BRISTOL city councillors have put aside their differences to back a campaign for better local rail services.

The authority has launched the Bristol Metro 2013 campaign – details of which were revealed by the Evening Post yesterday – to fight for a half-hourly local train service.

It would stop at all existing local stations and any new potential new ones.

The campaign's aim is to lobby the Government and transport operators ahead of a decision on who should run the Great Western rail network from next year.

First Great Western pulled out of its existing contract last year to avoid paying £800 million to the government but will be bidding for the new, 15-year contract in the spring.

Councillors debated a motion to support the campaign at a meeting of the council yesterday.

Rather unusually, there was no disagreement, and it was unanimously passed.

The motion was put by David Willingham (Lib Dem, Bishopston), who said: "The new franchise must maintain the current levels of local and regional services that use Bristol as their hub, but deliver this with new and additional rolling stock.

"The franchise agreement should ensure the franchisee cannot be seen to profit if it fails to deliver. There can be rewards for success but there must be no rewards for failing the travelling public."

The opposition parties all agreed with the motion.

Mark Bradshaw (Lab, Bedminster) said: "We support the aspirations for a Bristol Metro service.

"Other cities are envious of the amount of rail infrastructure we've got. We've got the track, we've got the platforms – the problem is finding the capital to put it into use."

Peter Abraham (Con, Stoke Bishop) said: "We've got to be really robust with the new franchise.

"We do recognise more investment is the best step forward we can make.

"We need to ask anyone who comes into this area, are you really able to deliver the service we demand?"

Christina Biggs of pressure group the Friends Of Suburban Bristol Railways also attended the meeting to give her group's backing.

She said: "We believe it is vital the council and the West of England Partnership show leadership in pressing the government and potential bidders.

"Whilst we accept the priorities are for half-hourly services on existing lines and the line to Portishead, plus new rolling stock to ensure this, we believe it is vital to aim higher and to ensure nothing is done to prevent further improvements in the future, such as new stations, additional services or light rail."

Transport campaigner David Redgwell supported the aspirations but sounded a note of caution, warning of the potentially high costs involved.

He said: "I'm a realist. Cross rail costs £90 million a year, of which £30 million is in this area.

"If we reopen the line to Portishead that would be between £37 million and £45 million."

Public consultations on the future of the region's rail services are open until March.