Benefits of Bristol to London high-speed rail link 'must go beyond just mainline'
RAIL campaigners are hoping the electrification of the Great Western Main Line will lead to other routes in the Bristol area being upgraded.
Champions of public transport reacted with glee when Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond announced journey times would be slashed and over-crowding should be eased for passengers travelling from Bristol to London from 2017.
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On track: A high speed train on the Bristol to London Paddington line, which is due to be electrified by 2017
Not only will new "Bi-mode" trains be faster, greener and bigger, Mr Hammond told the Evening Post, there would be more of them running more regularly.
The improvements will be made from 2014 on the London Paddington to Cardiff route, taking in Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway and the link between those two stations.
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But local transport groups and politicians are hoping the improvements will extend even further.
Stephen Williams, Bristol West Liberal Democrat MP, has already pressed the Transport Secretary on whether the upgrade would include two miles of track on the Severn Beach line, which takes in Redland and Clifton.
Mr Hammond said that would have to be looked at in the future.
But Transport Minister Theresa Villiers will be travelling on the line during an official visit with Mr Williams tomorrow to mark the introduction of new ticket machines and he intends to push the case then.
He said: "If the line between Temple Meads and Parkway is being electrified that should open the way for the whole branch line to be electrified and that is something I will be campaigning for vigorously."
Ian Crawford, of the Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance, said of the improvements: "This puts Bristol on the National Rail Network and removes it from its position of being almost a branch line. It reduces our reliance on fossil fuels such as diesel and is more sustainable. It also makes possible the reopening of local unused rail network and further electrification of local services."
Mr Crawford highlighted how the Welsh Assembly was working to electrify some suburban rail routes out of Cardiff.
Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways spokesman Rob Dixon said: "We certainly welcome this much-needed investment.
"We are hoping the improvements will include the number of tracks between Parkway and Temple Meads increasing from two to four, which would be great news for commuters.
"We also hope the Government will consider the electrification of the line all the way from Weston-super-Mare to Yatton, and the Severn Beach line, which would provide passengers with better, more reliable services."
Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke said she looked forward to building links with cities like Cardiff and Swindon. She said: "Bristol is one of the UK's best placed cities to create jobs and drive economic recovery, and investment in good transport links is crucial."
Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Labour deputy leader and transport spokesman for the council, said: "The news is a boost to the regional economy and will help further enhance Bristol's offer as a place to invest. It is also a major factor in helping to reduce carbon use."
Comments
by Ian, Redland
Friday, March 04 2011, 10:29AM
“Tried to post yesterday morning, got the all too frequent An Error Has Occurred .... life is too short, methinks, and off I went.
BUT, it is an important story. The Bristol city region, all the four local authorities, is the same size as Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Newcastle-on-Tyne. All of which have (a) much more in the way of bus routes and (b) all with 'metro', trams, suburban rail. Yet the Brissle area just cannot get its act together and plan for integrated, value for the fare public transport.
Are our politicians just too parochial? Or do they lack drive and determination? Or what?
All very well making noises about transport improvements but it is now time to stop talking and time to do some real thinking and doing.”
by James, Redland
Thursday, March 03 2011, 6:33PM
“@Matt:
When did First ever let their economies (i.e. cheaper trains to run) stop them putting up passenger fares?
Maybe as part of the upgrade we could get Deutsche Ban to run alternate services so we have proper competition and passengers can decide?!?!”
by Matt, Bristol
Thursday, March 03 2011, 4:22PM
“Scott, you miss the point. Electric trains are cleaner, greener, cheaper to run and reduce dependence on oil. The 20 minutes shorter journey time is just a bonus.”
by THe Hedgehog, Horfield
Thursday, March 03 2011, 4:17PM
“Fair enough, Paul, if the extra travelling time doesn't bother you.
Personally, I use off peak trains and book in advance but then I don't have to go to nine a.m. meetings any more, thank the Lord.”
by Dog Walker, Bristol
Thursday, March 03 2011, 2:10PM
“I'm thinking that the 20 mins is important to change perception of travelling times. At the mo 1h40m to london which feels like a couple of hours, if it 1h20m it will be regarded as just over an hour which is more likely to be used. That my opinion anyway.
Agree re buses - cheaper and more efficient is the way forward. This was a good trial www.freebus.org.uk and makes you wonder how much more we could get for the £5m annual subsidy to First (I think this figure is correct).”
by Scott, Bristol
Thursday, March 03 2011, 12:43PM
“I think it's a waste of time - electrifying around 160? miles of rail line just to get 20 minutes off journey times?
Personally, I find trains in the area okay - although the fares are expensive, I feel something needs to be done about the bus service in this city 'First'.
First need to reduce their fares by a considerable amount to get people using the bus services. If they can make that happen, there would be a lot less cars on our roads, meaning the punctuality of the bus services would be a lot better.
First Bus should bring back the 'First Night' ticket for £1.70 - unlimited travel after 7pm until Midnight, bring the cost of the 'First Day' down to at least £2.50/£3, and bring back the '5 for £5' ticket where 5 people can travel around the City all-day for just £1 each. - When the fares were like this back in 2003 or whenever, the services seemed a lot more reliable.”
by Paul, Bristol
Thursday, March 03 2011, 12:31PM
“As I said yesterday, until the cost of travelling by rail is less than it costs me in fuel to drive to London I won't be using rail.”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Thursday, March 03 2011, 11:35AM
“Right - let's try again.
Agree with everything you say, James, maybe an extra passing place on the Severn Beach line would do the business. Also, the ticket machines are an excellent idea. Mind you, I wonder just how long the one at Stapleton Road will last with the local junkies desperate for a fix.
Right, I've saved that one, so it'll probably go through perfectly.”
by Dum di dum di dum, School
Thursday, March 03 2011, 11:21AM
“Dear Mr Hedgehog,
Please don't have a go at use, we tries are best, but its ard runnin this site in the brakes between lessons. Anyways, nex term, Mr Smiff is back off the sick so are computa lessons will get back to normal and he mite be able to 'elp us sort out sum of the problems.
Befor that happens, pleas cut us sum slak
Fanks
Jon and Jim
BEP Webmasters
Ashton Gate Primary
PS If you are horrible to us we might just ban you cuz we can.”
by The Hedeghog, Horfield
Thursday, March 03 2011, 10:37AM
“"An error has occurred"
If I was responsible for this pig-awful site, I'd hang my head in shame.
Daily Mail Headline:
"USERS FRUSTRATED BY CARP SITE - Labour Party to blame"”