Jump to content
IGNORED

Ashton gate halt and the Portishead rail line (Merged)


Recommended Posts

30 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wasn't it that the power station for it was bombed in the war (its the final bit of finzels reach which is being redevloped now) and they simply stopped them because of it.   

There were moves to get rid of teams before WW2 because there was a feeling from many that they got in the way of the traffic, through the narrow streets and main roads here, in contrast to the avenues that you find in places like Liverpool or Birmingham, while buses are part of the traffic. Plus in Bristol we made our own buses in those days so there was thought to be little economic loss from getting rid of them. The bombing of the Electricity Station was a convenient excuse to get rid of the trams. Of course, being electric they would now be much more environmentally friendly too, although back then it would have all been coal powered generation.

Where we really missed out in Bristol was not becoming a metropolitan authority with a transport executive, unlike say Newcastle, which was able to recycle its abandone railway lines from the 60s into a metro system in the 70s and 80s. Bring Bristol, we did nothing much and ended up with cycle tracks instead. Fair play to those who developed them but it just about says it all really of what happens in this city. Not forward-looking and dependent on people getting on with things themselves on the cheap as local politicians bicker amongst themselves and achieve nothing. Now we have a mayor we have just got rid of the bickering but still achieved nothing!!

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

53 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wasn't it that the power station for it was bombed in the war (its the final bit of finzels reach which is being redevloped now) and they simply stopped them because of it.   

True, but I was talking about the trams in Bristol City Centre. It's a while back now but I think this was a slight detour in the thread. 

 

1 hour ago, phantom said:

Should anyone be interested a copy of the Development Consent Order documents can be viewed online at:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1/?ipcsection=docs

I received this link via an email subscription. If anyone is interested I can share the email contents which have a summary of this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

53 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wasn't it that the power station for it was bombed in the war (its the final bit of finzels reach which is being redevloped now) and they simply stopped them because of it.   

Yes, if my info years ago was correct.

The tram system was powered from a generator in the building in Counterslip, which runs from Victoria Street to Temple Way. It was bombed and the whole system was shut down as a result. Never to return!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Dr Balls said:

Not forward-looking and dependent on people getting on with things themselves on the cheap as local politicians bicker amongst themselves and achieve nothing. Now we have a mayor we have just got rid of the bickering but still achieved nothing!!

Achieved nothing!? Haven’t you read Marvin’s list of 100 achievements? You’ve missed out. He’s achieved such awesome feats as inviting kids to the Council House/City Hall to play Chess and had the taxi drivers in for a cuppa. 

  • Robin 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, TomF said:

Its embarrassing how badly the f*cked up the station at Portishead.   NR need to stop being so anal about crossings.

I agree, Gloucester rd crossing in Avonmouth seems to work fine why not Quays Ave, maybe all the maxed out credit card posh car drivers will be fecked off waiting for a train to pass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, The Joker said:

I agree, Gloucester rd crossing in Avonmouth seems to work fine why not Quays Ave, maybe all the maxed out credit card posh car drivers will be fecked off waiting for a train to pass.

Hey. There are a few of us ordinary car drivers who have to pass that point too you know. :) 

Edited by Port Said Red
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, The Joker said:

I agree, Gloucester rd crossing in Avonmouth seems to work fine why not Quays Ave, maybe all the maxed out credit card posh car drivers will be fecked off waiting for a train to pass.

Especially now it’s only one train an hour. It means it would close for trains twice every 60 minutes, albeit within a smaller window so not 30 mins apart. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's NR policy to close crossings wherever possible. Unfortunately when an impatient member of the public are killed or injured its NR that gets the blame. You can never underestimate how stupid some people are. 

Last week the company that runs Bescot Yard up here were fined 1.2 million pounds because kids accessed the site through a hole in the fence and one of them suffered life changing injuries when he came into contact with the live electrical equipment. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, TomF said:

I do understand NRs policy its just frustrating as trains won't be hitting it at anymore than about 5-10mph.   When you see they allowed a new crossing to be built at places like Norden on the Swanage line but not here its tad frustrating. I really hoped they'd make an exception - if its full gates and it's coming down in suitable time then a train isn't going to leave station without it being clear and surely enough time to stop if coming down the line from RPD

I suppose that as it's only a few trains a day it could be ok. Any time anyone talks about crossings in busy areas I always think of the crossing in the middle of Lincoln High Street which must cost people hours a week in delays.

Edited by Port Said Red
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The silly thing is, last time I saw plans, that not having the crossing means that the station ends up the other side of that road from where cars will park to use the station. So, to avoid the risks associated with a railway crossing you create the risks associated with pedestrians crossing a busy road. I don't have stats, but I'd hazard a guess which is more dangerous. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Admin

Bosses at Ashton Gate Stadium say they are trying and so far failing to persuade council leaders to improve the transport links to their stadium.

The chairman of Ashton Gate said they have asked council chiefs to work towards reopening the old Ashton Gate station and move the Metrobus stop named Ashton Gate closer to the stadium, but have been ‘unable to get a commitment’.

Ashton Gate bosses are understood to be looking to Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) to step up and improve the public transport links.

The stadium bosses have asked Weca to press on with plans for the reopening of the Ashton Gate station, and asked Bristol City Council to consider moving the nearest Metrobus stop nearer the ground.

One of the biggest issues surrounding the stadium is people getting there, parking and public transport, and those issues will only increase if, or when Ashton Gate gets the go-ahead for its £100 million Sporting Quarter plans.

The stadium is in the unusual position of being very close to two public transport lines - the Portishead railway line and the m2 Long Ashton to city centre metrobus route - but neither stop at the stadium itself.

The stadium is in the south west corner of Bristol, with only one local regular bus route and the nearest station almost a mile away at Parson Street in Bedminster.

Parson Street is well-used on matchdays, and passenger numbers generally have increased hugely there in the past few years.

The last time Bristol City played in the top flight of English football, in the late 1970s, the closed-down Ashton Gate station was reopened for matchdays too.

Ashton Gate Stadium told local residents living near the stadium that improving public transport was a priority for them, but that it needed local authority backing too.

Ashton Gate station

The plans to reopen the Portishead railway line for passenger trains have been given the go-ahead by the Government and WECA, with work commencing in the second half of 2021.

But that does not include reopening Ashton Gate station - something stadium bosses said was ‘unfortunate’.

There has been a long-running campaign to get the station opened, and widespread disappointment that the Portishead rail link plan does not include a reopened station there.

“We had hoped that a business case would be made to support this public transport improvement,” said a stadium spokesperson.

“We remain convinced that a station at this location presents a unique and overwhelming opportunity to create a co-ordinated and holistic approach to public transport in this part of Bristol,” she added.

Bristol City Council is backing the reopening of the station - work to build new homes on council-owned land in Ashton Vale next to the Alderman Moore Allotments left space for a new station to be included.

But it is Weca and its MetroWest rail improvement project that could ultimately see Ashton Gate Station reopened.

A spokesperson for Weca said it was possible, but nothing concrete was planned.

“A new station for Ashton Gate station isn’t included in MetroWest Phase 1, but it is listed in the draft Joint Local Transport Plan as a potential future station,” he said.

“Proposals for redevelopment around Ashton Gate could improve a future business case for a new station, depending on the extent and nature of development put forward by developers," he added.

Ashton Gate metrobus

The other transport line close to Ashton Gate is the metrobus - but the nearest stop is on the other side of the Brunel Way dual carriageway, on the other side of Paxton Drive. Even though it is called Ashton Gate, it is around 600m from the stadium.

“We have also proposed that the metrobus stop at the rear of Paxton Drive be moved about 200m south, so that it was nearer and more convenient to the stadium, and easier to access by local residents,” the Ashton Gate spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to get a commitment to do this yet, but hope that we can persuade the council of the merits of doing so as we redevelop the land next to the stadium.

“We continue to look for ways in which public transport provision to and from the stadium can be improved, and will continue to seek dialogue with Weca and the council to see how this can be achieved,” she added.

Soon after it opened, metrobus bosses admitted that the m2 Long Ashton to city centre line was not designed for the mass transit of people attending events or matches at Ashton Gate - the way the metrobus route was constructed, with its controversial ‘guided rail’ system on the stretch from the Ashton Swing Bridge to the park and ride, meant there is not the capacity for any more buses to be laid on to cope with crowds of people going to or from the stadium.

Bristol Live asked Bristol City Council what the council’s position on the stadium’s proposal to move the metrobus stop, how much it would cost to achieve, and who should pay for it.

Bristol City Council’s response ignored two of those questions, and the council merely said it had 'no plans' to move the bus stop.

"We have no plans to move the bus stop," a council spokesperson said.

Ashton Gate Stadium Ltd and Bristol City Council are working together on other transport issues, however. The stadium is part-funding work to install parking restrictions and double yellow lines on roads near the stadium, mainly along Duckmoor Road, to improve local access while matches are on.

What Ashton Gate says

Martin Griffiths, the chairman of Ashton Gate Stadium said there was ‘considerable scope’ to improve things more.

“We are continually working to improve transport to and from Ashton Gate Stadium,” he said.

“Our matchday bus use has trebled since the first year we introduced the services and four times as many people are now arriving to the stadium by bike. We have made progress with train transport but, of course, the only way to really make the most of rail access is to have a station at Ashton Gate.

“We have also agreed to a council request to fund approximately 2.8 km of parking restrictions to prevent dangerous parking at junctions and especially narrow route ways in the streets around the stadium.

"Whilst this is good news and it is great to see positive progress, we believe there is considerable scope to make more progress by moving the metroBus stop at Paxton Drive closer to the stadium and ensuring that the first stage of the Temple Meads to Portishead rail project includes a station at Ashton Gate.

“This is the path to a valuable public transport hub here which would additionally benefit many local residents.

"We have further initiatives we will be bringing forward as part of the development of the new Sports and Convention Centre as we continue to explore innovative ways of moving from car use to alternative modes of transport,” he added.

TAKEN FROM: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/ashton-gate-frustration-station-metrobus-3759890

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Admin
2 hours ago, Drew Peacock said:

Not entirely sure why Ashton Gate should pay for council work if the council aren't playing ball the other way.

I would guess it was tied in with planning permissions

Can remember when there were plans for the new Ashton Vale ground there was lots written in about how the club had to provide specific numbers of coaches from around the area to get people to the new ground, would guess it was a carrot dangled to the council to allow certain works to be done?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They might want to move the bus stop closer to Ashton Gate. If they make that momentus achievement with the Council/Opertors it doesn’t necessarily mean the bus will stop at it! They regularly fly past the stop located at The Cumberland Basin stop when they see football supporters waiting.

If I was Steve Lansdown, I’d rip into this pathetic excuse of a mayor and embarrass him on the national stage. Think Sir Steve has a greater media platform than some jumped-up politician.

We could start with the investment Steve’s made in Bristol, the PR, the income generated and then turn to the dear ‘Mr Fix It’ Mayor. Highlight the 1000 space park and ride that stands empty next to the stadium during matches and has done for the past decade while local streets are congested with parked cars, the new multi-million pound Metrobus ‘service’ that takes in as many congested roundabouts and the most tortuous route possible from The Centre to Ashton Gate and has no stop next to the Ground and no buses that stop for football supporters, the railway next to the Ground that has been derelict for decades and when planned to open doesn’t has a stop for an entertainment venue that is the largest in the region ...and on and on.

 

Oh, nearly forgot, to cap it all off and make access to the Ground virtually impossible by any means ... the proposed diesel exclusion zone taking in the biggest open area in Bristol with the least impact on residents health ..unsurprisingly being the key access road to The Gate. 

Seriously, only a bitter Mayoral Saghead  who wants to prevent City achieving anything could come up with such crap. 

 

Edited by RedRock
  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, TomF said:

Didn’t actually realise the coal handling depot at Portbury is completely closed now - the whole site has been sold off.  As such nothing in terms of freight is running down the line, it’s almost as abandoned as it was in the 80s! 

I live less than 50 metres from the line can't remember the last time I heard a train, what a wasted opportunity, but is anyone really surprised this is Bristol council we are talking about

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, RedRock said:

They might want to move the bus stop closer to Ashton Gate. If they make that momentus achievement with the Council/Opertors it doesn’t necessarily mean the bus will stop at it! They regularly fly past the stop located at The Cumberland Basin stop when they see football supporters waiting.

If I was Steve Lansdown, I’d rip into this pathetic excuse of a mayor and embarrass him on the national stage. Think Sir Steve has a greater media platform than some jumped-up politician.

We could start with the investment Steve’s made in Bristol, the PR, the income generated and then turn to the dear ‘Mr Fix It’ Mayor. Highlight the 1000 space park and ride that stands empty next to the stadium during matches and has done for the past decade while local streets are congested with parked cars, the new multi-million pound Metrobus ‘service’ that takes in as many congested roundabouts and the most tortuous route possible from The Centre to Ashton Gate and has no stop next to the Ground and no buses that stop for football supporters, the railway next to the Ground that has been derelict for decades and when planned to open doesn’t has a stop for an entertainment venue that is the largest in the region ...and on and on.

 

Oh, nearly forgot, to cap it all off and make access to the Ground virtually impossible by any means ... the proposed diesel exclusion zone taking in the biggest open area in Bristol with the least impact on residents health ..unsurprisingly being the key access road to The Gate. 

Seriously, only a bitter Mayoral Saghead  who wants to prevent City achieving anything could come up with such crap. 

 

Well said sir..... The blokes a pillock..... Underground trains :laugh: 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, RedRock said:

They might want to move the bus stop closer to Ashton Gate. If they make that momentus achievement with the Council/Opertors it doesn’t necessarily mean the bus will stop at it! They regularly fly past the stop located at The Cumberland Basin stop when they see football supporters waiting.

If I was Steve Lansdown, I’d rip into this pathetic excuse of a mayor and embarrass him on the national stage. Think Sir Steve has a greater media platform than some jumped-up politician.

We could start with the investment Steve’s made in Bristol, the PR, the income generated and then turn to the dear ‘Mr Fix It’ Mayor. Highlight the 1000 space park and ride that stands empty next to the stadium during matches and has done for the past decade while local streets are congested with parked cars, the new multi-million pound Metrobus ‘service’ that takes in as many congested roundabouts and the most tortuous route possible from The Centre to Ashton Gate and has no stop next to the Ground and no buses that stop for football supporters, the railway next to the Ground that has been derelict for decades and when planned to open doesn’t has a stop for an entertainment venue that is the largest in the region ...and on and on.

 

Oh, nearly forgot, to cap it all off and make access to the Ground virtually impossible by any means ... the proposed diesel exclusion zone taking in the biggest open area in Bristol with the least impact on residents health ..unsurprisingly being the key access road to The Gate. 

Seriously, only a bitter Mayoral Saghead  who wants to prevent City achieving anything could come up with such crap. 

 

We'll have chance to vote him out in 3 months but don't hold your breath that his successor will be any better

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As it stands there are no plans to build a Ashton Gate halt(cost approx ten million pounds) even with the BTM to Portishead line being re-instated

The land is set behind the Ford garage dealership,but no guarantee the station will be built.

So the next best thing is to improve on what we got,which is to try and have extra services call at the station.

and maybe one day Parson Street could become step free train station.

So the more tickets issued to/from Parson Street could send a message that PS needs to be step free

Just keep on getting your train tickets purchased from Parson Street if you start your from Bristol temple Meads

and tell all your friends and relations if they are coming to Bristol by train to get their tickets issued to Parson Street

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I could see us having a situation like Coventry where the station wouldn’t be able to open on match days due to crowds and capacity.

You’d need a high frequency of trains passing through, and a large area outside the station to hold people to stop platforms overcrowding.

Id like to think however Bristol Sport would be happy to contribute money to put all that in place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 21/04/2020 at 09:06, bcfcshorey said:

I could see us having a situation like Coventry where the station wouldn’t be able to open on match days due to crowds and capacity.

You’d need a high frequency of trains passing through, and a large area outside the station to hold people to stop platforms overcrowding.

Id like to think however Bristol Sport would be happy to contribute money to put all that in place.

Brighton cope as the station surroundings were redesigned for Falmer. 
Manchester is expanding the trams with a new line which is next to Old Trafford and that has a queuing system etc. 
You just need to design it right and people can utilise it...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, tommy_b said:

Brighton cope as the station surroundings were redesigned for Falmer. 
Manchester is expanding the trams with a new line which is next to Old Trafford and that has a queuing system etc. 
You just need to design it right and people can utilise it...

Correct, that is called forward thinking and planning.  But then, this is Bristol......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, tommy_b said:

Brighton cope as the station surroundings were redesigned for Falmer. 
Manchester is expanding the trams with a new line which is next to Old Trafford and that has a queuing system etc. 
You just need to design it right and people can utilise it...

It's got more to do with the amount of seats you can provide after the match, 

Brighton works becouse it's in the south east so lots of big 12 coach trains that take the commuter to London in the week but have nothing to do at the weekend, 

Manchester is the same a rapid transit system designed to move large numbers of people , 

If they built a station at Ashton gate  it would suffer from the same problems the one in Coventry dose no extra carriges to cope with the football fans,

Plus its worth remembering that the final approved plan for the new Portishead line has no station at Ashton gate and also made clear that trains going to and from Portishead will not be able to stop at Parson Street or bedminster, so once the new line is up and running it will be of no use to anyone going to the gate, 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...