Ashton gate halt and the Portishead rail line (Merged)

[CyderInACan]

3 hours ago, pillred said:

And the earliest it will be running is January 2024, that's Bristol for you.

That’s very nearly half past eight in the evening! 

[Homer Simpson]

4 minutes ago, CyderInACan said:

That’s very nearly half past eight in the evening! 

Typical, no bloody trains in time for kick off. Getting home should be easier though.

[Slippin cider]

4 hours ago, pillred said:

And the earliest it will be running is January 2024, that's Bristol for you.

Exactly! ....anywhere else and it would’ve been up and running years ago! 

[archie andrews]

if we were in germany or japan it would have been built already...…….our mp's love a mass debate on everything 

[T R]

Why can't this line also be used to get fans to ashton gate on match days? it's all about getting cars off the road. Ofcourse it will need updating.

After checking google I noticed the metro has gone over the line at the end of this video. So why couldn't they have incorperated the line all the way down to the fly over.

P.s. after looking at the video it might have been quicker to walk

Edited November 9, 2019 by T R

[T R]

11 minutes ago, TomF said:

Because they stupidly put a guided bus route over part of it. To be honest they should have never removed the other end that ran from BTM under St Mary Redcliffe and to the MShed. Could have made the basis of a simple light railway from BTM, MShed/Centre, Create Centre, Ashton Gate .. hindsight eh. 

I had to edit my post when I realised this. Totally agree.

I came across that video by accident when I was looking at some old videos of bristol harbourside railway line which got me thinking.
https://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/video/

[Slippin cider]

BCC have missed lots of opportunities with various bits of railway , Portishead, the link line shown in the above video towards Ashton as well as the Henbury loop opening Ashley Hill, Horfield , Filton West , Henbury and on to connect at Hallen Marsh to the Severn Beach line towards Avonmouth and Clifton down . No vision and no passion to do anything except introduce a crippling congestion charge while giving the people of Bristol little to no alternative as the current transport system within the City is utter overpriced rubbish! ... 

[Port Said Red]

19 minutes ago, TomF said:

Because they stupidly put a guided bus route over part of it. To be honest they should have never removed the other end that ran from BTM under St Mary Redcliffe and to the MShed. Could have made the basis of a simple light railway from BTM, MShed/Centre, Create Centre, Ashton Gate .. hindsight eh. 

I remember my old man saying many years ago that the biggest mistake ever made in Bristol was removing the trams, and that it would cost a fortune to put it back in again. How right he was.

[exAtyeoMax]

1 minute ago, Port Said Red said:

I remember my old man saying many years ago that the biggest mistake ever made in Bristol was removing the trams, and that it would cost a fortune to put it back in again. How right he was.

My mum said the same

[exAtyeoMax]

34 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I remember my old man saying many years ago that the biggest mistake ever made in Bristol was removing the trams, and that it would cost a fortune to put it back in again. How right he was.

I wonder how much it cost in the first place? Was it considerably more than other cities?

[phantom]

Should anyone be interested a copy of the Development Consent Order documents can be viewed online at:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1/?ipcsection=docs

[Dr Balls]

30 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wasn't it that the power station for it was bombed in the war (its the final bit of finzels reach which is being redevloped now) and they simply stopped them because of it.   

There were moves to get rid of teams before WW2 because there was a feeling from many that they got in the way of the traffic, through the narrow streets and main roads here, in contrast to the avenues that you find in places like Liverpool or Birmingham, while buses are part of the traffic. Plus in Bristol we made our own buses in those days so there was thought to be little economic loss from getting rid of them. The bombing of the Electricity Station was a convenient excuse to get rid of the trams. Of course, being electric they would now be much more environmentally friendly too, although back then it would have all been coal powered generation.

Where we really missed out in Bristol was not becoming a metropolitan authority with a transport executive, unlike say Newcastle, which was able to recycle its abandone railway lines from the 60s into a metro system in the 70s and 80s. Bring Bristol, we did nothing much and ended up with cycle tracks instead. Fair play to those who developed them but it just about says it all really of what happens in this city. Not forward-looking and dependent on people getting on with things themselves on the cheap as local politicians bicker amongst themselves and achieve nothing. Now we have a mayor we have just got rid of the bickering but still achieved nothing!!

[Port Said Red]

53 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wasn't it that the power station for it was bombed in the war (its the final bit of finzels reach which is being redevloped now) and they simply stopped them because of it.   

True, but I was talking about the trams in Bristol City Centre. It's a while back now but I think this was a slight detour in the thread. 

 

1 hour ago, phantom said:

Should anyone be interested a copy of the Development Consent Order documents can be viewed online at:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1/?ipcsection=docs

I received this link via an email subscription. If anyone is interested I can share the email contents which have a summary of this.

[cidered abroad]

53 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wasn't it that the power station for it was bombed in the war (its the final bit of finzels reach which is being redevloped now) and they simply stopped them because of it.   

Yes, if my info years ago was correct.

The tram system was powered from a generator in the building in Counterslip, which runs from Victoria Street to Temple Way. It was bombed and the whole system was shut down as a result. Never to return!

[Merrick's Marvels]

25 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I received this link via an email subscription. If anyone is interested I can share the email contents which have a summary of this.

Yes please.

[Port Said Red]

10 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Yes please.

Edited January 17, 2020 by Port Said Red

[WarksRobin]

For anyone interested but struggling to find the plans among the 212 documents in the application, the General Arrangement plans are here: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040011/TR040011-000365-2.4 General Arrangement plans.pdf

Ashton Gate is shown on sheets 15 and 16. 

[CyderInACan]

2 hours ago, Dr Balls said:

Not forward-looking and dependent on people getting on with things themselves on the cheap as local politicians bicker amongst themselves and achieve nothing. Now we have a mayor we have just got rid of the bickering but still achieved nothing!!

Achieved nothing!? Haven’t you read Marvin’s list of 100 achievements? You’ve missed out. He’s achieved such awesome feats as inviting kids to the Council House/City Hall to play Chess and had the taxi drivers in for a cuppa. 

[The Joker]

7 minutes ago, TomF said:

Its embarrassing how badly the f*cked up the station at Portishead.   NR need to stop being so anal about crossings.

I agree, Gloucester rd crossing in Avonmouth seems to work fine why not Quays Ave, maybe all the maxed out credit card posh car drivers will be fecked off waiting for a train to pass.

[Port Said Red]

16 minutes ago, The Joker said:

I agree, Gloucester rd crossing in Avonmouth seems to work fine why not Quays Ave, maybe all the maxed out credit card posh car drivers will be fecked off waiting for a train to pass.

Hey. There are a few of us ordinary car drivers who have to pass that point too you know.  

Edited January 17, 2020 by Port Said Red

[t_b]

36 minutes ago, The Joker said:

I agree, Gloucester rd crossing in Avonmouth seems to work fine why not Quays Ave, maybe all the maxed out credit card posh car drivers will be fecked off waiting for a train to pass.

Especially now it’s only one train an hour. It means it would close for trains twice every 60 minutes, albeit within a smaller window so not 30 mins apart. 

[Midlands Robin]

It's NR policy to close crossings wherever possible. Unfortunately when an impatient member of the public are killed or injured its NR that gets the blame. You can never underestimate how stupid some people are. 

Last week the company that runs Bescot Yard up here were fined 1.2 million pounds because kids accessed the site through a hole in the fence and one of them suffered life changing injuries when he came into contact with the live electrical equipment. 

 

[Port Said Red]

5 minutes ago, TomF said:

I do understand NRs policy its just frustrating as trains won't be hitting it at anymore than about 5-10mph.   When you see they allowed a new crossing to be built at places like Norden on the Swanage line but not here its tad frustrating. I really hoped they'd make an exception - if its full gates and it's coming down in suitable time then a train isn't going to leave station without it being clear and surely enough time to stop if coming down the line from RPD

I suppose that as it's only a few trains a day it could be ok. Any time anyone talks about crossings in busy areas I always think of the crossing in the middle of Lincoln High Street which must cost people hours a week in delays.

Edited January 17, 2020 by Port Said Red

[italian dave]

The silly thing is, last time I saw plans, that not having the crossing means that the station ends up the other side of that road from where cars will park to use the station. So, to avoid the risks associated with a railway crossing you create the risks associated with pedestrians crossing a busy road. I don't have stats, but I'd hazard a guess which is more dangerous. 

[phantom]

Bosses at Ashton Gate Stadium say they are trying and so far failing to persuade council leaders to improve the transport links to their stadium.

The chairman of Ashton Gate said they have asked council chiefs to work towards reopening the old Ashton Gate station and move the Metrobus stop named Ashton Gate closer to the stadium, but have been ‘unable to get a commitment’.

Ashton Gate bosses are understood to be looking to Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) to step up and improve the public transport links.

The stadium bosses have asked Weca to press on with plans for the reopening of the Ashton Gate station, and asked Bristol City Council to consider moving the nearest Metrobus stop nearer the ground.

One of the biggest issues surrounding the stadium is people getting there, parking and public transport, and those issues will only increase if, or when Ashton Gate gets the go-ahead for its £100 million Sporting Quarter plans.

The stadium is in the unusual position of being very close to two public transport lines - the Portishead railway line and the m2 Long Ashton to city centre metrobus route - but neither stop at the stadium itself.

The stadium is in the south west corner of Bristol, with only one local regular bus route and the nearest station almost a mile away at Parson Street in Bedminster.

Parson Street is well-used on matchdays, and passenger numbers generally have increased hugely there in the past few years.

The last time Bristol City played in the top flight of English football, in the late 1970s, the closed-down Ashton Gate station was reopened for matchdays too.

Ashton Gate Stadium told local residents living near the stadium that improving public transport was a priority for them, but that it needed local authority backing too.

Ashton Gate station

The plans to reopen the Portishead railway line for passenger trains have been given the go-ahead by the Government and WECA, with work commencing in the second half of 2021.

But that does not include reopening Ashton Gate station - something stadium bosses said was ‘unfortunate’.

There has been a long-running campaign to get the station opened, and widespread disappointment that the Portishead rail link plan does not include a reopened station there.

“We had hoped that a business case would be made to support this public transport improvement,” said a stadium spokesperson.

“We remain convinced that a station at this location presents a unique and overwhelming opportunity to create a co-ordinated and holistic approach to public transport in this part of Bristol,” she added.

Bristol City Council is backing the reopening of the station - work to build new homes on council-owned land in Ashton Vale next to the Alderman Moore Allotments left space for a new station to be included.

But it is Weca and its MetroWest rail improvement project that could ultimately see Ashton Gate Station reopened.

A spokesperson for Weca said it was possible, but nothing concrete was planned.

“A new station for Ashton Gate station isn’t included in MetroWest Phase 1, but it is listed in the draft Joint Local Transport Plan as a potential future station,” he said.

“Proposals for redevelopment around Ashton Gate could improve a future business case for a new station, depending on the extent and nature of development put forward by developers," he added.

Ashton Gate metrobus

The other transport line close to Ashton Gate is the metrobus - but the nearest stop is on the other side of the Brunel Way dual carriageway, on the other side of Paxton Drive. Even though it is called Ashton Gate, it is around 600m from the stadium.

“We have also proposed that the metrobus stop at the rear of Paxton Drive be moved about 200m south, so that it was nearer and more convenient to the stadium, and easier to access by local residents,” the Ashton Gate spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to get a commitment to do this yet, but hope that we can persuade the council of the merits of doing so as we redevelop the land next to the stadium.

“We continue to look for ways in which public transport provision to and from the stadium can be improved, and will continue to seek dialogue with Weca and the council to see how this can be achieved,” she added.

Soon after it opened, metrobus bosses admitted that the m2 Long Ashton to city centre line was not designed for the mass transit of people attending events or matches at Ashton Gate - the way the metrobus route was constructed, with its controversial ‘guided rail’ system on the stretch from the Ashton Swing Bridge to the park and ride, meant there is not the capacity for any more buses to be laid on to cope with crowds of people going to or from the stadium.

Bristol Live asked Bristol City Council what the council’s position on the stadium’s proposal to move the metrobus stop, how much it would cost to achieve, and who should pay for it.

Bristol City Council’s response ignored two of those questions, and the council merely said it had 'no plans' to move the bus stop.

"We have no plans to move the bus stop," a council spokesperson said.

Ashton Gate Stadium Ltd and Bristol City Council are working together on other transport issues, however. The stadium is part-funding work to install parking restrictions and double yellow lines on roads near the stadium, mainly along Duckmoor Road, to improve local access while matches are on.

What Ashton Gate says

Martin Griffiths, the chairman of Ashton Gate Stadium said there was ‘considerable scope’ to improve things more.

“We are continually working to improve transport to and from Ashton Gate Stadium,” he said.

“Our matchday bus use has trebled since the first year we introduced the services and four times as many people are now arriving to the stadium by bike. We have made progress with train transport but, of course, the only way to really make the most of rail access is to have a station at Ashton Gate.

“We have also agreed to a council request to fund approximately 2.8 km of parking restrictions to prevent dangerous parking at junctions and especially narrow route ways in the streets around the stadium.

"Whilst this is good news and it is great to see positive progress, we believe there is considerable scope to make more progress by moving the metroBus stop at Paxton Drive closer to the stadium and ensuring that the first stage of the Temple Meads to Portishead rail project includes a station at Ashton Gate.

“This is the path to a valuable public transport hub here which would additionally benefit many local residents.

"We have further initiatives we will be bringing forward as part of the development of the new Sports and Convention Centre as we continue to explore innovative ways of moving from car use to alternative modes of transport,” he added.

TAKEN FROM: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/ashton-gate-frustration-station-metrobus-3759890

[Drew Peacock]

Not entirely sure why Ashton Gate should pay for council work if the council aren't playing ball the other way.

[phantom]

2 hours ago, Drew Peacock said:

Not entirely sure why Ashton Gate should pay for council work if the council aren't playing ball the other way.

I would guess it was tied in with planning permissions

Can remember when there were plans for the new Ashton Vale ground there was lots written in about how the club had to provide specific numbers of coaches from around the area to get people to the new ground, would guess it was a carrot dangled to the council to allow certain works to be done?

[WhistleHappy]

2 hours ago, Drew Peacock said:

Not entirely sure why Ashton Gate should pay for council work if the council aren't playing ball the other way.

I'm sure we could arrange a friendly match - not much we can do if The Council doesn't have a team though... 

[RedRock]

They might want to move the bus stop closer to Ashton Gate. If they make that momentus achievement with the Council/Opertors it doesn’t necessarily mean the bus will stop at it! They regularly fly past the stop located at The Cumberland Basin stop when they see football supporters waiting.

If I was Steve Lansdown, I’d rip into this pathetic excuse of a mayor and embarrass him on the national stage. Think Sir Steve has a greater media platform than some jumped-up politician.

We could start with the investment Steve’s made in Bristol, the PR, the income generated and then turn to the dear ‘Mr Fix It’ Mayor. Highlight the 1000 space park and ride that stands empty next to the stadium during matches and has done for the past decade while local streets are congested with parked cars, the new multi-million pound Metrobus ‘service’ that takes in as many congested roundabouts and the most tortuous route possible from The Centre to Ashton Gate and has no stop next to the Ground and no buses that stop for football supporters, the railway next to the Ground that has been derelict for decades and when planned to open doesn’t has a stop for an entertainment venue that is the largest in the region ...and on and on.

 

Oh, nearly forgot, to cap it all off and make access to the Ground virtually impossible by any means ... the proposed diesel exclusion zone taking in the biggest open area in Bristol with the least impact on residents health ..unsurprisingly being the key access road to The Gate. 

Seriously, only a bitter Mayoral Saghead  who wants to prevent City achieving anything could come up with such crap. 

 

Edited January 21, 2020 by RedRock

[pillred]

5 hours ago, TomF said:

Didn’t actually realise the coal handling depot at Portbury is completely closed now - the whole site has been sold off.  As such nothing in terms of freight is running down the line, it’s almost as abandoned as it was in the 80s! 

I live less than 50 metres from the line can't remember the last time I heard a train, what a wasted opportunity, but is anyone really surprised this is Bristol council we are talking about

[archie andrews]

8 hours ago, RedRock said:

They might want to move the bus stop closer to Ashton Gate. If they make that momentus achievement with the Council/Opertors it doesn’t necessarily mean the bus will stop at it! They regularly fly past the stop located at The Cumberland Basin stop when they see football supporters waiting.

If I was Steve Lansdown, I’d rip into this pathetic excuse of a mayor and embarrass him on the national stage. Think Sir Steve has a greater media platform than some jumped-up politician.

We could start with the investment Steve’s made in Bristol, the PR, the income generated and then turn to the dear ‘Mr Fix It’ Mayor. Highlight the 1000 space park and ride that stands empty next to the stadium during matches and has done for the past decade while local streets are congested with parked cars, the new multi-million pound Metrobus ‘service’ that takes in as many congested roundabouts and the most tortuous route possible from The Centre to Ashton Gate and has no stop next to the Ground and no buses that stop for football supporters, the railway next to the Ground that has been derelict for decades and when planned to open doesn’t has a stop for an entertainment venue that is the largest in the region ...and on and on.

 

Oh, nearly forgot, to cap it all off and make access to the Ground virtually impossible by any means ... the proposed diesel exclusion zone taking in the biggest open area in Bristol with the least impact on residents health ..unsurprisingly being the key access road to The Gate. 

Seriously, only a bitter Mayoral Saghead  who wants to prevent City achieving anything could come up with such crap. 

 

Well said sir..... The blokes a pillock..... Underground trains :laugh: 

[Galway Red]

9 hours ago, RedRock said:

They might want to move the bus stop closer to Ashton Gate. If they make that momentus achievement with the Council/Opertors it doesn’t necessarily mean the bus will stop at it! They regularly fly past the stop located at The Cumberland Basin stop when they see football supporters waiting.

If I was Steve Lansdown, I’d rip into this pathetic excuse of a mayor and embarrass him on the national stage. Think Sir Steve has a greater media platform than some jumped-up politician.

We could start with the investment Steve’s made in Bristol, the PR, the income generated and then turn to the dear ‘Mr Fix It’ Mayor. Highlight the 1000 space park and ride that stands empty next to the stadium during matches and has done for the past decade while local streets are congested with parked cars, the new multi-million pound Metrobus ‘service’ that takes in as many congested roundabouts and the most tortuous route possible from The Centre to Ashton Gate and has no stop next to the Ground and no buses that stop for football supporters, the railway next to the Ground that has been derelict for decades and when planned to open doesn’t has a stop for an entertainment venue that is the largest in the region ...and on and on.

 

Oh, nearly forgot, to cap it all off and make access to the Ground virtually impossible by any means ... the proposed diesel exclusion zone taking in the biggest open area in Bristol with the least impact on residents health ..unsurprisingly being the key access road to The Gate. 

Seriously, only a bitter Mayoral Saghead  who wants to prevent City achieving anything could come up with such crap. 

 

We'll have chance to vote him out in 3 months but don't hold your breath that his successor will be any better

[Never to the dark side]

As it stands there are no plans to build a Ashton Gate halt(cost approx ten million pounds) even with the BTM to Portishead line being re-instated

The land is set behind the Ford garage dealership,but no guarantee the station will be built.

So the next best thing is to improve on what we got,which is to try and have extra services call at the station.

and maybe one day Parson Street could become step free train station.

So the more tickets issued to/from Parson Street could send a message that PS needs to be step free

Just keep on getting your train tickets purchased from Parson Street if you start your from Bristol temple Meads

and tell all your friends and relations if they are coming to Bristol by train to get their tickets issued to Parson Street

[Never to the dark side]

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/plans-hundreds-new-homes-site-4062313

[bcfcshorey]

I could see us having a situation like Coventry where the station wouldn’t be able to open on match days due to crowds and capacity.

You’d need a high frequency of trains passing through, and a large area outside the station to hold people to stop platforms overcrowding.

Id like to think however Bristol Sport would be happy to contribute money to put all that in place.

[Lanterne Rouge]

11 hours ago, Never to the dark side said:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/plans-hundreds-new-homes-site-4062313

250 properties with 141 parking spaces.

Matchday parking just got a whole lot worse.

[phantom]

22 minutes ago, TomF said:

Been postponed for 12 months hasn’t it? 

Correct 

[t_b]

On 21/04/2020 at 09:06, bcfcshorey said:

I could see us having a situation like Coventry where the station wouldn’t be able to open on match days due to crowds and capacity.

You’d need a high frequency of trains passing through, and a large area outside the station to hold people to stop platforms overcrowding.

Id like to think however Bristol Sport would be happy to contribute money to put all that in place.

Brighton cope as the station surroundings were redesigned for Falmer. 
Manchester is expanding the trams with a new line which is next to Old Trafford and that has a queuing system etc. 
You just need to design it right and people can utilise it...

[marmite]

50 minutes ago, tommy_b said:

Brighton cope as the station surroundings were redesigned for Falmer. 
Manchester is expanding the trams with a new line which is next to Old Trafford and that has a queuing system etc. 
You just need to design it right and people can utilise it...

Correct, that is called forward thinking and planning.  But then, this is Bristol......

[winsaw]

2 hours ago, tommy_b said:

Brighton cope as the station surroundings were redesigned for Falmer. 
Manchester is expanding the trams with a new line which is next to Old Trafford and that has a queuing system etc. 
You just need to design it right and people can utilise it...

It's got more to do with the amount of seats you can provide after the match, 

Brighton works becouse it's in the south east so lots of big 12 coach trains that take the commuter to London in the week but have nothing to do at the weekend, 

Manchester is the same a rapid transit system designed to move large numbers of people , 

If they built a station at Ashton gate  it would suffer from the same problems the one in Coventry dose no extra carriges to cope with the football fans,

Plus its worth remembering that the final approved plan for the new Portishead line has no station at Ashton gate and also made clear that trains going to and from Portishead will not be able to stop at Parson Street or bedminster, so once the new line is up and running it will be of no use to anyone going to the gate, 

[phantom]

A major scheme to reopen the Portishead to Bristol railway line has reached an important milestone.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has written to North Somerset Council confirming the date for the proposals for the reopening of the Portishead Branch Line to be examined. The examination is part of the complex Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

Nationally-significant infrastructure projects require a DCO before they can be built. As part of the process, the Planning Inspectorate is required to hold the examination, which takes around six months.

The DCO application to reopen the Portishead line is part of the MetroWest Phase 1 scheme, a West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council project delivered in partnership with Network Rail. The project was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2019.

The scheme involves reopening over 5km of railway which will be added to the national network, the construction of two new stations at Portishead and Pill and works to upgrade 9km of freight only railway. This will enable an hourly passenger train service on a reopened Portishead Line, while maintaining the current freight train operation to and from Royal Portbury Dock.

In addition, the wider Phase 1 proposals (not part of the examination), will bring significant train service improvements to two other railway lines – the Severn Beach Line and the Westbury to Bristol Line –  and will deliver train service upgrades for 16 existing stations.

During the examination, the inspectors will look in detail at the DCO application which seeks powers to build and operate the disused section of railway from Portishead to Pill,  minor works to the existing freight railway through the Avon Gorge and for the compulsory acquisition of land needed for the railway to reopen.

The 46-page letter received from the Planning Inspectorate (known as a Rule 6 letter) confirms the appointment of the panel of inspectors who will be undertaking the examination, the date of the first meetings, and timescales for the six month process. The process begins with a preliminary meeting which is being held online because of Covid-19 restrictions and will be in two parts on Tuesday 6 October and Monday 19 October.

After these meetings, the formal examination process begins, with an open floor hearing on the evening of Monday 19 October when interested parties can give the panel their views on the project.

West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles said: “We are making major investments in our public transport network to improve rail services right across the West of England, including the reopening of the Portishead and Henbury lines, new stations and more frequent services to Bath, Westbury, Yate and Gloucester.

“I welcome the start of the examination process for the reopening of the Portishead Line that will take us a step closer to connecting more local people to jobs, education and leisure opportunities across the region. Creating more sustainable travel options will help cut congestion, improve air quality and make our area an even more attractive place for people to live, work and play.”

The Leader of North Somerset Council Cllr Don Davies said the council was delighted that the public examination process was about to begin.

“This is a hugely complex scheme that has to go through many stages in order to progress. The start of the examination process is one of those key milestones, and we anticipate it will be a very intense six months for the project.

“The Portishead line is a key priority scheme putting jobs and infrastructure into the heart of our economic growth strategy. Despite all of the current challenges we are pressing on with a nationally significant project that will deliver wide ranging environmental and economic benefits to our region, and all aspects need to be considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

“Once completed, MetroWest Phase 1 will connect an additional 50,000 residents directly to the national rail network and improve the level of service for a further 180,000 residents on the Severn Beach and Westbury corridors.”

The upgrade for the Severn Beach and Westbury lines are set to see improved train services start in 2021 with the Portishead line re-opening in 2024.

More information about the DCO examination process can be found at the Planning Inspectorate’s webpage: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1/

Benefits of the wider MetroWest scheme include:

• 181,000 fewer car trips in the opening year, increasing to 278,000 fewer car trips a year by 2036
• A reduction of 7.5 million car kilometres in the opening year
• 958,980 passenger trips by rail in the opening year increasing to 1,295,103 passenger trips by 2036
• Bringing more than 50,000 people within the immediate catchment of the two new stations at Portishead and Pill
• Providing better access to employment and educational opportunities
• Upgrading the existing train service at 16 stations across three rail corridors, directly benefiting 180,000 people within a 1km catchment
• Creating 514 new direct permanent jobs and temporary jobs during construction
• Providing £3 of quantified benefits for every £1 invested to deliver the scheme, putting the scheme in the high value for money category
• Enhancing the regional economy by £264m in the first ten years

TAKEN FROM: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/portishead-rail-moves-a-step-closer/

[TonyTonyTony]

6 hours ago, phantom said:

A major scheme to reopen the Portishead to Bristol railway line has reached an important milestone.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has written to North Somerset Council confirming the date for the proposals for the reopening of the Portishead Branch Line to be examined. The examination is part of the complex Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

Nationally-significant infrastructure projects require a DCO before they can be built. As part of the process, the Planning Inspectorate is required to hold the examination, which takes around six months.

The DCO application to reopen the Portishead line is part of the MetroWest Phase 1 scheme, a West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council project delivered in partnership with Network Rail. The project was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2019.

The scheme involves reopening over 5km of railway which will be added to the national network, the construction of two new stations at Portishead and Pill and works to upgrade 9km of freight only railway. This will enable an hourly passenger train service on a reopened Portishead Line, while maintaining the current freight train operation to and from Royal Portbury Dock.

In addition, the wider Phase 1 proposals (not part of the examination), will bring significant train service improvements to two other railway lines – the Severn Beach Line and the Westbury to Bristol Line –  and will deliver train service upgrades for 16 existing stations.

During the examination, the inspectors will look in detail at the DCO application which seeks powers to build and operate the disused section of railway from Portishead to Pill,  minor works to the existing freight railway through the Avon Gorge and for the compulsory acquisition of land needed for the railway to reopen.

The 46-page letter received from the Planning Inspectorate (known as a Rule 6 letter) confirms the appointment of the panel of inspectors who will be undertaking the examination, the date of the first meetings, and timescales for the six month process. The process begins with a preliminary meeting which is being held online because of Covid-19 restrictions and will be in two parts on Tuesday 6 October and Monday 19 October.

After these meetings, the formal examination process begins, with an open floor hearing on the evening of Monday 19 October when interested parties can give the panel their views on the project.

West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles said: “We are making major investments in our public transport network to improve rail services right across the West of England, including the reopening of the Portishead and Henbury lines, new stations and more frequent services to Bath, Westbury, Yate and Gloucester.

“I welcome the start of the examination process for the reopening of the Portishead Line that will take us a step closer to connecting more local people to jobs, education and leisure opportunities across the region. Creating more sustainable travel options will help cut congestion, improve air quality and make our area an even more attractive place for people to live, work and play.”

The Leader of North Somerset Council Cllr Don Davies said the council was delighted that the public examination process was about to begin.

“This is a hugely complex scheme that has to go through many stages in order to progress. The start of the examination process is one of those key milestones, and we anticipate it will be a very intense six months for the project.

“The Portishead line is a key priority scheme putting jobs and infrastructure into the heart of our economic growth strategy. Despite all of the current challenges we are pressing on with a nationally significant project that will deliver wide ranging environmental and economic benefits to our region, and all aspects need to be considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

“Once completed, MetroWest Phase 1 will connect an additional 50,000 residents directly to the national rail network and improve the level of service for a further 180,000 residents on the Severn Beach and Westbury corridors.”

The upgrade for the Severn Beach and Westbury lines are set to see improved train services start in 2021 with the Portishead line re-opening in 2024.

More information about the DCO examination process can be found at the Planning Inspectorate’s webpage: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1/

Benefits of the wider MetroWest scheme include:

• 181,000 fewer car trips in the opening year, increasing to 278,000 fewer car trips a year by 2036
• A reduction of 7.5 million car kilometres in the opening year
• 958,980 passenger trips by rail in the opening year increasing to 1,295,103 passenger trips by 2036
• Bringing more than 50,000 people within the immediate catchment of the two new stations at Portishead and Pill
• Providing better access to employment and educational opportunities
• Upgrading the existing train service at 16 stations across three rail corridors, directly benefiting 180,000 people within a 1km catchment
• Creating 514 new direct permanent jobs and temporary jobs during construction
• Providing £3 of quantified benefits for every £1 invested to deliver the scheme, putting the scheme in the high value for money category
• Enhancing the regional economy by £264m in the first ten years

TAKEN FROM: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/portishead-rail-moves-a-step-closer/

I dunno why the don’t stop ******* about and get on with it 

[winsaw]

This meeting of the planning committee was ment to happen in May but was cancelled due to covid, its really delayed the reopening, the latest guess seams to be that it's now not going to be open until 2024, 

The only plus with this is that the work on making the main line 4 track between temple meads and Parson Street should hopefully be done by then so hopefully the new Portishead gains will be able to stop there, as until Parson Street is back to 4 platforms they can't, 

On another note and hopefully of interest to city fans from the Yate area the proposed Bristol metro half hourly service between temple meads and Yate has been dropped, they will now not be building a siding at Yate to turn trains back there, after  Gloucestershire council got involved and offered money to make it an hourly Bristol Gloucester service with a new station at Charfield dont think this can really be called a metro service anymore

[winsaw]

1 hour ago, TomF said:

Freight trains on Portishead line pretty much given up completely now. Remember how it was going to 10000 car transporters off the road each year. Ha.  The only thing that’s gone down lately is the weed killer train because it’s getting overgrown. No reason why 1/2 hour service couldn’t run if they double track at Pill like it was originally.  Get it built abs propose that later I guess 

Problem is they are only reopening one of the platforms at Pill, they are doing the whole job as cheep as possible, this will mean it can only ever be a hourly service to Portishead, 

You can bet that within a few years of opening they will be spending way more to update Pill to a passing station then if they just did it now, 

[pillred]

2 hours ago, winsaw said:

Problem is they are only reopening one of the platforms at Pill, they are doing the whole job as cheep as possible, this will mean it can only ever be a hourly service to Portishead, 

You can bet that within a few years of opening they will be spending way more to update Pill to a passing station then if they just did it now, 

If I was a betting man with the country in a right mess financially I would give long odds on this project ever going ahead, with more people supposedly working from home exactly where is the demand going to come from? it will probably be used more for tourists gazing at the suspension bridge. It would make a lot more sense to build a park and ride at Portbury.

Edited October 1, 2020 by pillred

[t_b]

5 hours ago, pillred said:

It would make a lot more sense to build a park and ride at Portbury.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristols-new-train-station-delayed-4405716
 

I have no idea how it costs £3.5m and YEARS of discussion when they could just borrow the platform ramp design platform from the harbourside railway and start tomorrow. 

[Jeez]

3 hours ago, tommy_b said:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristols-new-train-station-delayed-4405716
 

I have no idea how it costs £3.5m and YEARS of discussion when they could just borrow the platform ramp design platform from the harbourside railway and start tomorrow. 

Would help ease the rush hour traffic on portway but this stop wouldn’t help any match day traffic as the line goes up into Clifton & is wrong side of river to get anywhere near Ashton Gate or Hotwells.

[pillred]

5 hours ago, tommy_b said:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristols-new-train-station-delayed-4405716
 

I have no idea how it costs £3.5m and YEARS of discussion when they could just borrow the platform ramp design platform from the harbourside railway and start tomorrow. 

We have previous in Bristol for this sort of thing other cities as you say just get on with it, our stadium plans for Ashton Vale are a typical case in point oh! and don't get me started on the "new" arena that 10 years later is still nowhere to be seen.

 

1 hour ago, Red Alert said:

Would help ease the rush hour traffic on portway but this stop wouldn’t help any match day traffic as the line goes up into Clifton & is wrong side of river to get anywhere near Ashton Gate or Hotwells.

The park and ride I was proposing was at PORTBURY, It wouldn't be ideal using the A369 but I suppose it could go over the Avonmouth bridge and use the Portway instead.

Edited October 2, 2020 by pillred
Add comment

[1960maaan]

1 minute ago, pillred said:

don't get me started on the "new" arena that 10 years later is still nowhere to be seen.

Marvin probably thinks he can squeeze out a few more 1st class flights and 5* hotel stays out of the prospective clients/owners/ Tennants 

[Jeez]

3 hours ago, pillred said:

We have previous in Bristol for this sort of thing other cities as you say just get on with it, our stadium plans for Ashton Vale are a typical case in point oh! and don't get me started on the "new" arena that 10 years later is still nowhere to be seen.

 

The park and ride I was proposing was at PORTBURY, It wouldn't be ideal using the A369 but I suppose it could go over the Avonmouth bridge and use the Portway instead.

Noted - The proposed train station the article is about is on the Severn beach line - so it serves no purpose for match day but would help reduce commuter traffic.

It amazes me how this city doesn’t have a proper connected rail transport infrastructure.

Get that right and the pollution in the city would fall quickly. It seems so obvious but nothing happens. Even run the local trains more frequently would reduce traffic.

This station will be pointless if the train frequency it serves remains the same.

[Never to the dark side]

See fourth story down on right hand side

 https://www.facebook.com/ConstructionEnquirer/

 

[exAtyeoMax]

https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/05/14/bid-race-for-70m-job-to-restore-disused-portishead-rail-line/

[Lanterne Rouge]

Great bit of rail news down here today. The Okehampton - Exeter service has been reinstated and initially from November there will be trains at two hour intervals seven days a week increasing to hourly from next year. I will now be able to get a train from six miles from my house to Parson Street and back if I want @Never to the dark side

The beginning of the reinstatement of the inland route from Exeter to Plymouth hopefully.

[lenred]

6 minutes ago, TomF said:

Decision delayed for another 6 months, so that's 2024 opening.. if it ever happens.  Starting to think never is the most lilkely. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1-planning-update 

Excuse my ignorance Tom but has there been any update on Henbury line at all? Can’t see anything online other than they expect the Ashley Down station (one I’m particularly interested in) to open 2023? Does Phase 1 being pushed back affect Phase 2? Presume it does? 

 

[italian dave]

49 minutes ago, TomF said:

Decision delayed for another 6 months, so that's 2024 opening.. if it ever happens.  Starting to think never is the most lilkely. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1-planning-update 

It's a complete joke, isn't it? They've been "considering" all those matters for 20 years or more. 

I agree Tom, I fear this is simply kicking the can down the road and deliberately so. It's not going to happen but they don't want the political fallout that realisation would cause. 

As Greta T said, "build back better blah blah blah" - although she probably didn't have Portishead in mind!

[Merrick's Marvels]

2 minutes ago, italian dave said:

It's a complete joke, isn't it? They've been "considering" all those matters for 20 years or more. 

I agree Tom, I fear this is simply kicking the can down the road and deliberately so. It's not going to happen but they don't want the political fallout that realisation would cause. 

As Greta T said, "build back better blah blah blah" - although she probably didn't have Portishead in mind!

Agree with you 100% although I'm not sure what political fallout they're worried about - North Somerset would continue to be a very safe Tory seat and the votes they might lose in Bristol are irrelevant anyway.

Imo, they don't want to stump up any money for it. Plain and simple. 

Perhaps Covid and working from home, which has changed the commuter landscape, means the car journey to and from Bristol during the rush hours is no longer beyond a joke? Which it certainly was for many years. 

[Never to the dark side]

Not to mention "the open to the elements" flat bed vehicles that carried pulped paper.

All I can say is,  IF you can use Parson Street to get to the Gate,please carry on and thank you

As I have said in the past if you are starting any train journey from BTM(which includes Bristol Parkway)get the train tickets issued from Parson Street

If you have friend or relatives visting you in Bristol and using the train,get the tickets issued to Parson Street.

It does not matter if they use the ticket to PS but it push's up the footfall at PS.

Be interesting to see what the passenger usage is, when the passengers numbers for PS are published generally in December  

Edited October 20, 2021 by Never to the dark side

[pillred]

4 hours ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Agree with you 100% although I'm not sure what political fallout they're worried about - North Somerset would continue to be a very safe Tory seat and the votes they might lose in Bristol are irrelevant anyway.

Imo, they don't want to stump up any money for it. Plain and simple. 

Perhaps Covid and working from home, which has changed the commuter landscape, means the car journey to and from Bristol during the rush hours is no longer beyond a joke? Which it certainly was for many years. 

I'm amazed they are still planning to go ahead with that white Elephant that will be HS2, by the time it's due to open working from home for a lot of the people they hope to attract will be the norm same as Portishead to Bristol, it's not going to be plumbers and welders using it I can't see where the demand for it is going to come from personally I have been saying for years it's just not going to happen every time there is a delay the cost of it seems to sky rocket the last estimate of the cost was £175 million and rising there are better things to spend that sort of money on.

[Lanterne Rouge]

2 hours ago, pillred said:

I'm amazed they are still planning to go ahead with that white Elephant that will be HS2, by the time it's due to open working from home for a lot of the people they hope to attract will be the norm same as Portishead to Bristol, it's not going to be plumbers and welders using it I can't see where the demand for it is going to come from personally I have been saying for years it's just not going to happen every time there is a delay the cost of it seems to sky rocket the last estimate of the cost was £175 million and rising there are better things to spend that sort of money on.

You say that but when I spent a couple of months commuting into London from Peterborough I was amazed by the amount of trades that were on the train (hi viz and hard hat on the table). Listening to conversations some were coming down from Leeds and places like that. I can only guess that the cost was cheaper than getting digs in London and the wages made it worthwhile.

[GreedyHarry]

5 hours ago, Never to the dark side said:

Not to mention "the open to the elements" flat bed vehicles that carried pulped paper.

All I can say is,  IF you can use Parson Street to get to the Gate,please carry on and thank you

As I have said in the past if you are starting any train journey from BTM(which includes Bristol Parkway)get the train tickets issued from Parson Street

If you have friend or relatives visting you in Bristol and using the train,get the tickets issued to Parson Street.

It does not matter if they use the ticket to PS but it push's up the footfall at PS.

Be interesting to see what the passenger usage is, when the passengers numbers for PS are published generally in December  

In guessing GWR could also do their part and actually check tickets on trains before and after matches, because they are generally very busy, but all we have seen is a Saturday afternoon service at a few minutes after five, heading to Taunton pulled from the timetable.

[miser]

Will probably see the A369 upgraded to a motorway before the railway gets approved. 

[pillred]

5 hours ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

You say that but when I spent a couple of months commuting into London from Peterborough I was amazed by the amount of trades that were on the train (hi viz and hard hat on the table). Listening to conversations some were coming down from Leeds and places like that. I can only guess that the cost was cheaper than getting digs in London and the wages made it worthwhile.

Sorry I meant welders and plumbers  from Portishead to Bristol and vice versa I just don't see the demand, as for using the HS2 into London I expect there will be a large premium for saving half an hour on the journey time. I can't see trades people going for it and with the advent of Zoom and other advances in the internet I feel a lot less of the office type workers will use it in the future.

[Never to the dark side]

GreedyHarry

Know what you are saying,but can you actually get to Parsoin Street by 17:01 from Ashton Gate?

unless you leave early

[GreedyHarry]

1 hour ago, Never to the dark side said:

GreedyHarry

Know what you are saying,but can you actually get to Parsoin Street by 17:01 from Ashton Gate?

unless you leave early

No, you do have to leave a few minutes early. I can do it in 16 minutes with warp drive enabled. 
Maybe it will get reinstated at some point, or the Down London, just after, gets an extra stop put in (here’s hoping).

[Red DNA]

1 hour ago, TomF said:

There hasn't that I've seen, I don't think the loop has any baring on the Portishead Branch situation. It's more about it actually getting funding possibly.  Certainly the SB line is getting busier by the year, they will have to consider bringing back the double tracking before long. 

I’ve used the SB line a lot recently to get to areas I wish to cycle from.
 

There are so many bikes that try to get on the train it’s carnage!
The majority of passengers get off at Clifton Down station - as it’s such a short journey from BTM (even if you do the entire route to SB it’s only 39 mins) they should introduce at least one carriage in the same style as a Tube train. 
It won’t hurt to stand up for the short time the journey takes - and so much more space would be available for cycles .

[lenred]

2 hours ago, TomF said:

There hasn't that I've seen, I don't think the loop has any baring on the Portishead Branch situation. It's more about it actually getting funding possibly.  Certainly the SB line is getting busier by the year, they will have to consider bringing back the double tracking before long. 

Cheers. I’ll take no news as good news then! Really hope it all gets the green light and soon. Needed so much across the city.  

[stortfordred]

Is the Ashton Gate Halt the place where any non-Bristolian football team stops for 90 minutes and then steams away with three points?

[northsomersetred]

On 12/10/2021 at 20:47, Lanterne Rouge said:

Great bit of rail news down here today. The Okehampton - Exeter service has been reinstated and initially from November there will be trains at two hour intervals seven days a week increasing to hourly from next year. I will now be able to get a train from six miles from my house to Parson Street and back if I want @Never to the dark side

The beginning of the reinstatement of the inland route from Exeter to Plymouth hopefully.

That'll never happen and the only reason Oke has been re-opened is HS2

[Lanterne Rouge]

8 minutes ago, northsomersetred said:

That'll never happen and the only reason Oke has been re-opened is HS2

I don`t know. The line`s already there as far as Meldon and from Plymouth you can get to Bere Alston so there`s `only` about twelve miles missing. It won`t follow the old route I know as it would cost an absolute fortune just to buy back the land - and quite a few owners have already said they will not sell under any circumstances - but there are options. Via Launceston for instance, most of the old track route is still there and used as a bridleway (a bit of it is only a mile or so from my house) so potentially Okehampton - Launceston - Callington - Gunnislake (where there is a line to Plymouth) is a possibility.

I doubt it will happen in my lifetime though.

[northsomersetred]

24 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

I don`t know. The line`s already there as far as Meldon and from Plymouth you can get to Bere Alston so there`s `only` about twelve miles missing. It won`t follow the old route I know as it would cost an absolute fortune just to buy back the land - and quite a few owners have already said they will not sell under any circumstances - but there are options. Via Launceston for instance, most of the old track route is still there and used as a bridleway (a bit of it is only a mile or so from my house) so potentially Okehampton - Launceston - Callington - Gunnislake (where there is a line to Plymouth) is a possibility.

I doubt it will happen in my lifetime though.

LR i'm not having a dig at you, please don't take it that way, i'm from Plymouth and I used to go upto Bere Alston regularly as a kid and teenager as my best mate's family were from there and we used to go up and see his grandparents. I also used to travel from Plymouth to Aberdeen/Gt Yarmouth when i used to work in the offshore oil and gas industry 30yrs ago i know first hand the issues around Dawlish

Have you been on the line from Plymouth to Gunnislake? That line is only suitable for DMU or similar, i'm no train buff but i think the biggest engine that ever went up that route was a Class 31. At a couple of places on the route the driver has to physically get out of the cab and retrieve a token to gain entry to that section of the line.

The cost would be huge to construct something suitable to take the new Hitachi trains, something the money for HS2 should be spent on, not building HS2

I to hope it gets built but realistically i cant see it.

Have look at this, the train upto Princetown back in the day, fantastic film, i'd recommend watching it all if you have 1/2hr to spare

 

Edited October 21, 2021 by northsomersetred