Improved Avonmouth Service
Date: April 2008FOSBR know that the timetable is not what we campaigned for.
This statement is on behalf of Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways. In the 2006 / 7 budget, Bristol City Council showed that it was genuinely committed to local rail by making a significant financial contribution that will produce a practical improvement in services.
We saw a half-hourly service between Avonmouth and Temple Meads Station as a priority, and celebrated when Bristol City Council voted to provide a subsidy for this service in the Council budget in February 2007. We now urge BCC to support this frequency to all 26 Bristol stations.
Our figures are for the SB Line. A Half Hour frequency to all stations wd obviously be more etc......
Our vision for the city is that such a service will be the basis of an integrated transport network across the city. Whilst we support the concept of showcase bus routes and applaud the successes so far, bus services are limited by the narrowness of roads, congestion and the need for parking. Only rail can provide a quick route between parts of the city, into the city centre and further afield. We urge the council to ensure that their previous support and funding for this service
The local rail infrastructure as a whole represents an enormous potential asset that could greatly reduce congestion in Bristol, delivering economic, social and environmental benefits to the city as a whole. The Severn Beach line in particular is extremely overcrowded at peak times (with schoolchildren being left on the platform as a result). Frustrated passengers are demanding a half-hourly service.
Councillor Mark Bradshaw,
Executive member for Access and Environment, planning, transport and traffic, sustainable development; and sub regional and citywide waste strategy.
Council House, Bristol, BS1 5TL
Dear Councillor Bradshaw,
The report “Upgrade on way soon for Severn Beach line” in the Evening Post (3 April 08), was a wonderful piece of news.
Even more inspiring was your statement saying “The Severn Beach Line is one of Bristol’s ongoing success stories. Branch lines such as this one are fast, comfortable and attractive to the public.
“User numbers are increasing, and we want to build on this. We are providing extra trains and aim to provide the popular route with stations to do it justice. Stations will benefit from better information, seating and shelters. The investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to this important urban branch line.”
BCC have restored local authority support for local rail services. Hopefully this will inspire people who use Patchway, Yate, Keynsham and Parson Street Stations, for example, to campaign for a half hour frequency in line with the Final JLTP.
Alex Gordon, Council of Executives Representative, Region 7 (South Wales & West of England), wrote after the 2007 all party vote to invest in an extra train on the line: “This shows what can be achieved through coordinated political work between rail users' groups, public transport campaigners, political representatives and trade unions”.
FOSBR would be delighted to meet you on the train on Sunday 18 May.
Yours sincerely, Julie Boston
Copies to Cllr Helen Holland, Keith Walton, (Severnside Community Rail Partnership) Alex Gordon (RMT), FOSBR website,
“Thanks to Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways for their tireless campaigning, Transport 2000 and David Redgewell, Councillor Helen Holland and the Labour Bristol Labour Group members who voted against the Lib Dem cuts in February 2006, Kerry McCarthy, Roger Berry, Doug Naysmith and other MPs who signed Early Day Motion 1702 CUTS IN LOCAL RAIL FUNDING FOR THE SEVERN BEACH LINE, Bristol Trades Union Council and the South West TUC and many, many members of the RMT union who provided consistent and long-term support for the fight to rebuild a proper local rail service in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
As you know, the First Great Western May 2008 timetable has been published. Although the Severn Beach line frequency is not everything FOSBR campaigned for, nor is it everything that Bristol City Council wanted, it is an important first step towards achieving the wider aspirations that both FOSBR and BCC share in relation to the Greater Bristol rail network, and one that the long-suffering travelling public need.
FOSBR need to remind you that Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council invested in the Severn Beach line until the Bristol City Council budget meeting in February 2006 when the investment was withdrwn. This investment provided an hourly off peak weekday train service between Temple Meads and Avonmouth. South Gloucestershire Council paid for the bus link.
With this in mind, FOSBR urge you to sign the contract with FGW for the Severn Beach line May 2008 timetable as published. We urge you to announce this at FGW Stakeholders meeting today.
BCC financial investment over a three year period will provide the following improvements:
1) A step change in the number of Severn Beach Line passenger train services.
2) The restoration of through daytime trains to Severn Beach and St Andrews Road on Mondays - Fridays.
3) An hourly Sunday service through to Avonmouth.
4) A better spread and improved timings for trains in the traditional morning and evening peaks although we are concerned about Lawrence Hill Station.
5) Evening departure times from Temple Meads from May will be 1634, 1716, 1804, 1933, 2034, 2215 in place of the current 1649, 1749, 1918, 2034 and 2145.
FOSBR share Councillor Bradshaw and the council’s concern about First's ability to provide the improvements which First have offered, and feel they should ensure that local MPs and the government are aware of those concerns. The council and West of England Partnership must also bear this in mind when considering the provision of local bus services and future transport plans.
We also need to add that we would have great concerns if it were the case that a company which could not, or would not, provide an adequate service was then given more responsibility over local transport - such as being a major partner in rapid transit. However such concerns should not be a reason for the council - or us - not to accept service improvements on the Severn Beach Line.
We assume that the council have set out clear minimum standards which it expects FGW to reach. Our concerns are that FGW provide what is asked of them and that the council and passengers hold them to account if they fail to meet these standards.
Finally Councillor Bradshaw, we would like to express our pleasure that BCC has listened to the democratic voice of the city !
Bernard Lane FOSBR Chair
Joe Patrick FOSBR Vice Chair
Julie Boston FOSBR Secretary
Lee Fletcher FOSBR researcher