Severn Beach Line - Call for additional train continuation
Date: January 2010Bristol City Council’s investment in an additional train on the Severn Beach line since May 2008 has been a great success. In order to build on this, FOSBR need confirmation that Bristol City Council will continue to hire an additional train between Temple Meads and Avonmouth Stations from 2011 - 2014.
Dr Jon Rogers, Executive Member for Transport, has already brought this to the attention of the Cabinet .
However we need to look to the future. FOSBR urges people to ask their councillor to tell Cabinet that the Severn Beach line investment must be protected as part of the City Development Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2010/11 and as part of ‘service reviews in Highways, Passenger Transport and City Transport’
Nottingham City Council has made a similar investment with the Robin Hood line and has communicated with DfT to ensure that this financial commitment is taken over by the DfT. Obviously this is a strategy which BCC should adopt in view of the growth of passengers using rail on this section of the line and in the Bristol area.
The improved frequency, though far from perfect, has proved what has been shown throughout the country – increased frequency of passenger rail services results in increased passengers. We see this as a test case which could, if publicised, inspire South Gloucestershire and other authorities to provide a half hour service for passengers at Yate, Keynsham, and Parson Street, for example.
N.b. This three year investment was voted on by councillors of all political parties at the Budget setting meeting in February 2007.