Proposal to reopen Flax Bourton as a Parkway Station - consultation starts today (April Fool topic, 2009)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Network Rail and the Department for Transport are to consult on proposals to reopen Flax Bourton station as a Parkway Station for the whole FGW^▸ (First Great Western) area, it has been revealed.

The proposal is that the disused MoD fuel depot to the west of the station would be converted to provide up to 5000 spaces, by installing parking decks within the existing underground fuel tanks.  Motor vehicle exhaust fumes will be expelled through the existing ventilation shafts, using environmentally friendly mini-wind-turbines, it is suggested.

Existing trackside buildings at Flax Bourton would be restored, with the provision of a ticket office, waiting room and goods shed, based on the original Bristol & Exeter Railway facilities, in what would be a sympathetic modernisation.

Both platforms would be replaced, and would also be extended westwards towards Station Road, to allow FGW HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) services to call.  Among the proposals is a suggestion that a half-hourly train service - in both directions - would be provided.

Anyone wishing to comment on these consultation proposals is invited to respond, by logging on to www.network.rail.dft.fgw.consultation.april1.htm

Please note that the deadline for responses is one year from now.

[vacman]

I would have fallen for that if you hadn't put the bit about the goods shed! APRIL FOOL!!!!!

[thetrout]

I would have also fallen for that had it not have been for vacman's post... Thank You vacman for saving me from looking silly!!!

Your a bit late though Chris... The deadline for an April fools joke is 12:00, Your post was at 12:01:47...

Ok i'll stop splitting hairs now

[Chris from Nailsea]

I think you'll find, Dominic, that I posted at one minute past midnight this morning! 

[Btline]

Where is Flax Bourton?

[thetrout]

Little Village between Bedminster and Backwell (Nr Nailsea)

It did once have a station, but that has long gone!

Funnily enough, I used to live near there...!

[Chris from Nailsea]

For those unfamiliar with Flax Bourton (so, probably, just about everyone here, except me and Dominic!), there are some excellent pictures at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Flax_Bourton_railway_station 

[devon_metro]

I think you'll find, Dominic, that I posted at one minute past midnight this morning! 

What a truly absurd hour to be making up April Fools

Personally, I found gmails auto reply most amusing

[John R]

For those unfamiliar with Flax Bourton (so, probably, just about everyone here, except me and Dominic!), there are some excellent pictures at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Flax_Bourton_railway_station 

I wonder who owns the buildings? I often think as I pass what a waste. 

[thetrout]

I think you'll find, Dominic, that I posted at one minute past midnight this morning! 

Well would you look at that, I managed to look silly anyways

[Chris from Nailsea]

I wonder who owns the buildings? I often think as I pass what a waste. 

I can only assume, John, from the fact that Network Rail and their contractors apparently have a complete right of access to the site at any time - BRB^▸ (British Railways Board, or 'be right back', depending on context) (Residuary) Ltd?  However, the access road to the old station from the B3130 is marked 'private road', so maybe the old station buildings are also privately owned?

Well would you look at that, I managed to look silly anyways

I wouldn't worry about that, Dominic - it happens to me, all the time: just look at my track record, with photos of Taunton, for example!