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Title: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Timmer on July 12, 2011, 16:58:13 http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Meeting-called-discuss-new-station-Saltford/story-12927616-detail/story.html
Quote A public meeting is being organised to galvanise support for the reopening of Saltford railway station. The station - which opened in 1841 - was closed in 1970 and the buildings alongside the A4 demolished. The Saltford Environment Group has called a meeting at Saltford Hall on July 26 at 7.30pm to discuss the potential of reviving the station for commuters and students. The group was set up four months ago as part of the international transition towns movement which aims to get people thinking about what will happen when oil is more scarce. It says that the planned electrification of the Great Western Mainline from London to Cardiff is an opportunity ^too good to miss.^ Spokesman Chris Warren said: ^Electric trains mean faster acceleration and deceleration, which means quicker timings and gaps in the timetable for reopened stations. We as a group felt the time was right to start a campaign to get our station back.^ The meeting will be attended by Bath and North East Somerset Council transport cabinet member Councillor Roger Symonds and members of the parish council. Mr Warren added: ^We see the station as a small community facility, not a vast park and ride set-up. It could open up the station site and turn it into a small business park or other village amenity.^ Campaigners will be producing a Saltford mug, bearing the original British Railways Western Region chocolate and cream colours, which will be sold to raise funds for the campaign. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 04, 2011, 20:41:10 From the Bristol Evening Post (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/campaign-open-Saltford-station/story-13756136-detail/story.html):
Quote Back campaign to re-open Saltford station A community-based campaign has been launched in Saltford for the re-opening of Saltford Railway Station (closed in 1970). The railway station site sits alongside the congested A4 main road between Bath and Bristol. Electrification of the main line from Paddington through Saltford will give extra capacity on the line. A re-opened railway station may reduce traffic on the A4 and serve a community of 4,200 people in Saltford itself, the villages of Corston, Newton St Loe and, significantly, also serve the Newton Park Campus of Bath Spa University. (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275775/Article/images/13756136/3306371.png) How a re-opened Saltford station might look Illustrator: Joe Ryan ^ Saltford Environment Group 2011 The economic, environmental and social case to re-open Saltford railway station is strong. It would provide improved, alternative and sustainable transport for our community. The Great Western mainline route utilisation strategy (2010), written by Network Rail, already envisages an hourly shuttle train service from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads and possibly on to Avonmouth. It would seem a missed opportunity if this commuter shuttle was able to stop at all the existing stations but pass through Saltford because it did not have a station. Saltford station, sitting alongside the A4, the river and cycle path is a perfect hub for activities in the Avon Valley. Re-opening Saltford railway station fits the aims of the West of England Partnership and the revised draft Core Strategy for BANES Council. The campaign has the support of the local parish council and the constituency MP Jacob Rees-Mogg. BANES is conducting a feasibility study in this financial year and is also pressing the case for Saltford station to be included in the new 2013 GW Franchise. The West of England Transport Executive is working already with the Department for Transport to ensure "passive provision" for Saltford Station when the electrification and re-signalling takes place. With the line, signalling, pedestrian bridge and "station footprint" in place, a station with basic platforms could be re-instated at reasonable cost. The Government may promote public transport investment like this as a means of injecting future growth into the economy. All the indications are that Saltford Railway Station can be re-opened but now the crucial step is to demonstrate a good business case. This entails establishing potential passenger use. A local petition is being conducted in Saltford. In addition, can I ask all businesses, organisations and regular visitors to Saltford who would use a re-opened Saltford station to write to me and I will forward their replies to all the relevant bodies involved in the decision-making process. Please visit www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk and click on the link to the Saltford station campaign site. Duncan Hounsell Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grandsire on November 04, 2011, 22:01:07 For this station to work it will need a large amount of car parking and from memory the old station site may not have much in the way of car parking options. The line is squeezed between the A4 to the south( which has quite an incline) and the River Avon to the north. To the west the railway line heads into a tunnel and to the east onto an embankment.
Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 11, 2012, 21:32:30 From the Western Daily Press (http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Village-stakes-claim-new-station/story-15481549-detail/story.html):
Quote Village stakes its claim for a new station Saltford campaigners have continued their fight to have their local train station re-opened. Saltford station is on the Great Western rail line between Bristol and Bath, and one of a number of disused stations in the area. The Saltford Station Campaign group estimates the cost of re-opening it at ^2 million to ^4 million. Spokesman Duncan Hounsell addressed members of the West of England Partnership at a meeting this week. He said: "The infrastructure and signalling are there. It is an easy site to work on. Four thousand, two hundred residents in Saltford, 1,000 in nearby villages and 4,600 students and staff at Newton Park Campus gives a total of around 10,000 people within two miles of the station. The transferring of the university campus and the potential transfer of passengers from the A4 to rail provide the station with enormous potential. "We have a groundswell of demonstrable support, including both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups on Bath and North-East Somerset Council and an array of MPs. Saltford enhances your case for the Greater Bristol Metro. I ask you all to put re-opening Saltford in Metro phase one." Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 28, 2012, 21:44:59 From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Hopes-remaining-high-Saltford-Station/story-15933965-detail/story.html):
Quote Hopes remaining high for Saltford Station Campaigners have refused to be downhearted by a suggestion that the earliest that the station could reopen is 2019. Regional transport chiefs have earmarked 2019 to 2023 as the time slot when the station might be rebuilt. But the Saltford Station Campaign Group says the approach of the West of England Partnership is just one iron in the fire over the reinstatement of the halt which was closed in 1970. And Bath and North East Somerset Council says it is committed to getting the station open as soon as possible. The authority is to become the official promoter of the scheme and will come up with development funding to get it on the radar of infrastructure firm Network Rail. Funds for construction work, which could cost between ^5.5 million and ^6.5 million, have yet to be found but could come from Network Rail, the operator of the rail franchise, the council or the Department for Transport. B&NES cabinet member for transport Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down) said: ^By becoming the promoter of this project, our administration has signalled to Saltford residents that it is serious about getting the station built.^ The timescale is contained in a report put together by the authorities making up the partnership for the Greater Bristol Metro Project, with the partnership also pressing for the station to be included in rail franchise documents for the region. Mr Symonds said the council was not dependant on the Metro project^s timescale and had already commissioned experts at transport consultancy Halcrow to investigate the challenges facing the reopening process. A campaign group spokesman said: ^The West of England^s response to the consultation is only one of many calls for Saltford station to be re-opened. We will all have to wait to see what finally appears in the specification for the Greater Western rail franchise later this year. The station could be funded directly by Network Rail. ^An alternative is that it might be funded by the rail operating company that runs the franchise with B&NES Council acting as the ^promoter^ of the station. Funding might also come from devolved transport budgets to the Bristol area. There are numerous possibilities.^ Also from the Bath Chronicle (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/open-Saltford-railway-station-goes-Parliament/story-15933986-detail/story.html): Quote Move to re-open Saltford railway station goes to Parliament A petition signed by more than 2,000 people calling for the reopening of Saltford railway station has been presented in Parliament. North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg handed over the petition in the House of Commons as a campaign gathers pace to get trains stopping once again at the halt which closed in 1970. (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275774/Article/images/15933986/3735614.png) From left, Chris Warren, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Richard James and Duncan Hounsell A team of more than 30 campaigners knocked on doors in the village to collect 2,028 signatures, which they estimate represents support from around two-thirds of households ^ with success at around 90 per cent of homes where someone was in. Nearly 800 of the people signing up said they would use the station at least once a week, with 261 saying they would be daily users. Mr Rees-Mogg met representatives of the Saltford Station Campaign Group at Westminster Hall to receive the petition and later formally handed it in during a session in the main chamber. Group spokesman Duncan Hounsell said: ^Jacob Rees-Mogg has given the campaign whole-hearted support from the outset. Handing in our petition to the House of Commons gives our campaign another boost.^ The station campaign is backed by B&NES Council, which has agreed to act as the official promoter of the reopening project, Bath Spa University and the West of England Partnership. Mr Rees-Mogg said: ^Reopening it makes a lot of sense. The A4 is a very heavily used road and if we can move more people from road to rail, that would have great benefits for the community.^ He said the speeding up of trains with the electrification of the line through the village meant it would be less disruptive to introduce more stopping services into timetables. ^In the 13 years from 1997 to 2010, just ten miles of line were electrified. There are now plans for 800 ^ that is a huge increase.^ Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: JayMac on June 11, 2012, 17:40:25 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-18396613):
Quote Saltford railway station receives boost from council Campaigners have welcomed news that councillors are considering spending ^100,000 on a business case for reopening Saltford railway station. The station, between Bristol and Bath, was closed in 1970, but a recent survey indicated it might attract 200 new passengers a day. Liberal Democrat-run Bath and North East Somerset Council said the cash would come from contingency budgets. Cabinet members are being recommended to agree the budget on Wednesday. A council spokesman said: "The potential for reopening Saltford station has been highlighted by a local campaign. 'Enormous potential' "In order to develop the business case for the project funds are required in the order of ^250,000 over the next three years. "This report seeks funding for an initial ^100,000 to take this work forward." Duncan Hounsell, from the Saltford Station Campaign, said: "The council has listened to the overwhelming wish of Saltford residents for a reopened station. "With 10,000 people each week day within 3km of the station site and 29,000 vehicles passing daily on the A4 road, a railway station in Saltford has enormous potential." Prior to the cabinet meeting a petition with more than 2,000 names calling for the station to be reopened will be presented to councillors. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: inspector_blakey on June 11, 2012, 19:39:10 I hate to be cynical about this proposal but I think the council is going to have a tough time making a business case for opening a station there. I'm fairly unimpressed by what may be some fairly disingenuous statistics in that article as well: there may well be 10,000 people within a 3 km radius, but I'd hazard a guess that many, most or all of them might be better served by Keynsham, Oldfield Park or Bath Spa stations. Further, there may well be 29,000 people a day driving through Saltford on the A4, but they are driving through the village. Their journeys do not originate or terminate there, and so they'd have absolutely no use for a station!
Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: eightf48544 on June 12, 2012, 08:23:03 The other problem. like many other staion re-opening proposals, is thatthey are on two track mainlines with a fairly heavy flow of fast, stoppers and freight traffic. Unless they are built with loops then the extra stop(s) will reduce capacity.
We suffer this on the two track Sunday railway through Taplow where there is allegedly not enough capacity to stop there when everything is on th Relifs and they an't xtop on the mains due to the tack being too high. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grahame on June 12, 2012, 10:36:46 The other problem. like many other staion re-opening proposals, is thatthey are on two track mainlines with a fairly heavy flow of fast, stoppers and freight traffic. Unless they are built with loops then the extra stop(s) will reduce capacity. It was stated way back in 2003 that the reason that the Bristol -> Oxford service was withdrawn was a lack of capacity on the section from Batheaston junction to Bristol, though there are people who question the validity of that reason. But with an extra station, if timetabling's clever you can have three trains setting off from Bath, the first calling only at Keynsham, the second ony at Saltford and the third only at Oldfield Park, and you're not spending anything like so much of your capacity on the stops, at the expense of not catering for intermediate traffic between the three stations. But when the line is electrified, there will be different metrics, with faster accelerating services. Give it 10 years, and you could be seeing a Swindon to Cardiff service, calling at Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Melksham, Staverton, Bradford-on-Avon, Avoncliff, Freshford, Bath, Oldfield Park, Saltford, Keynsham, Temple Meads, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Filton Abey Wood, Patchway, Pilning, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. Just depends how much vision responders to the DfT franchise had, how much of that vision is taken up by them, and how much the new TOC is prepare to invest in the first years to get a real traffic increase in the middle and latter years. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: JayMac on June 12, 2012, 15:22:32 But when the line is electrified, there will be different metrics, with faster accelerating services. Give it 10 years, and you could be seeing a Swindon to Cardiff service, calling at Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Melksham, Staverton, Bradford-on-Avon, Avoncliff, Freshford, Bath, Oldfield Park, Saltford, Keynsham, Temple Meads, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Filton Abey Wood, Patchway, Pilning, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. Just depends how much vision responders to the DfT franchise had, how much of that vision is taken up by them, and how much the new TOC is prepare to invest in the first years to get a real traffic increase in the middle and latter years. You forgot stations at Ashley Hill and/or Horfield between Stapleton Road and Filton Abbey Wood. ;) Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Tim on June 13, 2012, 17:39:51 I'm not convinced by the business case for this. There are of course at least 6 buses per hour from Saltford (X39/339, 337) and I am not convinced that a new station would bring very many advantages over those (how about spending ^100,000 to lowering the bus fares instead). Also - how many people will actually walk to the station? If usage projections are based on people driving then a) you need a big car park, b) you need them to not stay in their car all the way to Bristol or Bath (or their Park and Ride car-parks) and c) people driving to the station will clog up the A4 anyway.
Elctrification may change things a bit (not least because AIUI 2tph will run from BRI to PAD via Parkway without going though Saltford. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 29, 2012, 19:57:38 From the Bristol Post (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/talks-railway-station/story-17194150-detail/story.html):
Quote Call for talks on railway station A group campaigning for the reopening of Saltford railway station has called on Bath & North East Somerset Council to hold a formal public consultation on the plans. The Saltford Station Campaign held a public meeting where residents had the chance to express their views on plans to bring the village's station, which was shut in 1970, back into use as part of a major upgrade of local rail services in the Bristol area. The group now wants the council to provide detailed information for residents on the facts and issues surrounding the idea. Members claim a "significant majority" of households in Saltford are in favour of reopening the station. Chris Warren, from the Saltford Station Campaign, said: "We want residents to be as fully informed about the proposed new station as is reasonably possible, and for all residents to give their views." Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 02, 2012, 14:06:14 From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/story-17212528-detail/story.html?):
Quote Campaign grows to reopen Saltford railway station Two hundred people have attended a meeting to discuss the reopening of Saltford railway station. The gathering was hosted by the village parish council with the backing of the Saltford Station Campaign Group. The group is keen to get the station, which closed in the Beeching cuts, reopened, and Bath and North East Somerset Council is investing money in a feasibility study. Group spokesman Rob Taylor, who helped deliver a petition to North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, pictured, in April, said: "The meeting was well attended with over 200 present. Practical concerns such as car parking and the safety of vehicle access to the station were raised. Nevertheless many hands went up at the end to indicate that they would be regular users of a station and would walk to the station when opened. "This was an important opportunity for the station campaign and B&NES Council to hear the views of those residents who have concerns so that where possible these can be addressed with the reinstatement of our station to ensure that we have a community asset providing modern integrated transport solutions for the village. This meeting was another step forward on the path to a reopened station." The meeting heard a range of views on the proposal, including concerns from residents living near the site worried about the impact on traffic and parking. Local councillor Francine Haeberling has called for a public consultation exercise to take place in the village to ascertain even more clearly the level of support for the plans and address the concerns raised. Mrs Haeberling (Con, Saltford) said: "It was a very interesting meeting which revealed a number of concerns from residents in Saltford about the plans which have not so far been addressed, as well as highlighting the arguments in favour of reopening our train station. "There were clearly some very strong views on both sides of the debate at the meeting, and many questions which need to be answered. There is evidently a long way to go before many issues can be ironed out, including funding and feasibility, particularly in relation to parking and traffic." Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on February 03, 2014, 14:05:12 A DATE has been set for a public consultation on the possibility of reopening Saltford station.
The drop-in event, which is open to residents, is taking place on Tuesday February 25 from 4pm to 8pm in the Avon Room of Saltford Hall. Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Residents-say-reopening-Saltford-station-Bristol/story-20537656-detail/story.html#ixzz2sGetJJdH Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on February 03, 2014, 20:09:53 Many thanks for posting that update, Red Squirrel!
I've just taken the liberty of moving your post here, from the wider 'Bristol Metro' topic, as it's rather more specific to this particular campaign. CfN. :) Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on February 25, 2014, 10:07:56 Public meeting at Saltford Hall tonight (25th Feb):
See BANES website (http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/parking-and-travel/transport-plans-and-policies/saltford-railway-station) for details. Reading between the lines I get the impression from this BBC news item (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-26334775) that the local councillor is a bit lukewarm about the whole thing - or am I wrong? If you have a view on this potential reopening, this questionnaire (http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/consultations/39973/webform) gives you an opportunity to express it. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Lee on February 25, 2014, 12:37:49 To me, she comes across more as someone who is getting pressure from both those who want to see the station opened ASAP, and from those who want it quickly nipped in the bud due to potential disruption from those parking in the village as a result of the station being there.
Therefore she is performing the classic politicians trick of trying to appeal to both sides of the argument, but not being seen to publicly favour one over the other. Personally, although i do think that parking will turn out to be the key issue on which this will turn, i don't think it's a case of whether enough passengers will use the station - I think if you build it at Saltford then they will come, and it's about how you handle that extra patronage at every stage of the journey. A combination of top notch station, train and infrastructure planning will clearly be required in this respect. Also, i use the ultra-frequent bus services through Saltford on a regular basis, and they are either full or nearly full right through from early morning til late at night. Indeed, so successful are they that the operating period was recently extended so they run nearly round the clock. Therefore, it's hard to see how they would have the capacity to provide a realistic alternative in terms of catering for future growth in the medium to long term. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on February 25, 2014, 14:48:17 To me, she comes across more as someone who is getting pressure from both those who want to see the station opened ASAP, and from those who want it quickly nipped in the bud due to potential disruption from those parking in the village as a result of the station being there. Therefore she is performing the classic politicians trick of trying to appeal to both sides of the argument, but not being seen to publicly favour one over the other. You're almost certainly right. Personally, although i do think that parking will turn out to be the key issue on which this will turn, i don't think it's a case of whether enough passengers will use the station - I think if you build it at Saltford then they will come, and it's about how you handle that extra patronage at every stage of the journey. A combination of top notch station, train and infrastructure planning will clearly be required in this respect. I think it would very sad if the parking issue was allowed to, sorry, I can't avoid the word, derail this project. Assuming the old station site were adopted, the plans look to allow room for sufficient off-street parking. Also, i use the ultra-frequent bus services through Saltford on a regular basis, and they are either full or nearly full right through from early morning til late at night. Indeed, so successful are they that the operating period was recently extended so they run nearly round the clock. Therefore, it's hard to see how they would have the capacity to provide a realistic alternative in terms of catering for future growth in the medium to long term. Surely we're not discussing an 'alternative' to the bus - that's reverse neo-beechingism. Bus and rail are not and never have been alternatives; on a good day they complement each other but more often than not they just appeal to different markets. I can think of a number of ways I would make use of a train service to Saltford, but (superb though I am sure the bus service is) it doesn't meet any of my requirements. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Lee on February 25, 2014, 14:54:53 Also, i use the ultra-frequent bus services through Saltford on a regular basis, and they are either full or nearly full right through from early morning til late at night. Indeed, so successful are they that the operating period was recently extended so they run nearly round the clock. Therefore, it's hard to see how they would have the capacity to provide a realistic alternative in terms of catering for future growth in the medium to long term. Surely we're not discussing an 'alternative' to the bus - that's reverse neo-beechingism. Bus and rail are not and never have been alternatives; on a good day they complement each other but more often than not they just appeal to different markets. I can think of a number of ways I would make use of a train service to Saltford, but (superb though I am sure the bus service is) it doesn't meet any of my requirements. I think you've got me the wrong way round, RS. To clarify, I was making the point that I don't think the bus services would have the capacity to provide a realistic alternative in terms of catering for future growth in the medium to long term, and my point was made in response to Tim's earlier post: I'm not convinced by the business case for this. There are of course at least 6 buses per hour from Saltford (X39/339, 337) and I am not convinced that a new station would bring very many advantages over those (how about spending ^100,000 to lowering the bus fares instead). Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on February 25, 2014, 15:14:11 I think you've got me the wrong way round, RS. To clarify, I was making the point that I don't think the bus services would have the capacity to provide a realistic alternative in terms of catering for future growth in the medium to long term, and my point was made in response to Tim's earlier post: Indeed I have! Profound apologies for standing you on your head. :-[ I'm not convinced by the business case for this. There are of course at least 6 buses per hour from Saltford (X39/339, 337) and I am not convinced that a new station would bring very many advantages over those (how about spending ^100,000 to lowering the bus fares instead). Also - how many people will actually walk to the station? If usage projections are based on people driving then a) you need a big car park, b) you need them to not stay in their car all the way to Bristol or Bath (or their Park and Ride car-parks) and c) people driving to the station will clog up the A4 anyway. Elctrification may change things a bit (not least because AIUI 2tph will run from BRI to PAD via Parkway without going though Saltford. According to BANES, the vast majority of users in Saltford would walk (see this analysis (http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/sitedocuments/Parking-and-Travel/Transport-Plans-and-Policies/panel_2_-_demand_revised.pdf)). Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on March 04, 2014, 15:43:04 Quote ...Chris Warren... ...who is leading the campaign to have the station re-opened, said the event had seen generally positive feedback. Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Hundreds-station-opening-meeting/story-20704304-detail/story.html#ixzz2v0cckxXP Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 20, 2014, 14:38:25 From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Saltford-people-thumbs-new-railway-station/story-20979775-detail/story.html):
Quote Saltford people give thumbs up to new railway station Almost 70 per cent of people in Saltford have said they want to see the village railway station reopened. A survey of local people has revealed that 68.9 per cent of villagers want Saltford to have a station, with just 20.5 per cent saying they do not. The results have been revealed by Bath and North East Somerset Council following a consultation event. The authority handed out questionnaires at an exhibition on plans to reopen Saltford Railway Station in February - 370 questionnaires were returned. The majority of people, 232, said they would walk to the station, 40 said they would cycle and 43 per cent said they would drive. Of the drivers, 23 said they would look to park at a station car park but 20 said they would look to park in nearby streets. Saltford resident and member of the Station Campaign, Rob Taylor, said: ^The majority desire a station and this survey demonstrates a potentially dramatic change from car to rail in the way that Saltford commuters get to work.^ According to Halcrow, the consultancy firm employed by the authority to look at the scheme, a new railway station in Saltford would cost ^4 million and could include two platforms, as well as a car park for up to 150 cars. Project leaders have favoured the site of the original railway station on Bath Road, which closed in 1970. A second site, near to Chelwood Road, has been dismissed because of the cost It is estimated a new station could see 647 journeys a day and generate ^770,000 a year but would cost ^60,000 a year in maintenance. Leader of the Saltford Station Campaign, Chris Warren, said: ^The positive results of this B&NES survey will feed into the report by consultants. I firmly expect that the work of the consultants will lead to a decision to take the project onto the next stage of detailed study.^ Results from February^s consultation are being added to a report being written for B&NES Council. As part of the MetroWest deal the authority would have to provide financial support for the first three years if the station went ahead. Leader of the Saltford Station Campaign, Chris Warren, said: ^The positive results of this B&NES survey will feed into the report by consultants. I firmly expect that the work of the consultants will lead to a decision to take the project onto the next stage of detailed study.^ Councillor Paul Crossley, leader of B&NES Council, has previously said that the authority is committed to the reopening if the project proves feasible. Further information about Saltford Environment Group^s station campaign can be found at www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/station.html Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: eightf48544 on May 08, 2014, 11:15:15 Whilst not knowing the exact circumstances regarding re-instating Saltford staion but there is major problem which applies to adding extra stops on a an already busy two track mainline. This would also apply to Corsham.
When they built the GWR/GC joint line from Paddington/Marylebone to Ashendon the bulk of the station were built with loops so that the stopping train and freight could be overtaken. By rough calculation from my GWR Atlas I reckon there were at least 11 bits of 4 track on the Paddington line plus two flying junctions. This line probably represents the Zentih of mainline construction. The GC which was roughly contempory did not go for running loops but most staions which were mostly island platforms had refuge sidngs for freight. It also applies to other late comers such as the Barry where many of their stations between Cadaxton and Pontypridd and Barry to Bridgend were 4 tracks. So there is a dilemma do we build new 4 track stations at great cost or do we accept the trade off of between more station stops and less fasts. One of the reasons Inter City were able to cut journey times (in addtion to faster trains) was that Beeching had shut most of the intermediate small stations so you have at least a 20 to 30 mile full speed runs between stops. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on November 28, 2014, 11:43:51 Not exactly hot off the press, but I just spotted this on Saltford Environment Group's website (http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/station.html)
Quote "Saltford station - bringing it back" On 12th November Duncan Hounsell, representing the station campaign, addressed the B&NES Cabinet at their monthly meeting. In acknowledging the support for our station from the Council and several surveys having shown that a large majority of people in Saltford want the station re-opened, he said: "The re-opening of Saltford station is not just good for Saltford's hard-pressed commuters but plays a part in reducing congestion along the A4 Corridor. Saltford station will make a contribution to the emerging Transport Strategies for Bath and for Keynsham. The campaign slogan has been "Saltford station - bring it back". This should now be, with this support from B&NES Council, "Saltford station - bringing it back!" November 2014 As an aside, I find it slightly odd that the Saltford Environment Group claim copyright to their digital image of a 'Saltford' totem (see http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/station.html#imagecopyright). Two questions: 1. Do they have the right to claim copyright? 2. Even if they do, wouldn't it help their campaign to make the image freely available? Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: eightf48544 on November 28, 2014, 13:47:42 Supposing someone photographs one of the other 5? How will you know which one is which.
Besides doesn't the copywrite for the original design belong to BR? Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on November 28, 2014, 14:03:13 A little googling suggests that the copyright for the BR Totem may now belong to the Heritage Railway Association.
Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grahame on November 28, 2014, 14:49:09 Don't know about copyright ... but we have a little program on our web site that lets you generate a good likeness of any totem ... http://www.wellho.net/demo/totem.php
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/wilton.jpg) (http://www.wellho.net/pix/corsham.jpg) Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Red Squirrel on December 13, 2014, 11:18:36 From Bath Chronic (http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Rail-ly-good-news-station-plan/story-25616274-detail/story.html#ixzz3Lm8sk7yf)le:
Quote Rail-ly good news over station plan for Saltford (http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276329/Article/images/25616274/9141566-large.jpg) Plans have taken a step forward to reopen a railway station at Saltford. The new station will cost Bath and North East Somerset Council in the region of ^6 million, could see the loss of green belt land and according to the authority will take a number of years to complete. The council has been recommended to reopen the station at its former site, although it is considering an alternative option nearer Keynsham. Cabinet members, who met last week, agreed to take a business plan to Network Rail, following a report by consultants CHM2Hill. The report, which included a public consultation earlier this year, said the former station site "is probably in the optimum location" and will offer support to the council's core strategy. Read more: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Rail-ly-good-news-station-plan/story-25616274-detail/story.html#ixzz3Lm8sk7yf Title: Saltford station update Post by: infoman on October 10, 2019, 07:29:52 Not much of an update, its only what was on Radio Bristol on Thursday morning.
Hoping I got the info correct if not please forgive me or MODS please delete or alter Saltford Conservatives are requesting Bath and north east somerset councillors to support the campaign to open Saltford train station. Quote Bath and North East Somerset Council, Full Council Meeting – 10th October 2019 Conservative Motion: B&NES Transport Options between Bristol and Bath To be moved by Cllr Brian Simmons This Council notes: 1. That there is an aspiration for a new railway station at Saltford amongst a section of the community; 2. The previous administration’s work with the West of England Regional Mayor to ensure a new railway station at Saltford is now featured in a map of transport improvements in the Joint Local Transport Plan 4 (2019-2036); 3. That there is concern over Network Rail’s ability to create sufficient capacity for trains to ever stop at Saltford and the cost of the project; This Council subsequently believes: 4. In view of the promises made by the Liberal Democrats during the May 2019 Local Election Campaign - it is important that the feasibility of opening a railway station at Saltford is fully assessed in the interest of the community; Therefore, this Council resolves to; 5. Ask the Cabinet to commission a detailed study, when resources allow, whichsets out their plan for providing Saltford with a railway station; 6. Refer this matter to the relevant PDS panel to consider and monitor progress of the above and to receive reports from the Cabinet Member for Transport providing an update on how the plan is progressing Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: grahame on December 23, 2019, 08:20:41 From the Saltford Environment Group (http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/station.html)
Quote To mark 50 years to the day of the closure of Saltford Station, Saltford Parish Council has organised a free illustrated talk by Cllrs Chris Warren and Duncan Hounsell. Attendees will be able to find out about the history of Saltford's railways, SPC's actions to achieve the re-opening of Saltford Station, and the latest updates about making this a reality for the future. All are welcome, there is no need to book. The talk starts at 2pm on Sunday 5th January 2020, in Saltford Hall. Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: ChrisB on December 23, 2019, 09:48:11 For those unable to get to this, but might want to read more - there is a pdf of a talk given by the same person as advertised above, back in June 2017 on the website linked to by Granam above. I suspect the talk will be very much based around that previous talk.
http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/resources/170612-the-history-of-railways-at-saltford-by-chris-warren.pdf (http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/resources/170612-the-history-of-railways-at-saltford-by-chris-warren.pdf) Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: grahame on January 03, 2020, 00:43:51 May give it a go - surprisingly good connections by bus (almost bound to be a bus where it's a rail station campaign, Stonehouse excepted!) but the usual issue of a two-hourly service giving me a long time in Salford ahead. Guess there's a pub or two there - but will they just be doing Sunday dinners?
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/mkm-salt-20200103.jpg) (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salt-mkm-20200103.jpg) Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: froome on January 03, 2020, 19:39:08 Saltford has some lovely pubs. We went to the Jolly Sailor on Christmas Day. It is on the riverside, by the weir (at the end of Avon Lane), so a bit of a walk from the village itself. The river was in full spate and looking very dramatic.
If I can throw off the heavy cold I'm currently suffering, I may go to the meeting myself. Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: grahame on January 05, 2020, 09:34:05 Heading out - first D3 bus at 09:48 to Bath .. perhaps see some of you in Saltford.
Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: grahame on January 06, 2020, 07:58:38 Report on lecture in Saltford at 2 p.m. on 5th January 2020
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/warrensaltford.jpg) A local lecture - primarily on the history of railways through Saltford, followed by a lecture on the campaign so far. Just a very few minutes looking forward. But then this was a local lecture for interested residents, and a full room confirmed that it correctly pulled in its audience. And indeed it was fascinating to hear of the history of the railways at Saltford, and the stations at Saltford and Kelston - with pictures and reminisces much enjoyed by the audience. And I can sympathise and identify with much of the history of reports and reports following reports and looking to the future with "yes, it's a good case" but little progress on the steps from a good case (with identified issues ironed out) to an implemented case. From a recent history viewpoint, fascinating to pick up the Saltford Campaign's 2012 glossy 4-pager making their case. The presenter commented that it's an interesting piece of history - indeed it is; the advocates could do themselves so much good by refreshing the document, or providing a 2019 / 2020 update. A handout of any sort less than 7 years old in addition to the history would have confirmed life in the campaign; the words were said, but paper to back it up was lacking. Gasps of horror from the audience at the price tag of £14 million up, and at the current strategy of ensuring the station is in the 2019-2036 development plan. All the right things being said in terms of catchment, BCR, sorting out what will stop there and how the line capacity will cope, working with Network Rail (who are making passive provision), BaNES, WECA, WoE, etc. Also looking at the GRIP process, the need for *someone* to champion it, etc... and perhaps to have gone further down this route / discussion would have left the target audience cold. Saltford is certainly a plausible case, but then so are many others. With a strong community push and energy, with the community engaging with other community groups and networks, its chances should be nothing but strengthen - and much more increased local activism could perhaps be their game changer. Names were mentioned above (and they mentioned RailFuture from an award a few years back) but no Severnside CRP, Heart of Wessex, FoSBR, TravelWatch "proud to work with"s. And, yes,I suspect a regular poster or two on the forum and on other social media might do wonders - both in gaining visibility, and gaining links with further expertise. P.S. On the forum... a search for Saltford. Matched 108 posts in 49 threads. But most of the campaign stuff is old threads. Anyone from Saltford reading? We would love a public update. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grahame on January 06, 2020, 08:05:36 Quote On the forum... a search for Saltford. Matched 108 posts in 49 threads. But most of the campaign stuff is old threads. I have merged the newer thread with the main old one for future campaign / archive clarity. I suspect we'll hear more from Saltford in the not-too-distant (in rail terms) future. Title: Re: Saltford station update Post by: grahame on January 06, 2020, 08:14:15 For those unable to get to this, but might want to read more - there is a pdf of a talk given by the same person as advertised above, back in June 2017 on the website linked to by Granam above. I suspect the talk will be very much based around that previous talk. http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/resources/170612-the-history-of-railways-at-saltford-by-chris-warren.pdf (http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/resources/170612-the-history-of-railways-at-saltford-by-chris-warren.pdf) Thanks for that link, ChrisB. You suspected correctly. However, very much going along as the pictures shown to accompany the talk were interesting; the link supplied is "just" the soundtrack text. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grahame on January 06, 2020, 09:51:38 A further writeup - Saltford, history and case rather than just yesterday's meeting ...
Saltford lies in the (Bristol) Avon valley between Bath and Bristol, with the older part on a rocky promontory that sticks out into that valley. The natural travel route to Bristol is along the valley - the old A4 (Great West Road) and River Avon both going that way. The rocky promontory was a (minor) challenge to the GWR engineers lead by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who planned a cutting, but was opposed by the owner of Saltford House... hence the tunnel under the corner of the High Street. Saltford House and Tunnel House stand atop the tunnel to this day. (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_0.jpg) The station at Saltford was opened with the railway in 1840, and closed (5th January 1970) as projected by the Beeching Report. The station has been swept away; a Network Rail yard remains on the South side; on the north side, the embankment falls away directly from the tracks. Just towards Bristol, the transformation from embankment to cutting is rapid; historically the cuttings to the tunnel (especially at the far end) have slipped – they're pretty steep. (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_1.jpg) Saltford station site, from the bridge over the cutting (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_2.jpg) Looking back into the cutting from near the old station site (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_3.jpg) The cutting at the Bristol end of the tunnel Sharing the valley and below the GWR, the Midland railway's Bath branch was opened in 1869. Although there was no station in Saltford, there was one just across the river in Kelston with a walkway over the river bridge alongside the railway as it crossed - "Kelston for Saltford". The Bath branch of the Midland became a main line with the opening from Bath to Bournemouth of the Somerset and Dorset in 1874 ... which closed again (with many calls of "foul" in March 1966. Final freight into Bath through Kelston ceased in 1971 though Kelston station had closed decades earlier. There days, the Bath to Mangotsfield trackbed is the busy Bath to Bristol footpath and cycleway. (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_4.jpg) From the walkway bridge over the river, looking to Kelston station site (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_5.jpg) The river bridge - former Midland line, now the Bristol to Bath path There is a campaign to have the station at Saltford re-opened. Dating back around a decade (and I am writing this in 2020), the campaign looks to bolster the current population of around 5,000 to around the 10,000 catchment mark by adding in Bath Spa University's Campus to which it would be the closest station, and unencumbered by the congested drive into Bath itself from that University too. Lots of correct political work and networking done locally and regionally, though a change of political leadership in BaNES caused something of a hiatus. The pendulum has swung again and the transport lead from BaNES spoke positively at the presentation in Saltford on 5th January. Support by the WECA mayor for the station, and indeed for wider West of England Rail projects, remains less firm than many would like. Benefit to cost ratio quoted of 2.0 at the talk, and it's clear than many of the technical issues and mechanisms are on the radar. (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_6.jpg) A network of footpaths still connects old Saltford to the station site (http://www.wellho.net/pix/salty2020_7.jpg) The main road passed right beside the site of the old station (yard is to the right of the wall) Will Saltford transform from a case for a re-opened station to an actual re-opened station? The path from case to implementation is a long and complex one these day – let's see what coming years brings. All pictures - GE, 5.1.2020. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: Bmblbzzz on January 06, 2020, 11:00:39 Kelston station: Just near the bridge in the photo above, on the old Midland Line, is a board with some local history. Apparently the owner of the land there, who sold it for the railway, and his descendants, had the right to stop any train at Kelston station for their personal use with 24 hours notice.
Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: johnneyw on January 06, 2020, 12:45:09 The notion that Salford station was the closest to the university campus raised an eyebrow for a few moments as I thought it surely must be Bath Spa Station by some considerable distance. Then the penny dropped. Bath Spa University, as opposed to it's better known cousin, the University of Bath, has it's campus near Newton St Loe which makes it roughly equidistant between the current Oldfield Park Station in Bath and Saltford.
The University of Bath campus is on Claverton Down, served by Bath Spa Station and arguably, Freshford too. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grahame on January 07, 2020, 10:04:43 Text of Sunday's talk on "how have we got here and where now" now online at
http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/resources/200105-station-campaign-talk-duncan-hounsell.pdf ... ad that provides a very useful current situation update online, which has been missing. Additiionally, our own Red Squirrel has added a timeline to the FoSBR site at https://fosbr.org.uk/timelines/saltford-station/ which provides an excellent summary right up to date I'm thinking that the Saltford campaign may be starting to move forward after a period of just treading water. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: froome on January 07, 2020, 11:40:07 Many thanks Graham for all the info about the talk, which I couldn't get to as I'm still quite poorly.
I suspect that some of the new impetus for the campaign will have come from changes in the parish council, which I believe is now much more solidly behind the campaign. Interesting to read that there was a walkway beside the railway on the river bridge just down from Kelston station, which I wasn't aware of. There was another direct link between Saltford and Kelston, which was the foot ferry, which crossed the river from close to the brass works in Saltford to meet a path which led directly to Kelston station. It is shown on maps until the 1920s. Title: Re: Campaign to re-open Saltford station (between Bristol and Bath) Post by: grahame on March 10, 2023, 16:58:37 From Bristol World (https://www.bristolworld.com/news/the-village-between-bristol-and-bath-with-hopes-for-a-new-railway-station-4059655)
Quote Today, the growing community of Saltford has no station and its population of around 4,500 use cars or bus services, including the X39, to get to Bristol or Bath. It’s why there is a strong, if not stuttering, campaign to ‘get our station back’. Launched over a decade ago, the villagers want a new station at the old site off the Bath Road, now used as a storage yard by Network Rail, with a half-hourly service to Bristol and Bath. They say the station would have two platforms, a footbridge and a car park for more than 144 vehicles. But there has been a problem. While support has been voiced from Bath and North East Somerset Council and West of England Combined Authority (WECA), and backed by politicans such as North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, the scheme has gone quiet, while work on other stations in the Bristol area have taken the headlines. Saltford Parish Chairman Chris Warren is ‘station campaign leader’. Speaking to Bristol World, he’s clearly passionate about the cause and despite slow progress, he is still confident the station will be built. He reminds us that it is listed on WECA’s 10-year rail delivery plan and he explains there was strong support when BANES commissioned an assessment nine years ago. “It’s scandulous we’ve been waiting this long when you consider all the benefits and the inadequate transport options we already have here, Article continues and in more depth. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |