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{{Short description|Project to improve the rail services in Bristol}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Other uses|Metro West (disambiguation){{!}}Metro West}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox public transit
{{Infobox public transit
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|headquarters =
|headquarters =
|website = {{website|https://travelwest.info/metrowest}}
|website = {{website|https://travelwest.info/metrowest}}
|began_operation = 13 December 2021<ref name=RailAdvent>{{cite web|url= https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/12/severn-beach-line-train-service-to-increase-to-half-hourly.html/amp|title=Severn Beach line train service to increase to half-hourly|website=Rail Advent|date=|access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref>
|ended_operation =
|operator = [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
|operator = [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
|map = {{Bristol railway map|collapse=yes}}
|map = {{Bristol railway map/MetroWest|collapse=yes}}
|map_state = collapsed
|map_state = collapsed
}}
}}


'''MetroWest''', formerly known as the '''Greater Bristol Metro''', is a project to improve the rail services in [[Bristol]], England, and the surrounding region. It was first proposed at [[First Great Western]]'s Stakeholder Event in March 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://travelwest.info/project/how-transport-decisions-are-made-in-the-west-of-england|title=How transport decisions are made in the West of England |work= TravelWest |access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> The aim of the project is to develop half-hourly services through central Bristol which will also serve the surrounding [[West of England]] region.<ref name="WestOfEngland:GreaterBristolMetro">{{cite web |url= http://www.westofengland.org/media/98508/item%2004%20greater%20bristol%20metro%2013%20march%202009.pdf |title=Item 04 Greater Bristol Metro|first=James |last=White |work= West of England Partnership |date=13 March 2009 |format=PDF |access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref> Transport campaigning groups [[Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways]] (FoSBR) and Transport for Greater Bristol are actively supporting the proposal, <ref>{{cite web |url=https://fosbr.org.uk/campaigns/fosbr-plan-for-rail/ |title=FoSBR Plan for Rail |work=fosbr.org.uk |year=2020 |access-date=1 September 2020 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tfgb.org.uk/news.htm |title=Transport for Greater Bristol : News |work=tfgb.org.uk |year=2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207012222/http://www.tfgb.org.uk/news.htm |archive-date=7 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> as are the three unitary authorities under the [[West of England Combined Authority]]<ref name="NS">{{cite web |url=http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5CF476AF-FD27-47D0-B739-530AF331B76A/0/HD20AppendixBristolMetro.pdf |title=CS10: Transportation and Movement (application/pdf Object) |format=PDF |work=North Somerset Council |year=2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120913083536/http%3A//www.n%2Dsomerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5CF476AF%2DFD27%2D47D0%2DB739%2D530AF331B76A/0/HD20AppendixBristolMetro.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="thisisbristol 20120223">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-launched-Greater-Bristol-Metro-link/story-15295395-detail/story.html | title=Campaign launched for a Greater Bristol Metro link | work=[[Bristol Evening Post]] | date=23 February 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012 | archive-url=https://archive.is/20130505164416/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-launched-Greater-Bristol-Metro-link/story-15295395-detail/story.html | archive-date=5 May 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and North Somerset Council.
'''MetroWest''', formerly known as the '''Greater Bristol Metro''', is a project to improve the rail services in [[Bristol]], England, and the surrounding region. It was first proposed at [[First Great Western]]'s Stakeholder Event in March 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://travelwest.info/project/how-transport-decisions-are-made-in-the-west-of-england|title=How transport decisions are made in the West of England |work= TravelWest |access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref> The aim of the project is to develop half-hourly services through central Bristol which will also serve the surrounding [[West of England]] region.<ref name="WestOfEngland:GreaterBristolMetro">{{cite web |url= http://www.westofengland.org/media/98508/item%2004%20greater%20bristol%20metro%2013%20march%202009.pdf |title=Item 04 Greater Bristol Metro|first=James |last=White |work= West of England Partnership |date=13 March 2009 |access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref> Transport campaigning groups [[Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways]] (FoSBR) and Transport for Greater Bristol are actively supporting the proposal, <ref>{{cite web |url=https://fosbr.org.uk/campaigns/fosbr-plan-for-rail/ |title=FoSBR Plan for Rail |work=fosbr.org.uk |year=2020 |access-date=1 September 2020 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tfgb.org.uk/news.htm |title=Transport for Greater Bristol : News |work=tfgb.org.uk |year=2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207012222/http://www.tfgb.org.uk/news.htm |archive-date=7 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> as are the three unitary authorities under the [[West of England Combined Authority]]<ref name="NS">{{cite web |url=http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5CF476AF-FD27-47D0-B739-530AF331B76A/0/HD20AppendixBristolMetro.pdf |title=CS10: Transportation and Movement (application/pdf Object) |work=North Somerset Council |year=2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120913083536/http%3A//www.n%2Dsomerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5CF476AF%2DFD27%2D47D0%2DB739%2D530AF331B76A/0/HD20AppendixBristolMetro.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="thisisbristol 20120223">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-launched-Greater-Bristol-Metro-link/story-15295395-detail/story.html | title=Campaign launched for a Greater Bristol Metro link | work=[[Bristol Evening Post]] | date=23 February 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505164416/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-launched-Greater-Bristol-Metro-link/story-15295395-detail/story.html | archive-date=5 May 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and North Somerset Council.

MetroWest services began on 13 December 2021, with the doubling of the frequency of services from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach.<ref name=RailAdvent></ref>


==History==
==History==
===Background===
===Early plans===
Earlier plans for a metro system were promoted by then [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] Richard Cottrell in 1986 and acts of Parliament were secured. This would have used existing track, with new build through the city centre. However, the scheme folded when Advanced Transport for Avon was wound up with debts of £3.8 million.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T13585282216&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T13585282220&cisb=22_T13585282219&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&selRCNodeID=32&nodeStateId=410en_GB,1,13&docsInCategory=7&csi=166254&docNo=5 |title=Supertram vision at end of the line |work=Bristol Evening Post, archived at LexisNexis |publisher=Bristol United Press |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Earlier plans for a metro system were promoted by then [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] Richard Cottrell in 1986, and acts of Parliament were secured. This would have used existing track, with new build through the city centre. However, the scheme folded in around 2004 when Advanced Transport for Avon was wound up with debts of £3.8{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T13585282216&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T13585282220&cisb=22_T13585282219&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&selRCNodeID=32&nodeStateId=410en_GB,1,13&docsInCategory=7&csi=166254&docNo=5 |title=Supertram vision at end of the line |work=Bristol Evening Post, archived at LexisNexis |publisher=Bristol United Press |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>


=== Initial planning ===
Rail usage in the West of England doubled in the ten years between 1999 and 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Rail Trends 2009-10 Yearbook|url=http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/3481/nrt-yearbook-2009-10.pdf|publisher=Office of Rail Regulation|access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> A campaign for a Greater Bristol Metro was launched in February 2012,<ref name="thisisbristol 20120223" /> with plans prepared by engineering consultancy [[Halcrow Group]].<ref name="thisisbristol 20120305">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaigners-Greater-Bristol-Metro-set-plans/story-15400809-detail/story.html | title=Campaigners for Greater Bristol Metro set out plans to transform rail services by 2018 | work=[[Bristol Evening Post]] | date=5 March 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704194217/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaigners-Greater-Bristol-Metro-set-plans/story-15400809-detail/story.html | archive-date=4 July 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="thisisbristol 20120309">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Greater-Bristol-Metro-report-phase-cost-40m/story-15455256-detail/story.html | title=Greater Bristol Metro report: First phase would cost £40m | work=[[Bristol Evening Post]] | date=9 March 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311040817/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Greater-Bristol-Metro-report-phase-cost-40m/story-15455256-detail/story.html | archive-date=11 March 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The scheme was estimated to cost £22 million at 2008/09 prices and could be completed between 2016 and 2021.<ref name="NS" />
Rail usage in the West of England doubled in the ten years between 1999 and 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Rail Trends 2009-10 Yearbook|url=http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/3481/nrt-yearbook-2009-10.pdf|publisher=Office of Rail Regulation|access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> A campaign for a Greater Bristol Metro was launched in February 2012,<ref name="thisisbristol 20120223" /> with plans prepared by engineering consultancy [[Halcrow Group]].<ref name="thisisbristol 20120305">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaigners-Greater-Bristol-Metro-set-plans/story-15400809-detail/story.html | title=Campaigners for Greater Bristol Metro set out plans to transform rail services by 2018 | work=[[Bristol Evening Post]] | date=5 March 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704194217/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaigners-Greater-Bristol-Metro-set-plans/story-15400809-detail/story.html | archive-date=4 July 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="thisisbristol 20120309">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Greater-Bristol-Metro-report-phase-cost-40m/story-15455256-detail/story.html | title=Greater Bristol Metro report: First phase would cost £40m | work=[[Bristol Evening Post]] | date=9 March 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311040817/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Greater-Bristol-Metro-report-phase-cost-40m/story-15455256-detail/story.html | archive-date=11 March 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The scheme was estimated to cost £22{{nbsp}}million at 2008/09 prices and could be completed between 2016 and 2021.<ref name="NS" />


The 2012 plans included station reopening costs, estimated by [[Bristol City Council]] to be an average of £5 million each.<ref name="thisisbristol 20120223" /> Related estimates for reopening of the [[Portishead Railway]] and for four-tracking between [[Parson Street railway station|Parson Street]] and Filton Bank were reported as approximately {{nowrap|£50 million}} and {{nowrap|£30 million}} respectively.<ref name="thisisbristol 20120223" /> It was subsequently reported that the Portishead Railway reopening would cost around {{nowrap|£33 million}}.<ref name="thisisbristol 20120309" />
The 2012 plans included station reopening costs, estimated by [[Bristol City Council]] to be an average of £5{{nbsp}}million each.<ref name="thisisbristol 20120223" /> Related estimates for reopening of the [[Portishead Railway]] and for four-tracking between [[Parson Street railway station|Parson Street]] and Filton Bank were reported as approximately {{nowrap|£50 million}} and {{nowrap|£30 million}} respectively.<ref name="thisisbristol 20120223" /> It was subsequently reported that the Portishead Railway reopening would cost around {{nowrap|£33 million}}.<ref name="thisisbristol 20120309" />


⚫
[[File:Press Launch of Greater Bristol Metro Rail - Flickr - Greater Bristol Metro Rail (3).jpg|thumb|left|Local politicians at the launch of the Metro campaign in 2012]]
===Planning and implementation===
The 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.<ref name="metro">{{cite news|author=Ribbeck, Michael |publisher=[[Northcliffe Media]] |work=[[The Post, Bristol]] |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=6 July 2012 |title=£100 million Bristol Metro train network by 2016 |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/100-million-Bristol-Metro-train-network-2016/story-16492523-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708233227/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/100-million-Bristol-Metro-train-network-2016/story-16492523-detail/story.html |archive-date=8 July 2012 }}</ref> Councillor Tim Kent stated in September 2012 that the first part of the scheme, on the [[Severn Beach Line]], would be delivered "next year".<ref name="thisisbristol sep2012">{{cite news|title=Popular Severn Beach line gets new late service|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Popular-Severn-Beach-line-gets-new-late-service/story-16927636-detail/story.html|access-date=19 September 2012|newspaper=[[Bristol Evening Post]]|date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928001340/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Popular-Severn-Beach-line-gets-new-late-service/story-16927636-detail/story.html|archive-date=28 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The 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.<ref name="metro">{{cite news|author=Ribbeck, Michael |publisher=[[Northcliffe Media]] |work=[[The Post, Bristol]] |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=6 July 2012 |title=£100 million Bristol Metro train network by 2016 |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/100-million-Bristol-Metro-train-network-2016/story-16492523-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708233227/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/100-million-Bristol-Metro-train-network-2016/story-16492523-detail/story.html |archive-date=8 July 2012 }}</ref> Councillor Tim Kent stated in September 2012 that the first part of the scheme, on the [[Severn Beach Line]], would be delivered "next year".<ref name="thisisbristol sep2012">{{cite news|title=Popular Severn Beach line gets new late service|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Popular-Severn-Beach-line-gets-new-late-service/story-16927636-detail/story.html|access-date=19 September 2012|newspaper=[[Bristol Evening Post]]|date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928001340/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Popular-Severn-Beach-line-gets-new-late-service/story-16927636-detail/story.html|archive-date=28 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


⚫
[[File:Press Launch of Greater Bristol Metro Rail - Flickr - Greater Bristol Metro Rail (3).jpg|thumb|left|300px|Local politicians at the launch of the Metro campaign.]]
An opinion piece in the [[Bristol Evening Post]] in June 2011 called for the establishment of an [[Passenger transport executive#Integrated transport authorities|Integrated Transport Authority]] for the West of England and for progress on the metro proposal.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/Bristol-s-metro-far-track-think/story-12854178-detail/story.html |title=Bristol's metro is not as far off track as you might think |work=Bristol Evening Post |publisher=Northcliffe Media |date=30 June 2011 |access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref> During the Rail Priority Conference organised by the West of England Partnership in November 2011, delegates travelled on the [[Portishead Railway|Portishead line]], the [[Severn Beach Line|Severn Beach line]] and the [[Henbury Loop]], using sections of track not currently used for passenger traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelplus.org.uk/news/rail-priority-conference-2011|title=Rail Priority Conference 2011|work=travelplus.org.uk|year=2011x|access-date=28 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205110758/http://www.travelplus.org.uk/news/rail-priority-conference-2011|archive-date=5 February 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.epigram.org.uk/2011/11/proposed-revival-for-bristol-metro-scheme/ |title=Proposed revival for Bristol Metro scheme |first1=Ellie |last1=Pierce |first2=Hayley |last2=Terretta |work=Epigram |publisher=University of Bristol Student Union |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224033206/http://www.epigram.org.uk/2011/11/proposed-revival-for-bristol-metro-scheme/ |archive-date=24 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In early 2012, during the consultation phase for the new Great Western rail franchise, Bristol City Council and local rail user groups launched Bristol Metro 2013 to ask bidders to incorporate metro plans into their bids.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-trains-Bristol-Temple-Meads-half-hour/story-14446079-detail/story.html |title=A campaign to revolutionise Bristol's local rail service that could see trains from Temple Meads serving all local stations every half hour is being launched today |last=Staff |work=thisisbristol.co.uk |publisher=Northcliffe Media |date=17 January 2012 |access-date=19 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120002540/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-trains-Bristol-Temple-Meads-half-hour/story-14446079-detail/story.html |archive-date=20 January 2012 }}</ref> Bristol MPs were lobbied in [[Palace of Westminster|Westminster]] by [[Dawn Primarolo]] (MP for Bristol South)<ref name="hearfromyourmp 20120323">{{cite web | url=http://www.hearfromyourmp.com/view/message/1360 | title=News from Your Local MP
An opinion piece in the [[Bristol Evening Post]] in June 2011 called for the establishment of an [[Passenger transport executive#Integrated transport authorities|Integrated Transport Authority]] for the West of England and for progress on the metro proposal.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/Bristol-s-metro-far-track-think/story-12854178-detail/story.html |title=Bristol's metro is not as far off track as you might think |work=Bristol Evening Post |publisher=Northcliffe Media |date=30 June 2011 |access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref> During the Rail Priority Conference organised by the West of England Partnership in November 2011, delegates travelled on the [[Portishead Railway|Portishead line]], the [[Severn Beach Line|Severn Beach line]] and the [[Henbury Loop]], using sections of track not currently used for passenger traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelplus.org.uk/news/rail-priority-conference-2011|title=Rail Priority Conference 2011|work=travelplus.org.uk|year=2011x|access-date=28 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205110758/http://www.travelplus.org.uk/news/rail-priority-conference-2011|archive-date=5 February 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.epigram.org.uk/2011/11/proposed-revival-for-bristol-metro-scheme/ |title=Proposed revival for Bristol Metro scheme |first1=Ellie |last1=Pierce |first2=Hayley |last2=Terretta |work=Epigram |publisher=University of Bristol Student Union |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224033206/http://www.epigram.org.uk/2011/11/proposed-revival-for-bristol-metro-scheme/ |archive-date=24 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In early 2012, during the consultation phase for the new Great Western rail franchise, Bristol City Council and local rail user groups launched Bristol Metro 2013 to ask bidders to incorporate metro plans into their bids.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-trains-Bristol-Temple-Meads-half-hour/story-14446079-detail/story.html |title=A campaign to revolutionise Bristol's local rail service that could see trains from Temple Meads serving all local stations every half hour is being launched today |last=Staff |work=thisisbristol.co.uk |publisher=Northcliffe Media |date=17 January 2012 |access-date=19 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120002540/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-trains-Bristol-Temple-Meads-half-hour/story-14446079-detail/story.html |archive-date=20 January 2012 }}</ref> Bristol MPs were lobbied in [[Palace of Westminster|Westminster]] by [[Dawn Primarolo]] (MP for Bristol South)<ref name="hearfromyourmp 20120323">{{cite web | url=http://www.hearfromyourmp.com/view/message/1360 | title=News from Your Local MP
| work=HearFromYourMP | publisher=[[mySociety]] | first=Dawn | last=Primarolo | author-link=Dawn Primarolo | date=23 March 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> and [[Steve Webb]] (former MP for {{nowrap|Thornbury &}} Yate).<ref name="gazetteseries 20120418">{{cite news | url=http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/9651494.MP_lobbies_government_for_rail_upgrade/ | title=Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb lobbies government for rail upgrade | work=Gloucestershire News, South Gloucestershire News - from the Gazette Series | first=Marion | last=Sauvebois | date=18 April 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> The Saltford Station Campaign Group and [[Bath and North East Somerset Council]] suggested in April 2012 that the reopening of [[Saltford railway station|Saltford station]] could be part funded by means other than those included in the West of England Partnership's report.<ref name="thisisbath 20120428">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Hopes-remaining-high-Saltford-Station/story-15933965-detail/story.html | title=Hopes remaining high for Saltford Station | work=[[Bath Chronicle]] | date=28 April 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/station.html|title=Saltford Station Campaign News|access-date=8 January 2012}}</ref>
| work=HearFromYourMP | publisher=[[mySociety]] | first=Dawn | last=Primarolo | author-link=Dawn Primarolo | date=23 March 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> and [[Steve Webb]] (former MP for {{nowrap|Thornbury &}} Yate).<ref name="gazetteseries 20120418">{{cite news | url=http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/9651494.MP_lobbies_government_for_rail_upgrade/ | title=Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb lobbies government for rail upgrade | work=Gloucestershire News, South Gloucestershire News - from the Gazette Series | first=Marion | last=Sauvebois | date=18 April 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> The Saltford Station Campaign Group and [[Bath and North East Somerset Council]] suggested in April 2012 that the reopening of [[Saltford railway station|Saltford station]] could be part funded by means other than those included in the West of England Partnership's report.<ref name="thisisbath 20120428">{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Hopes-remaining-high-Saltford-Station/story-15933965-detail/story.html | title=Hopes remaining high for Saltford Station | work=[[Bath Chronicle]] | date=28 April 2012 | access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk/station.html|title=Saltford Station Campaign News|access-date=8 January 2012}}</ref>
{{Clear}}


By 2015, little progress had been made on the project, with the [[Local enterprise partnership|West of England Local Enterprise Partnership]] producing a Key Principles Report in November 2015 reiterating the aspiration to reopen lines and increased train frequencies as well as discussing future potential transport projects for the [[West of England]] region, including new rail transit based options referred to as ''MetroWest++''. The options outlined include reopening the [[Thornbury Branch Line]], a [[Yate]] to [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] route, the use of [[tram train]] technology, a link to the [[Bristol city centre|city centre]] and a [[Bristol Airport Rail Link|connection]] to [[Bristol Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk/gf2.ti/-/636578/18103781.1/PDF/-/151203_JSPTS_Key_Principles_Report_revised_final.pdf|title=Issues and Options for Consultation. Key Principles Report|publisher=West of England Joint Transport Study|access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref> A 2015 report was produced by Arup, appointed by [[Bristol City Council]], to analyse potential cost of electrifying both phases of MetroWest, with Arup concluding a total cost of £175 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/travelwest/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ees-read-the-full-study.pdf|title=West of England Partnership - West of England Suburban Rail - Business Case|publisher=Arup|date=25 February 2015|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
By 2015, little progress had been made on the project, with the [[Local enterprise partnership|West of England Local Enterprise Partnership]] producing a Key Principles Report in November 2015 reiterating the aspiration to reopen lines and increased train frequencies as well as discussing future potential transport projects for the [[West of England]] region, including new rail transit based options referred to as ''MetroWest++''. The options outlined include reopening the [[Thornbury Branch Line]], a [[Yate]] to [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] route, the use of [[tram train]] technology, a link to the [[Bristol city centre|city centre]] and a [[Bristol Airport Rail Link|connection]] to [[Bristol Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk/gf2.ti/-/636578/18103781.1/PDF/-/151203_JSPTS_Key_Principles_Report_revised_final.pdf|title=Issues and Options for Consultation. Key Principles Report|publisher=West of England Joint Transport Study|access-date=12 July 2016|archive-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007062336/https://www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk/gf2.ti/-/636578/18103781.1/PDF/-/151203_JSPTS_Key_Principles_Report_revised_final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> A 2015 report was produced by Arup, appointed by [[Bristol City Council]], to analyse potential cost of electrifying both phases of MetroWest, with Arup concluding a total cost of £175 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/travelwest/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ees-read-the-full-study.pdf|title=West of England Partnership - West of England Suburban Rail - Business Case|publisher=Arup|date=25 February 2015|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>


===Delays and cost overruns===
=== Delays ===
By 2017, the planned opening date for the Portishead Line was aimed to be 2020.<ref>{{cite web| title=Consultation on the location for Portishead rail station| url=https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Portishead-Rail-consultation-leaflet.pdf| publisher=North Somerset Council| access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=April 2019}} In March 2017, MetroWest reported a substantial increase in the estimated costs of Phase 1, owing to the work required to upgrade the line in the Avon Gorge to achieve the line speeds required for a half-hourly service, and to reroute road traffic away from a level crossing in [[Ashton Vale]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://travelwest.info/metrowest/metrowest-cost-increases| title=Significant estimated cost increases for MetroWest Phase 1| date=9 March 2017| website=Travelwest| access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref> The original £50 million cost estimate had increased to £145 million, which was reduced to £116 million by changing the planned frequency to hourly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/portishead-bristol-railway-line-re-11675|title=Portishead to Bristol railway line work to be done 'in stages'|last=Pickstock|first=Heather|date=2017-03-21|website=Bristol Post|access-date=2020-01-11}}</ref> In 2018 the local authority made a bid for funding from central government that was turned down, placing the project into uncertainty.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/end-portishead-bristol-metrowest-rail-1580347|title=Is this the end of the Portishead to Bristol MetroWest rail line? Central government has refused to fund scheme|date=17 May 2018 |work=Bristol Live |access-date=25 April 2019 }}</ref> However £31 million of funding was promised in April 2019 by [[Chris Grayling]], the Secretary of State for Transport.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-47853916 |title=Portishead-Bristol line restoration gets funding boost |date=8 April 2019 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 April 2019 }}</ref> After this the revised date for the opening of the Portishead line became 'by 2023'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/portishead-rail-metrowest-project-could-begin-phase-one-soon-1-5911967 |title=Councillors confident trains to Bristol from Portishead will run 'by 2023' |date=1 March 2019 |work=North Somerset Times |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425231816/https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/portishead-rail-metrowest-project-could-begin-phase-one-soon-1-5911967 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2019, North Somerset Council announced it would be submitting a [[Nationally significant infrastructure projects|development consent order]] to the Government by the end of September, with a proposed 2023 opening being reiterated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/dco-sought-from-government-for-metrowest-project-1-6240036|title=Plans for £116m Portishead to Bristol rail line to be sent to Government next month|website=North Somerset Times|date=28 August 2019|access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]] then pushed back the opening of the Portishead Line by one year to December 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/opening-portishead-railway-line-now-4690978|title=Opening of Portishead railway line now delayed until 2024|website=Bristol Post|date=11 November 2020|accessdate=17 February 2021}}</ref>
By 2017, the planned opening date for the Portishead Line was said to be 2020.<ref>{{cite web| title=Consultation on the location for Portishead rail station| url=https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Portishead-Rail-consultation-leaflet.pdf| publisher=North Somerset Council| access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=April 2019}} In March 2017, MetroWest reported a substantial increase in the estimated costs of Phase 1, owing to the work required to upgrade the line in the Avon Gorge to achieve the line speeds required for a half-hourly service, and to reroute road traffic away from a level crossing in [[Ashton Vale]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://travelwest.info/metrowest/metrowest-cost-increases| title=Significant estimated cost increases for MetroWest Phase 1| date=9 March 2017| website=Travelwest| access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref> The original £50 million cost estimate had increased to £145{{nbsp}}million, which was reduced to £116{{nbsp}}million by changing the planned frequency to hourly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/portishead-bristol-railway-line-re-11675|title=Portishead to Bristol railway line work to be done 'in stages'|last=Pickstock|first=Heather|date=2017-03-21|website=Bristol Post|access-date=2020-01-11}}</ref> In 2018 the local authority made a bid for funding from central government that was turned down, placing the project into uncertainty.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/end-portishead-bristol-metrowest-rail-1580347|title=Is this the end of the Portishead to Bristol MetroWest rail line? Central government has refused to fund scheme|date=17 May 2018 |work=Bristol Live |access-date=25 April 2019 }}</ref>
Funding of £31{{nbsp}}million for the Portishead line was promised in April 2019 by [[Chris Grayling]], the Secretary of State for Transport.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-47853916 |title=Portishead-Bristol line restoration gets funding boost |date=8 April 2019 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 April 2019 }}</ref> After this the revised date for the opening of the Portishead line became 'by 2023'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/portishead-rail-metrowest-project-could-begin-phase-one-soon-1-5911967 |title=Councillors confident trains to Bristol from Portishead will run 'by 2023' |date=1 March 2019 |work=North Somerset Times |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425231816/https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/portishead-rail-metrowest-project-could-begin-phase-one-soon-1-5911967 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2019, North Somerset Council announced it would be submitting a request for a [[nationally significant infrastructure project|development consent order]] to the government by the end of September, with a proposed 2023 opening being reiterated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/dco-sought-from-government-for-metrowest-project-1-6240036|title=Plans for £116m Portishead to Bristol rail line to be sent to Government next month|website=North Somerset Times|date=28 August 2019|access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] then pushed back the opening of the Portishead Line by one year to December 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/opening-portishead-railway-line-now-4690978|title=Opening of Portishead railway line now delayed until 2024|website=Bristol Post|date=11 November 2020|accessdate=17 February 2021}}</ref>

Following further delays, [[Secretary of State for Transport]] [[Mark Harper]] gave final consent for the Portishead railway in November 2022, with an aspired opening date of 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-63633295.amp|title=Portishead to Bristol rail line gets final approval|website=[[BBC]]|date=15 November 2022|access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> The Henbury line, in particular the [[North Filton Platform railway station|North Filton station]], is due to open the same year after design changes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-63454402.amp|title=Bristol YTL Arena inaccessible by train until 2026|website=[[BBC]]|date=31 October 2022|access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>


==Project description==
==Project description==
The MetroWest Project has two phases. MetroWest Phase One involves the reopening of the Portishead Line, and hourly services between Severn Beach and Bath Spa. MetroWest Phase Two consists of reopening the Henbury Line, with half-hourly services between Weston-super-Mare and Yate.
The MetroWest Project has two phases. MetroWest Phase One involves the reopening of the Portishead Line, and hourly services between Severn Beach and Bath Spa. Phase Two consists of reopening the Henbury Line, with half-hourly services between Weston-super-Mare and Yate.


===New rail lines===
===New rail lines===
The two major components of the MetroWest project include the reopening of the [[Portishead Railway]], with stations at [[Pill railway station|Pill]] and [[Portishead railway station|Portishead]]; and the [[Henbury Loop Line|Henbury Line]] with stations at [[Ashley Hill railway station|Ashley Down]], [[North Filton Platform railway station|Filton North]] and [[Henbury railway station|Henbury]] to passenger traffic with services to [[Bristol Temple Meads]], with the two new lines expecting to generate 0.4 million passengers each per year.
The two major components of the MetroWest project are the reopening of the disused [[Portishead Railway]], with stations at [[Pill railway station|Pill]] and [[Portishead railway station|Portishead]]; and the reopening to passenger traffic of the [[Henbury Loop Line|Henbury Line]] with stations at [[Ashley Hill railway station|Ashley Down]], [[North Filton Platform railway station|Filton North]] and [[Henbury railway station|Henbury]]. The lines would have services to/from [[Bristol Temple Meads]], and were each expected to carry 0.4{{nbsp}}million passengers per year.<ref name=jltp4>{{cite web|url=https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s702/13b%20-%20Draft%20West%20of%20England%20Joint%20Local%20Transport%20Plan%20Nov%202018.pdf|title=Draft Joint Local Transport Plan 4 - 2019-2036|website=West of England Combined Authority|date= January 2019|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> In April 2016, it was reported that the [[North Somerset Council]] had agreed to buy two parcels of land for the creation of the Portishead and Pill stations at the cost of £880,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Council's £850k deal for 'exciting' rail project|url=http://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/council_s_850k_deal_for_exciting_rail_project_1_4501619|publisher=North Somerset Times|date=20 April 2016|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>
In April 2016, it was reported by [[North Somerset Times]] that the [[North Somerset Council]] had agreed to buy two pieces of land for the creation of the Portishead and Pill stations at the cost of £880,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Council's £850k deal for 'exciting' rail project|url=http://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/council_s_850k_deal_for_exciting_rail_project_1_4501619|publisher=North Somerset Times|date=20 April 2016|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>


===Upgrades and new stations on existing lines===
===Upgrades and new stations on existing lines===
[[File:2018 at Horfield - relaying the main line (02).JPG|thumb|Work in 2018 to reinstate the two extra tracks at the site of [[Horfield railway station]]]]
[[File:2018 at Horfield - relaying the main line (02).JPG|thumb|Work in 2018 to reinstate the two extra tracks at the site of [[Horfield railway station]]]]
Upgrades to existing lines include the four-tracking of [[Filton Bank]], the line from Bristol Temple Meads to [[Bristol Parkway railway station|Bristol Parkway]], in order to separate local journeys from express and long distance trains, similar to the [[S-train]] principle. This work was completed in 2018<ref>NR agrees £33m contract for Bristol four-tracking ''[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]'' issue 761 12 November 2014 page 24</ref> and will allow two trains per hour between Bristol Temple Meads and [[Yate]], and two trains per hour from the [[Severn Beach Line]] to [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath Spa]], which are expected to generate 0.25 and 0.6 million passengers per year respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s702/13b%20-%20Draft%20West%20of%20England%20Joint%20Local%20Transport%20Plan%20Nov%202018.pdf|title=Draft Joint Local Transport Plan 4 - 2019-2036|website=West of England Combined Authority|date= January 2019|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref>
Upgrades to existing lines include the four-tracking of [[Filton Bank]], the line from Bristol Temple Meads to [[Bristol Parkway railway station|Bristol Parkway]], in order to separate local journeys from express and long distance trains, similar to the [[S-train]] principle. This work was completed in 2018<ref>NR agrees £33m contract for Bristol four-tracking ''[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]'' issue 761 12 November 2014 page 24</ref> and will allow two trains per hour between Bristol Temple Meads and [[Yate]], and two trains per hour from the [[Severn Beach Line]] to [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath Spa]], which are expected to generate 0.25 and 0.6 million passengers per year respectively.<ref name=jltp4/>


In 2017, £2.23 million was allocated for construction of the [[Portway Parkway railway station|Portway Parkway station]] which had been under discussion since 2009, of which £1.67m came from the government's New Stations Fund, with additional funding coming from the [[West of England Combined Authority]] and [[Local enterprise partnership|West of England Local Enterprise Partnership]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westofengland-ca.org.uk/funding-boost-west-england-transport-projects/|title=Funding Boost for West of England Transport Projects|date=28 June 2017|website=West of England Combined Authority|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="portwaypost">{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/portway-park-ride-train-station-326954|title=Portway Park and Ride train station set to open in 2019 as work starts|access-date=16 August 2017|date=15 August 2017|author=Yong, Michael|work=[[Bristol Post]]|publisher=[[Local World]]}}</ref> Ground surveys began in 2017, with completion originally planned for 2019; however, planning permission was not granted until March 2019.<ref name="portwaypost" /><ref name="portwaypost2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/portway-park-ride-train-station-2760856|title=Portway Park and Ride train station on track after planning permission granted|author=Wilson, Kate|date=15 April 2019|access-date= 15 April 2019|work=[[Bristol Post]]|publisher=[[Local World]]}}</ref> Further potential station reopenings include [[Ashton Gate railway station|Ashton Gate]], [[St Anne's Park railway station|St Anne's Park]], [[Saltford railway station|Saltford]] and [[Horfield railway station|Horfield]].
In 2017, £2.23{{nbsp}}million was allocated for construction of the [[Portway Park & Ride railway station|Portway Park & Ride station]] on the Severn Beach Line, which had been under discussion since 2009. £1.67{{nbsp}}million came from the government's New Stations Fund, with additional funding from the [[West of England Combined Authority]] and [[Local enterprise partnership|West of England Local Enterprise Partnership]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westofengland-ca.org.uk/funding-boost-west-england-transport-projects/|title=Funding Boost for West of England Transport Projects|date=28 June 2017|website=West of England Combined Authority|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="portwaypost">{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/portway-park-ride-train-station-326954|title=Portway Park and Ride train station set to open in 2019 as work starts|access-date=16 August 2017|date=15 August 2017|author=Yong, Michael|work=[[Bristol Post]]|publisher=[[Local World]]}}</ref> Ground surveys began in 2017, with completion originally planned for 2019; however, planning permission was not granted until March 2019.<ref name="portwaypost" /><ref name="portwaypost2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/portway-park-ride-train-station-2760856|title=Portway Park and Ride train station on track after planning permission granted|author=Wilson, Kate|date=15 April 2019|access-date= 15 April 2019|work=[[Bristol Post]]|publisher=[[Local World]]}}</ref> Work began on the station in early 2022 and after some delays it opened on 1 August 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Chloe |title=Construction of Bristol’s new railway station has begun |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/02/construction-of-bristols-new-railway-station-has-begun.html |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=Rail Advent |date=5 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Seabrook |first1=Alex |title=Bristol Portway railway station due to open this summer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-64802095 |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Portway Park & Ride Station |url=https://www.gwr.com/stations-and-destinations/stations/new-stations/portway-park-and-ride |website=GWR |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>

In 2023, work began on building [[Ashley Down railway station]] on the site of the former [[Ashley Hill railway station]]. Services commenced on 28 September 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/news/ashley-down-station-is-back/ | date = 27 September 2024 | title = Ashley Down station is back | publisher = West of England Combined Authority | access-date = 28 September 2024}}</ref><ref name = nropening >{{cite web | url = https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/celebration-as-bristols-new-ashley-down-station-gets-ready-for-passengers | date = 27 September 2024 | title = Celebration as Bristol’s new Ashley Down station gets ready for passengers | publisher = Network Rail | access-date = 28 September 2024}}</ref>

Further potential station reopenings include [[Ashton Gate railway station|Ashton Gate]], [[St Anne's Park railway station|St Anne's Park]], [[Saltford railway station|Saltford]] and [[Horfield railway station|Horfield]].


==Future extensions==
==Future extensions==
Extensions are proposed north from [[Yate railway station|Yate]] to [[Gloucester railway station|Gloucester]] and southeast from [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath]] to [[Westbury railway station|Westbury]], with WECA in talks with [[Network Rail]] to determine the necessary infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bristols-metrowest-could-be-expanded-to-gloucester-and-westbury-|title=Bristol’s MetroWest could be expanded to Gloucester and Westbury|website=FOSBR|date= 5 March 2019|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> In 2016, [[Wiltshire Council]] were studying the potential of a MetroWest extension to [[Chippenham railway station|Chippenham]] which would see a reopened [[Corsham railway station|Corsham station]] between Chippenham and Bath Spa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessbiscuit.com/news/3197-corsham-station|title=CASE FOR NEW RAILWAY STATION AT CORSHAM IS STRONG – WILTSHIRE COUNCIL|website=Business Biscuit|date=2 February 2016|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
Extensions are proposed north from [[Yate railway station|Yate]] to [[Gloucester railway station|Gloucester]] and southeast from [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath]] to [[Westbury railway station|Westbury]], with WECA in talks with [[Network Rail]] to determine the necessary infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/bristols-metrowest-could-be-expanded-to-gloucester-and-westbury-|title=Bristol's MetroWest could be expanded to Gloucester and Westbury|website=FOSBR|date= 5 March 2019|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> In 2016, [[Wiltshire Council]] were studying the potential of a MetroWest extension to [[Chippenham railway station|Chippenham]] which would see a reopened [[Corsham railway station|Corsham station]] between Chippenham and Bath Spa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessbiscuit.com/news/3197-corsham-station|title=CASE FOR NEW RAILWAY STATION AT CORSHAM IS STRONG – WILTSHIRE COUNCIL|website=Business Biscuit|date=2 February 2016|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> [[Bath and North East Somerset]] also commissioned a study into the reopening of [[Bathampton railway station|Bathampton station]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/siteimages/Parking-and-Travel/bathampton_report_-final.pdf_1589752763.pdf|title=Bathampton Station - Bath & North East Somerset Council|website=www.bathnes.gov.uk|date=1 May 2015|access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref>

In 2020 WECA published its 10 year rail delivery plan, which included the potential reopening of [[Charfield railway station]] and "Temple Meads to Parson Street capacity building to allow more frequent services".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/plan-approved-to-transform-west-of-england-rail-travel/|title=Plan approved to transform West of England rail travel|website=West of England Combined Authority|date=9 December 2020|accessdate=20 February 2021}}</ref>


===Airport rail link===
===Airport rail link===
{{main|Bristol Airport Rail Link}}
{{main|Bristol Airport Rail Link}}
A report produced by the West of England LEP into improving access to [[Bristol Airport]] from the city centre studied the potential of a heavy rail link to the airport,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/assets/files/Place/Bristol%20South%20West%20Economic%20Link%20Option%20Development%20Report.pdf|title=Bristol South West Economic Link - Options Development Report|website=westofenglandlep.co.uk|access-date=20 November 2016}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> either branching from [[Parson Street railway station|Parson Street]] following the A38 road, from [[Nailsea and Backwell railway station|Nailsea & Backwell]], or from [[Yatton railway station|Yatton]] using the old trackbed of the [[Wrington Vale Light Railway]]. However, by 2017 it was confirmed the airport link was likely to form part of Bristol's proposed [[Light rail in Bristol|mass transit network]].<ref name="West of England Joint Transport Study - Executive Summary - October 2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Item-12-Joint-Transport-Study-Final-Report-with-appendixes.pdf|title=West of England Joint Transport Study - Executive Summary - October 2017|website=West of England Combined Authority|date= 30 October 2017|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
A report produced by the West of England LEP into improving access to [[Bristol Airport]] from the city centre studied the potential of a heavy rail link to the airport,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/assets/files/Place/Bristol%20South%20West%20Economic%20Link%20Option%20Development%20Report.pdf|title=Bristol South West Economic Link - Options Development Report|website=westofenglandlep.co.uk|access-date=20 November 2016}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> either branching from [[Parson Street railway station|Parson Street]] following the A38 road, from [[Nailsea and Backwell railway station|Nailsea & Backwell]], or from [[Yatton railway station|Yatton]] using the old trackbed of the [[Wrington Vale Light Railway]]. However, by 2017 it was confirmed the airport link was likely to form part of [[Light rail in Bristol|Bristol's proposed mass transit network]].<ref name="West of England Joint Transport Study - Executive Summary - October 2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Item-12-Joint-Transport-Study-Final-Report-with-appendixes.pdf|title=West of England Joint Transport Study - Executive Summary - October 2017|website=West of England Combined Authority|date= 30 October 2017|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>


===Thornbury Branch Line===
===Thornbury Branch Line===
Line 94: Line 106:
[[Category:Rail transport in Bristol]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Bristol]]
[[Category:Proposed railway lines in England]]
[[Category:Proposed railway lines in England]]
[[Category:Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (United Kingdom)]]

Latest revision as of 11:30, 28 September 2024

For other uses, see Metro West.

MetroWest
Overview
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleGreater Bristol
Transit typeCommuter rail
Number of lines3 + 2 under construction
Number of stations26 currently, another 6-10 planned
Websitetravelwest.info/metrowest
Operation
Began operation13 December 2021[1]
Operator(s)Great Western Railway

MetroWest, formerly known as the Greater Bristol Metro, is a project to improve the rail services in Bristol, England, and the surrounding region. It was first proposed at First Great Western's Stakeholder Event in March 2008.[2] The aim of the project is to develop half-hourly services through central Bristol which will also serve the surrounding West of England region.[3] Transport campaigning groups Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FoSBR) and Transport for Greater Bristol are actively supporting the proposal, [4][5] as are the three unitary authorities under the West of England Combined Authority[6][7] and North Somerset Council.

MetroWest services began on 13 December 2021, with the doubling of the frequency of services from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach.[1]

History

[edit]

Early plans

[edit]

Earlier plans for a metro system were promoted by then MEP Richard Cottrell in 1986, and acts of Parliament were secured. This would have used existing track, with new build through the city centre. However, the scheme folded in around 2004 when Advanced Transport for Avon was wound up with debts of £3.8 million.[8]

Initial planning

[edit]

Rail usage in the West of England doubled in the ten years between 1999 and 2009.[9] A campaign for a Greater Bristol Metro was launched in February 2012,[7] with plans prepared by engineering consultancy Halcrow Group.[10][11] The scheme was estimated to cost £22 million at 2008/09 prices and could be completed between 2016 and 2021.[6]

The 2012 plans included station reopening costs, estimated by Bristol City Council to be an average of £5 million each.[7] Related estimates for reopening of the Portishead Railway and for four-tracking between Parson Street and Filton Bank were reported as approximately £50 million and £30 million respectively.[7] It was subsequently reported that the Portishead Railway reopening would cost around £33 million.[11]

Local politicians at the launch of the Metro campaign in 2012

The 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.[12] Councillor Tim Kent stated in September 2012 that the first part of the scheme, on the Severn Beach Line, would be delivered "next year".[13]

An opinion piece in the Bristol Evening Post in June 2011 called for the establishment of an Integrated Transport Authority for the West of England and for progress on the metro proposal.[14] During the Rail Priority Conference organised by the West of England Partnership in November 2011, delegates travelled on the Portishead line, the Severn Beach line and the Henbury Loop, using sections of track not currently used for passenger traffic.[15][16] In early 2012, during the consultation phase for the new Great Western rail franchise, Bristol City Council and local rail user groups launched Bristol Metro 2013 to ask bidders to incorporate metro plans into their bids.[17] Bristol MPs were lobbied in Westminster by Dawn Primarolo (MP for Bristol South)[18] and Steve Webb (former MP for Thornbury & Yate).[19] The Saltford Station Campaign Group and Bath and North East Somerset Council suggested in April 2012 that the reopening of Saltford station could be part funded by means other than those included in the West of England Partnership's report.[20][21]

By 2015, little progress had been made on the project, with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership producing a Key Principles Report in November 2015 reiterating the aspiration to reopen lines and increased train frequencies as well as discussing future potential transport projects for the West of England region, including new rail transit based options referred to as MetroWest++. The options outlined include reopening the Thornbury Branch Line, a Yate to Bath route, the use of tram train technology, a link to the city centre and a connection to Bristol Airport.[22] A 2015 report was produced by Arup, appointed by Bristol City Council, to analyse potential cost of electrifying both phases of MetroWest, with Arup concluding a total cost of £175 million.[23]

Delays

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By 2017, the planned opening date for the Portishead Line was said to be 2020.[24][failed verification] In March 2017, MetroWest reported a substantial increase in the estimated costs of Phase 1, owing to the work required to upgrade the line in the Avon Gorge to achieve the line speeds required for a half-hourly service, and to reroute road traffic away from a level crossing in Ashton Vale.[25] The original £50 million cost estimate had increased to £145 million, which was reduced to £116 million by changing the planned frequency to hourly.[26] In 2018 the local authority made a bid for funding from central government that was turned down, placing the project into uncertainty.[27]

Funding of £31 million for the Portishead line was promised in April 2019 by Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport.[28] After this the revised date for the opening of the Portishead line became 'by 2023'.[29] In August 2019, North Somerset Council announced it would be submitting a request for a development consent order to the government by the end of September, with a proposed 2023 opening being reiterated.[30] The COVID-19 pandemic then pushed back the opening of the Portishead Line by one year to December 2024.[31]

Following further delays, Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper gave final consent for the Portishead railway in November 2022, with an aspired opening date of 2026.[32] The Henbury line, in particular the North Filton station, is due to open the same year after design changes.[33]

Project description

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The MetroWest Project has two phases. MetroWest Phase One involves the reopening of the Portishead Line, and hourly services between Severn Beach and Bath Spa. Phase Two consists of reopening the Henbury Line, with half-hourly services between Weston-super-Mare and Yate.

New rail lines

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The two major components of the MetroWest project are the reopening of the disused Portishead Railway, with stations at Pill and Portishead; and the reopening to passenger traffic of the Henbury Line with stations at Ashley Down, Filton North and Henbury. The lines would have services to/from Bristol Temple Meads, and were each expected to carry 0.4 million passengers per year.[34] In April 2016, it was reported that the North Somerset Council had agreed to buy two parcels of land for the creation of the Portishead and Pill stations at the cost of £880,000.[35]

Upgrades and new stations on existing lines

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Work in 2018 to reinstate the two extra tracks at the site of Horfield railway station

Upgrades to existing lines include the four-tracking of Filton Bank, the line from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway, in order to separate local journeys from express and long distance trains, similar to the S-train principle. This work was completed in 2018[36] and will allow two trains per hour between Bristol Temple Meads and Yate, and two trains per hour from the Severn Beach Line to Bath Spa, which are expected to generate 0.25 and 0.6 million passengers per year respectively.[34]

In 2017, £2.23 million was allocated for construction of the Portway Park & Ride station on the Severn Beach Line, which had been under discussion since 2009. £1.67 million came from the government's New Stations Fund, with additional funding from the West of England Combined Authority and West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.[37][38] Ground surveys began in 2017, with completion originally planned for 2019; however, planning permission was not granted until March 2019.[38][39] Work began on the station in early 2022 and after some delays it opened on 1 August 2023.[40][41][42]

In 2023, work began on building Ashley Down railway station on the site of the former Ashley Hill railway station. Services commenced on 28 September 2024.[43][44]

Further potential station reopenings include Ashton Gate, St Anne's Park, Saltford and Horfield.

Future extensions

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Extensions are proposed north from Yate to Gloucester and southeast from Bath to Westbury, with WECA in talks with Network Rail to determine the necessary infrastructure.[45] In 2016, Wiltshire Council were studying the potential of a MetroWest extension to Chippenham which would see a reopened Corsham station between Chippenham and Bath Spa.[46] Bath and North East Somerset also commissioned a study into the reopening of Bathampton station in 2015.[47]

In 2020 WECA published its 10 year rail delivery plan, which included the potential reopening of Charfield railway station and "Temple Meads to Parson Street capacity building to allow more frequent services".[48]

[edit]
Main article: Bristol Airport Rail Link

A report produced by the West of England LEP into improving access to Bristol Airport from the city centre studied the potential of a heavy rail link to the airport,[49] either branching from Parson Street following the A38 road, from Nailsea & Backwell, or from Yatton using the old trackbed of the Wrington Vale Light Railway. However, by 2017 it was confirmed the airport link was likely to form part of Bristol's proposed mass transit network.[50]

Thornbury Branch Line

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Suggestions were made to reopen the Thornbury Branch Line. However, in 2017 the West of England Combined Authority found there would be several challenges in delivering this proposal,[50] as the former rail alignment into Thornbury is now occupied by an industrial estate and there is no practical routing into the town. The station would therefore have to be located on the edge of Thornbury at a significant distance from the town centre, making it less attractive to passengers. The Grovesend tunnel would also need to be reopened, with its current condition unknown, and there would be capacity constraints at Westerleigh Junction. This led to the Authority deciding not to pursue reopening the line. FOSBR continue to advocate reopening the line in the future.[51]

In 2020, the line was mentioned by Railway Gazette International as having potential for future funding from the Department for Transport's "Restoring Your Railway" initiative.[52]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Severn Beach line train service to increase to half-hourly". Rail Advent. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ "How transport decisions are made in the West of England". TravelWest. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  3. ^ White, James (13 March 2009). "Item 04 Greater Bristol Metro" (PDF). West of England Partnership. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  4. ^ "FoSBR Plan for Rail". fosbr.org.uk. 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Transport for Greater Bristol : News". tfgb.org.uk. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  6. ^ a b "CS10: Transportation and Movement (application/pdf Object)" (PDF). North Somerset Council. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d "Campaign launched for a Greater Bristol Metro link". Bristol Evening Post. 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  8. ^ "Supertram vision at end of the line". Bristol Evening Post, archived at LexisNexis. Bristol United Press. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  9. ^ "National Rail Trends 2009-10 Yearbook" (PDF). Office of Rail Regulation. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Campaigners for Greater Bristol Metro set out plans to transform rail services by 2018". Bristol Evening Post. 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Greater Bristol Metro report: First phase would cost £40m". Bristol Evening Post. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  12. ^ Ribbeck, Michael (6 July 2012). "£100 million Bristol Metro train network by 2016". The Post, Bristol. Northcliffe Media. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Popular Severn Beach line gets new late service". Bristol Evening Post. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  14. ^ "Bristol's metro is not as far off track as you might think". Bristol Evening Post. Northcliffe Media. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  15. ^ "Rail Priority Conference 2011". travelplus.org.uk. 2011x. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  16. ^ Pierce, Ellie; Terretta, Hayley (21 November 2011). "Proposed revival for Bristol Metro scheme". Epigram. University of Bristol Student Union. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  17. ^ Staff (17 January 2012). "A campaign to revolutionise Bristol's local rail service that could see trains from Temple Meads serving all local stations every half hour is being launched today". thisisbristol.co.uk. Northcliffe Media. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  18. ^ Primarolo, Dawn (23 March 2012). "News from Your Local MP". HearFromYourMP. mySociety. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  19. ^ Sauvebois, Marion (18 April 2012). "Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb lobbies government for rail upgrade". Gloucestershire News, South Gloucestershire News - from the Gazette Series. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  20. ^ "Hopes remaining high for Saltford Station". Bath Chronicle. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  21. ^ "Saltford Station Campaign News". Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  22. ^ "Issues and Options for Consultation. Key Principles Report" (PDF). West of England Joint Transport Study. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  23. ^ "West of England Partnership - West of England Suburban Rail - Business Case" (PDF). Arup. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  24. ^ "Consultation on the location for Portishead rail station" (PDF). North Somerset Council. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Significant estimated cost increases for MetroWest Phase 1". Travelwest. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  26. ^ Pickstock, Heather (21 March 2017). "Portishead to Bristol railway line work to be done 'in stages'". Bristol Post. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  27. ^ "Is this the end of the Portishead to Bristol MetroWest rail line? Central government has refused to fund scheme". Bristol Live. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Portishead-Bristol line restoration gets funding boost". BBC News. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Councillors confident trains to Bristol from Portishead will run 'by 2023'". North Somerset Times. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  30. ^ "Plans for £116m Portishead to Bristol rail line to be sent to Government next month". North Somerset Times. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  31. ^ "Opening of Portishead railway line now delayed until 2024". Bristol Post. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Portishead to Bristol rail line gets final approval". BBC. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  33. ^ "Bristol YTL Arena inaccessible by train until 2026". BBC. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Draft Joint Local Transport Plan 4 - 2019-2036" (PDF). West of England Combined Authority. January 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  35. ^ "Council's £850k deal for 'exciting' rail project". North Somerset Times. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  36. ^ NR agrees £33m contract for Bristol four-tracking Rail issue 761 12 November 2014 page 24
  37. ^ "Funding Boost for West of England Transport Projects". West of England Combined Authority. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  38. ^ a b Yong, Michael (15 August 2017). "Portway Park and Ride train station set to open in 2019 as work starts". Bristol Post. Local World. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  39. ^ Wilson, Kate (15 April 2019). "Portway Park and Ride train station on track after planning permission granted". Bristol Post. Local World. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  40. ^ White, Chloe (5 February 2022). "Construction of Bristol's new railway station has begun". Rail Advent. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  41. ^ Seabrook, Alex (28 February 2023). "Bristol Portway railway station due to open this summer". BBC News. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Portway Park & Ride Station". GWR. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Ashley Down station is back". West of England Combined Authority. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  44. ^ "Celebration as Bristol's new Ashley Down station gets ready for passengers". Network Rail. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Bristol's MetroWest could be expanded to Gloucester and Westbury". FOSBR. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  46. ^ "CASE FOR NEW RAILWAY STATION AT CORSHAM IS STRONG – WILTSHIRE COUNCIL". Business Biscuit. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  47. ^ "Bathampton Station - Bath & North East Somerset Council" (PDF). www.bathnes.gov.uk. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  48. ^ "Plan approved to transform West of England rail travel". West of England Combined Authority. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  49. ^ "Bristol South West Economic Link - Options Development Report" (PDF). westofenglandlep.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  50. ^ a b "West of England Joint Transport Study - Executive Summary - October 2017" (PDF). West of England Combined Authority. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  51. ^ "October 2017 - Issue 95(V2)" (PDF). FOSBR. October 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  52. ^ "Restoring Your Railway Fund could provide a toolkit for town transformation". Railway Gazette International. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
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