Great Western Electrification: Unlocking future growth Spring 2017 - Avison Young
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Research
Spring
2017
Great Western
Electrification:
Unlocking future growth
08449 02 03 04
gva.co.uk
Setting the scene
235 miles of railway to be electrified
Over 100 million passengers a year are Future growth in the West of England
predicted to travel on Great Western services will also be delivered through local and
by 2019, according to Network Rail, in addition national infrastructure schemes that run
to road and bus commuting in the region. in parallel to the electrification of the GWML.
Investment in road, bus and rail networks is These include Crossrail, MetroWest, Bus Rapid
essential to accommodate these growing Transit schemes and proposed investment
numbers of commuters to unlock future in additional motorway junctions along the
economic growth in key areas along the M49 and M4.
Great Western route, ensuring our Core City
Our report focuses on four key locations
Region remains the only City outside of
in the West of England region: Bath, Bristol,
London to positively contribute to GDP.
Chippenham and Swindon, all of which
The electrification of the Great Western will benefit from electrification by having
Main Line (GWML) will deliver a significant a commuting distance of under 90 minutes
enhancement to the connectivity and capacity to London and enhanced interurban services.
of services in the West of England. The project We will examine how transport connectivity,
will bring new high-speed electric trains, a major local infrastructure projects, and investment in
redevelopment of Bristol Temple Meads and station upgrades (to accommodate capacity
Paddington Stations (to be known as Paddington and commuter flow) will play a critical role
Place), and modernisation of signals and in unlocking new economic growth and
stations along 235 miles of railway corridor. development hot spots in these areas.
“
Electrification will deliver a significant
enhancement to the connectivity
”
and capacity of services.
2 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
The journey
Figure 1: Electrification of the Great Western Main Line route and relationship with motorway corridor
Cirencester Primary rail
Secondary rail
Severn
Fast interurban links between English and Welsh Newport
Tunnel
Junction
Severn
Beach
Stroud
Rural rail
Future rail line
capital cities Bristol Wooton Kemble
Parkway Bassett Jcn
M4
M49
The upgraded GWML will run from London to the Severn Tunnel (for Wales). This key corridor Central
Avonmouth Swindon Didcot
Cardiff
Bristol improving line links between London and along an east to west route provides fast Chippenham Parkway M4
the South West and to Wales. Extending from this interurban links between the English and Welsh
are radial routes to Oxford, the Cotswolds, capital cities. The route diverges at Wootton Portishead Reading Rail
London
Birmingham and the South Coast. Bassett Junction, to the west of Swindon, Bristol Bath Spa Paddington
Temple
towards Chippenham and Bath, and also Meads
The core of the GWML is the high speed section
at Bristol Parkway towards Bristol Temple
from London Paddington through the Thames Weston
Meads (see figure 1). Super
Valley, Swindon and Bristol Parkway, and on to Mare
Source: Network Rail
Timeline of infrastructure and connectivity
The MetroWest Phase 1
Restoration of the Reading project to re-open the
roof at Paddington redevelopment Portishead rail line to
station begins Network Rail begins project completed Chippenham Station passenger train services Temple Meads Station
installing new signalling Hub redevelopment Electrification to redevelopment and Swindon Bus Rapid
technology to improve multi-level car park Bristol Temple Meads capacity enhancements Transit system
stations from the Severn and 450 additional underway. MetroWest completed
Tunnel through to Swansea parking spaces Phase 1 due to be
completed
2011 2013 2015 2016 2017/2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2026
M4 Junction 18A and
M49 Junction construction M4 ‘smart highway’
Work begins The Highways Agency’s £700m Arrival of Crossrail to commence Completion of MetroWest project to be
to modernise project to develop the M4 into services at Phase 2 to increase services completed
Reading station Improved Reading station a smart motorway between Paddington station Network Rail electrifies to Yate and new stations at
opens with new platforms junctions 3 (Heathrow Airport) South Wales railway to Henbury, Ashley Down and
and entrances and 12 (Theale) begins Bristol Parkway North Filton
4 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
Delayed benefits
Government committed to modernising GWML
Following the National Audit Office’s When the project has been delivered in full,
November 2016 report, which was highly electric trains are expected to improve reliability
critical of Network Rail’s management of the on some of the busiest routes as the trains
project, the Government announced that it require less maintenance, reducing carbon
was postponing electrification between Didcot emissions by 20-35% at the point of use
Parkway and Oxford; Bristol Parkway and Bristol and improving air quality in pollution hot
Temple Meads; Bath Spa and Bristol Temple spots such as city centres.
Meads; and the branches to Henley and
New in-cab signalling will likely improve train
Windsor. The postponed work is expected
performance by replacing traditional railway
to move into the 2019–2024 period, when
signals with a computer display inside every
Network Rail will have a new funding
train cab. Trains will also include a Railway
agreement with the Government.
Communications System (RCS) which will
The Government believes that it can bring provide secure communication between
improvements expected by passengers – drivers and signallers.
newer trains with more capacity – without
The Western Route Journey Time Improvement
electrification. Nevertheless, the Government
(JTI) Programme is reviewing opportunities to
remains committed to modernising the
reduce journey times either via a change in
GWML and ensuring these improvements
calling patterns, rolling stock and/or line speed
are achieved.
improvements. Network Rail has estimated that
Key benefits from the completed electrification the journey time between London Paddington
project will enhance reliability, performance and Bristol Temple Meads could see a
and capacity of services. Projects completed significant reduction of 22 minutes (from 105
successfully during 2016 include the digital to 83 minutes), while the time between London
upgrade of large sections of signalling to Paddington and Cardiff could be reduced by
improve reliability, the modification of over up to 17 minutes (from 121 minutes to 104).
100 bridges and structures, flood alleviation Increased regularity of services and station
work and improvements to the Severn Tunnel. improvements will also improve capacity
and reliability on the network.
Figure 2: Journey times along the Great Western Mainline
London Paddington to
Typical arrival time in 2016 (min)
Bristol Temple Meads 105 83 22’
Estimated arrival time in 2018 (min)
Journey reduction time (min)
Cardiff 121 104 17’
Bristol Parkway 81 71 10’
Bath Spa 87 79 8’
Source: Department for Transport
6 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
Station to station
Station improvements enhance connectivity
and capacity
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found that and Wales, which will help boost the Temple
the busiest station on the GWML in 2014/15 was Quarter Enterprise Zone as a destination for
Paddington with almost 36,000,000 estimated innovation, creativity and digital excellence.
entries and exits by commuters, followed by
The ORR data found that commuter flow in
16,339,602 commuters in Reading (see figure
Swindon and Chippenham stations increased
3). Both stations are undergoing improvements
by 5% and 4% respectively between 2013
to enhance passenger facilities and to prepare
and 2014. To improve station usage, the
for the electrification scheme and Crossrail.
London Paddington to Chippenham Station Hub project has been
Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads awarded funding via the Swindon and Wiltshire
stations both recorded a 6% rise in the number Local Enterprise Partnership to build a multi-level
Typical arriva
Bristol Temple
of commuters entering Meads 105 between
and exiting 83 on both the north and
car park 22’south sides of
Estimated ar
2013 and 2014. Bristol Temple Meads and the station with a link bridge over the railway to
surrounding sites fall within the Bristol Temple allow electrification of the line. The capacity ofJourney redu
Quarter Enterprise Zone, which is121
Cardiff planned to 104
the corridor between Swindon and Kemble 17’ has
undergo comprehensive redevelopment over been increased by redoubling the track, which
the next 25 years, including a new student means trains can now head simultaneously
population as Bristol
Bristol Parkway 81 £300
University invests 71and from Kemble10’
to in Gloucestershire into
million in a new campus at the former Sorting North Wiltshire.
Office site – the gateway into the city. Temple
Bath Spa 87 preparation, Station
79 usage in Bath Spa 8’ rose by 4% to
Meads Station upgrades are under
6,222,126 commuters between 2013 and
including a plan to expand the station area and
2014. Bath Spa station recently underwent
increase train services to cater for the growing
improvements to enhance station accessibility
rail demand in Bristol, where passenger numbers
for commuters and electrification could create
are expected to increase by 44% over the
many opportunities for Bath Quays, which sits
next ten years. The GWML provides Bristol with
within the Bath and North East Somerset
excellent connectivity to London, South West
Enterprise Area.
Figure 3: Station Usage
Station name Entries & Exits 2013-14 Entries & Exits 2014-15 % increase
Paddington 35,093,628 35,724,684 2%
Reading 15,673,400 16,339,602 4%
Bristol temple meads 9,522,840 10,099,526 6%
Bath Spa 5,990,274 6,222,126 4%
Chippenham 1,826,343 1,895,980 4%
Swindon 3,350,444 3,503,982 5%
Kemble 340,766 356,078 4%
Source: Office of Rail and Road
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Population growth and Figure 4: Population forecast over 10 years (000s)
commercial development 600
500
Enterprise zones stimulate jobs growth
Population (000s)
400
Efficient transport networks can serve to Investment in infrastructure will unlock
increase the density of a location by increasing employment in Enterprise Zones. It is estimated
the number of people who can access an area that for every £1 billion spent on infrastructure, 300
quickly and easily, expanding the prospective GDP is increased by £1.3 billion and housing
pool of talent for businesses in our sub-regional sites, in the right locations, can facilitate
economy. Our forecasts for our four chosen accelerated economic growth, according 200
locations show how much population growth to research conducted by Core Cities.
we expect to see between 2016 and 2026.
100
0
City of Bristol Swindon Bath & North East Somerset Chippenham
2016 2026
Source: Experian, Wiltshire Council
10 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
Figure 5: Enterprise Zones/Areas
Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area
Strategic industrial area with focus on storage &
distribution, energy & waste and general industrial.
Potential for 6,000–12,000 new jobs by 2026.
Filton Enterprise Area
Focus on aerospace, advanced
engineering and manufacturing. Potential
for 7,000–12,000 new jobs by 2026.
Emersons Green Enterprise Area
Focus on science, innovation, composites,
technology, creative and digital media.
Potential for 4,000–7,000 new jobs by 2026.
Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area
Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone Focus on creative industries engineering,
Focus on creative industries and software, technology and computing.
technology with the creation of Potential for 9,000 new jobs.
17,000 new jobs by 2036.
Source: GVA, West of England LEP
12 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
Bristol
Bristol is the largest city in the South West and The West of England LEP states that the Area
the 8th largest in England. With an estimated has the potential to create 12,000 jobs by 2026,
population of 448,000 people, Bristol is focused on the industries such as aerospace,
expected to reach a population of half advanced engineering and manufacturing.
a million by 2027, according to Experian. Once completed, frequent MetroBus services
The ONS’ Annual Population Survey revealed from the north fringe to the city centre will
that almost 81,000 people commute into connect more commuters to Filton in the
Bristol each day compared with 55,000 who future and help boost job growth in the
commute out of the city, whilst over 120,000 Enterprise Area.
people live and work in the city.
The Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area
Bristol City Council recently approved proposals provides a regionally important industrial and
to double the size of the Bristol Temple Quarter employment area with significant economic
Enterprise Zone by a further 70 hectares to potential to create a further 8,000 jobs. This
BRISTOL TEMPLE
contribute to funding redevelopment of Temple could be unlocked by a new junction on the
Meads Station. The current Enterprise Zone offers M49. Since the Government’s announcement
development potential for more than 2.0 m sq for the new junction in 2014, work has been
ft of new accommodation for commercial,
residential, retail and leisure uses and a target
to deliver 2,200 new homes.
underway to assess the proposed location of
the junction. An announcement is anticipated
in early 2017, with work commencing later
QUARTER EZ
2.6 m sq ft
in the year. Bristol Airport is also undergoing a
Key developments in the pipeline include
programme of new developments to increase
a new hotel development and conference
capacity for international visitors to the region.
centre; a 12,000 seat Arena, which benefits
The development includes expansion of the
RENTABLE
from planning permission and is set to start
passenger terminal, additional car parking
construction in 2017; Bristol University’s new
and a public transport interchange to
campus; and 350,000 sq ft mixed-use
enhance connections to and from the city.
commercial development at the former
SPACE
Guardian Royal Exchange site (now known
as Glassfields). The Zone also encompasses
three key business development hubs: Engine
Shed, Paintworks and Temple Studios.
Bristol City Council hopes the new ‘urban
quarter’ will create 17,000 jobs and regenerate
the area around Temple Meads Station.
In addition, a planning application has now
been submitted that could see the derelict
George and Railway site near to the station
redeveloped into a home for the expanded
Engine Shed Enterprise Hub (Engine Shed 2),
which is expected to accommodate
approximately 800 new jobs.
Filton Enterprise Area, five miles north of
Temple Meads, is one of a select group
of strategically important employment
locations across the West of England that
complements the Temple Quarter Enterprise
Zone. It is located on the north fringe of
Bristol and is in close proximity to the M4/M5
motorway. The Filton Area has 50 hectares of
greenfield employment land located within
the Cribbs/Patchway neighbourhood with
further capacity for development of around
another 50 hectares on surrounding sites.
14 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
Bath
Bath and North East Somerset has an estimated Shed, The Guild, BathSPARK, TechSPARK,
population of 184,000, which is expected to WebStart Bristol, Bristol Games Hub and Invest
rise to 193,000 by 2026, according to Experian. Bristol & Bath, providing start-ups in the area with
Commuter flow data from the ORR showed extensive industry specific support opportunities.
that over 29,000 people travel to Bath every Connectivity between the two cities is essential
day, compared with the 55,000 that commute to support the growing technology sector, which
daily from the city. Almost 44,000 people live will help stimulate job growth and property
and work in the city. Investment in connections investment to these locations in the future.
to and from the city is therefore critical to ensure
Bath’s Riverside Enterprise Area has been
a liveable city that can grow as a place to live
designated as a key zone for economic
or work.
growth by the West of England Local Enterprise
Bath & Bristol is the second largest digital Partnership. The £1bn Enterprise Area is made
technology cluster in the UK after London, with up of nine riverside development sites and
over 60,000 people employed in the industry. aims to create 9,000 jobs, 650,000 sq ft of
Firms such as Aardman, Oracle and IBM Sony workspace and 2,500 new homes. At the
have helped attract and develop talent, with heart of the Enterprise Area are the North
Tech Nation 2016 reporting that the cluster and South Quay projects. The Quays will be
recorded turnover of 53% between 2010 home to commercial, residential and retail
and 2014. developments, with Bath and North East
Somerset Council aiming to create up to
The cluster has a strong set of support networks
1,700 jobs by 2019.
available to digital entrepreneurs including
Bristol & Bath Science Park, SETsquared, Engine
16 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/research
Swindon and Chippenham
Wiltshire has a population of 680,000 Swindon and Wiltshire’s Growth Deal, which
with Swindon representing 32% of the total, includes redevelopment of Swindon’s town
according to the 2011 census. Wiltshire centre and rapid transit bus scheme, could
is expected to grow to 775,000 by 2026. create up to 3,000 jobs, build 2,000 homes
Over 50% of the population is located in and provide up to £80 million of public and
the north of the county, between Swindon private investment.
and Corsham, which is forecast to grow
In Chippenham, our final strategic station
to 395,000 by 2026.
hub, significant redevelopment of a key
Chippenham and Corsham are expected 48-acre employment park was given the
to reach a population of 50,000 and 24,000 green light by councillors in September 2016.
respectively by 2026 – which together will Alongside 400 residential units, 146,000 sq ft
comprise 10% of Wiltshire’s total population. of new employment space, a new hotel and
supermarket are planned to be built at Langley
More people commute out of Swindon
Park, together with a café, public open space
each year (25,000) than into the town (9,000),
and highway improvements.
according to the ORR. Almost 68,000 people
live and work in the same local authority. The existing units at the park, currently
occupied by tenants, including Siemens,
Comprehensive redevelopment of the
IXYS and Schneider, would be retained and
20 hectares Kimmerfields site, which is five
improved. It is estimated that the Langley Park
minutes’ walk from Swindon station is underway
development would support the creation of
after receiving outline planning permission in
470 jobs and boost Chippenham’s economy.
May 2012. This will bring forward 990,000 sq ft
of mixed use development of offices, retail In addition, round three of the Local Growth
and leisure floorspace. Further phases of the Deal includes an indicative award of a further
development will include the transformation £116.3 million funding from 2017 onwards.
of the bus interchange to ensure optimum The funding will support a package of road
connectivity to the town centre and the and transport infrastructure schemes and a
development of a new business district within new science park at Porton Down, creating
Swindon. This will provide further employment up to 1,500 jobs and generating around
opportunities within easy reach of the GWML. £70 million in public and private investment.
18 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/researchOther transport projects
set for delivery
Commuter flows set to increase
Journeys made to and within the Great Western Bristol’s passenger rail network by ten miles and MetroBus Beach and Easter Compton – crosses the
corridor have increased by 23 million – or 40% connect an extra 35,000 people to the railway The long-awaited Bristol MetroBus project M49 motorway, south of the existing distribution
– in the ten years to 2007, according to Network network. It will also improve services in other includes three rapid transit routes (Ashton Vale park. A final decision on the location of the
Rail. To complement the growing number of areas (Severn Beach line, Yate to Weston-super- to Bristol City Centre, North Fringe to Hengrove new junction is anticipated in early 2017
commuters, there are many wider infrastructure Mare and Temple Meads to Bath corridor) by Package and the South Bristol Link) forming a with construction to start later in the year.
projects either planned or already underway to increasing the regularity of services from Yate network that will use high quality, hybrid drive, This new junction will help unlock growth
plug into the GWML. to Bristol Temple Meads and the Severn Tunnel single deck vehicles with fast boarding in the Avonmouth/Severnside Enterprise
Junction. smartcards. The three schemes in the Bristol Area – the largest brownfield site in Western
MetroWest Phases 1 & 2 Europe – opening it up and linking it to other
This will reduce dependence on cars for urban area will improve public transport access
The much anticipated ‘West of England’ on key corridors and significantly reduce traffic key centres in the South West. Avonmouth,
journeys and improve access to employment
project is MetroWest Phases 1 and 2, which delays. According to Atkins, Bristol’s MetroBus which is 84 hectares in size, is expected to
growth areas. Rail infrastructure projects alone
will ultimately deliver half hourly cross-Bristol project could unlock additional development deliver 3.0 m sq ft of commercial floor space
could create up to 1,800 jobs in Bristol by 2030
rail services, including reopening the of up to 7,000 jobs at Temple Quarter, South within 25 years, and potential job growth
in the growth areas of Temple Quarter and
Portishead and Henbury rail lines. Bristol and Filton. The planned route also links of 6,000 by 2026, according to the West of
Filton, according to consultancy firm Atkins,
into major residential development sites at England LEP. Severnside, which is 462 hectares
Phase 1 has been delayed, however, it is set to which increases demand for residential
Hengrove, Bedminster Green and Filton in size, is expected to deliver 14 m sq ft
be completed in 2020 with the long awaited growth and development also coming
Airfield, with potential to connect to any of commercial floor space, and potential
Portishead line, which will eventually increase forward in these areas.
further development at the edge of Bristol job growth of 12,000 by 2026.
near Long Ashton. Bath Transportation project
Figure 6: MetroWest route map for phases 1 & 2
M4 ‘smart motorway’ Bath & North East Somerset Council has
There is also proposed investment in additional been carrying out a significant upgrade
Cardiff Midlands
MetroWest of the local transport network through the
Phases 1 & 2 motorway Junctions. The M4 will turn into a
Avonmouth/Severnside ‘smart motorway’ between Heathrow (Junction Bath Transportation Package since 2012.
Severn
Enterprise Area Yate
3) and the Thames Valley (Junction 12), using The package, which could create up to
Patchway Proposed Rail Network
Beach
Henbury North Filton Bristol Parkway cameras, information signs and signals to 1,300 jobs includes enhancing Park & Ride
London Exisiting rail services (local and
relieve congestion by varying speed limits, sites and upgrading nine main bus routes into
St Andrews Filton
Avonmouth Enterprise Filton Abbey Wood inter-regional)
improve journey time reliability and road safety. the city, which could provide commuters with
Portway P&R Area Emersons Green
Shirehampton
Horfield
Enterprise Area Services - Phase 1
The Government is also looking at calls for real time information and improved bus shelters.
Sea Mills Ashley Down
Clifton Down Portishead to Severn Beach (hourly)
a new turn-off on the M4 – Junction 18a – in The Bath Package has increased the capacity
Redland
Montpelier Stapleton Road
Portishead to Bristol Temple an attempt to ease congestion and provide of Park & Ride for travel into Bath by around
Bristol
Lawrence Hill Meads (hourly)
significantly faster and improved access to 40%, will deliver 2,860 spaces, plus consultation
Temple
Bristol Temple Quarter
Enterprise Area Bath to Bristol Temple Meads Shuttle
Bristol’s Emersons Green Enterprise Area. Key on a proposed site for a new Park & Ride east
Meads London
Keynsham (Extension to Severn Beach - hourly)
strategic development areas identified within of the city to provide an additional 1,100–1,400
Pill Corsham
Ashton Gate
Bedminster *
Saltford * Additional stopping services (Cardiff
the emerging West of England Joint Spatial spaces has been undertaken with a decision
Portishead Oldfield Park to Taunton) to call at these
Parson Street *
Plan at Yate and Coalpit Heath would also due imminently.
South Bristol Priority New turnback
Growth Location Bath Spa benefit from motorway access to Bristol, Swindon & Wiltshire’s Growth Deal
Services - Phase 2
Bath “City of Ideas”
Freshford Bath, Chippenham and Swindon.
Nailsea and Backwell Enterprise Area
Weston-super-Mare to Yate As part of Swindon and Wiltshire’s £141m
Weston Milton Yatton
Extend Weston-super-Mare to Bristol M49 Avonmouth Junction Growth Deal, a series of measures is being
Weston-super-Mare Worle Parkway service to Yate with turnback
A new junction off the M49 at Avonmouth is part introduced to encourage greater use of
J21 Enterprise Area
Henbury to Bristol Temple Meads (hourly) of the series of roads improvements announced walking, cycling and public transport across
Possible new stations (subject by the Government. The junction is proposed for Swindon, including a rapid transit bus scheme.
to business case)
the area where Farm Lane - linking Severn This will give commuters faster access to
Enterprise zones/areas Swindon town centre.
South West Wiltshire Towns and South Coast
Source: Travelwest
20 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/researchFuture direction
Figure 7: Major infrastructure projects in the West of England
Project Type of project Project status Cost Start date End date
The project will re-open New transport links to unlock future economic growth
the Portishead rail line
to passenger train We have identified a number of potential commuters by providing more frequent trains to
MetroWest
services, and enhance Delayed £58.2m 2017 Mid 2020 areas that may benefit from major connectivity Yate, which is set for strategic growth of up to 2,600
Phase 1
local train services on projects that are currently underway or in new homes through the emerging West of
the Severn Beach and the pipeline. England Joint Spatial Plan.
Bath to Bristol lines
Saltford Station Royal Wootton Bassett and Corsham
As the MetroWest project gets underway, there has New railway stations at Royal Wootton Bassett and
Re-open the Henbury
been a local campaign to get Saltford station, Corsham are currently at the feasibility stage. Last
Line to an hourly spur
which sits between Keynsham and Oldfield Park, year, Wiltshire Council commissioned Atkins to
passenger service
reinstated. Bath & North East Somerset Council is assess the case for stations in the two towns. It had
and increase train
reviewing a timetable space for a half-hourly stop “identified markets” for both rail stations particularly
MetroWest services to Yate with
Proposed £42.3m 2021 TBC at Saltford as part of the new MetroWest service. If in relation to journeys to and from Bath and Bristol.
Phase 2 a half-hourly service.
Saltford station is reopened, it will be part of phase Forecasts indicate Royal Wootton Bassett station
The plans include
2 of the project, which involves an hourly service could carry up to 330,000 passengers per year,
new rail stations at
on the Avonmouth freight line serving new stations while Corsham would carry up to 400,000
Henbury, North Filton
at North Filton and Henbury. The council has passengers annually. The report said that future
and Ashley Down
estimated that the demand for Saltford station, development plans would be expected to further
assuming a two train per hour frequency in each increase passenger numbers.
M49 Construction of a new direction, would equal 203,700 trips per annum.
“An initial analysis indicated it could be viable to
Avonmouth junction on the M49 in Planned £25m–50m TBC TBC This represents an average of 647 trips per day.
introduce a new hourly train service between Bristol
Junction the Avonmouth region Re-opening Saltford would help support the Bath
and Swindon to serve a new Corsham station, with
Enterprise Zone and Filton Enterprise Area, and
possible extensions to Oxford or Cardiff”, is stated in
enhance connectivity for local commuters. This
a report, conducted by Atkins on behalf of Wiltshire
could also unlock the significant economic
Feasibility study to look Council. The report added that the main obstacle
development potential of the Broadmead
M4 Junction at options for linking to a Corsham railway station is the provision of a
Proposed £42m TBC TBC Peninsula, which is being promoted by Bath and
18a A4174 Ring Road with suitable and viable train service. It found that a
North East Somerset Council through the Joint
the new M4 junction regular direct London service “is not considered to
Spatial Plan process.
be feasible due to incompatibility with wider rail
Ashley Down, North Filton and Henbury industry goals to improve the quality of intercity
M4 Junctions Conversion to a services on the Great Western Main Line.”
Planned £586m–862m Mar-17 Mar-22 New stations at Ashley Down, North Filton and
3–12 Smart Motorway
Henbury are also expected to open as part of Long Ashton
MetroWest Phase 2 creating an hourly service on
The University of Bristol has said it recognises
Bath Transport Development of a these lines, and enhance connectivity for local
Strategy Park new Park and Ride Proposed £10 million TBC TBC
“
and Ride east of the city
Source: Travelwest, UK Government,
Network Rail, Highways Agency
Re-opening Saltford station would help
support the Bath Enterprise Zone and Filton
Enterprise Area, and enhance connectivity
”
for local commuters.
22 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/researchFigure 8: Future areas of growth
Cirencester
Could be linked to mainline rail
services, easing pressure on Kemble
and creating fast link to London.
Ashely Down, North Filton & Henbury
New stations expected as
part of MetroWest Phase 2.
Portishead Filton
The rail line is due to re-open in Plans to double the
2019 improving connectivity. number of tracks Royal Wootton Bassett
from 2 to 4.
New station at feasability
stage. Capacity for up to
300,000 passengers pa.
Long Ashton
Corsham
Potential new station to
New station at feasability
improve connectivity.
stage. Capacity for up to
400,000 passengers pa.
Saltford Station
Campaign to re-open the station
as part of MetroWest Phase 2.
Wilton
Old station could
be re-opened easing
congestion at Salisbury.
Source: GVA
24 | Great Western Electrification gva.co.uk/researchConclusion
the importance of a new station at Long Ashton. 1,200 homes since 2000. Taylor Wimpey
Plans were submitted to reopen the station as part has submitted proposals to develop a further
of the University’s Fenswood Farm development, 70 homes alongside the 117 homes already
which is being promoted through the emerging being built along the Harbour Edge.
West of England Joint Spatial Plan process. The
The growth of Portishead looks set to continue,
proposal could comprise some 1,000 houses, The corridor along the Great Western Mainline consider as locations for sustainable, long-term
thanks to MetroWest, which will reopen the rail
129,000 sq ft business floor space and a primary (GWML) is undergoing significant change with residential growth. Other locations that will be
line to Bristol in 2019. The journey would take
school. The new station would be located up to growth and pressure for new housing fuelled increasingly connected to the GWML corridor
17 minutes to get to Bristol, reducing commute
one mile west of the original location. Long Ashton by economic investment and development through new stations or capacity improvements
journeys by over 43 minutes by car. The improved
currently benefits from public transport services at designated Enterprise Zones and Enterprise such as Portishead, Cirencester and Long
connectivity could also be an opportunity to
including Park & Ride facilities which are Areas around Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Ashton would also support a mix of uses with
attract businesses in North Somerset to Portishead:
undergoing an upgrade as part of the MetroBus Chippenham. The economic success of the new floorspace for businesses.
major employers include Capita and Avon and
scheme, and has two existing bus service region underpins housing growth forecasts.
Somerset Constabulary’s headquarters. Transport and connectivity are key drivers of
connections to Bristol city centre. Great Western The West of England area alone is considering a
economic growth in the West of England.
“
Railway currently operates local and inter-city target to provide 85,000 new homes in the next
passenger services past the site, linking Cardiff and Continued investment in infrastructure schemes
Local Plan period through the emerging Joint
Bristol with Weston-super-Mare and the South West. will play a significant role in unlocking further
Spatial Plan. Connectivity and accessibility are
The proposed station would positively enhance new growth in key employment sectors. We
critical to delivering housing that supports this
connectivity to Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise
Zone.
Portishead, which economic development in a sustainable way.
expect new corridors between rural and urban
stations to be achieved as a result of the
sits on the Bristol
Improvements in capacity and accessibility to enhanced connectivity on the GWML. In
Wilton new or improved stations will not only support a addition, enhanced inter-urban connections
The station in Wilton closed more than 40 burgeoning commuter market across the route, between the key cities in the region will provide
years ago but it could be reopened to improve
transport in the area. Many more passengers are
Channel, is one of but also encourage job creation. New locations
for residential development will be needed to
a wider talent pool for employers as the
catchment for those commuting to work will
the fastest growing
”
using the county’s rail network, which is up by 24% support this growth in employment and it is grow. This could lead to companies relocating
since 2004 at Salisbury and 66% at Westbury. critical to begin planning for change now. from London as workers are retained in places
Re-opened rural railway stations at places such like Bristol, which is the only city outside of
Wilton Parkway station would be on the Salisbury to
Bristol line and would be part of the Trans Wilts route towns in Britain. as Saltford, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wilton and
Corsham provide important opportunities to
London to contribute positively to GDP.
which will run north to south in the county. It could
improve journey times between Swindon, Westbury
and Salisbury. Plans for a proposed station could
allow commuters to use the nearby Wilton Park Cirencester
and Ride, easing parking problems at Salisbury In the future, Cirencester could be linked to
railway station and raise the profile of the town. The mainline rail services. Cirencester station was
service would also help create a gateway to closed as part of the Beeching Report in 1964,
Stonehenge, which received 1.3 million visitors in along with thousands of smaller stations across the
2014. Trans Wilts Rail has said that Salisbury and country deemed ‘unprofitable,’ leaving only
South East Wiltshire are set to see major economic services from the nearby village of Kemble.
growth with up to 10,000 new jobs by 2031.
According to Cirencester Community Railway, the
Filton £13m proposals include a new station in
Railway electrification work in Bristol is supporting Cirencester at Chesterton and a bridge being built
the Filton Bank Four Tracking Capacity scheme, over the A429 at Kemble. The scheme could also
which will see the number of tracks between alleviate parking issues in Kemble. A new train line
Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood doubled would give commuters a fast link to London.
from two to four by 2018. This will mean greater This infrastructure would complement plans
passenger capacity and will allow maintenance to for 2,500 houses to be built in the south west of
be carried out without disrupting services. To Cirencester that includes creating a community
accommodate the new trains, a fourth platform hub at Chesterton Farm. Additionally, promoters of
will be built at Filton Abbey Wood station. the redevelopment of Kemble Airfield,
Commercial Estates Group (CEG), have also
Portishead confirmed that the site will continue to be
Portishead, which sits on the Bristol Channel, is one promoted for development of a new village with
of the fastest growing towns in Britain. Much of that around 2,000 new homes.
growth has been around the Marina where there
has been growing demand for waterfront living. Kemble lies four miles from Cirencester with good
A consortium of housebuilders, including Crest transport links, two A-roads and a station that is
Nicholson and Persimmon, have built around currently being upgraded as a result of the
electrification of the GWML.
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