Improve our rail services - ‘Unite the City’
Date: December 2011Watch our 'Unite the City' video on YouTube.
We are calling on Bristol City Council (BCC) to build on the success of the Severn Beach Line. In the 2012/13 budget, we want them to include subsidy for:
- A minimum 40 minute service at stations between Avonmouth & Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line, and at Bedminster & Parson Street...
- From 0600 until Midnight...
- Every day of the week!
On Thursday 15 December, from 3.45 pm to 4 pm, Councillor Kent, Councillor Bradshaw and Councillor Green listened to their constituents outside the Council House before taking part in a Cabinet meeting.
There was a healthy FOSBRITE presence thanks to a call out by FOSBR membership officer Tony Lloyd. Tony also took pictures until the Evening Post photographer arrived.
First up was Teresa McGill who outlined the statement on the improved evening service she had submitted to the Cabinet.
Peter Gould reported on the RMT SAVE OUR RAILWAYS / NO TO MCNULTY lobby held outside Temple Meads station that morning.
Daniel Casey, who wrote the flier which we have been distributing to passengers during the past 2 weeks, pointed out that the cross city service is achievable with the political will.
Ruth H described the willingness of commuters to write messages to the councillors. She said there was no need to explain or justify the campaign to them. It makes sense.
Councillor Kennedy-Hall is the only who did not respond to our invitation. However FOSBR has the A1 card covered with messages which will come out at the FOSBEER celebration at the Barley Mow on Sunday 29 January 2012.
The councillors were invited to offer the £200,000.
How to help
We need to lobby councillors so please write a short statement to your local councillor outlining your local journey, in time for the budget meeting on the 28 February. Visit the Bristol City Council website to find out the address of your local councillor; click on the name to get the address.
Please urge them to vote for all of the £200k Severn Beach Line money to be saved for rail.
It was money that was fought for and we want to see it reinvested in rail.
Background
Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire have funded the SBL since rail privatisation in 1996, apart from one year - the 2006 budget.
A focused campaign for a 30 minute service in the winter of 2006/7 persuaded BCC councillors of all parties to vote for a budget which provided a 40 minute service using two trains. This investment (£400,000 p.a.) from May 2008 to 2011 has been a great success - Passenger numbers have risen by 79%+!
Due to this passenger increase, BCC saved half of its subsidy (£200,000) from May 2011. We want to see this saving reinvested in local rail.