Increasing capacity on the Severn Beach line?

[jazzy]

During a rammed morning peak journey on the Severn Beach line towards Bristol Temple Meads I wondered whether there are any plans to increase capacity? Can the line actually support a higher frequency service (currently a train every 40 minutes or so) or longer trains (currently three carriages) without modification?

Thanks

 

[JN114]

Not really - current main constraint is single line sections, these limit the frequency of the service.

Longer trains may help, but the recent introduction of Turbos to the route offered a decent capacity uplift which was just filled immediately. You’d need a huge step change in rolling stock, and that wouldn’t be deliverable on current infrastructure.

 

[VT 390]

If the stock was available is it not possible to have an half hourly service from Bristol to Avonmouth using the passing loop at Clifton Down?

 

[Lucan]

Slightly OT, but is there any progress with building the halt at the Portway Parkway?

 

[Meerkat]

What is the usage pattern on the Seven Beach branch?
As an outsider it looks a long way round to Temple Meads, which is then not particularly near much of the city centre (though admittedly there is a lot of development in the station area now).
Do a lot of people get off at Clifton Down and walk/bus it down the hill? ie would a shuttle just to Clifton Down be useful?