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Author Topic: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion  (Read 384670 times)
Super Guard
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« Reply #165 on: November 05, 2011, 13:07:28 »

I love the way that any positive move that FGW (First Great Western) try and make is just reduced to a "stunt"  Roll Eyes
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« Reply #166 on: November 05, 2011, 14:39:34 »

Praise  has to be given to everyone campiagning to get this line re-opened.

Maybe perhaps FGW (First Great Western) could put in their bid for the GW (Great Western) franchise that they would pay for the portishead to be re-opened if they get a long enough franchise, somthing similar to the current Chiltern franchise.

Hopefully we will get to see the Portishead line re-opened.  I know there was along campaign for more trains on the fishguard line which has now paid off and it seems the locals etc are making use of the new train service with Fisguard & goodwick station re-opening in early 2012.

I personally see the Portishead line being an imediate sucess,  the council's etc  just need to take a look at how sucessful the Ebbw Vale line  has been and the current Fishguard trial services.

 In fact the WG are brining back the railink bus between Newport & Rogerstone although it will run direct between the 2 instead of the longish route it went before according to local press in Newport
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« Reply #167 on: November 08, 2011, 12:12:39 »

I agree, I have family that lives in Pill and children attend Portishead and it's a knightmare and that is before they attempt to get to Bristol city centre.

It would be a success no doubt passenger number wise - whether the fare cost versus investment cost make it a no-brainer too obviously is an issue.
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« Reply #168 on: November 08, 2011, 15:17:33 »

Used to live just off the A369 and commute to a job in Bristol by bus during school/college holidays...bit of a nightmare, and that was at the quiet times of year.
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« Reply #169 on: November 09, 2011, 19:37:09 »

It may be of interest to note that the main road in Portishead (Nore Road) has been shut for resurfacing for the last 10 days with no bus service along it. This has meant real hardship for local residents as First are only running their buses up to the highest part of town. I don't how pensioners are meant to manage when the ONLY shops are over a mile away down in the High Street and the ONLY buses 350 feet up on the hill.
If Portishead station was open we might be able to walk down to there and at least  catch a train into Bristol. Needless to say my emails to local councillors and First have been ignored.
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« Reply #170 on: December 20, 2011, 06:41:45 »



Portishead rail link signals are encouraging, says North Somerset MP (Member of Parliament) Liam Fox


.

Monday, December 19, 2011



North Somerset MP Liam Fox has said he believes work on the Portishead passenger rail link could begin by 2015.

The Conservative MP said that a string of recent high-profile Government announcements, including Bristol^s new rapid transit scheme, had pushed the project up the queue.




 ​

 Chris Grayling MP and Liam Fox MP by the remains of the rail link

.
This had made a ^fundamental difference^ to the prospect of bringing the line linking the North Somerset town to Bristol, which last took regular passenger trains in 1964, back into service, he said.

Dr Fox said: ^For the first time in a long time, we now have a reasonable hope that we will see building begin on the Portishead rail link before the end of 2015. It^s very good news. People have worked long and hard for this, and I think that we know have a realistic chance of success in a reasonable time frame.^

His optimism stems from a meeting he attended alongside North Somerset Council leader Nigel Ashton with Transport Minister Norman Baker at Westminster.

He said: ^Nigel and I met Norman Baker, and he was very clear. Because the Government is giving greater priority to capital projects, medium-sized projects will be pushed further up the agenda. So we will be able to be considered in 2013. We got the strong impression from the minister that the Government would look strongly on the Portishead case.

^We said we would go away and try to build a consensus and a more detailed business case.^

Mr Baker said that as no bid for the Portishead link had been submitted by May 2010, ^the shutters had come down^ for it to be among the next tranche of projects to be considered.

But he added: ^It was a constructive meeting, and I am probably sympathetic to what they are saying. I agree we need to find a way to deal with these medium sized rail schemes ^ I quite agree with that.^

Last weekend Dr Fox met representatives of the Portishead Rail group, and councillor Ashton, at his North Somerset home. They agreed to prepare a ^prospectus^ to present to private companies to persuade them to invest.

Passenger train services from Portishead to Bristol were cut in 1964, although the line to Portbury Dock was reopened in 2002 for freight trains only.

But the goods line is mainly single track and in order to accommodate both freight and passenger trains in both directions there would need to be major works to upgrade existing track and complete the line into Portishead town centre.

It is hoped that the bid will be able to lever in private cash by involving the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

Campaigners intend to finalise their case by the time the Great Western rail franchise is put out to tender, hoping it will be incorporated into the new package.
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« Reply #171 on: December 20, 2011, 08:21:55 »

He said: ^Nigel and I met Norman Baker, and he was very clear. Because the Government is giving greater priority to capital projects, medium-sized projects will be pushed further up the agenda. So we will be able to be considered in 2013. We got the strong impression from the minister that the Government would look strongly on the Portishead case.

Such things are good news ... and should help establish a positive glow for Dr Fox in Portishead prior to the 2015 general election.  The tragedy of giving greater priority to capital projects, though, is to reduce seeding funds to support the operation of new and strengthened services in places where the capital has already been spent on providing a perfectly usable railway, but with a lack of services at the times they're needed, or a lack of enough carriages on those trains.  Even with the extra carriages now feeding through, there remain significant issues.

I do hope that the restored service that Portishead gets just after the next election, held in a euphoric blaze of hope a the line is rebuilt, doesn't turn out to be twice daily - from Temple Meads at 06:15 and 18:45, returning from Portishead at 07:05 and 19:35, because that's the only time that a train can be found to run the service.
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« Reply #172 on: January 26, 2012, 12:57:57 »

Just seen this article online:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Henbury-Portishead-rail-lines-open-5-years/story-15038048-detail/story.html

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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #173 on: January 26, 2012, 16:06:04 »

As one of the comments says, why give an article like that such a headline, when clearly it is far from definite?
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« Reply #174 on: January 26, 2012, 16:06:31 »

Don't be so bitter Grahame just think there will be lots of 26 year old Turbos available after 2016 when the TV gets 28 year old 319s to replace them.
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grahame
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« Reply #175 on: January 26, 2012, 17:45:59 »

Don't be so bitter Grahame just think there will be lots of 26 year old Turbos available after 2016 when the TV gets 28 year old 319s to replace them.

I'll give you cynical and cautionary ... but I certainly did not intend to come across as bitter - sorry if it read that way.
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« Reply #176 on: January 26, 2012, 18:55:35 »

Don't worry I think you and all potential Melksham passengers have a right to be bitter.

There you were with a reasonably usuable service and good passenger growth only to have it snatched away with the stroke of pen. For no good reason that I can fathom.
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« Reply #177 on: January 26, 2012, 22:18:20 »

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Henbury-Portishead-rail-lines-open-5-years/story-15038048-detail/story.html

Quote
TRAINS could be running on the Portishead railway line again within five years.

That is the view of a rail industry insider who says plans to reopen the line from Bristol Temple Meads to the North Somerset town are already at an advanced stage.

The expert, who has asked to remain anonymous, believes the reopening of both the Portishead and Henbury Loop lines will be included in the new franchise agreement for the Great Western rail network.

This means the rail operator which takes over the running of the franchise next year will be obliged to run trains on both lines to meet the terms of their contract.

It is understood Portishead's railway station would be built on the site of the former station yard next door to the town's Waitrose supermarket.

The only major stumbling block is Quays Avenue, a road which intersects the line just before it reaches the proposed station. It is understood this could be overcome by either creating a level crossing or building a road bridge.

The terms of the Great Western franchise will be published in April or May.

The railway industry insider said the Department for Transport was responsible for choosing whether or not the reopening of the line should be included as part of the franchise agreement.

He said the Government was keen to see a rail operator bear the cost of reopening the line, rather than see it met by the public purse.

The insider said planning for reopening of the line was carried out years ago ^ right down to working out a timetable for the Portishead service. But he said a question mark had always remained over who would foot the bill for the project.

He said: "We firmly believe the Portishead and Henbury lines will be returned into the new franchise agreement. It's the Government's intention that the franchisee funds the reopening.

"In April or May, when the main invitation tender document is published, there will be an awful lot more detail.

"I've seen documents about the Portishead line for the last three years, including a full timetable. The problem has always been government departments arguing over who will pay for it.

"There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes trying to get these projects through.

"Reopening the Portishead line is easy to do. It would be a massive success and it would be a bonus for Bristol.

"The tracks are still there and the only issue would be crossing Quays Avenue. From the railway point of view, we don't like having level crossings. The best approach might be a bridge."

As well as the Portishead and Henbury lines, the source said he believed Henbury and Hallen stations would reopen, two extra lines of track would be added at Filton Bank by 2018, and a half-hourly Bristol Metro service would run between Yate and Weston-super- Mare.

He said a shuttle rail service could be set up between Henbury station and the Mall at Cribbs Causeway.

The insider said: "I can see this happening, especially with all the traffic that builds up around Cribbs Causeway at weekends. With the airfield shutting, it will allow some sort of transport link to be built ^ that would be desirable.

"Saltford has a very good case for reopening ^ we know people are seriously looking at that, and Ashley Hill as well."

Earlier this month, the Evening Post reported that Bristol City Council had joined forces with local transport groups to campaign to bring a metro rail service to the city.

The ambition of Bristol Metro 2013 is to run trains to local stations ^ including reopened ones ^ from Temple Meads every 30 minutes.

Those behind the campaign want whichever company that takes over the running of the Great Western rail network next year to include the improvements to local services.

Until March, the government is carrying out consultations on what the new 15-year franchise should include.

Campaigners want 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.

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.

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.

Last month North Somerset MP (Member of Parliament) Liam Fox said he believed work on the Portishead passenger rail link could begin by 2015.

His optimism stemmed from a meeting he attended alongside North Somerset Council leader Nigel Ashton with Transport Minister Norman Baker at Westminster.

Passenger services from Portishead to Bristol were cut in 1964, although the line to Portbury Dock reopened in 2002 for freight trains only.


Personally, I'll only believe it when I see it!

As for Saltford station re-opening, I remember watching a Driver's Eye View video where in the commentary it said "Saltford station closed here in 1964.  Future re-instatement is on the cards.".  That programme was made back in 1993!
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inspector_blakey
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« Reply #178 on: January 26, 2012, 22:28:25 »

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Henbury-Portishead-rail-lines-open-5-years/story-15038048-detail/story.html

Quote
The only major stumbling block is Quays Avenue, a road which intersects the line just before it reaches the proposed station. It is understood this could be overcome by either creating a level crossing or building a road bridge.

No sh!t, Sherlock! The award for "most bleeding obvious statement of 2012 so far" goes to...

Well, I suppose the other option is that they could tunnel under the railway. Or maybe a transporter bridge.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #179 on: March 11, 2012, 21:02:28 »

From the Western Daily Press:

Quote
Reopening Portishead rail line for passenger trains could cost ^33m

The first phase of improvements in the biggest railway campaign in the West Country would cost ^40 million, it has been claimed.

Most of that sum ^ around ^33 million ^ would go on reopening the Portishead rail line for passenger trains. The rest would be spent on doubling the track at Filton Bank and adding an extra service between Bristol and Bath.

The Greater Bristol Metro campaign was officially launched last month by the West of England Partnership, the body that represents the four local authorities in the area. They are lobbying the Government and transport companies to include a raft of local rail improvements when the Great Western rail franchise is re-appointed next year.

The Department for Transport is currently consulting on what should be included in the new, 15-year contract.

Rail consultants Halcrow have produced a two-phase plan for the improvements, and gave a presentation to partnership members at a meeting this week.

Project manager David Crockett and rail operations specialist Graeme Pollard gave estimated costs for the various proposals, and explained why certain parts were given priority over others. Providing four tracks at Filton Bank is the first step, Mr Crockett said, as it allowed other improvements to follow suit.

He said: ^It^s the key pinch point, the bottle neck on the whole system. If you don^t have Filton Bank you don^t have very much at all. It gives us capacity, but it doesn^t actually buy any services.^

Mr Pollard said the area^s railways were being held back by changes that had been made in the past ^ such as closing stations and reducing track.

The main part of phase one improvements was the reopening of the Portishead to Bristol rail line. Although various figures have been quoted over the years, Halcrow estimate it would cost ^32.9 million, including ^25 million for the track and ^7.75 million for new stations at Portishead and Pill.

Providing an extra service between Temple Meads and Bath would cost ^2.76 million because there is currently no ability for trains to turn back at Bath Spa station.

Phase one also includes an enhanced service on the Severn Beach line. The last part of phase one would see one extra train an hour stopping at Parson Street by using the Cardiff to Taunton train.

Phase two prioritises the reopening of the Henbury loop, a network of stations in the north of the city.

But, to the disappointment of transport campaigners, Halcrow^s proposal does not include the full loop yet.

The two new stations at Henbury and North Filton would cost ^21 million and provide links to the development at Filton Airfield.

Halcrow also put forward a ^station package^ of stops that could be re-opened if the business cases could be proven. This included Saltford, Ashton Gate, Corsham and Ashley Down. Mr Crockett said: ^We need to get the base level of service in first.^
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