£38m step forward for new train stations

Two new railway stations at Henbury and North Filton are set to move a step closer this week.

Plans to further progress both stations will be reviewed by the Mayor and council leaders at their next joint meeting on 17 October.

click to open in a new windowPlanning permission for Henbury station was granted earlier this month by South Gloucestershire Council, while work on site at North Filton is already underway. These stations, which are along the Henbury line, are being mainly funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with contributions from South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, and GWR, with Network Rail as a key partner.

Both stations are part of the West Innovation Arc proposal, a corridor of connected development across Brabazon, a transformed Bristol Parkway station, and the Bristol & Bath Science Park. The Government’s New Towns Taskforce click to open in a new windowrecommended Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc for new town status at the end of September.

The proposed next stage of funding covers:

• North Filton station opening and further detailed design work on Henbury station
• Track and signalling upgrades on the Filton West railway curve, between Filton Abbey Wood and North Filton, enabling trains to travel up to 40mph and therefore run every hour in the initial service – and help make possible a more frequent service across the suburban network in the future
• A train to serve the hourly North Filton service, while engineering works are undertaken to increase capacity on the Henbury line

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“This £38 million step forward for North Filton and Henbury stations will help enable the giant leap for rail that we need in our region. It is just the start of this bright new chapter for the West.

“Since May, we have secured record transport funding from government. That investment must also make a difference that people can see and feel when getting around our area.

“click to open in a new windowAn unprecedented three-quarters of a billion pounds will help get the West moving and on track to catch up with other city-regions, with more trains as well as better buses, and an ambition for four trains an hour at stations across our growing suburban rail network.”

Deputy Mayor Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:

“As a region we are making good progress delivering on massive investment across the West of England Combined Authority area. I’m looking forward to chairing the Transport Board to ensure the delivery of all our ambitious transport priorities right across our area, including much needed active travel links in Bath and North East Somerset.”  

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“It’s great to see plans progressing for both Henbury and North Filton train stations.

“These new stations and the reopening of this line to passengers will improve transport connections to jobs, education and leisure for new and existing communities, and provide a greener, more convenient way for people in north Bristol to travel.

“Our growing city and region deserve a sustainable and effective transport network, and investment like this is helping to make public transport a more feasible everyday option.”

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said:

“It’s great news that investment in our regional train network will take another giant step forward and help our ambitions to support our residents, visitors and businesses to get around by rail, delivering better connected communities, reducing congestion on our roads and promoting a more sustainable travel. These new stations form part of a £400 million wider rail investment for the West of England. This significant investment includes North Somerset’s two new stations at Portishead and Pill and restoration of the railway line through to Bristol. Together we are continuing to invest in public transport, employment and securing economic growth for our region.”

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“North Filton and Henbury stations will be key components of creating a world-class city district at the West Innovation Arc – a corridor of connected development across Brabazon, a transformed Bristol Parkway station, and the Bristol & Bath Science Park, underpinned by new sustainable transport. The West Innovation Arc is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver sustainable growth rooted in innovation and community.”

Once built, there will initially be one train an hour from Henbury and North Filton into Bristol Temple Meads via Filton Abbey Wood, Ashley Down, Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill.

The proposals are part of wider £400 million rail investment plans in the West of England. Five new stations are set to be built over the coming years in the West: Charfield, Henbury, North Filton, Pill, and Portishead. These add to the two new stations opened in recent years: Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down.

The West Innovation Arc is identified in click to open in a new windowthe new regional Growth Strategy as one of five major Growth Zones for the next ten years. At Brabazon, 6,500 homes; three new schools; parks, including the largest in the South West for 50 years currently have planning permission; click to open in a new windowwith work underway on a new 20,000 capacity arena, driving the creation of 30,000 new jobs and contributing £5 billion to the region, designation as a new town would unlock even faster delivery of new homes on the site. 500 new homes at Brabazon have already been built and moved into.

Press release by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority