Improved Service on Severn Beach Line

[Mojo]

We did it!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6302003.stm

Bristol City Council has decided to reinstate the subsidy for the Severn Beach Line after axing it one year ago.

The money will be spent providing a more regular train service between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

The council voted to scrap the subsidy in 2006 after First Great Western (FGW) won the contract and agreed to continue to run an hourly service.

Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR) petitioned the council for a service running every 30 or 40 minutes.

FOSBR members sent 561 postcards to the council in response to a budget consultation.

Cut congestion

The Liberal Democrat-run council will allocate the money for an extra train for a trial period from December 2007 until March 2010.

They will spend £140,000 "for the first quarter" between winter 2007 and spring 2008 and an additional £450,000 has been allocated until the end of the three-year trial.

FOSBR campaigner Julie Boston said: "We're delighted by the decision. It shows the Lib Dems are listening to local people and that they want to use the local rail network to cut congestion.

"Running the more frequent service for a two to three-year trial period is a great idea - it will provide enough time to increase passenger numbers and show the potential of the line."

Council leader Barbara Janke said the money to pay for the extra train has come from a successful crackdown on fraudulent claims for 'lone household' discounts on council tax bills.

All those hours of campaigning and speaking in front of councillors have paid off. It's a start to reducing the worst traffic congestion of any of the English core cities.

We heard the news at a Council meeting lastnight - after thinking so many times the Lib-Dems weren't going to support us, a last-minute amendment was pushed forward, and the councillors were very pleased they're able to make a difference, even promising champagne!

566 responses to the budget consultation were recieved... 561 called for the improved service.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Well what did the other 5 say and who were they from?

 

[Mojo]

No idea, presumably so unimportant they haven't affected the budget in any way.

 

[Jim]

Not trying to be funny in any way, but the 3 year trial will lead to total agony for FGW, when they find that it could be un-called for, just as Wessex did with the Melksham service, it was not exactly succesfull, so they got rid of it, after it's trial period had ended (which was December) & look at the fuss it has kicked off, I am not saying there will be a reapet, as I think 30 mins on Severn beech is called for at some parts of the day & good luck to FOBSR to see wether they can try & keep it like that, after the 3 years, because I think it will be feasable to stay

 

[Mojo]

It's up to the council to provide subsidy if they want to see the service continue, although hopefully passenger numbers will continue to grow (the 34% increase in the last year shows how much people want to use the trains), and possibly in the future some of the double track may be reinstated to provide an even better service.

Community groups are actively involved with the line's promotion. FoSBR gives out timetables and distributes them to local homes/shops/etc., many community groups are involved with looking after stations (eg: The Redland Society paints over graffiti every Sunday at Redland stn) - First also want to venture in to On-station ticketing, which would require CCTV - and the plan of simplified fares and the sale of Carnet style tickets, which Wessex were going to introduce before they got abolished may also see a comeback.

FoSBR press release

The ruling Lib Dem Council Cabinet has amended its recommended budget in response to a campaign by Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR) for a more frequent service on the Severn Beach line.

The Lib Dems have decided to allocate money for an extra train to provide a more frequent service for a trial period from December 2007 until March 2010.

FOSBR campaigner Julie Boston said 'We're delighted by the decision. It shows the Lib Dems are listening to local people, and that they want to use the local rail network to cut congestion. Running the more frequent service for a 2-3 year trial period is a great idea – it will provide enough time to increase passenger numbers and show the potential of the line.'

The decision was driven by public pressure and cross-party consensus in favour of investment. 561 yellow FOSBR postcards were sent in response to the Council's budget consultation (the total number of responses was 566). Strong support for the campaign came from Labour, the Conservatives and the Greens. All of these parties were considering a budget amendment to pay for the extra train.

FOSBR campaigned for an extra train to increase frequency from Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth to every 30-40 minutes (the service is currently hourly to every 90 minutes). The Lib Dem Cabinet have decided to allocate £140,000 to support improved services "for the first quarter of operation between Winter 2007 and Spring 2008" (change to the timetable will come in December 2007). An addition of £450,000 has been allocated in the Medium Term Finacial Plan for 2008/9 and 2009/10. It was described as a "three year trial" of an improved, more frequent service.

Substantial funds give the Council a clear mandate in discussions with First Great Western, and also send a message to the government and the surrounding authorities that rail services need investment. Julie Boston said 'We hope this will make central government sit up and take notice. Bristol has decided to use its local rail infrastructure – we'll need central government investment to build on that victory.'

Council Leader Barbara Janke said, "It is critical that local authorities and their council tax payers are not seen as a soft touch who will provide a blank cheque to private companies such as rail and bus companies. We are not here to put money into the pockets of rail company shareholders and have a duty to ensure best value for the people of Bristol".

 

[theblackwatch]

Pleased to hear your campaign was successful, well done! You've just got to hope FGW can find a serviceable unit now!

 

[devon_metro]

Lets hope nowhere else has to suffer...

They are already stretched!

I would really like to see a peak hour loco hauled set, say 6 Mk2s. Luxury

 

[Mojo]

They shouldn't, as part of the subsidy includes a £300,000 leasing cost.

 

[Dennis]

.....eg: The Redland Society paints over graffiti every Sunday at Redland stn....

Nice place then...I always thought that was the 'posh' part of Bristol.

 

[Craig]

Nice place then...I always thought that was the 'posh' part of Bristol.

Maybe it's posh graffiti?

 

[ChrisM]

This is great news, so well done to all involved.
Does this mean the end of the minibus from Avonmouth to Severn Beach ?

 

[Mojo]

No, past Avonmouth is the responsibility of South Gloucestershire Council, and the line past Avonmouth isn't used nearly as much as the rest of it. A service all the way to Severn Beach would mean frequencies little better than at present due to longer journey times also.

It is hoped that South Glos will be able to provide more funding for a more frequent bus to connect with the improved frequency of trains (this would not require additional buses). However, if Greater Bristol had a PTE or similar, some joined-up thinking may take place. In My Opinion, a better long-term investment would be to provide a car park at Pilning, and stop at least an hourly train there (from the Cardiff - Bristol TM - Onwards service). Pilning is about a 5 min drive from Severn Beach station - as well as being less than 10 mins from the M48? junction.

Maybe it's posh graffiti

Lol, I've "adopted" Redland station & it does seem (normally) lots cleaner than the rest - Clifton Down is famous for the teddy bear's body on the tracks, with the head a little further down. And Montpelier = Ghetto.