Bradford North Curve / Direct services Melksham to Bath and Bristol

[whole diary]

[rogerw]

I am sure that someone can give a definitive answer, but I suspect that the work was to provide a walking route in accordance with current standards

[johnneyw]

There is a more indirect route using quieter roads, tracks and footpaths taking in the NT's Great Chalfield Manor too. A year or two ago I took the bus from Bradford on Avon to the Courts and took this route back but it is best done in summer when the footpaths are drier.

[grahame]

There is a more indirect route using quieter roads, tracks and footpaths taking in the NT's Great Chalfield Manor too. A year or two ago I took the bus from Bradford on Avon to the Courts and took this route back but it is best done in summer when the footpaths are drier.

Yes ... but what the residents are looking for is an efficient way without the need for a private car ("Mum's taxi") to reach civilisation as they know it ... work, education, friends, night out.  Great Chalfield Manor is very interest and lovely, but it's not top of many people's lists.

Looking for a comparison elsewhere, the residents of Minehead seek a rail link to the rest of the world.  They get a heritage line which is excellent, brings visitors and people to their economy which they are grateful for, but sadly as it stands it does not bring them the trains they want in their daily lives to link them to the world.  Oh - Minehead has a far better bus service than Holt.

[Bmblbzzz]

This one surprised me when I first saw it.  The suggestion does not relate to the curve. Sorry if including it in the original post relating to the curve might have suggested otherwise.  It related/relates to 3 platforms - one on the line to/from Melksham, and a pair on the main Cardiff - Portsmouth line.  With a 1km walking catchment to the station, it does not overlap with Trowbridge Central, and it provides a logical park and ride from the blooming housing estates around and to the south of Hilperton via the wonderful new "Elizabeth Way" relief road. 
[snipped for space]

Thanks. I can see the logic in it and possibly pitfalls. The design of 2 platforms on one line and 1 on a single track is reminiscent of Worcestershire Parkway – but the area is more densely populated.

It was nagging me in the back of my mind when I wrote that that actually there's a significant difference between this and Worcestershire Parkway but I couldn't put my finger on it. It's obvious really: Worcestershire Pway isn't a junction, one line crosses the other without joining.

[johnneyw]

There is a more indirect route using quieter roads, tracks and footpaths taking in the NT's Great Chalfield Manor too. A year or two ago I took the bus from Bradford on Avon to the Courts and took this route back but it is best done in summer when the footpaths are drier.

Yes ... but what the residents are looking for is an efficient way without the need for a private car ("Mum's taxi") to reach civilisation as they know it ... work, education, friends, night out.  Great Chalfield Manor is very interest and lovely, but it's not top of many people's lists.

Looking for a comparison elsewhere, the residents of Minehead seek a rail link to the rest of the world.  They get a heritage line which is excellent, brings visitors and people to their economy which they are grateful for, but sadly as it stands it does not bring them the trains they want in their daily lives to link them to the world.  Oh - Minehead has a far better bus service than Holt.

Ah yes, thoroughly agree with all those points. The route I mentioned was more as an aside response to the observation on the direct route being unpleasant to walk or cycle (I did that one as well and as froome pointed out, it isn't very pleasant).

[SandTEngineer]

The distance between the main reversing signals at Bradford Junction is approximately 600yds so pleanty of room for l....o....n....g IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

Out of interest there is a fairly current cab ride video (part of a series covering a journey on a preserved Hastings Diesel Unit) showing the lines discussed here: https://youtu.be/T3qZ5ZYQB_I