Further updates have been given on several planned railway stations in the Bristol region. A total of 11 stations in our region are in a rail network blueprint for 2050, published by leaders from across South Wales and England.
The group of leaders, under a partnership called the Western Gateway Partnership, aim to correct a lag in the area’s rail transport compared to other regions in the UK by increasing capacity and services. In a ‘vision’ network map they have included a list of new stations in the Bristol region, with each given a level of progress; aspirational or committed.
And work is now taking place on Ashley Down with opening dates given for Henbury and Filton, which are both part of the Henbury Spur.
Meanwhile, for campaigners behind stations like Saltford and St Anne’s Park, the Western Gateway Partnership publication will give comfort that the schemes are still under consideration. The same goes with Pilning, where passengers can currently get services only in one direction, and only on a Saturday.
And for stations like Pill and Portishead, the document reaffirms the commitment by the region’s leaders to see the projects out. Here’s the list of stations included in the document - called ‘2050 vision to transform rail for South Wales and Western England’ - which can be seen in detail here.
Here are the 11 stations, and updates on the progress of each:
1. Ashley Down - Committed (expected opening 2024)
Construction is now underway on this station which will be on the Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood line. It will be built on Station Road, just south of the Ashley Down allotments and should be completed in 2024. The site used to be home to Ashley Hill Station, which closed in 1964. The new station is part of the MetroWest Phase 2 project which will also see new stations at North Filton and Henbury. An update issued last week by Bristol City Council revealed how spend had increased on the station project to widen the platforms.
2. Saltford - Aspirational
The campaign to reopen a station at Saltford has been a long, and so far unsuccessful one. However, the fact it remains within a 2050 vision for the area is good news for locals who want a faster and greener link to Bristol and Bath. The station could reopen on a storage yard used by Network Rail off the Bath Road. Campaigners say it could have two platforms, a footbridge and a car park for more than 144 vehicles. (Credit: Joe Ryan. Saltford Environment Group)
3. Pilning Station - Aspirational
After the station’s footbridge was removed in 2016, passengers can only get and off a train heading in one direction. To add to this conundrum, trains only stop on a Saturday - despite the station being on the main line from Bristol Parkway to South West Wales. But there is hope. The station was included in the 2050 vision due to its inclusion on the Travelwest’s Joint Local Transport Plan 4 2020-2036. What will happen exactly remains to be seen with scant detail on the proposal. (Photo credit: @PilningStation)
4. Lockleaze - Aspirational
Just like Pilning, Lockleaze’s inclusion appears to be down to the fact it is in Travelwest’s Joint Local Transport Plan. Again, there is not much detail although the Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways have worked out two possible locations - both south of Constable Road. And with plans to build 1,200 new homes in the area, the campaigners hope a train station could provide a new transport hub for the area.