The prospects for re-opening the Portishead to Bristol
rail line to passenger train services have taken a significant step
forward with the publication of a report by Network
Rail.
The option selection report, also known as a GRIP 3 report, is
the result of a year-long study by Network Rail working with North
Somerset Council on the engineering feasibility and estimated cost
of re-opening the line.
Our deputy leader, whose portfolio includes strategic planning
and transport, Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, said he was very encouraged by
the findings.
"Network Rail has examined all the options and associated
engineering implications very thoroughly and while the estimated
costs are higher than previously thought, the train journey times
are much better (quicker) than we had initially
estimated.
"The re-opening of the line would put an end to years of
commuting misery with a journey time into Bristol from Portishead
of around 17 minutes. This would represent a considerable
time saving for residents of Portishead and surrounding villages
who currently have limited travel choices into Bristol, with
traffic congestion on the A369 meaning that commuter journeys often
take an hour or more."
Passenger train services from Portishead to Bristol were cut in
the 1960s, although the line to Portbury Dock was re-opened in 2002
for freight trains only.
However this is mainly a single track line and, to accommodate
both freight and passenger trains in both directions of travel,
will require major capacity upgrade works and completion of the
line into Portishead town centre.
The GRIP 3 report takes account of the need to continue freight
train operations on the line, and sets out the engineering and
infrastructure requirements to operate a passenger train
service.
The base project option is to operate passenger trains every
half an hour at peak times and hourly off-peak, from Portishead
calling at Pill and terminating at Bristol Temple Meads.
This represents the minimum level of service that the project
would deliver. The report also indicates that there is
capacity to call at other stations along the branch line subject to
detailed business-case feasibility, although this would delay
journey times and could substantially increase costs. There
is also potential to operate services to destinations beyond Temple
Meads, subject to more detailed analysis with train- operating
companies.
The engineering requirements identified in the report
include:
- Upgrading works to the existing Portbury freight line to a line
speed of mainly 55 mph
- Reinstatement of Pill railway station
- Replacement of the dis-used track between Portbury Dock
Junction and Portishead
- A new road bridge at Quays Avenue (road over the
railway)
- A new station at Portishead in Harbour Road.
The estimated construction cost of the project is £38.9 million
in 2010/11 prices.
In addition to this are costs of preparing detailed funding
submissions, costs of preparing supporting information to secure
powers to build and operate the project and costs associated with
underwriting the operation of the train service for the first few
years of operation.
Cllr Ap Rees warned that although the GRIP 3 report is highly
encouraging and a major step forward, it is not a quick fix and he
is keen to now talk with government and in particular the
Department of Transport to speed up the various processes and
establish a funding package for the project.
"Taking account of the major project milestones in terms of
funding approval, further Network Rail processes and other approval
hurdles, at present the earliest construction could probably start
is late 2015, with passenger train services re-introduced in early
2017.
"While that may seem some time away and progressing the project
in the current climate of government budget restrictions is
certainly a challenge, five years is a typical lead time up to
beginning construction for projects of this scale. At least by this
time the UK’s budget position should have recovered, giving us a
greater chance of success," he added.
The Portishead Rail project forms part of the prioritised
programme of major transport schemes for the West of England
sub-region, set out in the draft Joint Local Transport Plan 3, put
together and agreed by the councils for Bath and North East
Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South
Gloucestershire. The final version of the plan comes into
effect on 1 April 2011 and covers a 15 year period to 2026.
For further information about the project and the Joint Local
Transport Plan visit
www.travelplus.org.uk
