the Severn Beach Line as well as the injection of 1700 additional seats at peak times in the Greater Bristol area; testament to the partnership working across the region and with Government.

Institute of Directors chair Tom McCarthy said: ^The IoD organised transport debate brought together transport experts from academia, the business world and local government in an effort to define the route ahead. Historically there have been numerous excellent transport initiatives but not enough cohesion to deliver an integrated system.  A key concept that arose from the debate last night was a model of integrated transport, similar to the Transport for London Authority. We fully endorse this concept and hope that the regional local authorities can continue to work together alongside the transport providers to create such an organisation.^

The Creating an inspirational transport future for Bristol event was held to enable business leaders to listen to and question what leaders of transport see as the key transport issues in the region.

I took some reference pictures last summer around Stapleton Road station, so the differences will be clear.

You are absolutely right, 34104. The tunnel under the road below the M32 that used to lead to the stadium entrance is still there, and now leads into Ikea's car park.

Railway line passenger figures to top a million

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

The Bristol Post

By Tom Morris

FOR the first time ever more than one million rail journeys are expected to be made on the Severn Beach line this year.

Between January and December 2012 passenger figures were 935,000 ^ an increase of 107,000 trips (12.5 per cent) on the previous year.
 ​
(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/Poststory_zps4770a632.jpg)

The latest figures means passenger numbers on the line between Severn Beach and Bristol Temple Meads have increased by 250 per cent since First Great Western (FGW) took over the running of the line in 2006.

The service between Bristol Temple Meads currently runs 22 services a day, 11 in each direction.


The figures are expected to top one million by the end of the year because last September FGW launched a new night-time train service to cope with increased passenger demand on the line.

When the first phase of the long-awaited Greater Bristol Metro opens, which is expected to be in 2017, services on the Severn Beach line are expected to increase again with half hourly trains available.

On Saturday FGW managing director Mark Hopwood told delegates at TravelWatch South West's General Meeting that passengers on the community rail line would hit or exceed one million passengers for first time.

He said: "These excellent results show the value of our local rail services in the South West and how productive partnerships can really deliver results that benefit local people and the local economy.

"Our local Community Rail services are not only among the fastest growing, but also among the most reliable in the country and we look forward to working with partners to deliver further improvements."

Mr Hopwood also highlighted how FGW has introduced 18 additional High Speed Train carriages for trains serving the Bristol and Bath area within the last year.

He said FGW had added 924 seats across morning and evening peaks ^ forming part of an extra 4,500 seats for customers travelling into London during peak time.

Julie Boston, co-ordinator for Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR) said: "We are obviously very pleased and delighted at the news that First Great Western expects passenger numbers of the Severn Beach line to exceed one million for the first time.

"The fact that they believe this goes to show there is the need and desire from people to use the route.

"We also hope that the message to our decision makers is that if they make half hourly services available at all 25 functioning stations in the city it can ease road problems."

She said later FOSBR was celebrating the South West local rail network with a scenic round trip from Bristol Temple Meads to Montpelier Station on Saturday, March 23.

"In March 1963, the Beeching Report identified 2,363 stations and 5,000 miles (8,000 km) for closure," she said.

"Despite this negative policy, many of the surviving stations and lines have flourished with community and local authority support.

"We need to show decision makers that an affordable, frequent and reliable rail service is good for passengers, good for the environment and good for the economy."

Park and ride to be considered for Whitchurch

A study is to be carried out into the possibility of creating a new park and ride for the A37 near Whitchurch.

Council leaders at Bath and North East Somerset Council have agreed to begin discussions with Bristol City Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership to look at the possibility of creating the new facility. The agreement followed pressure from the council's Conservative group which tabled an amendment as part of discussions on the authority's Core Strategy document blueprint.

Sites for where the park and ride could be located will now be considered.

A final decision on whether any scheme can go ahead rests with the council's Liberal Democrat ruling cabinet.

Conservative councillors have argued that any new development should be coupled with improved infrastructure and have said that creating a Whitchurch park and ride could help ease traffic congestion on the A37 and alleviate parking problems on residential roads in the village. Councillor Tim Warren said: "We wanted to put the idea of building a new park and ride for the A37 on the council's agenda so that discussions can start with Bristol and the Local Enterprise Partnership on whether this is a realistic possibility. Improving transport and tackling congestion across the West of England is frequently cited as the number one concern of residents throughout the area.

"Building a new park and ride near Whitchurch would help alleviate the chronic traffic problems on the A37 and address some of the parking difficulties experienced in the village. It would also help residents of villages to the south of the district, who could get a bus to Whitchurch and then use the park and ride for the remainder of the journey into Bristol. Obviously a lot more work would have to be done on finding an appropriate site for a park and ride and assessing the cost, but we hope that BANES and Bristol look into this seriously."

Local councillors have welcomed the move, saying that many people already use the streets of Whitchurch as a makeshift park and ride.

Whitchurch village councillor, Peter Edwards, said: "At the moment, many commuters already use residential roads in Whitchurch village as a de facto park and ride, driving to the outskirts of Bristol and then catching a bus on the A37. If a park and ride were built then it would help resolve this problem and make journeys into Bristol easier for local people. We'd have to investigate possible sites and consult with residents very carefully before any firm plans came forward however."

From The Post (Bristol) (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Park-ride-considered-Whitchurch/story-18353256-detail/story.html#axzz2N34OJtsA):

It's difficult to see how this could be made to work properly. The inspiration must be the existing P&Rs in Brislington, Avonmouth, and LA.

Bristol's Bus Rapid Transit delay 'risks further plans'

More delays to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme will put all of the West's major transport plans under negotiation at risk, it has been claimed.

The mayor of Bristol said he has the go-ahead to change plans for the new transport system without losing Government funding.

But North Somerset Council have accused George Ferguson of "exaggerating" the changes he can make.

A review looking for an alternative route is due to be completed by May.

Mr Ferguson announced in January that the route of the BRT system should not run across Prince Street Bridge or through the harbour for fear of clogging up the bridge and compromising the ambiance of the historic docks.

But he was warned that changes could put the entire ^200m project in jeopardy.

'Minor changes'

And now the leader of North Somerset Council, Nigel Ashton, has said there is a very clear message from the Department for Transport that further delay is unacceptable.

"Further prevarication could risk all of the West of England major transport schemes under negotiation with the Government," he said.

"This amounts to many millions of pounds in local transport investment."

Mr Ferguson said that transport minister Norman Baker told him in February they could make changes to the route without losing the money.

But North Somerset Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, who has executive responsibility for highways and transport, has said this is not true.

"He wasn't told that at all. He is making statements which are fundamentally exaggerated," Mr Ap Rees said.

"Whilst it is possible for minor tweaks to be made, they would only be minor changes, not major changes that would require re-jigging the whole scheme, which is what George Ferguson's idea is."

Denying that a review of the route is risking future investment, Mr Ferguson said: "As far as I am concerned the position is exactly as I said it was - we are reviewing the scheme.

"We have been given the go-ahead to make the changes, subject to it meeting the business case, which is what the route review is about, and they perfectly understand that we are reviewing it."

Mr Ferguson said that transport minister Norman Baker told him in February they could make changes to the route without losing the money.

But North Somerset Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, who has executive responsibility for highways and transport, has said this is not true.

"He wasn't told that at all. He is making statements which are fundamentally exaggerated," Mr Ap Rees said.

Looks like some preparitory work is underway at Stapleton Road. Portakabins and building material in evidence as I passed through this morning.

Four track and leccy is on its way!!!

Apologies for quoting myself, but it now appears I may have been somewhat premature in welcoming the start of four-track preparatory work at Stapleton Road.

More from Stapleton Road. The work is not directly related to four-tracking, but is part of the preparatory works for electrification. The footbridge over the line is being adapted.

How about this for Bristol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translohr

Lookes more like a tram and much more enviromentally freindlier than the rapidbus transit scheme currently proposed which more than likely use FTR vehicles like we have in Swansea at the moment.

Might be cheaper to install as well.

Considering all the delays etc and the uk government wants more issues to be devolved to local regions maybe someone can persuade Mr Osbourne and Cameron etc to allow Bristol to borrow money to pay for a tram system rather than BRT.

It would certainly help the government show the other citries in the uk what they are missing. Just like how the Welsh Government have come up with something crafty and are using the whole issue of Scottish independance to try and get westminster to devolve powers to Cardiff.

No, swrural, I had grander [plans in mind,

(Multo snippo....) then...

There are options, as much of the area around the central fire station at Temple Back is due for a bit of redevelopement. The line could cut through there to Counterslip, then on to Victoria Street and Baldwin Street, or even St Nicholas Street. Or the return could head along Old Market, to return to Temple Meads via the Dings - raising the prospect of rebirth for St Philips station.

...my lines go along Victoria Street...

Victoria St was built as a consequence of Temple Meads' success;  the Victorian town planners obliterated a great chunk of Temple St and some of St Thomas St to create a direct route from town to the station - in pretty much the way Brunel would have done if they'd let him.

The restored city (still some way to go) is a jewel, simple as that. 

Luftwaffe get a lot of blame for what actually BCC did in the Victoria St area. 

It is indeed - but it was still decimated by the Luftwaffe.  :-X

I think 'devastated'  :P - they destroyed more than one tenth.

"It's not just about four-tracking, it's to make the point that for nine million people who go to Temple Meads every year, there's no train for them to get onto. They have to get a cab, if they are well off, or whatever.

"We are thinking of going to the taxi rank at 6pm and asking passengers whether they would like a half-hourly local train service."

It seems to me that the taking over of Stapleton Road area itself by ethnic minorities has been a mixed outcome.  We have had the saving of a road shopping area that was once vibrant and on a direct axis to Castle St, as your article in Wikipedia, RS, points out, and its replacement with the ethnic shopping.  On the other hand, all the features of deprivation, prostitution, extreme violence and so on, has come with that ethnic 'vibrancy'. 

At the moment, I feel visiting pax could be reluctant to step outside the station.  Have I got this totally wrong?  I keep reading of some fearful incidents in the BP. 

Got me wrong  - again.  I knew someone would and tried to phrase my comment carefully.  I knew someone would leap in though, shame isn't it? 

At the moment, I feel visiting pax could be reluctant to step outside the station.  Have I got this totally wrong?  I keep reading of some fearful incidents in the BP. 

The trouble with 'bare facts' is that they give simplistic view of life.  Stapleton Road may have some social issues, but I also know from personal experience having visited the area over many years, it feels no more unsafe than the city centre for much of the day and there are many positive things going for the community.  I wonder if we decided on whether to visit a place or change trains at a specific station based on such facts we would ever visit any of our big cities.

I can't help feeling that this line of thought on this topic is seriously in danger derailing the thrust of the arguments concerning the best form of public transport for the Greater Bristol area.

I have never seen such concerted and organised opposition to any transport scheme in the past. Stop BRT2 (http://stopbrt2.org.uk/) organised a petition and e-petition (https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-mayor-of-bristol-please-stop-brt2) (please sign if you haven't done so already), commissioned its own passenger survey, leafleted people in the dock area, and did so much more - still are doing. They hired an expert witness for the Public Inquiry, as well as submitting proofs of evidence, and look to have done a better job than the council. I am convinced that BRT and especially BRT2 influenced the outcome of the Mayoral election, given our red-trousered Mayor's stated antipathy to the scheme.

It may also influence the outcome of Thursday's local elections, although few of the wards up for grabs are on the route of Bust Rabid Transit. The big exception is Cabot ward, which includes the city centre, harbour and harbour railway, and Spike Island. It is the epicentre of Stop BRT2. The politics of the ward are usually as yellow as jaundiced custard, with 2 Lib Dem councillors, one of whom, Dr Mark Wright, is up for election. Their campaign website is rather silent on BRT, but whatever their personal views, they will be bound by party whip. Lib Dem leader Tim Kent is the principal author of the dog's breakfast that is BRT, having been cabinet member for transport prior to George Ferguson's victory last November.He is one of the very few people in Bristol who thinks BRT is a good idea, so is hiighly unlikely to tolerate criticism of his pet scheme from his own side. Opinion in the area seems to be that Mark Wright is a general all-round good egg and a good councillor, but that BRT is too big an issue to ignore. The only one of the four candidates in Cabot to have voiced unequivocal opposition to BRT2 running through the harbour is the Green party's Charlie Bolton. There are murmurings that it may be best to leave tribal loyalties behind for this year, run the risk of being spoken to by men in sandals, and vote Green, even if it does mean having to put up with a diet of lentils and lectures about carbon footprints, wind panels and solar turbines for the next 3 years. For once, Thursday's election is likely to be interesting. Sadly, I am disenfranchised, as my ward doesn't come up for 2 years.

Elsewhere, congratulations go to Somali refugee Hibaq Jama who won the Lawrence Hill ward for Labour, gaining over 50% of the vote. Proof, if it were needed, that you can settle in this diverse and tolerant city and engage in local politics. One of her opponents made great play on his 'I was born and raised in Bristol' credentials. Like that should even be relevant. By the way, councillor Jama's ward includes Stapleton Road station.  :-X

...asking him to ensure funding is allocated for Four Track, Now!

What will you spend the money on?  :P

Unfortunately, two problems occurred for us:
1. We lost half the spaces that we could previously use to park in, as the council concluded we were not in the RPZ, even though that was where most residents in my building parked.
2. All the city centre/hospital/university workers who parked in the RPZ area were now parking on our road, limiting the number of spaces even further.

Julie Boston, FOSBR:

"Network Rail is hoping to begin work on the disused steel bridge [presumably over Stapleton Road - ed] in the autumn and this will include its complete renewal.

"So far, so celebratory. But the final decision to fund this is due to be made in June."

Greater Bristol programme:
Improvements to facilitate the proposed Intercity Express Programme (IEP) service, including:
^ Four trains per hour between Bristol and London Paddington
^ Local service growth and reduced journey times from the south west into Bristol and on to Birmingham
^ Proposals for a package of schemes to reduce journey times, increase capacity and service frequency in and around Bristol
^ An additional platform at Bristol Parkway
^ Filton Bank four-tracking
^ Bristol East Junction remodelling
^ Bristol Temple Meads additional platform and extra station capacity
^ Station master plan linked to wider urban redevelopment.

 That bridge is basically one continuous run from Stapleton Road to the far side of the M32, so covers two very heavily used roads.

...one long bridge, or possibly a few shorter ones, joined together...

I think the technical term might be 'viaduct', isn't it? ;)

Stapleton Road Bridge was damaged during the war and only temporary repairs were ever carried out.It always had a speed restriction on it.

Aha! An explanation that makes sense, and presumably explains the sort of strapping pieces welded over the top of the bridge.

I rather doubt that - the ties are there to prevent buckling. Ignore the lattice design and think of it as a square U-shaped channel, made of cardboard if that helps. If the sides fold in or out they stop supporting the deck, and the tie stops that happening. However, there is also a buckling mode where both sides go the same way - one in, one out - and to prevent that the joint of the tie to the sides has to be stiff. And, as you can see using Streetview, they are. In fact it is a pretty common bridge design, especially in the USA.

I really rather like this viaduct, with all its rivets, struts and gusset plates; don't know what it's done to offend FT, N!

Welcome, Rooke, and thanks for your contribution.

... it just doesn't look to my untrained eye to have been done in one go.

A Gothic remnant of a grander building from a grander time.

A Gothic remnant of a grander building from a grander time.

Hmm.  Picking up on Red Squirrel's post, is it possible that it's some form of ventilation / access for the diverted River Frome, which runs underground for much of its course through Baptist Mills?

Greater Bristol Metro Campaign
Four Tracks and Local Electrification

Department for Transport (DfT) funding to re-instate the missing two tracks between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood Stations is essential for the Bristol Metro. The decision is expected in June 2013.

MPs, the Mayor of Bristol, local councillors, trade unionists, transport campaigners and passengers are invited to join FOSBR:-

When ?   Friday 17 May 2013      11.00 ^ 11.30

Where ?   Stapleton Road Station^s new footbridge

Why ?   To show local support for funding 4 tracks and local
                   Electrification, because: 

o Four tracks would allow more trains, more often to: Avonmouth, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Bridgwater, Bedminster, Clifton Down, Filton Abbey Wood, Keynsham, Lawrence Hill, Nailsea, Oldfield Park, Parson Street, Trowbridge, Weymouth, Worle, Yate and Yatton stations. 

o Four tracks would allow the nine million passengers who arrive at Temple Meads Station each year to continue their journey by train to local stations throughout the North Bristol conurbation.

o Four tracks would provide the one million passengers who use the Avonmouth line with a thirty minute service.

o Four tracks would reduce the current conflict between local and long distance trains and allow cross Bristol services.

o Four tracks work and local electrification must be carried out during the electrification of the Great Western Main line (which has now started), or the opportunity could be lost for a generation.

o Local electrification and four tracks will convert Bristol^s Beeching era relic into a modern electric suburban network.

o Four tracks would enable the north Bristol circular route, building the case for returning the Severn Beach Line to two tracks as far as Avonmouth and a fifteen minute interval service.


Four tracking is needed from Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood

If further evidence were needed, here's a 1918 photo with the struts in situ:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7188464020_d2bdf8307e_z.jpg)

So is FTN now RqI

FTN = Four Track Now
RqI = Requadrify Imminently

... the pub has had an entire floor removed. But that's another storey.

I smoked my last cigarette on Sunday 12 May 1991.

That particular structural alteration, and the disappearance of all of those buildings between the stone bridge and the pub, may be due to the work of an unknown German demolition specialist between 1939 and 1945 ...  ::)

Which brings us neatly back to the hypothesis that bomb damage may well have been the start of the troubles for that bridge. I have tried, without success, to find the article that mentioned the long dry summer of 1976 and the deleterious effect it had on the ground around that bridge.

You mess with nature at your peril.

Are we straying off topic?

Which brings us neatly back ...

Readers make their points about rail plan

By Michael Ribbeck

SCORES of Bristol Post readers have written to the paper to back the campaign to double the number of rail tracks at Filton Bank on the approach to Temple Meads.

The campaign is seen as a vital part of the bid to improve public transport and the train service in the city. Local MPs are backing the move which would double the number of services and open up what is seen as a bottleneck in the system.

Readers have filled in the special coupon ^ which is part of a city-wide petition ^ in the newspaper.

Richard Heath, from St George, said: "Without the four tracks the Greater Bristol Network will simply not work. A freight train can block the rail line for ten to 15 minutes. Having only two tracks will not provide the capacity to run the kind of passenger service that we all need."

Mr S Sutton, from Keynsham, said: "With the forthcoming electrification, an additional two trains will be needed each way per hour and any unplanned delays will result in a busy stretch of line being stacked to capacity."

Rail campaigners have been urging MPs with constituencies in and around Bristol to give their support for the doubling of the number of tracks between Filton Abbey Wood and Temple Meads stations.

The extra track will increase the amount of services on the crucial Severn Beach line.

People should write to the Department for Transport before June, when it will be announced whether a bid for funding for the work has been approved.

Campaign group Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways says MPs made pledges on public transport in 2010 and should take action to ensure the city does not miss out on funding for a vital piece of infrastructure.

Under the plans for a Bristol metro, the railway line from the city to Portishead would be reopened, local services would be more frequent and disused stations would be brought back into use.

Julie Boston, spokesman for FOSBR, said: "Cross-party support for Government funding to reinstate the missing two tracks between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood stations is essential. We need to send a strong message to the Government on this before the decision.

"We need as much support as possible to ensure funding is secured to double the number of tracks between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood."

If all the proposals outlined in the report 'The Reshaping of British Railways' are implemented, there will be within the City only Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Temple Meads, Parson Street, Bedminster and St. Anne's Park stations available to passengers. Many of the closures which are proposed or have already taken place, particularly those which affect the expanding urban areas, are unfortunate. The Avonmouth, Severnside and Yate areas are all likely to expand greatly, yet in these three cases the passenger rail services have already been withdrawn or are liable to clusure.

The closure proposals seem to have been made without consideration being given to the possibility of a balanced transportation plan being achieved in Bristol, and it is considered that prior to any further steps being taken to withdraw passenger services, a study should be undertaken of the possible future role of the railways based on the policies outlined in previous chapters. In particular, the possible development of the transport interchange centres at Lawrence Hill, Montpelier, Stapleton Road and Parson Street as rail/bus interchanges should be investigated.

Land-buying starts for North Fringe-to-Hengrove scheme

Privately-owned land along the planned North Fringe-to-Hengrove rapid transit route is set to be bought by South Gloucestershire Council.

The route is part of a major scheme to improve links to Bristol city centre by building bus lanes to cut congestion.

Councillor Brian Allinson said: "The more land we can buy up now from willing landowners along the route, the sooner we can start construction work."

The amount the council spends on buying land will remain confidential.

Work is expected to start on the rapid transit scheme in 2015.

The council has said it has not yet ascertained how much land will be bought as this will depend on negotiations with landowners.

Councillors on the cross-party committee also agreed to spend ^4m on the A38 Gipsy Patch and Filton junction.

The Bristol North Fringe route will cost ^102m in total with half of the money coming from the Department for Transport (DfT) and a further ^51m coming from local councils and third-party businesses.

The route will see an extra bus-only junction added to the M32 between Frenchay and Easton.

Millions to be spent to ease traffic problems

PLANS to ease traffic congestion in South Gloucestershire have taken a step forward after councillors agreed to invest millions of pounds in transport.

The authority's policy and resources committee yesterday agreed to buy up any land not already under council ownership along the route of the flagship ^102m North Fringe to Hengrove rapid transit scheme.

This would include the ^29 million Stoke Gifford Link Road, which would run from Great Stoke Way on the northern side of the railway line near Bristol Parkway station and join up with the Avon Ring Road near the M32 roundabout.

Councillors also agreed to spend ^4 million on improving the Gipsy Patch and Filton A38 junctions.

Councillor Brian Allinson (Con, Stoke Gifford), who is the chairman of the planning, transport and strategic environment committee, said: "This is major financial commitment for the council and once again demonstrates our ongoing commitment to do what we can to tackle traffic congestion, promote public transport and improve air quality and journey times in and around our communities.

"The more land we can buy up now from willing landowners along the rapid transit route, including along the Stoke Gifford Transport Link road, the sooner that we can be ready to start construction work because we can minimise the amount of land that will be subject to the lengthy compulsory purchase process."

However, I must point out as a North Somerset resident, although our council is pretty ropey when it comes to strategy (being mainly free-market oriented) I observe little stability in Bristol local politics and a constantly shifting point of view when it comes to long term planning.

...repoening the Somerset and Dorset line to Bath... ...An emotive issue demonstrated by the protests against its use as part of the Bristol Rapid Transport.

If the Scots can reopen the Waverly line to Galashiels then anything is possible

Rails relaid from Yate through Westerleigh to Bath? With similar from St Philips to Mangotsfield (handy triangular junction there, largely untouched) and perhaps even Clay Hill to Clifton Down station and onward. Could all be done on a light rail/tram basis.

Obviously some back gardens in the Fishponds Road/Muller Road area would be encroached upon and those upstarts at the Avon Valley Railway would need buying off, as well as Sustrans giving up their Bristol and Bath Railway Path. But with the political will it is possible. Anything is possible.

In the meantime, I'll keep taking the medication....

Anyone got a few ^billion lying around they want to invest : )

No, sadly. Tram-train is a brilliant idea imho, though, because it can open long continuous journey paths using short on-street connections to underused rail lines. Bristol's railway is far from under used, but with those two extra tracks to Filton Bank, so much could be possible.

If anyone official is reading this, I am available to help with planning such a system, and have my own pencil sharpener.

Just spent an uplifting half-hour or so at Stapleton Road station attending FOSBR's 'Four Track Friday' event. All the local luminaries were there - Julie Boston, George Ferguson, Mark Bradshaw, Charlotte Leslie, Dave Wood, councillors and union reps, and the WEP - all the political parties speaking with one voice to demand two more tracks up Ashley Bank.

Good to see the brackets on the end of the new footbridge pointing north-east, ready to span the new tracks. However I don't see how the footbridge could ever be adapted for wheelchair access; lifts or ramps wouldn't help as there are steps in the main span. I wonder how the station could be made DDA-compliant? This must a prerequisite of restoring its status as an interchange. Is this short-sightedness, or do NR have an alternative in mind?

I'm sure adaptations can be made to that bridge to incorporate a ramp in due course, as it seems to be of a modular construction, but I'm surprised it wasn't done now.

Even with a ramp, Stapleton Road would be far from easy for disabled passengers to use. I'm not talking about wheelchairs here, but people with other limitations. I once had to give an elderly lady a bunk-up into the train there, and was surprised how high from the ground the train door was. Same applies at Lawrence Hill, where I had to help her down again.

He of the red trousers has finalised the Bristol City Council cabinet.

There are two seats for Labour; transport & planning (Mark Bradshaw-Bedminster ward) and education (Brenda Massey-Southmead).

Two for the LibDems: health (Barbara Janke-Clifton) and leisure services (Simon Cooke-Clifton East).

One each for the Conservatives and Greens. Respectively; finance (Geoff Gollop-Westbury-on-Trym) and neighbourhoods/environment (Gus Hoyt-Ashley).

Of note obviously for this topic is the appointment of Mark Bradshaw to transport. I know little of his thinking on public transport in Bristol, but I do know one thing. He isn't Tim Kent. And that has to be a good thing.

"It is on transport that I had hoped to contribute most effort working towards retaining the funding originally for BRT won by Bristol and the city region. My view is that BRT (especially BRT2) is now a lame duck project with virtually zero public credibility. For BRT to be successful, self-evidently it would need to attract people to using it. This is essential to making a real difference to tackling congestion and widening travel choices.

As a city we need to be bold and innovative about investing in local rail and instigating better quality, more reliable and affordable express and local bus services. We also need to make our roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. I wish you well in your discussions with Ministers."

...does that mean Mark Bradshaw thinks we can spnd the BRT money on something more sensible?

Posting personally, I regard that particular appointment as a very positive step in the right direction for the future of public transport in Bristol.

Proponents of BRT, mainly S Glos and N Som in WEP, suggest that it is a done deal, and will be foisted on unwilling Bristol, even if it is a total waste of scarce money, to show that WEP is "competent" in transport projects. Pah!

Perhaps we should appoint North Dibley's Head of Social Services to project manage it.

VIPs show support for 'no-brainer' rail upgrade

Monday, May 20, 2013

By Rachel Gardner

RAIL campaigners, MPs, councillors, trade unionists and Bristol's mayor met to show their support for doubling the number of tracks at Filton Bank.

The campaign is seen as a vital part of the bid to improve public transport in the city.
 ​

 Showing their support for the doubling the number of tracks at Filton Bank are MPs, rail campaigners, councillors and trade unionists


Local MPs are backing the move which would double the number of services and open up what is seen as a bottleneck in the system.

They met for a rally at Stapleton Road station's new footbridge on Friday to hear speeches in support of the campaign, which is supported by the Bristol Post.

People have been filling in coupons printed in the newspaper ^ part of a citywide petition ^ to support the campaign, and scores of people have written to show their support.

Campaign group Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways said it expected in June a decision on whether funding for the project had been allocated by the Department for Transport.

Group secretary Tina Biggs said: "The greater Bristol metro will take motorists off Bristol's crowded streets. Four-tracking on Filton Bank is the key to making it happen.

"For example, more trains will be able to stop at Bedminster and Parson Street stations if the local trains are not interfered with by the express trains. Funding rail travel is in the public interest and should come from Government." Chairman Bernard Lane said: "Putting these tracks back is vital for the metro system in Bristol.

"To get a decent public-transport system that is not road-based, this needs to happen.

"It is the backbone of the whole project to improve rail services in the city."

Bristol mayor George Ferguson, who attended the rally, told the Bristol Post: "This is a no-brainer.

"It is integral that a better public transport network is provided as it is vital to the transport policies I am trying to introduce.

"We need to increase the use of the railways, and the doubling of the track is imperative."

Charlotte Leslie, MP for Bristol North West, also attended the rally.

She said she had been in touch with job-centre staff who told her that if former railway stations were reopened in Ashley Hill and Horfield, people living in those areas and nearby Lockleaze would have better access to transport and employment in the city centre and in Avonmouth.

Ms Leslie said: "Doubling the tracks from two to four now is vital to public transport in Bristol.

"We can then see the line electrified and reorganised, making public transport a better option for many people in the city."

Other speakers included Brian Allinson, chairman of the West of England joint transport executive committee which gave its support to the campaign by writing to the Department for Transport.

Labour councillor Mark Bradshaw, who has accepted a place in Mr Ferguson's cabinet and is responsible for transport, also attended, as did Liberal Democrat councillors Sean Emmett (Lockleaze) and David Willingham (Bishopston), Conservatives Chris Windows and Mark Weston, who both represent Henbury, and Green councillor Daniella Radice (Bishopston).

Bernard Kennedy, Bristol branch secretary of train-drivers' union ASLEF, said he could remember when there were four tracks 33 years ago.

He said: "Adding two lines is vital as the current lines are completely overloaded.

"It is so important that we keep putting pressure on the Government."

Meanwhile, back to quality transport. The Bristol Post (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/VIPs-support-brainer-rail-upgrade/story-19033730-detail/story.html#axzz2Ts8wAGyk) has published a further report on last weeks' gathering at Stapleton Road, to drum up support for four track, now.

Aha. A few familiar faces there.  :D

No sign of red trousers though - George had done an exit stage right, pursued by man asking questions about the RPZ scheme.

Bit of a shame that the unit in the background is the one named 'Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership'.

Aha. A few familiar faces there.  :D

So they did! Now then, who's that handsome brute with the receeding hairline lurking at the back by the blue cabinet... No sign of a bushy tail though, must have tucked it away somewhere.

Another unwanted interloper trying to get in on the act, hoping for a bit of publicity.
 

Er, Dawn Primarolo?

Not sure if that's a canard or a calumny. Who it was directed at!

Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership directed at it was!

Ah, see it is that I do.

Not sure if that's a canard

There was a duck there as well?

Four track ^ Network Rail provide update
Posted on May 23, 2013 by commsofficer   

Network Rail is continuing to develop the proposal for four tracking between Dr Days Junction and Filton Abbey Wood. The scheme forms part of its Strategic Business Plan which has formed its ^Control Period 5″ (2014-2019) funding request to Government. They will know if they have been successful in achieving funding in June 2013 when the Office of Rail Regulation publishes its draft determination identifying which schemes it is prepared to fund and how much has been allocated for this.

The proposed new two tracks will provide additional capacity that can be used for expected growth in freight, local and long distance passenger services.

Network Rail say the intention is to have one pair of lines predominantly for the fast CrossCountry services and one pair of lines for the local stoppers in order to achieve the journey time benefits for the fast services.

Assistant Mayor Mark Bradshaw, Bristol^s new Executive Member for Transport, Planning, Strategic Housing and Regeneration, said: ^We continue to work with our partner councils and Network Rail to secure vital investment to replace the missing tracks at Filton Bank.

This and other infrastructure is required to breath life back into our disused railway assets. Four track is essential to delivering, not only high speed intercity connections, but also more local and city region services. A decision on this funding for the period 2014-19 will be made by Ministers next month. The new tracks would help expand local as well as electrified and cross-country rail services; so all passengers, whether travelling long distance or locally, will benefit if the funding package gets the green light. Approval is not guaranteed, so we must all keep up the pressure in cooperation with public transport campaigners and people across Bristol. The Post^s continuing backing for this work is much appreciated and is making a difference.^

HLOS 2012:

The Secretary of State wishes the industry to undertake work to expand the capacity of the railway serving passengers to and from Bristol including increasing route capacity into Bristol from Filton Abbey Wood and increasing station capacity at Bristol Temple Meads by bringing back into railway use the historic station building.

HLOS Illustrative options:

Filton ^ Bristol capacity enhancement (four-track).
Bristol Temple Meads station capacity and incorporation of historic Digby
Wyatt train shed. Station potentially a focus of wider city regeneration.
Route gauge clearance for different DMUs.

Could someone please explain exactly what local politicians are 'campaigning' about?  As far as I can see they are just making noises to pretend they have some role in the process?

NR are 'still working on the project' because they've been told to do so, and funds are allocated, and no-one has told them to stop.  Yes, ORR is currently determining if NR's proposed costs are valid and containable within the overall SofA, but that's not the same as deciding whether to do it, that decision has already been made in principle.

The linked report above implies that NR have asked the DfT if they can do this, the reality is it is the other way around...

Paul

At Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill, there will be three platforms without any building needed. A fourth platform at each is possible, but not imho necessary. Passive provision can be made without great cost for fourth platforms in the future.

Mine too. Chris. The same goes for Horfield, although it would need a fair bit of work, and would be a heck of a climb up to Bonville Road...

Ashley Hill has a bend close by, which may prove a problem... ...To be more accurate, two bends.

(a) What is the minimum radius curve you can build a new station on?
(b) What the radius is at Ashley Hill?

(a) From GI/RT 7016, 1000m.
(b) Around 1100m, at the apex, from a rough measurement on Google earth.

(a) From GI/RT 7016, 1000m.
(b) Around 1100m, at the apex, from a rough measurement on Google earth.

A straight answer to a straight question - thanks, stuving. No hope of a career in politics for you though!  :)

A partnership spokeswoman said: "The Greater Bristol Metro is not an all-or-nothing project, which would be opened in one big fanfare. It is a series of projects, some large, some small...

"It will develop like a jigsaw... ^ you could say that some pieces, like the Severn Beach Line, are already in place. All the different bits link together but we need to unlock the limit on the lines by achieving Filton four-tracking and reopening the Portishead line before we can do anything else."

...The WEP spokeswoman said: "The key to the first phase ^ reopening the Portishead line and half-hourly services on the Severn Beach line ^ relies on the four-tracking of Filton Bank to introduce the extra capacity on the local network. This then triggers the next phase so we will not be surprised if they are not included in the document due out in June."

....oh just a minute, didn't his reputataion fall to earth in a heap of flames too....

Mark Bradshaw @mark_bradshaw

working with officers to put finishing touches to a rail event to promote #4track at Filton Bank

Someone is still trying for Four Track, Now!

I know it's been referred to before, but I am amused by the #4track hashtag. Is that generated automagically, or have I been labouring under a misapprehension when I assumed that four-tracking and requadrification were the same thing? If I have been, then can someone explain how opening a recording studio using old technology on Ashley Bank will help improve public transport in Bristol?

#4tracknow would work. Actually, that's quite snappy - surprising no-one's thought of it!

Mark Bradshaw @mark_bradshaw

Backing extra rail tracks at Filton Bank & other improvements pls use #Bristol4track @BristolCouncil @networkrail @transportgovuk

SWtransportdevCIC @SWtransportdev

announcement due to tomorrow about 4 tracking for Filton bank

A Network Rail spokesman told the Bristol Post: "We are doing preparatory work and as far as we are concerned, it will be going ahead..."

"...We expect funding to be confirmed in October."

So it looks very like  'in October' means the 31st...

Shouldn't that be AIUI ....As I Understand It ....

That esteemed organ, the Bristol Post which is printed in Didcot, is reporting that the re-opening of the Portishead line is to be put back a year to December 2018. Although it is at GRIP 4 , it has to wait for the rest of the proposed metro lines to go through the GRIP process. The actual work would only seem to take about 9 months to complete, but it is all the vast bloated bureaucracy of planning, consultancy and over-engineering that ramps up the cost... an estimated eye watering  ^55 million... which just seems to beggar belief for just 3 miles of flat line! What would Brunel think ? I suspect he would be spinning in his grave so fast that he could probably power the entire electrification programme single handed ...or should that be single bodied ? ???

That esteemed organ, the Bristol Post which is printed in Didcot, is reporting that the re-opening of the Portishead line is to be put back a year to December 2018. Although it is at GRIP 4 , it has to wait for the rest of the proposed metro lines to go through the GRIP process. The actual work would only seem to take about 9 months to complete, but it is all the vast bloated bureaucracy of planning, consultancy and over-engineering that ramps up the cost... an estimated eye watering  ^55 million... which just seems to beggar belief for just 3 miles of flat line! What would Brunel think ? I suspect he would be spinning in his grave so fast that he could probably power the entire electrification programme single handed ...or should that be single bodied ? ???

IT looks like the fight to get four tracks re-instated to the north of Temple Meads has been won. That is great news and proves that if rail campaigners, trains companies, councillors and local MPs make a strong enough case then we can attract investment and get improvements to our railways.

We need to press to get agreement for the new line to Parson Street when the work on Filton Bank goes ahead.

All good stuff. I may soon be changing my name to 'Two Tracks Now' (referring, of course, to the Severn Beach line between Narroways and Clifton Down)... and then there's the B&NS... or am I getting ahead of myself again?

I can't see that any politician will be under pressure to do something because a neighbouring authority has parking problems.

They are more immediately concerned with farmers and the ins-and-outs of badger culling and making sure Weston-super-Mare divests itself of undesirable, if successful, businesses such as drug rehabilitation units.  Other authorities have problems around whether nuclear power stations will be replaced.

High impact, delays likely
 Location :  Berwick Road to number 358 Stapleton Road
 Description :  Structural and masonry repairs to railway bridges. Road closure for 1 week within this period.
 Current status:  Advanced planning
 Traffic lights, etc:  Road closure
 Queries should be addressed to Bristol City Council quoting reference QF010TC1266
 Work info last modified 13:00 on 23/05/2013
 Last updated on roadworks.org 18:03 on 07/06/2013
 Data source Bristol City Council

Four Track, Now?

Only in so much as tomorrow (or sometime this week) is when the ORR is supposed to be announcing their decision on the ability of NR to do the work specified in the whole CP5 HLOS.

Filton Bank may not even register on the national scale...

Supporters of Bristol's bid for European Green Capital for 2015 status celebrate after hearing the city has won

Bristol has been crowned the European Green Capital for 2015 at a ceremony in Nantes.

The city beat Brussels in Belgium, Glasgow in Scotland and Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, to the win. Nantes in France currently holds the title.

The title rewards cities which consistently achieve high environmental standards and are committed to further improvement and sustainability.

Last year Bristol was the runner-up, finishing behind Copenhagen in Denmark.

It is the third time the city has made the final shortlist.

Speaking to the BBC from the event in Nantes, elected mayor George Ferguson thought the judges liked the city's "enthusiasm, ambition and achievements over the last few years".

'I feel fortunate'
He said: "You talk to all of the cities that have been green capital - they're all here with me tonight - and they say it's made a huge difference to their cities, to the perception of the city, to making sure it's a really good place to live in.


"They have absolutely no doubt that it's been a platform for taking their environmental policies one step further.

"It's something that's very close to my heart, so I feel very fortunate that we find ourselves in this position."

Mr Ferguson, who was one of a seven-strong delegation representing the city of Bristol in France, said even though the win didn't bring any money directly to the city, it would bring business, investment and other economical benefits.

In Bristol, Liz Zeidler from the Bristol Green Capital Partnership said at an announcement event at the M Shed that the result was "absolutely fantastic".

"I'm quite emotional. So much work has been put in by so many people across this city, from top to bottom," she added.

"They knew what a difference it's going to make to our city, to our children's future, to the economy - all the things that matter to people in this city.

"So I am so delighted for everybody here who has been so supportive."

'Every citizen involved'
Eight cities submitted bids for 2015. They were assessed against 12 criteria including innovation and sustainable employment, energy performance, water consumption, waste water treatment and climate change.

"In the build up to 2015, we're going to get every single citizen in Bristol involved in this," added Ms Zeidler.

"We're going to hear all of the ideas people have got to make this city greener, happier and better for everybody.

"We're going to make those as much of a reality as we can. This will help us leverage the money, the support and the energy that we need to make it happen."

Previous winners

Copenhagen, Denmark
Nantes, France
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Hamburg, Germany
Stockholm, Sweden


Mayor George Ferguson pledged to swap his famous red trousers for a green pair if the city won
Bristol beat competition from Dublin in Ireland, Bydgoszcz in Poland, Kaunas in Lithuania and Kutahya in Turkey to reach the final stage of selection.

Perhaps some announcements of better public transport - say Bristol metro would make this look good? More meaningful that green trousers.

Copenhagen - famous for cycling, and when I went there, for being colder than charity. K^benhavns Metro has two lines, 22 stations, 9 underground, and links with the S-train with its 84 stations in and around the capital, as well as the national DSB network. Two further driverless light rail lines are under construction. The airport line continues to Malmo. All public transport is integrated, meaning one ticket is valid for all modes.

That list of previous winners prompted me to look at public transport systems in the green capitals.

Seems somebody is not happy with the freight trains to Portbury docks:

"If it takes me standing on the track to get something done then I am prepared to do it."

"What upsets me most is my grandchildren and great grandchildren cannot stay over because they cannot sleep due to the noise of the trains."

ORR have published their PR13 (CP5) 'draft determination' today.   There's 815 pages in the whole report, and even then you'll not find item by item discussion of individual projects, it is still at a high level such as 'Bristol Area improvements':

http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/pr13/consultations/draft-determination.php


Paul

Just spotted this; it's the proposal for re-routing the most bonkers bit of the Bonkers Rusty Transit:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2013/sc/sc024/0620_11.pdf

I find this much less objectionable to the current scheme:

1. It doesn't involve ripping up (and re-laying, sometime never) the Harbour Railway;
2. It doesn't route the buses through the Industrial Museum or over Prince St Bridge.

As far as I can see, the guideways have gone (did I miss something?). To my mind this means the thing has become a JAB (Just A Buslane) rather than the dreaded 'BRT'... I don't really object to buses as long as they don't rip up railways for them.

Those coming from the south and west do so over the very popular cycle and walking route, away from all the traffic, that will be destroyed with the commandeering of Ashton Avenue bridge.

Hi all,
 
thanks to those of you who have written in to democratic services at the Council and copied in members of the Cabinet and local councillors.If you haven't there is still time. Go to the website http://stopbrt2.org.uk/crunch-cabinet-meeting-brt2-thurs-27-june.
 
We are going ahead with a protest and photo-opportunity outside the City Hall on Thursday 5.30-6pm please come and support us if you can. The meeting starts at 6pm.We hope to get media coverage. Residents Parking and BRT2 are both on the agenda. We are expecting the Mayor to confirm the officer's recommendation and chose the Cumberland  Road route. In that event, the group has decided to continue to oppose any BRT route at all because we consider the Hotwell Road route to be the only one acceptable.
 
If this is the case, our protest walk along the route starting 2pm at Ashton Ave bridge and protest picnic will go ahead 3.30-6pm on Sat 6th July as planned.
Please bring some food and drink (or not if you are not eating). We are asking people to 'Bake for the bridge' and bring a cake. We are still looking for people to help us with artwork and making paper items on the day we can attach to the railings on the bridge to be left for all to see after the end. There must be some artistic people out there who can spare some time before hand in planning and on the day.

The politics of this are challenging - if the Green-Trousered One (do keep up!) did the sensible thing and canned the MetroBus scheme, he could be accused of scrapping a public transport initiative whilst backing what many see as an anti-motorist scheme (the RPS).

All stick and no carrot makes George a dull boy, especially when he puts the cart before the dead horse he's flogging.

electrification of the Great Western line and the Welsh valley lines to improve the
connections between London, Reading, Cardiff, Swansea and the Welsh valleys;

Bristol Temple Meads roundabout to have ^9.6m revamp

The roundabout outside Bristol's Temple Meads railway station is to get a ^9.6m makeover.

The Temple Circus gyratory close to the entrance to the Victorian station is to be reshaped as part of plans to open up access to the city's Enterprise Zone...

(see BBC Website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-23176705))

Bristol Temple Meads revamp plans unveiled

Plans have been unveiled for a major redevelopment of Bristol's Grade-I listed Temple Meads railway station.

Network Rail wants to demolish the ramp at the station and build a car-free public space in front of the entrance.

It also plans to convert Victorian passenger sheds into a new platform for electric-powered trains to London.

Network Rail said it will recognise the station's history, but needs to "deliver a 21st Century transport experience".

The company's Mike Gallop said: "We need to make the station into a destination. The station can be far more than just getting on and off a train."

Source: BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-23176705)

There is also the ^11 million allocated for a bridge into the former diesel depot. Roads for cars are flavour of the month right now.

A new ^100m vision for Bristol's Temple Meads

A VISION of how Brunel^s historic Temple Meads Station could look in the future has been unveiled.

Network Rail, the landlords of the historic building, are planning a radical ^100 million revamp of the Victorian structure as part of work to regenerate the area around the station.
 ​
(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/TempleMeads_zpsb825dcc3.jpg)
 The new plan for Temple Meads


The improvements will be the biggest overhaul seen at the station for more than 140 years ^ and could even include the removal of the existing ramp leading up to the station.

The plans are still in a very early stage and discussions are due to take place with key organisations such as English Heritage but the outlines of the scheme are starting to emerge.

The aim is to complete all the work by the end of 2019, two years after the electrification of the London to Bristol rail line has been completed.

Details emerged at a conference held in Brunel^s Passenger Shed yesterday.

Delegates were shown proposals which would include the creation of a new entrance at the side of the station building, a subway and a new glass front.

The early drawings also show plans for a new pedestrian square at the front of the station, which would replace the existing concourse.

Around 300 delegates at the conference looking at the progress being made in the Enterprise Zone were given a sneak preview of the station plans.

There were also updates on the work being done to bring a 12,000 seater stadium to Bristol. The audience was told negotiations with an operator were well under way. Work on improving on access to the land earmarked for the arena is due to start within a matter of months.

Mike Gallop, from Network Rail, is part of the team drawing up plans to transform Temple Meads.

He said: ^Temple Meads set the template for modern commercial stations across the world. It was built as a driver for trade and commerce and that blueprint is what we are trying to recreate today.

^We want to link Bristol to London and the rest of the country and, at the same time, we will be recreating the engine of trade and commerce.

^There is a case for Bristol Temple Meads to be redeveloped to meet future passenger demand and to unlock the potential of the land asset around it, so that it supports the aspirations of Bristol Enterprise Zone and city council.

^However, the task to do so will be enormous. There are the considerations of building on a live railway, meeting the government^s efficiencies target and overcoming constraints posed by a heritage structure.^

Paul Wilson, below, the chief executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership, is overseeing the Enterprise Zone and the work being done in the area.

He revealed that negotiations are ^very much^ in progress to bring in an operator to run the long-awaited indoor arena, in the hope that the 12,000-seater venue opens within four years^ time.

The plans will also include a new passenger interchange at the side of the station, which would connect Temple Meads to the rest of the city^s public transport network.

A spokesman for the enterprise zone said: ^The station approach ramp is extremely congested, with conflicting vehicle movements, which Network Rail and Bristol City Council are hoping to improve.

^A successful passenger transport interchange will provide a seamless end-to-end journey between all modes of transport, including cycling and walking.^

George Ferguson has already pledged that an arena will be built before his term as Bristol^s first elected mayor comes to an end.

A feasibility study has been carried out for an arena on the former diesel depot site near the station.

The study found that there is support and demand for an arena, along with interest from leading operators in the entertainment sector.

Perhaps a euphemism can be found, or a small open space created outside the doors with a posh name.

MetroBus route could bring new bridge for Bristol

A NEW transport bridge is to be built in Bristol city centre as a result of changes to the proposed MetroBus route.

The new bridge will run alongside the existing bridge which takes Commercial Road over the Bathurst Basin at the eastern end of Cumberland Road, opposite the Louisiana pub.

See full article (http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/MetroBus-route-bring-new-bridge-Bristol/story-19523557-detail/story.html) in Bristol Post

Detailed timetable announced for future of Bristol's rail network

A DETAILED timetable for the future of Bristol's rail network has been unveiled by the people behind the ^120 million scheme.

The West of England Joint Transport Executive, a partnership of the four councils in the Bristol area, has been working on the scheme which will improve train services in the city and surrounding area.

The organisation has published a factsheet [Can we see it please? - Ed] which gives detailed information on when and how train services in the Bristol area will be improved over the next decade.

(http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276268/binaries/Bristolmetro.jpg)

Source: Bristol Post (http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Detailed-timetable-announced-future-Bristol-s/story-19533704-detail/story.html)

It's like anything though, isn't it - if the oft-used phrase "third party funding" were magicked up to put towards Cullompton station, it would be a heck of a lot shorter than that.

I once met a leading Network Rail figure at a meeting in Bristol, and remarked that I had been studying their route plans. His response - "You must be the only person who does then" (his words I hasten to add - I know a number of CoffeeShop members do).

One of the most interesting aspects of doing so is noticing how a project can go from absolutely nowhere to the top of the list seemingly overnight, if the money suddenly appears from behind the sofa - Bristol City Council's decision to fund the Clifton Down turnback is an example that particularly sticks in my mind.

As an aside, if you look back one page earlier in the report, you will see that the date for the partial re-opening of the Portishead line for freight and new line into the port is listed as December 2001, which was indeed the case. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/features/2001/12/11/feature1/ride.shtml)

A RealMedia file type (.ram)? I haven't had anything that plays that for yonks, broadband or no broadband. I had to reinstall RealPlayer.

And the quality? In full screen it looks like a film made by Lego^.  :o Had to watch it on original 100%. About 3"x2".

Video clips on the BBC have come a long way in 12 years.

In other observations:

1. Would that be a LEVEL CROSSING in the docks area? Tsk.

2. Why on earth did they fit a set of points where the new line diverges from the old?

MetroBus scheme to be delayed if pressure group's request is granted


By The Bristol Post




Tuesday, July 23, 2013

By Ian Onions

A PRESSURE group has called for a public inquiry to be reopened over the MetroBus which is planned to run from the Long Ashton park-and-ride site to Temple Meads.

If the inquiry is reopened, the introduction of the ^49 million scheme will be delayed for several months.

Mayor George Ferguson, with the support of city councillors, has decided that the route should be changed so that it no longer runs in front of the M shed museum and over Prince Street Bridge.

Instead, it will run along Cumberland Road, over Redcliffe Hill and rejoin the original route in Redcliffe Way.
Jazz & Blues with Lizzie Deane

A public inquiry was held last year into the scheme ^ but nearly 12 months later, the outcome has not been published.

Transport for Greater Bristol's Ian Crawford said that the pressure group has now written to ministers asking for the result of the public inquiry to be announced.

He said: "We have now made a Freedom of Information request to obtain the inspector's report which was available to the secretaries of state in January ^ five months after the public inquiry.

"In view of the changed route which was not investigated at the inquiry, we have asked whether it (the inquiry) will be reopened to look at what has been put forward almost a year after the inquiry closed."

TfGB believes that the best route for the MetroBus would be along Hotwell Road because there is higher passenger demand than on Cumberland Road.

But Mr Ferguson dismissed the Hotwell Road option at a cabinet meeting last month.

This followed transport officials telling Mr Ferguson in a report that the business case did not stack up for this alternative route.

Mr Crawford said the MetroBus being guided along a specially-built concrete trough on some sections was "unnecessary expensive engineering".

He said he would prefer to see the money spent on improving bus frequency and reducing fares through the introduction of a "smart ticket".

All the councils in the former Avon area will have to agree to the amended route before it can be approved by the Department for Transport ^ but this is likely to be a formality.

South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset councils are keen to press ahead with the MetroBus to help ease traffic congestion in the Bristol area. The Department for Transport said it was not sure whether the changed route would need an amendment to the legal powers required for the scheme. But the department has now been told this amendment is not needed.

A spokesman for the DfT said there are two elements which are necessary before work can start ^ funding and an order under the Transport and Works Act.

The spokesman said: "On funding, the department is waiting for formal confirmation that the changes to the scheme proposed following the mayor of Bristol's review of the proposed route have been approved by the West of England councils. These would then need to be approved by ministers.

"On the TWA, we have been progressing the necessary order as far as possible considering the report of the public enquiry. The final TWA decision will also need ministerial approval.

"We will publish the report with the letter that will outline the decision on the TWA."

The Ashton Vale route is just one in the MetroBus network, which will cost a total of ^196 million.

The other routes run from the northern fringe of the city to Hengrove and from the Long Ashton park-and-ride site to Hengrove (South Bristol Link).

The DfT will be paying most of the cost, ^113 million, with councils in the former Avon area chipping in the rest.

Bristol's share will be ^42 million, phased over several years.

The Ashton Vale route would be the first to be built, with construction work starting next year and transport running by 2016.