£30million passenger rail link between Bristol and Portishead hit by spending cuts
A £30 MILLION passenger rail link between Portishead and Bristol has been put back years because of public spending cuts.
The link would have provided a vital commuter route into Bristol and eased congestion on traffic-clogged roads in the area.
But Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has told North Somerset MP Liam Fox there is no money to pay for the scheme.
In a letter to Dr Fox, Mr Hammond says: "Whilst we support improvements to regional and local rail services, the Government's key priority at present is to tackle budget deficit.
"Firm departmental budgets and budgets for local authorities from 2011/12 onwards will only be known after the Government has carried out a comprehensive spending review later this year.
"This means that, at this stage, we are not in a position to give any commitments to local authorities on the level of funding for projects such as the re-opening of the line between Portishead and Bristol."
Dr Fox, as Defence Secretary a Cabinet colleague of Mr Hammond, has previously lent his support to the campaign for a rail link and has raised the issue in Parliament.
He said: "I am disappointed, but not surprised, that there is no money immediately available for this rail link.
"As we all know, the public finances are in an even worse state than expected and the reduction in the deficit has to be the Government's top priority.
"I will continue to give my full personal support for the project, so that when the financial position eases, we may get some positive traction on this issue."
Alan Matthews, chairman of the Portishead Rail Group, said he was disappointed but not surprised.
He said they would be pressing for the paperwork to be completed so that when money became available, a start could be made without delay.
Mr Matthews said the paperwork alone could take two years to complete.
"If we get everything ready, then at least we could start straightaway," he said.
A rail link between Portishead and Bristol already exists – but only for freight traffic travelling at speeds of up to 30mph.
The six-mile stretch of track between Portbury Dock and Parson Street, Bedminster, would have to be upgraded in order to take passenger trains at speeds of up to 60mph.
The existing track could be used, but major realignment work would be needed and some new lines would have to be laid.
The cost of an upgrade has already soared from £15 million to more than £30 million and it had originally been hoped to win funding from the Government in 2014.
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by TimothyB, Upper Knowle
Saturday, July 10 2010, 7:15AM
“To Paul Smith - Labour
Are you serious ?
Are you having a go at the Alliance 5 mins after it got in and Labour spent all the money it didn't have. I suggest your party lie low for a while ( at least 5 years ) before you have the nerve to think about commenting about the government. Jeez.”
by John, Bristol
Friday, July 09 2010, 11:26PM
“Quote "Where on earth are the likes of Charlotte Leslie, Chris Skidmore, Stephen Williams, Jacob Rees-Mogg etc? Why aren't they moving heaven and earth to guarantee Greater Bristol's much needed transport investment?"
Well there is the problem - Charlotte Leslie is my local MP and I don;t want here worrying about people in Portishead. She is elected to deal with concerns in Bristol North West so needs to be sorting out the Severn Beach line and the poor bus service in Lawrence Weston.
It is up to the MP for Portishead to fight their corner for the much needed rail link. Chris Skidmore covers the Kingswood area and Steven Williams the Clifton area as far as I am aware so why do they need to act about the Portishead line ?”
by Chris, Bristol
Friday, July 09 2010, 10:01PM
“This is insane, investing in the rail link will create much needed jobs now and encourage much needed growth in the future. It is another example of the short-sighted masochistic economic policies that the coalition are hell bent on implementing *not* because there is no alternative but because it is their ideology!”
by Bob de Bilde, Bristol
Friday, July 09 2010, 9:23PM
“James,
Oh they'll find the money for High Speed 2, just like they found the money for Crossrail (£16 billion), the refurbishment of Birmingham New Street (£600 million) and the extension to Manchester's Metrolink (£170 million).
What they can't find is any money to improve the West Country's appalling public transport network.
And Paul Smith is quite right (although Labour hardly covered themselves in glory during the years of plenty regarding public transport in Bristol).
Where on earth are the likes of Charlotte Leslie, Chris Skidmore, Stephen Williams, Jacob Rees-Mogg etc? Why aren't they moving heaven and earth to guarantee Greater Bristol's much needed transport investment?
Prior to the election they recognised that our dire public transport is one of the major issues for Bristolians. Now we've not heard a peep from the pipsqueaks.
Absolutely disgraceful.”
by Paul Smith, bristol
Friday, July 09 2010, 9:13PM
“so what are MPs Stephen Williams and Charlotte Leslie doing to get this decision changed, before the election they both claimed to support this link now their parties are killing it off. Is this what New Politics means?
Paul Smith
Labour Bristol West”