S-Route
Date: March 2008FOSBR argues that Bristol needs a North-South route from Portishead to Parkway via a reopened Henbury Freight Line once known as the "S-Route" In 2008, the old Henbury Station was sold off.
LETTER
From: Charlotte Leslie
Prospective Conservative MP, Bristol North West
and FOSBR member
It was with disbelief that I learnt that just as the campaign mounts to get Henbury Station back in use, the Government has sold it off. With other sell-offs like this happening around the country, this is effectively closing the coffin-lid on a the hope of replacing any road travel with rail. This at a time when our roads are in gridlock, Bristol is facing a potential congestion charge which will hit the poorest hardest, fuel prices are crippling the budgets of families and we are desperately seeking an alternative to the car.
The local campaign group, Friends of Suburban Bristol Rail ( FOSBR ) have been mounting a campaign to resurrect Bristol's dormant railway infrastructure. Their ambitious and long-sighted plans would see the operation of the Portishead and Henbury loop passenger/ freight line, with existing but derilict stations re-opened and in use across the city, including stops at Henbury, Horfield, North Filton, Ashley Hill and Portishead. FOSBR understand that we need long term solutions to the increasing practical and environmental problem of traffic.
The campaign to re-open Henbury station is not over, however. I, together with FOSBR and local campaigners will be challenging the sale on every ground possible. This is an issue on which every political party must unite for the sake of the future of transport in our city.
You can make your voice heard for a long-sighted solution to Bristol's transport problems by signing FOSBR's postcard campaign,( for details go to www.fosbr.org.uk or call 0117 9428637)
You can also come and support the campaign by joining our rally on Friday 21st November, 12.30pm,at Wilder House, Wilder Street, BS2. Members of FOSBR, local politicians and the public will be congregating to call for a better rail infrastructure in the city, and to lobby James White, the Group Leader of Transport Policy at the West of England Partnership.
We need your support, so join us and speak out for a better transport future for our city.
PRESS RELEASE
Richard Pyle, vice president of Henbury Community Council, local councillors, Doug Naysmith MP and FOSBR will promote the Portishead and North Bristol Rail Campaign at
12.30 pm
Friday 7 November
Meet at junction of Station Road and Tormarton Crescent and walk to the bridge overlooking the railway..
Henbury has the potential to become a transport interchange if a rail passenger service is introduced::-
it is served by several buses, is on the national cycle route and on the Forest of Avon Communiity Forest Path. (www.forestofavon.org)
Currently the double track line is only used for freight trains which pass Henbury Station about once an hour in each direction. FOSBR’s aim is to inspire local decision makers that this railway, with a station in place, is worth upgrading as a passenger line. .
Doug Naysmith MP, Councillors Derek Pickup for Henbury and Brentry and Councillor Peter Tyzack for Pilning and Severn Beach have accepted our invitation to speak on the funding application. Councillor Mark Weston hopes to send a substitute to endorse the message from Councillor Barbara Lewis who emailed to say “The Conservative Group on Bristol City Council are pleased to endorse your moves to improve and enhance rail services within the region”. This campaign also has the support of the Lib Dems and Labour.
Councillors Derek Pickup says “I'm supportive of efforts to make better use of our current and potential local rail capability. The re-opening of Henbury station platform can be achieved at a minimal cost with the potential of a station car park. A passenger service to Henbury Station could help people access jobs especially if Filton North Station is re-opened. This would provide transport to Rolls Royce, Airbus, Royal Mail and Filton College and give our young people the opportunity of skilled work”.
The Henbury launch will take about 15 minutes. Those we are able to sustain the campaign will go to the Lunch Box in Crow Lane, depending on numbers, to discuss the next two weeks. On Friday 21 November, the West of England Partnership Group Leader will announce the number of campaign postcards received. The FOSBR stall will be at Henbury Library until that day ( Friday 21 November)
FOSBR’s aim is for Bristol councillors to sign the statement below and to ensure that their colleagues in South Gloucester and North Somerset sign a similar statement of support.
"We, the undersigned Bristol councillors, agree to ensure that the South West Regional Assembly and the South West Regional Development Agency put the Portishead line and Henbury loop passenger / freight line on their list for RFA2 funding. We note that SWRA needs to submit advice to ministers by the end of February 2009 and believe that investment in these rail based developments significantly improve the transport services in and around Bristol."
Julie Boston
Notes for rhe media
The Portishead and North Bristol Rail Campaign would not have been possible without information and advice from Cat Hobbs, Public Transport Campaigner, Campaign for Better Transport, 12-18 Hoxton Street, London N1 6NG, www.bettertransport.org.uk. Telephone: 0207 613 7718, Fax: 0207 613 5280
Email:cat.hobbs@bettertransport.org.uk.
Transforming travel in the West of England Partnership area
If the Portishead and Henbury loop freight lines are re-opened to passengers, our decision makers will demonstrate that time saved for train passengers, cyclists and pedestrians is as important as time saved by motorists.
Nigel Hutchings, Business West, has promised to promote the more frequent and reliable Temple Meads to Avonmouth service building on research by FOSBR member Neil Jacobs in 2006. Opening up the Portishead and Henbury loop freight lines to passengers in the current transport bid will improve existing rapid transit. Filton to Temple Meads 10 minutes, Bristol Parkway to Bedminster 15 minutes, Stapleton Road to Clifton Down 9 minutes...