Rail line development to go-ahead

Options being considered include a Sunday service to Clifton Down

Plans to improve the Severn Beach line have been given the go-ahead by First Great Western and the Severnside Community Rail Partnership.

The Severn Beach Line development plan underlines the importance of the service as a vital and growing part of the local community is underlined.

The aim is to identify and fund practical and quickly-achievable ways of upgrading the quality of service.

The overall objective is to deliver a faster, safer, more reliable service.

The immediate focus will be on the effects for the community that can be achieved from Bristol City Council's investment in the line, together with the benefits from the £200m that First Great Western is investing in its rail operations.

Station adoption

The line is also due to have 'Community Rail' status from the Department for Transport, which makes it easier for local communities to have a say in their branch line.

Prospective improvements at stations include CCTV, Help Points, public address systems, enhancements to station buildings, disabled ramps, new shelters, and better lighting.

The fares structure will be simplified into zones from May 2007 with the next stage being self-service ticket machines at all stations.

Train services will be more frequent and options for introducing a Sunday service to Clifton Down are being considered.

The line will be better integrated into the local transport infrastructure with linked bus connections, improved parking and inclusion in the proposed Greater Bristol travel card scheme.

Community involvement, including station adoption and links with local schools will also be high on the list of themes.

First Great Western and the Severnside Community Rail Partnership are working with members of the Severn Beach Line Working group whose members include: Bristol City Council, Bristol East Side Traders, Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways, Network Rail, South Gloucestershire Council, Sustrans and the West of England Partnership.