Call for Investment to allow half-hourly trains
Date: June 2009On Monday 13 July, commuters at Redland Station will give Stephen Williams (MP for Bristol West) a message to take to Parliament. FOSBR is calling for a 30 minute frequency on the branch line between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth, and other improvements in local rail services.
MPs on The House of Commons South West Regional Select Committee have launched an inquiry into transport in the south west region. They are asking whether transport provision in the region is adequate to meet the demands placed upon the region. FOSBR will be responding to the MPs' questions from a station packed with people boarding at 0748, 0814, and 08.21.
Bristol City Council’s investment in an additional train on this line has resulted in a 40% increase in passengers since May 2008.
FOSBR argues that:
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- 30 minute clock face service would cut congestion and carbon emissions
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- Passengers would get a better and more reliable service
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- Bristol City Council’s investment would go even further.
In order to allow a half-hourly service, it would be necessary to make the line between Clifton Down and Montpelier station double track. This project would mean restoring the derelict platforms at Redland and Montpelier and providing new passenger access. The next step is to commission Network Rail to undertake a study of the options and costs. We believe that there is community support for this. We are also asking our region's MPs to support such investment local rail network.
The extra train cannot enable a half-hourly service because the line is single track for most of its length. Trains must pass at either Avonmouth or Clifton Down where the line is double-track. The current daytime service of three trains per two hours that began in May 2008 is the maximum that is possible with the current track layout.