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User:Mattbuck/Severn Beach Line

Coordinates: 51°29′05″N 2°40′23″W / 51.4848°N 2.6731°W / 51.4848; -2.6731
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Severn Beach Line
File:Sea Mills 150233 2.jpg
First Great Western 150233 crosses the River Trym just outside Sea Mills on its way to Avonmouth.
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleBristol, South Gloucestershire
Termini
Stations11 (plus 6 disused)
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemNational Rail
Operator(s)First Great Western
Depot(s)St Philips Marsh T&RSMD
Rolling stockClass 143 "Pacer"
Class 150 "Sprinter"
Class 153 "Super Sprinter"
Class 158 "Express Sprinter"
History
Opened1863 (Bristol Port Railway and Pier)
1875 (Narroways Hill Junction to Clifton Down)
1877 (Clifton Down Tunnel)
1900 (Avonmouth to Pilning)
Technical
Track gauge1435
Severn Beach line
Legend
mi-ch
from Bristol Temple Meads
South Wales Main Line
16-03
*9-40
 Pilning
15-10
 Cross Hands Halt
New Passage Pier
14-55
New Passage Halt
(Severn Ferry)
South Wales Main Line
through Severn Tunnel
M49 motorway
across former line
13-54
 Severn Beach
11-05
Henbury Loop
to Avonmouth Docks
10-06
†12-04
 St Andrews Road
Avonmouth Dock sidings
9-01
 Avonmouth
M5 motorway
8-07
 Portway Park & Ride
7-50
 Shirehampton
River Trym
6-00
 Sea Mills
5-59
Bristol Port Railway and Pier
Clifton Down Tunnel (
1751 yd
1601 m
)
3-72
 Clifton Down
3-25
 Redland
Redland Viaduct
2-68
 Montpelier
Montpelier Tunnel (
288 yd
263 m
)
2-35
Cross Country Route
Bristol and Gloucester Railway
2-03
 Narroways Hill Junction
M32 motorway
Stapleton Road Viaduct
1-61
 Stapleton Road goods branch
1-50
 Stapleton Road
Bristol and Gloucester Railway
1-22
Avonside Branch
1-04
 Lawrence Hill
0-31
Great Western Main Line
0-00
 Bristol Temple Meads
Bristol–Exeter line

* via Patchway † via Henbury

The Severn Beach Line is a local railway line in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, England. It runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, and used to extend to Pilning. The first sections of the line were opened in 1863 as part of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, the section through Bristol was opened in 1875 as the Clifton Extension Railway. The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places. In recent years however it has experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with a 90% increase in the years 2007-11. All services along the line are operated by First Great Western, mainly one train in each direction between Avonmouth and Temple Meads every 40 minutes, calling at all stations, with one train every two hours extended to Severn Beach. The line carries little freight traffic, with most of the heavy freight traffic to Avonmouth Docks being routed via the Henbury Loop Line through Filton. The line has been highlighted by Thomas Cook as one of the scenic lines of Europe.

Route

The line has been listed among Thomas Cook's most favoured attractions.[1]

Services

Services along the line are all operated by First Great Western, mainly using diesel Class 150 Sprinter units, occasionally supplemented by Class 153 Super Sprinter and Class 158 Express Sprinter units.[2][3] Until 2012, Class 143 Pacer units were a regular sight, but these have mostly been moved south to work in Devon and Cornwall following a cascade of Class 150/1 units from London Midland and London Overground.[3][4] Monday to Friday, three trains every two hours run from Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth, with one extended to St Andrew's Road and Severn Beach, giving a service at Clifton Down of one train in each direction every 40 minutes. Most services start at Bristol, but one evening service to Avonmouth begins at Weston-super-Mare.[5][6] On Saturdays there is a similar level of service, but more trains continue to Severn Beach. Sunday sees a roughly hourly service to and from Bristol, with only two services extending to Severn Beach, except during the May–September timetable period, when all services are extended. The first and last Sunday trains towards Bristol are extended to Taunton via Weston-super-Mare, and there are similar workings in the other direction.[5][6]

Clifton Down is the line's main passing point, so trains to Avonmouth usually arrive at the same time as trains to Bristol Temple Meads. Most trains trains call at all stations, but some services omit Lawrence Hill. St Andrew's Road is a request stop. The typical journey time from Temple Meads to Avonmouth is 28 minutes, and 37 minutes to Severn Beach.[6] The line has a zonal fare system, the first zone from Temple Meads to Clifton Down, the second from Clifton Down to Severn Beach. In 2012, the single fare within a zone was £1.50 and a return £2.00; a whole line ticket cost £2 single and £3 return.[3]

History

The Bristol Port Railway and Pier

Main article: Bristol Port Railway and Pier

Clifton Extension Railway

Main article: Clifton Extension Railway

British Rail

When the railways were nationalised in 1948, services along the Severn Beach Line came under the aegis of the Western Region of British Railways.[7] Passenger numbers however dropped sharply in 1961 as the result of a fare increase, and so in 1962 a new reduced timetable was enacted, which lost more passengers, and saw the withdrawal of a special schoolchildren's service.[8] A year later in 1963, the Beeching report suggested that all services along the line be withdrawn. Following meetings with staff, it was decided to keep the line open to Severn Beach, but to close the section to Pilning, and also end services via Henbury.[7] These services duly ended, but the line was still threatened, and on 10 February 1967, when it was announced that all services between Stapleton Road and Severn Beach would be discontinued. An enquiry followed, and in June that year the decision was reversed, on the condition that tickets be issued on the trains. Thus, on 17 July 1967, all stations along the line, other than Temple Meads, had their staff withdrawn.[9][7] The decrease of costs allowed a reduction of ticket prices, but the line was still under threat until in June 1969 it was decided that the line's closure would result in significant hardship, and so a grant was allocated to ensure continued services.[7] Most of the line was reduced to single track in late 1970, leaving Clifton Down as one of the few passing places.[9]

British Rail was split into business-led sectors in the 1980s, at which time operations at Clifton Down passed to Regional Railways. At this time, all trains ran to Severn Beach, but the service pattern was irregular.[3] The state of the line was brought up in Parliament in 1990 by MP for Bristol North West Michael Stern, who asked why British Rail was not willing to publicise the line and protect the frequency of services. Cecil Parkinson MP, then-Secretary of State for Transport, replied that the line was using "out-of-date, worn-out rolling stock" due to late deliveries from manufacturers, and that British Rail would not encourage people to use it until there was a better service.[10] In 1995, an hourly timetable was introduced for peak times, but services terminated at Avonmouth so that a single Sprinter unit could work the service. There was a better service on Saturdays as more rolling stock was available,[8] but there was no Sunday service.[11] Talk arose again of the line being closed completely.[11] Local tourism expert Bernard Lane described the line's state as

... the line the railway wished was not there. It was the line that got bus substitution whenever they were short of trains or queues, when a rugby match in Cardiff needed a special. It has a problem in that the route is slow and not very direct; for years it was invisible, short of marketing and lacking a regular interval timetable.[3]

Post-privatisation

When the railway was privatised in 1997, local services were franchised to Wales and West,[12] which was succeeded by Wessex Trains, an arm of National Express, in 2001.[13] Following action by Friends of Severn Beach Railway (FOSBR) and a string of protests, services had increased to 10 per day in each direction by 2005,[9] with Bristol City Council paying a subsidy of £138,000 per annum to fund services.[14] A new subsidy agreement had been reached in 2003, following a threat that the end of subsidy would see services along the line halved.[15] However, even with the subsidy, the line still suffered to keep the rest of the network running. Mike Holmes, station manager for most of the line's stations, told the Bristol Evening Post that

Before we put real effort into the Severn Beach line it was really the sacrificial lamb for other services. So if we needed a spare train, we would pull one off the line and cancel it, which was why punctuality and reliability was so poor. After the public campaign in 2006 we decided that we didn't want to take that to carry on any more.[16]

Protesters would chant "The Severn Beach is a mighty fine line; Clean and friendly and sometimes on time."[1]

The Wessex franchise was amalgamated with the Great Western franchise into the Greater Western franchise from 2006, and responsibility passed to First Great Western, a subsidiary company of First Group,[17][18][19] with a 1-hour minimum service requirement written into the new franchise agreement.[11] In 2007, the council agreed to subsidise a service of at least one train every 45mins in each direction along the line,[20] unanimously agreeing to pay £450,000 per annum to fund extra services from May 2008 for three years, which resulted in a 60% increase in passenger numbers along the line,[11][21] and a 25% year-on-year increase between June 2009 and June 2010.[22] Sunday services to Severn Beach were restored in 2010,[23] funded by South Gloucestershire Council.[24]

The council subsidy was halved in 2011 at the end of the three-year deal, with the council stating that with the large increase in passenger numbers, such a large subsidy was no longer necessary.[25] Local groups, including FOSBR and the Green Party claimed that services became less reliable following the cut, but First Great Western and the council stated that reliability problems were not due to the cut in subsidy, but instead due to breakdowns and track maintenance.[26] The council subsidies, for both increased services and Sunday services, are due to be replaced by national funding in 2015.[24]

The line was designated a community rail service in 2008.[27]

Future

Four bidders pre-qualified for the 2013– Greater Western passenger franchise: clockwise from top left, Deutsche Bahn, First Group, Stagecoach Group and National Express.

First Great Western declined an option to continue the Greater Western passenger franchise (of which services along the Severn Beach Line are a part) beyond 2013, citing a desire for a longer-term contract due to the impending upgrade to the Great Western Main Line.[19] The franchise was put out to tender, and it was announced in March 2012 that Deutsche Bahn, First Group, National Express and Stagecoach had pre-qualified. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013;[28] however, it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended due to the late issue of the Invitation to Tender (ITT).[29] The ITT was eventually released at the end of July, and will run until October 2012. The winner is due to be announced in March 2013, and take over on 21 July 2013. The franchise is due to end in July 2028.[24] The ITT also states that the funding for increased frequency and Sunday services to Severn Beach is due to move from local to national sources in 2015.[24]

With the coming upgrade to the Great Western Main Line, the main line from London to Bristol is due to be electrified by 2016.[30] However, the electrification will not extend beyond the main lines, so the Severn Beach Line will continue to be served by diesel trains.[31] Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West, questioned whether electrification could continue to Clifton Down. Then-Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond replied that it would have to be looked at in the future.[32] Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways supports the electrification of the entire Severn Beach Line.[33]

Improved services along the line are called for as part of the Greater Bristol Metro scheme, a rail transport plan which aims to enhance transport capacity in the Bristol area.[34][35] There is an aspiration for half-hourly services, however due to the large sections of single-track and the congested main line from Temple Meads, such frequency is not currently feasible.[36] The metro plan also calls for the reopening of the Henbury Loop Line, which could allow a service from Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway via the Severn Beach Line.[37] The metro scheme was given the go-ahead in July 2012 as part of the City Deal, whereby local councils would be given greater control over money by the government, however it is as yet unclear which elements will be implemented.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "BBC Inside Out - Bristol's Severn Beach Railway Line". BBC. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  2. ^ "First Great Western will add to service on successful Severn Bridge rail line". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e Salveson, Paul (June 2012). Abell, Paul (ed.). "Severn Beach: Not your typical branch line!". Today's Railways (126). Sheffield: Platform 5: 42–47.
  4. ^ Miles, Tony (December 2010). "LOROL Class 150s all with FGW". Modern Railways. London. p. 90.
  5. ^ a b "Timetable 29: Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach; 14 May to 8 December 2012" (PDF). First Great Western. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  6. ^ a b c "Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach" (PDF). First Great Western. May 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d Maggs, Colin (1975). The Bristol Port Railway and Pier. The Oakwood Press.
  8. ^ a b Maggs, Colin G (2008) [First published 1981]. Rail Centres: Bristol (#21) (3rd ed.). Nottingham: Booklaw Publications. pp. 41–42. ISBN 1-901945-30-8.
  9. ^ a b c Oakley, Mike (2006). Bristol Railway Stations 1840–2005. Redcliffe Press. ISBN 1-904537-54-5. {{cite book}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES - OFFICIAL REPORT IN THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTIETH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 178 SEVENTEENTH VOLUME OF SESSION 1989-90". Parliament of the United Kingdom. 22 October 1990. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d "Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways making rail difference". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  12. ^ Frith, Malcolm (November 1999). "Track record: West and South-West". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  13. ^ "Wales and West". Wales and West. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  14. ^ "Lobby to save Severn Beach line". BBC News. BBC. 27 February 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Suburban rail cash boost". BBC News. BBC. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  16. ^ "On board Bristol's subsidised train service". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  17. ^ "Wessex Trains". The Iron Road: Railway Photography by Scott Borthwick. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  18. ^ "FirstGroup wins rail franchises". BBC News. BBC. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  19. ^ a b "First Great Western bids for longer rail franchise deal". BBC News. BBC. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  20. ^ "Beach rail service to be revamped". BBC News. BBC. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  21. ^ "Campaigners' picnic marks rail launch". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  22. ^ "Campaigners call for quick railway action". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  23. ^ "Sunday service puts smiles on faces of rail enthusiasts". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  24. ^ a b c d "New Great Western franchise to deliver new express trains" (Press release). Department for Transport. 27 July 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  25. ^ "Bristol's Severn Beach rail line subsidy is halved". BBC News. BBC. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  26. ^ "Bristol's Severn Beach rail line 'less reliable'". BBC News. BBC. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  27. ^ "Community engagement in rail line". BBC News. BBC. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  28. ^ Haigh, Philip (18 April 2012). "First leads a field of seven bidding for rail franchises". RAIL magazine (694). Peterborough: Bauer Media: 8–9.
  29. ^ "Great Western franchise to be extended". Railnews. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  30. ^ "Modernising the Great Western" (PDF). Network Rail. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  31. ^ "Bristol to London line to be electrified". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  32. ^ "Benefits of Bristol to London high-speed rail link 'must go beyond just mainline'". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  33. ^ "FoSBR Newsletter" (PDF). Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways. Autumn 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  34. ^ White, James (13 March 2009). "Item 04: Greater Bristol Metro" (PDF). West of England Partnership. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  35. ^ "Campaign for trains from Bristol Temple Meads every half hour". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  36. ^ "Transport Minister hears calls for better Bristol train service". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  37. ^ "Our Case". Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  38. ^ Ribbeck, Michael (6 July 2012). "£100 million Bristol Metro train network by 2016". The Post, Bristol. Northcliffe Media. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
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51°29′05″N 2°40′23″W / 51.4848°N 2.6731°W / 51.4848; -2.6731

Category:Rail transport in Bristol Category:Transport in South Gloucestershire Category:Railway lines opened in 1865 Category:Railway lines in South West England Category:Standard gauge railways in England

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