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!
There was good news for the people of Bristol at the end of February. The Evening Post, daily recorder of bus and rail passenger woes, announced that Bristol City Council and South Gloucester Council had set up a Greater Bristol Metro Rail campaign. Not only was this a cross party and cross boundary campaign, it invited local rail groups to get involved.
At last, decision makers were acknowledging that Bristol’s 26 functioning railway stations could contribute substantially to local transport. Immediately FOSBR, Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways, a group set up to save the Severn Beach branch line in 1995, emailed our ‘Unite the city’ youtube film which was put on the official website - www.greaterbristolrail.com - under Latest News.
FOSBR has campaigned for several years to get four tracks, to reduce congestion on Temple Meads Station, accepted by all decision makers. We now need a media spurt to help the local authorities get it into the HLOS by June 2012. Do FOSBR key players have to grapple with rail based documents as well as their day job to make the business case? (JOKE)
(James White says we have to make the Stapleton Rd to Parson St business case !)
Rail News Article
The transport Bristol City Council 2012/13 was a great setback. Despite having saved £200K on the successful Severn Beach line, ( see Cllr Bradshaw on video) the Council refused to fund an improved evening service to two suburban stations in South Bristol.
The other setback is the consultant’s decision to ignore 30 minute frequencies using cross city services on mainlines or promote the Henbury diversionary route.
As a woman at Montpelier station wrote on her submission to the DfT:-
“It’s time to make wise investments for the sake of our grandchildren and the planet. Please listen and restore some confidence in democracy”
Julie Boston, FOSBR
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.