Transport secretary Chris Grayling visited Bristol yesterday (June 27) to discuss plans to transform the region’s railways that include more frequent services, new stations and better connections across the West of England.
Mr Grayling met with West of England Mayor Tim Bowles and Mark Langman, Network Rail ’s managing director of Wales and Western, to discuss the Bristol East Junction project, which aims to improve capacity and performance on the rail network in and out of Bristol Temple Meads.
The scheme is part of the MetroWest plan to improve rail services across the region.
Under the plans, there would be half-hourly services on the Severn Beach to Bath Spa and Westbury lines, half-hourly services to Yate and beyond to Gloucester, and hourly services on the reopened Henbury line.
There are also proposals to open new train stations in Portishead, Henbury, Portway, North Filton, Ashley Down and Charfield.
The Department for Transport is working with Network Rail to assess the business case for Bristol East Junction and to unlock the funding request to deliver the scheme.
If the funding is agreed, the works are anticipated to start in 2020 with construction taking place in 2021.
Mr Grayling, said: “The upgrade to Bristol East Junction is a vital part of the MetroWest programme to build a proper commuter rail network for Bristol. I hope it will make a real difference to congestion in the city as more commuters get the train in future.”
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Bristol East Junction would also include four trains an hour between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, cross country services to the Midlands, North and South West, regional services to South Wales, the south coast and South West and freight services.
Mr Langman said: “The Transport Secretary’s support for the scheme gives a fantastic boost to the long-term vision for Bristol’s railway and will transform rail travel for passengers across the region.”
If the MetroWest scheme goes ahead, it is estimated it could add 1.6million passenger journeys a year and could bring more than 50,000 people within the immediate catchment of the rail network.
Mr Bowles, said: “I want the West of England to have the rail network it deserves to help reduce congestion, improve air quality and keep people moving. This is a really positive step in the right direction to deliver a transport network fit for the future."
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees added: "This support for Bristol's rail network is welcome and fits with our ambitious vision for a better-connected Bristol based on a sustainable and inclusive economy.
"The new junction will enable additional rail capacity, making it a genuine alternative for more people to choose public transport to travel around the city. With our MetroWest and mass transit plans advancing, this is just the start of new junctions, stations and lines for Bristol making train travel more accessible for all.”