A campaign led by the organisation of which I am vice chair last year persuaded Bristol City Council to stump up over £1.2 million over three and a half years for a second train to operate between Avonmouth & Temple Meads, which would provide a roughly 42 minute frequency.
Unfortunately, because of various reasons this change did not start all day from December, all we got was an improved morning service. We've just seen the timetable from May, which is avaliable on the National Rail site now. I can honestly say it is the most bizarre timetable I have ever seen.
Since then, an hourly Sunday service has been added, and instead of the 2 trains we were expecting, there seems to be three trains running, which seems odd, given that financial predictions we compiled with help from FGW were based on one extra train above the DfT's service level commitment. There will be more trains & less buses to Severn Beach, but less trains and a bus on Saturdays. Confused? That's just the start of it...
A 2 hour service runs during the day to Severn Beach, but, as at present most trains will terminate at Avonmouth. Example northbound train times leave Temple Meads at 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1804. The 03 departures do not call at Lawrence Hill.
The evening timetable is little improvement on present, despite the fact evening services at some times are better used than during the day. The last train leaves 30 min later than at present.
Cllr Mark Bradshaw said to our secretary on 29 Feb 08 that he will not sign the contract between FGW & BCC on the 3 year investment on an improved train service between BTM & Avonmouth unless he is certain that it will be money well spent. The timetable has already been sumbmitted to, and approved by Network Rail, though, like the December timetable, is always subject to last minute alteration.
It's better than the current hourly service, but it seems to be money badly spent having three trains and also running all the way to Severn Beach.
Unfortunately, because of various reasons this change did not start all day from December, all we got was an improved morning service. We've just seen the timetable from May, which is avaliable on the National Rail site now. I can honestly say it is the most bizarre timetable I have ever seen.
Since then, an hourly Sunday service has been added, and instead of the 2 trains we were expecting, there seems to be three trains running, which seems odd, given that financial predictions we compiled with help from FGW were based on one extra train above the DfT's service level commitment. There will be more trains & less buses to Severn Beach, but less trains and a bus on Saturdays. Confused? That's just the start of it...
A 2 hour service runs during the day to Severn Beach, but, as at present most trains will terminate at Avonmouth. Example northbound train times leave Temple Meads at 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1804. The 03 departures do not call at Lawrence Hill.
The evening timetable is little improvement on present, despite the fact evening services at some times are better used than during the day. The last train leaves 30 min later than at present.
Cllr Mark Bradshaw said to our secretary on 29 Feb 08 that he will not sign the contract between FGW & BCC on the 3 year investment on an improved train service between BTM & Avonmouth unless he is certain that it will be money well spent. The timetable has already been sumbmitted to, and approved by Network Rail, though, like the December timetable, is always subject to last minute alteration.
It's better than the current hourly service, but it seems to be money badly spent having three trains and also running all the way to Severn Beach.