A plan to run regular shuttle rail services through the Bath and Bristol area, as well the return of station in Saltford, has been hailed “Big news for Bath”.
‘MetroWest’ is the project to run regular shuttle rail services throughout the Bath and Bristol area, with phase one of the project involving a half-hourly service from Bath through Bristol on to Severn Beach, via a new station at Saltford.
A second line will enable passengers changing at Temple Meads to travel to destinations towards Portishead.
The project is being led by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, with the support of the four Avon local authorities (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucs).
Following a meeting of the West of England Partnership in Bath recently (12th September), Phase One of the MetroWest project has been given the green light to progress to the next stage.
Its preliminary business case was praised by transport experts as value for money, affordable and “deliverable by 2019”.
Liberal Democrat MP Vince Cable, the government’s Secretary of State for Business, announced in July that £56.6m was being made available for the project by Westminster, providing full funding for Phase One and enabling further work on Phase Two.
Phase One of MetroWest would require the creation of a turning point for trains at Bathampton Junction, as there is nowhere to turn at Bath Spa.
The Liberal Democrats on Bath and North East Somerset Council want to use that to create an east of Bath ‘Park and Rail’ facility
Commenting on the news Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Bath, Steve Bradley, said “MetroWest will be a game changer for Bath’s transport.
“At a regional level it will provide a more regular service to and from Bristol city centre and beyond. And at a local level it will enable the creation of an east-of-Bath Park and Rail facility at Bathampton.
“Providing a four minute shuttle journey into Bath Spa, it would take thousands of vehicles off our city’s roads every day, reducing congestion and improving our air quality.
“That’s why the green light to take this project forward is such big news for Bath”.
Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Cllr Paul Crossley, added “The MetroWest proposal fits well with the Lib Dem-run council’s ‘Getting Around Bath’ strategy. It’s good news for residents, and will ease congestion on the London Road in particular”.
Work on the new stations and section of railway line needed for Phase One are scheduled to begin in 2017, with a completion date of 2019.
Phase Two of MetroWest is currently scheduled for completion by 2021, and includes a further extension of the Bath line eastwards towards Westbury and Chippenham, including a new station at Corsham.
