What could an “ideal” Bristol service recast look like?

[lachlan]

Indeed - Gloucester gets a raw deal and needs at least one of the Worcester semi fasts to stop (in addition to the Cardiff Birmingham). Charfield will also need serving somehow!
Swindon - Taunton seems a bit like being neat on a map. What Melksham is missing is a direct connection to Bath / Bristol (via a reinstated Bradford north curve and stations at Holt and/or “Trowbridge North”

Swindon to Bristol via Melksham and Bradford-upon-Avon is a long way round. It's 20 minutes just from Bath to Trowbridge never mind then continuing to Melksham and Chippenham. The existing Chippenham-Bath services do it in 10 mins.

What Melksham needs is a frequent service that doesn't get cancelled due to diversions. Not only would this be beneficial to Melksham itself, it would also be good for passengers at Swindon heading south who would use the Melksham train to "cut the corner" and avoid going via Bath.

 

[The exile]

Swindon to Bristol via Melksham and Bradford-upon-Avon is a long way round. It's 20 minutes just from Bath to Trowbridge never mind then continuing to Melksham and Chippenham. The existing Chippenham-Bath services do it in 10 mins.

What Melksham needs is a frequent service that doesn't get cancelled due to diversions. Not only would this be beneficial to Melksham itself, it would also be good for passengers at Swindon heading south who would use the Melksham train to "cut the corner" and avoid going via Bath.

Of course it wouldn't be the fastest way to get from Swindon to Bath / Bristol because that's not what it would be intended to be. That would of course be the direct Swindon - Bath via Corsham trains (as now). What Melksham doesn't have is a direct service to Bristol and Bath . This can be provided by reinstating the Bradford north curve. Having got the train as far as Melksham, continuing it on to Swindon (as opposed to terminating in a reinstated platform at Chippenham) allows an extra service to Wootton Bassett. I was proposing replacing the hourly Swindon - Taunton proposal with a Swindon - Melksham - Bath - Bristol. The southward connection from Swindon would still remain with the other hourly proposal (which I think was Swindon - Salisbury - in line with Wiltshire's aspirations). Passengers from Swindon / Chippenham to Taunton (to say nothing of those going beyond there) would in any case almost certainly quicker going via Bristol; the numbers for Frome, Bruton and Castle Cary are unlikely to be that great.

 

[NCT]

Surely not in the speculative forum!

Does speculative necessarily mean ignore the fiscal dimension?

 

[The exile]

Does speculative necessarily mean ignore the fiscal dimension?

Not necessarily, no - but it surely permits one to do so!

 

[HamworthyGoods]

So you're giving Gloucester a 2 tph service to Bristol which will take around 1 hour 10 mins for a journey that can be done in about 45 minutes by car? For my home city with a population of over 130,000 that's rubbish and hardly going to be attractive to get people onto the train. For reference 115k journeys were made between Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads in 2024/25. For Cam and Dursley you give 4 tph, but Yate is only 2 tph with a lot more commuting to Bristol?

You're also removing the only services that connect Gloucester to Worcester Shrub Hill/Foregate Street, and the majority of services to Ashchurch for Tewkesbury. The services you do provide to Worcester are overkill and one 3 car unit per hour would be more than adequate on all but the busiest of services when in the Bristol area

Indeed, Gloucester is the 3rd biggest area in the South West (after Bristol and Plymouth), this reduction in connectivity and journey time would not go down well.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Apr 2026 ==

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 1 X 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but stopped at Southampton Central, as better connections can be provided from there, with an EMU express service from Southampton to Portsmouth.

Passengers, especially those with luggage do not like changing trains.

The South Coast to South West already has complaints about poor connectivity without making it worse.

Southampton Central also isn’t a great location for terminating trains, introducing an additional 4tph terminating there (2 from the Bristol direction and 1 each from Portsmouth and Brighton would not operationally work well).

 

[Manutd1999]

The 'inner Bristol' services should be as simple as possible, and run as a metro service (i.e. simple paired destination/origin 'lines').

Weston-super-Mare - Severn Beach 1tph
Weston-super-Mare - Avonmouth 1tph
Portishead - Henbury 2tph.

Gives 2tph from Bristol Temple Meads to Weston sM, Portishead, Avonmouth and Henbury, and 4tph between Parson Street and Stapleton Road while keeping the 'metro' services off the Filton Main lines for XC and GWR's longer distance services.
With electrification and growth, this could eventually grow to 3tph on both arms to give 6tph through the 'Core' and a 20-minute service to Clifton Down.

Services from the bath direction should not try and reverse across all 6 tracks, and the arena would be served by running Bristol Temple Meads - Henbury extras at event times.

I would do 2ph Portishead-Henbury, 2ph Weston to Yate and then have 2ph Avonmouth/Severn Beach starting from the bay platforms at Temple Meads.

That gives 4ph from Parson St and 6ph to Stapleton Rd,a huge step forward compared to today.

 

[The exile]

I would do 2ph Portishead-Henbury, 2ph Weston to Yate and then have 2ph Avonmouth/Severn Beach starting from the bay platforms at Temple Meads.

Possibly just a typo - but you do know that there is only 1 bay platform facing the right way to do that? Even so, if not needed for anything else, it should be enough (at least on paper). For the record, I know Platform 13 is in one sense a “bay” - but not only is it on the wrong side of the station, it’s in use for London trains a lot of the time.

 

[zwk500]

Possibly just a typo - but you do know that there is only 1 bay platform facing the right way to do that? Even so, if not needed for anything else, it should be enough (at least on paper). For the record, I know Platform 13 is in one sense a “bay” - but not only is it on the wrong side of the station, it’s in use for London trains a lot of the time.

Assuming sensible turnrounds, P1 would be fine for a half-hourly service to Lawrence Hill.

I would do 2ph Portishead-Henbury, 2ph Weston to Yate and then have 2ph Avonmouth/Severn Beach starting from the bay platforms at Temple Meads.

That gives 4ph from Parson St and 6ph to Stapleton Rd,a huge step forward compared to today.

I personally wouldn't want to break the Bedminster-Clifton Down link. Cross-Temple Meads travel is not a huge slice by any means but it is there and growing. Yate would get 2tph on the Gloucester service, which tbh for that distance out is a good service for the medium term forseeable future.

 

[freetoview33]

Here is my idea, now this is contigent on plans on other parts of the network and some infrastructure improvements to enable it. It is more for the West of England Metro area than specifically Bristol.

Intercity London Services

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Chippenham - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Increased from every 2 hours to every hour, to give a regular nonstop service to/from Weston-super-Mare.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Didcot Parkway - Swindon - Chippenham - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Current service, as is, no changes.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Swindon - Bristol Parkway, Split 1 Bristol Temple Meads, Split 2 Newport - Cardiff Central. 2tph, GWR, 2 x 5 Car Class 800/802.
A reintroduction of the super fast services from London, but splitting at Bristol Parkway to save paths to/from London.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central - Bridgend - Port Talbot Parkway - Neath - Swansea. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Current service, as is, no changes.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central - Bridgend - Port Talbot Parkway - Neath - Llanelli - Carmarthen. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
The current Cardiff terminating service but extended to Carmarthern, this is instead of the new Lumo service, this would better serve South Wales and give better links to/from West Wales.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Kemble - Chalfield - Stroud - Stonehouse - Gloucester - Rose-on-Wye - Hereford. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car Class 800/802.
The current service but after Gloucester instead of continuing to Cheltenham Spa, it would continue via the line through Ross-on-Wye to Hereford. (This is a proposed reopening)

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Kemble - Chalfield - Stroud - Stonehouse - Cheltenham Spa. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car Class 800/802.
An additional service, giving stations along the Golden Valley line 2 services per hour, continuing to Cheltenham Spa.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Newbury - Westbury - Castle Cary (Every other train) - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Ivybridge (Every other train) - Plymouth, Extension 2hrly Liskerd - Bodmin Parkway - Par -Truro - St Erth - Penzance. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
The current service, with more reqular extensions to/from Penzance.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Newbury - Westbury - Frome (Every other train) - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Torre - Torquay - Paignton. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
A faster service than the current 2hrly Exeter service and extended to serve Torbay.

Other
Heathrow Express services would become part of the Elizabeth Line, to free up space on the fast lines for more intercity services as once Old Oak Common opens then it will reduce times to/from Heathrow.

Intercity CrossCountry Services

Manchester Piccadilly - Stockport - Macclesfield - Stoke-on-Trent - Stafford - Wolverhampton - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St David's, Extension 2hrly Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Torquay - Paignton. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current Manchester to Bristol service, extended to Exeter with 2 hourly extensions to Paignton, Paignton sees a lot of demand from Bristol. Also some higher capacity rolling stock for XC. (It has been proposed before to extend the service down to Exeter anyway)

Newcastle - Durham - Darlington - York - Doncaster - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St David's, Extension 2hrly Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Ivybridge - Plymouth. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current service, but focusing on the core of the route, as customers can change at Exeter for services to all of the South West and higher capacity rolling stock too.

Nottingham - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Tamworth - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current service, but sped up by removing stops, and new higher capacity rolling stock.

Leeds - Wakefield Westagte - Sheffield - Chesterfield - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Brimingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The proposed additional hourly service between Birmingham and Cardiff, with an additional hourly service between Leeds and Birmingham.

Semi-fast/Regional Services

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Slough - Maidenhead - Twyford - Reading - Tilehurst - Pangborune - Goring & Streatley - Chosley - Didcot Parkway - Wantage & Gove - Swindon. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
One of the current half hourly London Paddington to Didcot Parkway services, extended to Swindon via a new station at Wantage & Gove.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Slough - Reading - Reading West - Theale - Thatcham - Newbury - Knitbury - Hungerford - Bedwyn - Pewsey - Devizes Gateway - Westbury. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
The current London Paddington to Newbury service, combined with the Newbury to Bedwyn service and extended to Westbury. It would be handy to extend electrification to Westbury as it would allow BEMU's on the other services via Westbury to recharge whilst in the area.

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but stopped at Southampton Central, as better connections can be provided from there, with an EMU express service from Southampton to Portsmouth.

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Highbridge & Burnham - Bridgwater - Taunton - Wellington - Tiverton Parkway - Cullompton - Exeter St David's. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but with a more clockface timetable than currently, with stops removed to speed up the service, and local stops moved onto stopping services.

Worcester Foregate Street - Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Cheltenham Spa - Cam & Dursley - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
The current service between Worcester and Bristol but with stops removed to make this service semi-fast, intermediate stops moved to other services, also providing a 2nd semi-fast service between Bristol and Southampton, to connect with a new fast service to/from Brighton.

Birmingham Moor Street - Kings Norton - Bromsgrove - Droitwich Spa - Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester. 1tph, WMR, 2 Car Class 172/196.
The proposed new service from Birmingham Moor Street via the new chords but routed to Gloucester.

Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway - Stratford-upon-Avon - Honeybourne - Cheltenham Racecourse - Cheltenham Spa - Cam & Dursley - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Highbridge & Burnham - Bridgwater - Taunton - Wellington - Tiverton Parkway - Cullompton - Exeter St David's. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.

Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome - Bruton - Castle Cary - Yeovil Pen Mill - Thornford - Yetminster - Chetnole - Maiden Newton - Dorchester West - Upwey - Weymouth. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
The current service, but speeded up with local calls in and around Bristol and Bath removed and frequency improved to finally provide an hourly service.

Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Chippenham - Swindon - Wantage & Gove - Oxford. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
As the "new" service to be "re"introduced soon but extend electrification from Chippenham down to Bristol Temple Meads and from Didcot Parkway to Oxford so EMU's can be used.

Stopping/Metro Services

Cardiff Central - Cardiff East - Cardiff Parkway - Newport West - Newport - Somerton - Llanwern - Magor & Undy - Severn Tunnel Junction - Pilning - Patchway - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads. 2tph, Transport for Wales, 3 Car Class 197.
This would take over stops at Pilning (Have a further idea for how this would be served) and Patchway to allow speeded up GWR services from Cardiff to Bristol (See Below)

Cardiff Central - Cardiff East - Cardiff Parkway - Newport West - Newport - Somerton - Llanwern - Magor & Undy - Severn Tunnel Junction - Caldicot - Chepstow - Lydney - Westbury-on-Severn - Gloucester - Cheltenham Spa. 2tph, Transport for Wales, 2 Car Class 197.
The current service, increased to 2tph as planned.

Gloucester - Cam & Dursley - Charfield - Yate - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads. 2tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
Effectively a metro service between Bristol and Gloucester. There isn't a need for additional services between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. With other planned services, and changes can be made at Bristol Parkway or Cheltenham Spa.

Weston-super-Mare - Weston Milton - Worle - Yatton - Nailsea & Backwell - Long Ashton - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - Lawrence Hill - Stapleton Road - Montpelier - Redland - Clifton Down - Sea Mills - Shirehampton - Portway Park & Ride - Avonmouth Extension hrly St Andrews Road - Severn Beach. 2tph, GWR, 3 Car Class XXX.
The current service between Weston-super-Mare and Avonmouth, with the Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach service extended to Weston-super-Mare.

Portishead - Portbury - Pill - Ashton Gate - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - Lawrence Hill - Stapleton Road - Ashley Down - Lockleaze - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Brabazon - Henbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
The current Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood service, as it is proposed to extend it to Henbury and Portishead respectively once the stations are opened.

Portishead - Portbury - Pill - Ashton Gate - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - St Annes Park - Keynsham - Saltford - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Corsham - Chippenham - Royal Wotton Bassett - Swindon. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A second train per hour to/from Portishead to Swindon, via a new station at Corsham.

Severn Beach - Henbury - Bristol Brabazon - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads - St Annes Park - Keynsham - Saltford - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Freshford - Avoncliff - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A new service from Severn Beach via the Henbury loop, Bristol Temple Meads and onwards to Westbury, to provide better links to the new arena.

Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome - Bruton - Castle Cary - Somerton - Taunton. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
The proposed Goop! service, that would give Somerton a service and a good Trans Wilts service.

Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Dilton Marsh - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A more frequent TransWilts service.

 

[Topological]

I will not do the full quote.

The Intercity to South Wales does not work. Assuming you want Carmarthen via the Swansea District Line then you cannot serve Neath. It would have to be Port Talbot then Lanelli. If you are planning to use Landore then it seems daft not to just go into Swansea as the biggest city in the region.

1tph from Swansea to London is probably enough.

I still think you should look at an EMU Cardiff to London train then use the saved IETs to make sure that there are alway 9/10 cars on all Swansea and Bristol services.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Here is my idea, now this is contigent on plans on other parts of the network and some infrastructure improvements to enable it. It is more for the West of England Metro area than specifically Bristol.

Intercity London Services

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Chippenham - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Increased from every 2 hours to every hour, to give a regular nonstop service to/from Weston-super-Mare.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Didcot Parkway - Swindon - Chippenham - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Current service, as is, no changes.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Swindon - Bristol Parkway, Split 1 Bristol Temple Meads, Split 2 Newport - Cardiff Central. 2tph, GWR, 2 x 5 Car Class 800/802.
A reintroduction of the super fast services from London, but splitting at Bristol Parkway to save paths to/from London.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central - Bridgend - Port Talbot Parkway - Neath - Swansea. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Current service, as is, no changes.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central - Bridgend - Port Talbot Parkway - Neath - Llanelli - Carmarthen. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
The current Cardiff terminating service but extended to Carmarthern, this is instead of the new Lumo service, this would better serve South Wales and give better links to/from West Wales.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Kemble - Chalfield - Stroud - Stonehouse - Gloucester - Rose-on-Wye - Hereford. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car Class 800/802.
The current service but after Gloucester instead of continuing to Cheltenham Spa, it would continue via the line through Ross-on-Wye to Hereford. (This is a proposed reopening)

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Kemble - Chalfield - Stroud - Stonehouse - Cheltenham Spa. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car Class 800/802.
An additional service, giving stations along the Golden Valley line 2 services per hour, continuing to Cheltenham Spa.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Newbury - Westbury - Castle Cary (Every other train) - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Ivybridge (Every other train) - Plymouth, Extension 2hrly Liskerd - Bodmin Parkway - Par -Truro - St Erth - Penzance. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
The current service, with more reqular extensions to/from Penzance.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Newbury - Westbury - Frome (Every other train) - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Torre - Torquay - Paignton. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
A faster service than the current 2hrly Exeter service and extended to serve Torbay.

Other
Heathrow Express services would become part of the Elizabeth Line, to free up space on the fast lines for more intercity services as once Old Oak Common opens then it will reduce times to/from Heathrow.

Intercity CrossCountry Services

Manchester Piccadilly - Stockport - Macclesfield - Stoke-on-Trent - Stafford - Wolverhampton - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St David's, Extension 2hrly Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Torquay - Paignton. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current Manchester to Bristol service, extended to Exeter with 2 hourly extensions to Paignton, Paignton sees a lot of demand from Bristol. Also some higher capacity rolling stock for XC. (It has been proposed before to extend the service down to Exeter anyway)

Newcastle - Durham - Darlington - York - Doncaster - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St David's, Extension 2hrly Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Ivybridge - Plymouth. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current service, but focusing on the core of the route, as customers can change at Exeter for services to all of the South West and higher capacity rolling stock too.

Nottingham - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Tamworth - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current service, but sped up by removing stops, and new higher capacity rolling stock.

Leeds - Wakefield Westagte - Sheffield - Chesterfield - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Brimingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The proposed additional hourly service between Birmingham and Cardiff, with an additional hourly service between Leeds and Birmingham.

Semi-fast/Regional Services

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Slough - Maidenhead - Twyford - Reading - Tilehurst - Pangborune - Goring & Streatley - Chosley - Didcot Parkway - Wantage & Gove - Swindon. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
One of the current half hourly London Paddington to Didcot Parkway services, extended to Swindon via a new station at Wantage & Gove.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Slough - Reading - Reading West - Theale - Thatcham - Newbury - Knitbury - Hungerford - Bedwyn - Pewsey - Devizes Gateway - Westbury. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
The current London Paddington to Newbury service, combined with the Newbury to Bedwyn service and extended to Westbury. It would be handy to extend electrification to Westbury as it would allow BEMU's on the other services via Westbury to recharge whilst in the area.

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but stopped at Southampton Central, as better connections can be provided from there, with an EMU express service from Southampton to Portsmouth.

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Highbridge & Burnham - Bridgwater - Taunton - Wellington - Tiverton Parkway - Cullompton - Exeter St David's. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but with a more clockface timetable than currently, with stops removed to speed up the service, and local stops moved onto stopping services.

Worcester Foregate Street - Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Cheltenham Spa - Cam & Dursley - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
The current service between Worcester and Bristol but with stops removed to make this service semi-fast, intermediate stops moved to other services, also providing a 2nd semi-fast service between Bristol and Southampton, to connect with a new fast service to/from Brighton.

Birmingham Moor Street - Kings Norton - Bromsgrove - Droitwich Spa - Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester. 1tph, WMR, 2 Car Class 172/196.
The proposed new service from Birmingham Moor Street via the new chords but routed to Gloucester.

Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway - Stratford-upon-Avon - Honeybourne - Cheltenham Racecourse - Cheltenham Spa - Cam & Dursley - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Highbridge & Burnham - Bridgwater - Taunton - Wellington - Tiverton Parkway - Cullompton - Exeter St David's. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.

Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome - Bruton - Castle Cary - Yeovil Pen Mill - Thornford - Yetminster - Chetnole - Maiden Newton - Dorchester West - Upwey - Weymouth. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
The current service, but speeded up with local calls in and around Bristol and Bath removed and frequency improved to finally provide an hourly service.

Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Chippenham - Swindon - Wantage & Gove - Oxford. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
As the "new" service to be "re"introduced soon but extend electrification from Chippenham down to Bristol Temple Meads and from Didcot Parkway to Oxford so EMU's can be used.

Stopping/Metro Services

Cardiff Central - Cardiff East - Cardiff Parkway - Newport West - Newport - Somerton - Llanwern - Magor & Undy - Severn Tunnel Junction - Pilning - Patchway - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads. 2tph, Transport for Wales, 3 Car Class 197.
This would take over stops at Pilning (Have a further idea for how this would be served) and Patchway to allow speeded up GWR services from Cardiff to Bristol (See Below)

Cardiff Central - Cardiff East - Cardiff Parkway - Newport West - Newport - Somerton - Llanwern - Magor & Undy - Severn Tunnel Junction - Caldicot - Chepstow - Lydney - Westbury-on-Severn - Gloucester - Cheltenham Spa. 2tph, Transport for Wales, 2 Car Class 197.
The current service, increased to 2tph as planned.

Gloucester - Cam & Dursley - Charfield - Yate - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads. 2tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
Effectively a metro service between Bristol and Gloucester. There isn't a need for additional services between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. With other planned services, and changes can be made at Bristol Parkway or Cheltenham Spa.

Weston-super-Mare - Weston Milton - Worle - Yatton - Nailsea & Backwell - Long Ashton - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - Lawrence Hill - Stapleton Road - Montpelier - Redland - Clifton Down - Sea Mills - Shirehampton - Portway Park & Ride - Avonmouth Extension hrly St Andrews Road - Severn Beach. 2tph, GWR, 3 Car Class XXX.
The current service between Weston-super-Mare and Avonmouth, with the Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach service extended to Weston-super-Mare.

Portishead - Portbury - Pill - Ashton Gate - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - Lawrence Hill - Stapleton Road - Ashley Down - Lockleaze - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Brabazon - Henbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
The current Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood service, as it is proposed to extend it to Henbury and Portishead respectively once the stations are opened.

Portishead - Portbury - Pill - Ashton Gate - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - St Annes Park - Keynsham - Saltford - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Corsham - Chippenham - Royal Wotton Bassett - Swindon. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A second train per hour to/from Portishead to Swindon, via a new station at Corsham.

Severn Beach - Henbury - Bristol Brabazon - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads - St Annes Park - Keynsham - Saltford - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Freshford - Avoncliff - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A new service from Severn Beach via the Henbury loop, Bristol Temple Meads and onwards to Westbury, to provide better links to the new arena.

Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome - Bruton - Castle Cary - Somerton - Taunton. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
The proposed Goop! service, that would give Somerton a service and a good Trans Wilts service.

Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Dilton Marsh - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A more frequent TransWilts service.

I’m not quite sure why you’re boosting direct services from Bristol to Weymouth yet chopping off direct services between Bristol and Portsmouth which is a far bigger flow and a core part of South Coast via Salisbury and Westbury to the South West.

Commercially makes absolutely no sense. Portsmouth is the 6th biggest local authority area in the South East with a population of over 200k, Weymouth on the other hand has a population of about 50k.

 

[freetoview33]

I’m not quite sure why you’re boosting direct services from Bristol to Weymouth yet chopping off direct services between Bristol and Portsmouth which is a far bigger flow and a core part of South Coast via Salisbury and Westbury to the South West.

Commercially makes absolutely no sense. Portsmouth is the 6th biggest local authority area in the South East with a population of over 200k, Weymouth on the other hand has a population of about 50k.

Because the route from Castle Cary down to Weymouth is largely self contained.
The route from Southampton to Portsmouth is over a very busy section of line and often results in delays, which can go over the whole route.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2026 ==

I will not do the full quote.

The Intercity to South Wales does not work. Assuming you want Carmarthen via the Swansea District Line then you cannot serve Neath. It would have to be Port Talbot then Lanelli. If you are planning to use Landore then it seems daft not to just go into Swansea as the biggest city in the region.

1tph from Swansea to London is probably enough.

I still think you should look at an EMU Cardiff to London train then use the saved IETs to make sure that there are alway 9/10 cars on all Swansea and Bristol services.

It's basically the Lumo service but improved.

 

[zwk500]

Because the route from Castle Cary down to Weymouth is largely self contained.
The route from Southampton to Portsmouth is over a very busy section of line and often results in delays, which can go over the whole route.

And yet you propose a Bristol & Cardiff Split/join service at Bristol Parkway, so minimising delays is obviously not a key consideration.

FWIW I haven't gone through the whole quote, but London - Cardiff and London-Bristol need to be served by 9/10 Car IETs independently. Those flows are busy.
West Wales trains not serving Swansea is ridiculous, it's by far the biggest town in the region so people from Carmarthen and Llanelli want to travel there.
Hereford via Gloucester is also quite silly, the Marches line is very busy and going via Gloucester is probably not much more indirect than the current route via Oxford.
Stratford to Exeter not via Birmingham is a bizarre route choice.

And your metro service still hasn't got the concept of Simple, high-frequency routes, and Henbury-Bristol Temple Meads only gets 1tph, when WECA have talked about going beyond 2tph!

 

[Topological]

It's basically the Lumo service but improved.

Lumo are only not serving Swansea because of revenue abstraction. They would absolutely serve Swansea if they could. Lumo are also not planning to use full length trains every hour. Then there is the fact that Lumo are only going to Carmarthen becuase they have to go somewhere. Cardiff is the big demand generator and I am sure Lumo are not expecting full trains West of Cardiff.

You are therefore asking for not only double the passengers, but double the passengers in many more hours. You are also looking for massive increases in demand on the quietest part of the route.

The railways need to at least make some attempt at spending money sensibly. IF you are putting a further path West then it is much better allocated to one of the Cardiff terminating 5-car trains than another full length London train. That is, a service that comes from Bristol.

 

[freetoview33]

And yet you propose a Bristol & Cardiff Split/join service at Bristol Parkway, so minimising delays is obviously not a key consideration.

FWIW I haven't gone through the whole quote, but London - Cardiff and London-Bristol need to be served by 9/10 Car IETs independently. Those flows are busy.
West Wales trains not serving Swansea is ridiculous, it's by far the biggest town in the region so people from Carmarthen and Llanelli want to travel there.
Hereford via Gloucester is also quite silly, the Marches line is very busy and going via Gloucester is probably not much more indirect than the current route via Oxford.
Stratford to Exeter not via Birmingham is a bizarre route choice.

And your metro service still hasn't got the concept of Simple, high-frequency routes, and Henbury-Bristol Temple Meads only gets 1tph, when WECA have talked about going beyond 2tph!

Henbury to Temple meads has 2tph if you re read my post!

 

[zwk500]

Henbury to Temple meads has 2tph if you re read my post!

Fair point, although it won't be half-hourly because it's fitting into a completely different pattern on the Severn Beach branch.

 

[The exile]

Fair point, although it won't be half-hourly because it's fitting into a completely different pattern on the Severn Beach branch.

Assuming the money was there, where would the double track sections have to be on the Beach Line to permit a clock face half-hourly service (and where would more have to go to permit clock face 4tph?)

 

[freetoview33]

Assuming the money was there, where would the double track sections have to be on the Beach Line to permit a clock face half-hourly service (and where would more have to go to permit clock face 4tph?)

Stapleton Road to Clifton Down is what is ideally needed.

 

[The exile]

Stapleton Road to Clifton Down is what is ideally needed.

Could it be done leaving the bit through Montpelier station and across the Arches single? I know I assumed the money would be there, but getting a two platform Montpelier station fully accessible will require a bumper harvest from the magic money tree. With a bit of cooperation from the City Council, access to a second platform at Redland should be relatively simple.

 

[freetoview33]

Could it be done leaving the bit through Montpelier station and across the arched single? I know I assumed the money would be there, but getting a two platform Montpelier station fully accessible will require a bumper harvest from the magic money tree. With a bit of cooperation from the City Council, access to a second platform at Redland should be relatively simple.

In fairness I'm sure a lift could be provided for a 2nd platform at Montpelier akin to what's going in at Lawrence Hill.

 

[The exile]

In fairness I'm sure a lift could be provided for a 2nd platform at Montpelier akin to what's going in at Lawrence Hill.

Unlike at Lawrence Hill, you'd need two and I'm certain that would then spark lots of debate about the access from Cromwell Road (for those who don't know the area it's down a long flight of steps between houses) which could throw several delaying spanners in the works. Not needing to do anything at the station avoids that can of worms.

 

[freetoview33]

Unlike at Lawrence Hill, you'd need two and I'm certain that would then spark lots of debate about the access from Cromwell Road (for those who don't know the area it's down a long flight of steps between houses) which could throw several delaying spanners in the works. Not needing to do anything at the station avoids that can of worms.

Techincally there is a Long ramp from station road to the footbridge so you could have a lift from oneside of the bridge down to a platform 2 and stairs the other side. Wouldn't be ideal but better than nothing.
Without a second platform there it is difficult to provide anything more reliable than currently on the line, as currently the slightist delay in 1 direction has a knock on impact.

 

[zwk500]

Assuming the money was there, where would the double track sections have to be on the Beach Line to permit a clock face half-hourly service (and where would more have to go to permit clock face 4tph?)

2tph to Avonmouth of which 1tph to Severn Beach + 1tph Severn Beach round to Henbury would likely need Redland-Clifton Down and Shirehampton-Avonmouth doubling along with the 3rd side of the triangle (note this curve has been talked about several times but is extremely unlikely to happen unless Severn Beach explodes 10-fold in size).

4tph would require double tracking of all sections that frequency operates at.

Spoiler: Pedantic Answer:

8 movements per hour requires a train to reoccupy the section every 7.5 mins, which even with the 1 minute depart from a stand means a transit time of the section of 6.5 mins at most. At that point, it'll be more cost effective to fully-double track between where the loops would need to be (as well as required for service recovery) than to provide so many junctions.

 

[The exile]

Techincally there is a Long ramp from station road to the footbridge so you could have a lift from oneside of the bridge down to a platform 2 and stairs the other side. Wouldn't be ideal but better than nothing.
Without a second platform there it is difficult to provide anything more reliable than currently on the line, as currently the slightist delay in 1 direction has a knock on impact.

Doubling of the junction with a short double track section as far as the tunnel, coupled with an extension of the existing loop as near as possible to the Arches would do a lot, though. I know doing the lot would have the advantage of removing two turnouts and associating signals. Anyway, I should imagine it's in the priority list somewhere behind HS5 and finding Lord Lucan....

 

[freetoview33]

2tph to Avonmouth of which 1tph to Severn Beach + 1tph Severn Beach round to Henbury would likely need Redland-Clifton Down and Shirehampton-Avonmouth doubling along with the 3rd side of the triangle (note this curve has been talked about several times but is extremely unlikely to happen unless Severn Beach explodes 10-fold in size).

There are currently the 2tph to Avonmouth and 1 to Severn Beach, to simply add in a Henbury to Severn Beach. All you need is that North curve, and the new proposed freight terminal there is likely to be enough to provide a good case for it. There wouldn't be a need to double anywhere else on the line. The reliability would still be the same as current.

 

[The exile]

There are currently the 2tph to Avonmouth and 1 to Severn Beach, to simply add in a Henbury to Severn Beach. All you need is that North curve, and the new proposed freight terminal there is likely to be enough to provide a good case for it. There wouldn't be a need to double anywhere else on the line. The reliability would still be the same as current.

You would to achieve an even half hourly service as the loops aren’t in the right place.

 

[zwk500]

There are currently the 2tph to Avonmouth and 1 to Severn Beach, to simply add in a Henbury to Severn Beach. All you need is that North curve, and the new proposed freight terminal there is likely to be enough to provide a good case for it. There wouldn't be a need to double anywhere else on the line. The reliability would still be the same as current.

The current reliability is nowhere near enough, especially not with the frequency proposed through Stapleton Road.

 

[Manutd1999]

The current reliability is nowhere near enough, especially not with the frequency proposed through Stapleton Road.

One of the reasons why it might be sensible to run the Avonmouth/Severn Beach services from the bay platform at Temple Meads, and not tie it together with the Portishead/Weston services.

 

[Smwrff]

Here is my idea, now this is contigent on plans on other parts of the network and some infrastructure improvements to enable it. It is more for the West of England Metro area than specifically Bristol.

Intercity London Services

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Chippenham - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Increased from every 2 hours to every hour, to give a regular nonstop service to/from Weston-super-Mare.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Didcot Parkway - Swindon - Chippenham - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Current service, as is, no changes.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Swindon - Bristol Parkway, Split 1 Bristol Temple Meads, Split 2 Newport - Cardiff Central. 2tph, GWR, 2 x 5 Car Class 800/802.
A reintroduction of the super fast services from London, but splitting at Bristol Parkway to save paths to/from London.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central - Bridgend - Port Talbot Parkway - Neath - Swansea. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
Current service, as is, no changes.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central - Bridgend - Port Talbot Parkway - Neath - Llanelli - Carmarthen. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
The current Cardiff terminating service but extended to Carmarthern, this is instead of the new Lumo service, this would better serve South Wales and give better links to/from West Wales.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Kemble - Chalfield - Stroud - Stonehouse - Gloucester - Rose-on-Wye - Hereford. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car Class 800/802.
The current service but after Gloucester instead of continuing to Cheltenham Spa, it would continue via the line through Ross-on-Wye to Hereford. (This is a proposed reopening)

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Swindon - Kemble - Chalfield - Stroud - Stonehouse - Cheltenham Spa. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car Class 800/802.
An additional service, giving stations along the Golden Valley line 2 services per hour, continuing to Cheltenham Spa.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Newbury - Westbury - Castle Cary (Every other train) - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Ivybridge (Every other train) - Plymouth, Extension 2hrly Liskerd - Bodmin Parkway - Par -Truro - St Erth - Penzance. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
The current service, with more reqular extensions to/from Penzance.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Reading - Newbury - Westbury - Frome (Every other train) - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Torre - Torquay - Paignton. 1tph, GWR, 9 Car Class 800/802.
A faster service than the current 2hrly Exeter service and extended to serve Torbay.

Other
Heathrow Express services would become part of the Elizabeth Line, to free up space on the fast lines for more intercity services as once Old Oak Common opens then it will reduce times to/from Heathrow.

Intercity CrossCountry Services

Manchester Piccadilly - Stockport - Macclesfield - Stoke-on-Trent - Stafford - Wolverhampton - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St David's, Extension 2hrly Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Torquay - Paignton. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current Manchester to Bristol service, extended to Exeter with 2 hourly extensions to Paignton, Paignton sees a lot of demand from Bristol. Also some higher capacity rolling stock for XC. (It has been proposed before to extend the service down to Exeter anyway)

Newcastle - Durham - Darlington - York - Doncaster - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Bristol Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton - Tiverton Parkway - Exeter St David's, Extension 2hrly Dawlish - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Ivybridge - Plymouth. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current service, but focusing on the core of the route, as customers can change at Exeter for services to all of the South West and higher capacity rolling stock too.

Nottingham - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Tamworth - Birmingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The current service, but sped up by removing stops, and new higher capacity rolling stock.

Leeds - Wakefield Westagte - Sheffield - Chesterfield - Derby - Burton-on-Trent - Brimingham New Street - Worcestershire Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Newport - Cardiff Parkway - Cardiff Central. 1tph, XC, 7 Car Class 8XX.
The proposed additional hourly service between Birmingham and Cardiff, with an additional hourly service between Leeds and Birmingham.

Semi-fast/Regional Services

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Slough - Maidenhead - Twyford - Reading - Tilehurst - Pangborune - Goring & Streatley - Chosley - Didcot Parkway - Wantage & Gove - Swindon. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
One of the current half hourly London Paddington to Didcot Parkway services, extended to Swindon via a new station at Wantage & Gove.

London Paddington - Old Oak Common - Slough - Reading - Reading West - Theale - Thatcham - Newbury - Knitbury - Hungerford - Bedwyn - Pewsey - Devizes Gateway - Westbury. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
The current London Paddington to Newbury service, combined with the Newbury to Bedwyn service and extended to Westbury. It would be handy to extend electrification to Westbury as it would allow BEMU's on the other services via Westbury to recharge whilst in the area.

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but stopped at Southampton Central, as better connections can be provided from there, with an EMU express service from Southampton to Portsmouth.

Cardiff Central - Cardiff Parkway - Newport - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Highbridge & Burnham - Bridgwater - Taunton - Wellington - Tiverton Parkway - Cullompton - Exeter St David's. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
As the current service but with a more clockface timetable than currently, with stops removed to speed up the service, and local stops moved onto stopping services.

Worcester Foregate Street - Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Cheltenham Spa - Cam & Dursley - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
The current service between Worcester and Bristol but with stops removed to make this service semi-fast, intermediate stops moved to other services, also providing a 2nd semi-fast service between Bristol and Southampton, to connect with a new fast service to/from Brighton.

Birmingham Moor Street - Kings Norton - Bromsgrove - Droitwich Spa - Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester. 1tph, WMR, 2 Car Class 172/196.
The proposed new service from Birmingham Moor Street via the new chords but routed to Gloucester.

Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway - Stratford-upon-Avon - Honeybourne - Cheltenham Racecourse - Cheltenham Spa - Cam & Dursley - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Highbridge & Burnham - Bridgwater - Taunton - Wellington - Tiverton Parkway - Cullompton - Exeter St David's. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.

Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome - Bruton - Castle Cary - Yeovil Pen Mill - Thornford - Yetminster - Chetnole - Maiden Newton - Dorchester West - Upwey - Weymouth. 1tph, GWR, 5 Car ClassXXX.
The current service, but speeded up with local calls in and around Bristol and Bath removed and frequency improved to finally provide an hourly service.

Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Chippenham - Swindon - Wantage & Gove - Oxford. 1tph, GWR, 4 Car Class 387.
As the "new" service to be "re"introduced soon but extend electrification from Chippenham down to Bristol Temple Meads and from Didcot Parkway to Oxford so EMU's can be used.

Stopping/Metro Services

Cardiff Central - Cardiff East - Cardiff Parkway - Newport West - Newport - Somerton - Llanwern - Magor & Undy - Severn Tunnel Junction - Pilning - Patchway - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads. 2tph, Transport for Wales, 3 Car Class 197.
This would take over stops at Pilning (Have a further idea for how this would be served) and Patchway to allow speeded up GWR services from Cardiff to Bristol (See Below)

Cardiff Central - Cardiff East - Cardiff Parkway - Newport West - Newport - Somerton - Llanwern - Magor & Undy - Severn Tunnel Junction - Caldicot - Chepstow - Lydney - Westbury-on-Severn - Gloucester - Cheltenham Spa. 2tph, Transport for Wales, 2 Car Class 197.
The current service, increased to 2tph as planned.

Gloucester - Cam & Dursley - Charfield - Yate - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads. 2tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
Effectively a metro service between Bristol and Gloucester. There isn't a need for additional services between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. With other planned services, and changes can be made at Bristol Parkway or Cheltenham Spa.

Weston-super-Mare - Weston Milton - Worle - Yatton - Nailsea & Backwell - Long Ashton - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - Lawrence Hill - Stapleton Road - Montpelier - Redland - Clifton Down - Sea Mills - Shirehampton - Portway Park & Ride - Avonmouth Extension hrly St Andrews Road - Severn Beach. 2tph, GWR, 3 Car Class XXX.
The current service between Weston-super-Mare and Avonmouth, with the Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach service extended to Weston-super-Mare.

Portishead - Portbury - Pill - Ashton Gate - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - Lawrence Hill - Stapleton Road - Ashley Down - Lockleaze - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Brabazon - Henbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
The current Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood service, as it is proposed to extend it to Henbury and Portishead respectively once the stations are opened.

Portishead - Portbury - Pill - Ashton Gate - Parson Street - Bedminster - Bristol Temple Meads - St Annes Park - Keynsham - Saltford - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Corsham - Chippenham - Royal Wotton Bassett - Swindon. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A second train per hour to/from Portishead to Swindon, via a new station at Corsham.

Severn Beach - Henbury - Bristol Brabazon - Filton Abbey Wood - Lockleaze - Ashley Down - Stapleton Road - Lawrence Hill - Bristol Temple Meads - St Annes Park - Keynsham - Saltford - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Freshford - Avoncliff - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A new service from Severn Beach via the Henbury loop, Bristol Temple Meads and onwards to Westbury, to provide better links to the new arena.

Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Frome - Bruton - Castle Cary - Somerton - Taunton. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
The proposed Goop! service, that would give Somerton a service and a good Trans Wilts service.

Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - Dilton Marsh - Warminster - Wilton Parkway - Salisbury. 1tph, GWR, 3 Car ClassXXX.
A more frequent TransWilts service.

Just wearing my pedant hat, when you are referring to the 'existing' services to Cardiff Central, the stations at Cardiff East, Cardiff Parkway, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor dont currently exist. But they are coming....

 

[HamworthyGoods]

One of the reasons why it might be sensible to run the Avonmouth/Severn Beach services from the bay platform at Temple Meads, and not tie it together with the Portishead/Weston services.

Except there’s a considerable amount of cross Bristol traffic on the existing Weston to Severn Beach service.