Cycle Track Could Become Bus Route

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Stretches of the path running along a former railway line from Emersons Green into Bristol city centre could be used for a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT^▸ (Bus Rapid Transit)) or "guided bus" route - which could then continue out to Bristol International Airport (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231190&home=yes&more_nodeId1=144922&contentPK=19590097

At the moment, the route is popular with cyclists, joggers and people who want to enjoy some tranquility.

But they could end up sharing it with futuristic hybrid fuel buses if the BRT plan goes ahead.

Concerned cyclists have organised a public meeting on Tuesday, February 5, to discuss the proposals.

It would be fair to say that this proposal has really split transport campaigners.

[Shazz]

If it was done properly, and extended to bristol airport on a fairly requent basis, i could see it working incredibly well!

however the airport have invested a lot of money in the flyer service, woukd that get canned as a result?

The airport really could do with a rail link though, but i think thats probably never going to happen

[John R]

Almost impossible, as the airport is much higher than the main line, so the gradient would be impossibly steep I think you'll find. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Perhaps a cliff railway, like Lynton and Lynmouth? 

[Shazz]

Almost impossible, as the airport is much higher than the main line, so the gradient would be impossibly steep I think you'll find. 

Tunnels, put it underground like LHR etc has

[John R]

That only worked with 40m air passengers and a premium fare to pay for the cost (though I suspect that's long since been recovered). Also, I think you would find the rail terminal would be rather deep at the airport, which would presumably cause lots of issues. And of course the line would have to be electrified, as diesel trains into a dead end tunnel has its own challenges.

Of course the real problem is that the obvious choice of an airport for Bristol at Filton (no overflying of houses 20 years ago, next to M4/M5 and next to the railway) was not taken up. So we're left with an inconvienently sited airport which is first to close because of fog or snow being on top of the hill. Still, it shows that it's not only the railways that suffer from poor decisions and have to live with the consequences for years to come.

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Good point, John!

(Well, several good points, actually  )

[Shazz]

Give it a few more years and bristol will need some sort of a rail link (even if its a shuttle bus from backwell, and significant investment is placed there)

With the mass expansion of ryanair, supposedly bringing an extra million and a half passengers next year, And taking the airport close to 8 million passengers a year the road cant be far off bursting point...

[John R]

Well Nailsea & Backwell is only 10 minutes from the Airport, and a coach link from there would  be more reliable than getting in and out of Bristol, particularly in the rush hour. Unfortunately it would have to complement the existing Flyer coach link from Bristol, as it would be a retrograde step to replace a through coach service from Central Bristol, with a rail/coach link. That will make it less viable. Also, the station is not well suited to such an interchange, and its position on an embankment would make the necessary changes very expensive.

So much as I would like the idea, particularly if it attracted XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) to stop at Nailsea, I can't see it happening somehow, and in truth if funds were available there would probably be more worthy investment projects, such as the Portishead line.     

[Shazz]

Well, funding wise i'm sure the Mcquire bank who own Bristol airport will spend x amount of millions making peoples lives easier/ giving them an alternative to get to the airport.

As it's in there best interests to do so, and may even attract a greater range of services.

as lets face it, it only cost ^4mil to completely revamp parkway to an unrecognisable level. Wouldnt cost a lot more to do the same to there.

Platform extension, platform covers, some form of booking hall, and a car park extension/ an area for a shuttle bus

Or they could always build a completely new station in the local area...

[John R]

Not if it makes my 5 minute walk any longer!! Anyway, the station's ideally placed for both communities it serves.   

[Chris from Nailsea]

Platform extension, platform covers, some form of booking hall, and a car park extension/ an area for a shuttle bus

But that would completely spoil the quaint olde worlde charm of our lovely station!  Look at this: http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/images/nailsea10.jpg .

All that's missing is the tumbleweed blowing across the track and Charles Bronson playing a harmonica on Platform 1 as the Weston train pulls out ... !