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Author Topic: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion  (Read 382366 times)
johnneyw
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« Reply #735 on: August 29, 2019, 20:24:20 »

This quip is a bit over the top isn't it.

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“The Portishead line is a nationally significant project that will deliver wide ranging environmental and economic benefits to our region". ....

Talk to anyone outside of "our region" and they wouldn't know where you were talking about but mention HS2 (The next High Speed line(s)) and everyone knows about that project.


It does sound a bit grandiose doesn't it?  I think, though, it refers to the fact that it is going to extend the national passenger rail network rather than just opening a station or two on the existing network. Besides, since when have politicians anywhere chosen to downplay their claims?    Cheesy
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ellendune
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« Reply #736 on: August 29, 2019, 20:29:57 »

This quip is a bit over the top isn't it.

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“The Portishead line is a nationally significant project that will deliver wide ranging environmental and economic benefits to our region". ....

Talk to anyone outside of "our region" and they wouldn't know where you were talking about but mention HS2 (The next High Speed line(s)) and everyone knows about that project.


It does sound a bit grandiose doesn't it?  I think, though, it refers to the fact that it is going to extend the national passenger rail network rather than just opening a station or two on the existing network. Besides, since when have politicians anywhere chosen to downplay their claims?    Cheesy

I think it is a technical planning definition - this sort of development is deemed to "nationally significant" and is therefore determined by the Secretary of State rather than the local authority. 
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #737 on: August 29, 2019, 21:08:09 »

Talk to anyone outside of "our region" and they wouldn't know where you were talking about
Unless they were fans of 1990s trip hop.  Cheesy
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johnneyw
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« Reply #738 on: August 29, 2019, 21:20:51 »

Talk to anyone outside of "our region" and they wouldn't know where you were talking about
Unless they were fans of 1990s trip hop.  Cheesy

That threw me for a mo, then it clicked..... Portishead. Definitely a trip hop band of more than regional significance.
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TonyK
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« Reply #739 on: August 29, 2019, 21:52:44 »

This quip is a bit over the top isn't it.

Quote
“The Portishead line is a nationally significant project that will deliver wide ranging environmental and economic benefits to our region". ....

Talk to anyone outside of "our region" and they wouldn't know where you were talking about but mention HS2 (The next High Speed line(s)) and everyone knows about that project.


It does sound a bit grandiose doesn't it?  I think, though, it refers to the fact that it is going to extend the national passenger rail network rather than just opening a station or two on the existing network. Besides, since when have politicians anywhere chosen to downplay their claims?    Cheesy

I think it is a technical planning definition - this sort of development is deemed to "nationally significant" and is therefore determined by the Secretary of State rather than the local authority. 

And I think you are right, ellendune. I seem to recall that very form of words being used by our Noble Friend, Andrew, Baron Adonis, way back in the day when he was transport minister. I think that once a railway is deemed to be of national significance, it can only be cancelled then reinstated for a maximum of three elections. And let's face it, adding 50,000 customers to a business is never going to be sniffed at!

As regards the time scale, we should recall that the line was relaid for freight from Parson Street to Portbury Dock in less than a year from the announcement, and that included the chord into Portbury from just west of Pill. The original centruty-old track remains in situ from Portbury nearly a junction - the points were thrown into the grass by the line last time I looked. Said points could be refitted and clipped in a day, and the new rail delivered in 250 metre lengths at 5 mph. There is no reason why  the 3 miles or so that needs to be relaid couldn't be done quickly, although doubtless it won't be. It's in the preppy-uppy. That drainage will take time, and there's bound to be a newt or two along the way.

In my previous life as a person who wasn't retired, working in the 1980s - 1990s as a fraud investigator for what was then DSS, I followed someone to work from his home in Portishead, where one of my solicitor brothers-in-law then had his practice. The traffic along the Portbury Hundred at 7.30am was so bad that on day two, I had a colleaugue waiting on the Bristol side of the A369, and another in Abbots Leigh, because even if I was right behind the target car as we got to the M5 roundabout, there was little chance of me still being in eyeball contact on tghe other side. Since then, thousands of new homes have been built in dear old Posset. (BTW (by the way), it was fun at the other end. He went into Asda in Bedminster to get his lunch, before we got to the nitty gritty. As I pressed the PTT (Public Time-Table) button on the built-in radio to talk to a colleague, all the alarms in all the Fords within a 25-metre radius went off. Like the responsible adults we were, we drove around the car park setting off more alarms, and almost missed our man leaving.)
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Now, please!
johnneyw
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« Reply #740 on: August 29, 2019, 22:30:47 »



In my previous life as a person who wasn't retired, working in the 1980s - 1990s as a fraud investigator for what was then DSS, I


My good lady who used to work for said authority lent me a book by a Bristol chap in the same line of work called "Where's My Money?". It was an intersting read. His fortitude about being beaten up by a claiment was inspiring.
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stuving
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« Reply #741 on: August 29, 2019, 23:05:01 »

"Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)" is indeed planning jargon; used in the Planning Act 2008. Basically it means the project must follow the DCO (Driver Controlled Operation) route rather than getting a TWA, which in turn means a minister has to approve it.

The threshold for being an NSIP is too low, and known to be - HMG proposed setting a higher lower limit but never went through with it. However, that would only lift the maximum size for a TWA from anything that can be done as permitted development to 2 km of track. I knew I'd dug out some more on this a while ago, it's here if you like that sort of thing.





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TonyK
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« Reply #742 on: September 02, 2019, 18:08:51 »

"Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)" is indeed planning jargon; used in the Planning Act 2008. Basically it means the project must follow the DCO (Driver Controlled Operation) route rather than getting a TWA, which in turn means a minister has to approve it.

The threshold for being an NSIP is too low, and known to be - HMG proposed setting a higher lower limit but never went through with it. However, that would only lift the maximum size for a TWA from anything that can be done as permitted development to 2 km of track. I knew I'd dug out some more on this a while ago, it's here if you like that sort of thing.


Bravo stuving!
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« Reply #743 on: September 06, 2019, 15:18:55 »

Dr Liam Fox ...for it is he....has secured an adjournment debate in the Commons next Wednesday 11th September on the reopening of the Portishead line. It's only 14 years since his previous adjournment debate on the same subject when he described Portishead  as the longest cul-de-sac in Europe !
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johnneyw
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« Reply #744 on: September 06, 2019, 15:36:24 »

Dr Liam Fox ...for it is he....has secured an adjournment debate in the Commons next Wednesday 11th September on the reopening of the Portishead line. It's only 14 years since his previous adjournment debate on the same subject when he described Portishead  as the longest cul-de-sac in Europe !

Is it known what specifics will be debated and what outcome it sets out to achieve?
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Red Squirrel
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« Reply #745 on: September 06, 2019, 16:30:51 »

Dr Liam Fox ...for it is he....has secured an adjournment debate in the Commons next Wednesday 11th September on the reopening of the Portishead line. It's only 14 years since his previous adjournment debate on the same subject when he described Portishead  as the longest cul-de-sac in Europe !

We should have general elections more often!
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« Reply #746 on: September 06, 2019, 16:34:16 »

Oh No Not Another One ! Copyright Brenda from Bristol.
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« Reply #747 on: October 04, 2019, 12:10:39 »

The adjournment debate secured by Dr Liam Fox on the future of the Portishead railway is now scheduled for Wednesday 16th October, unlawful prorogations permitting. I wonder what sort of an update he can provide, since the last one in 2005 !
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johnneyw
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« Reply #748 on: October 16, 2019, 15:37:47 »

BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Radio Bristol reminded me today that the postponed Commons debate on the Portishead Line is due today. Might check out BBC Parliament.
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Noggin
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« Reply #749 on: October 16, 2019, 22:13:43 »

BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Radio Bristol reminded me today that the postponed Commons debate on the Portishead Line is due today. Might check out BBC Parliament.

For goodness sakes, what on earth is there to debate?

Who wants to bet me a tenner that Levenmouth reopens before Portishead does?

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