Swindon & Wiltshire News
Half-hourly train services extended in West
Half-hourly rail services on some lines in the West are set to continue permanently, after agreement with the Department for Transport.
Since the regional authority, in partnership with Great Western Railway, introduced more frequent services on lines between Bristol Temple Meads and Westbury; Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester, via Yate; and between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach, there have been over three million more train journeys on those routes.
This represents an 28 per cent increase in people benefitting from the services.
The half-hourly trains have boosted rail connections along the following routes and stations:
· Bristol Temple Meads to Westbury (part of the Heart of Wessex Line), also stopping at Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, and Westbury
· Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester, via Yate, also stopping at Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway – and will also serve every hour the new Charfield station currently under construction
· Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach (the Severn Beach Line), also stopping at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Redland, Clifton Down, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Portway Park & Ride, Avonmouth, St Andrews Road (hourly), and Severn Beach (hourly)
The Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, has repeatedly spoken of the need to further increase the frequency of train services across the West.
A longer-term ambition is there for four trains per hour to serve stations across the network, after the region secured a record £752 million investment for transport infrastructure improvements to enable those increases over the coming years.
Later this week a new Transport Vision for the West of England will be shared, setting out more details about the authority’s goals for the future.
The metro mayor said: “Half-hourly services between Westbury, Gloucester via Yate, Severn Beach, and Bristol Temple Meads are important for local commuters, giving people more options to travel on our growing regional rail network.
“Our new agreement to protect these regular services is welcome news for passengers across the West Country.
“As we build five new train stations, and look to increase the frequency of services across the board, this is another vote of confidence in the West of England.
“As we continue working together in this new chapter, I am looking forward to sharing our exciting new Transport Vision next week to set out how we will get the West moving.”
Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate (pictured), said: “I am thrilled with the news that train services in Yate will run on a half-hour frequency permanently.
“This is something I have campaigned hard for alongside local councillors and I raised the issue five times in Parliament.
“It also means that the new Charfield station will be able to run hourly trains. The half-hour service will support jobs in Yate and also help students to access colleges in the area.”
GWR Wales and West of England commercial development nanager Hannah Shackleford said: “This is excellent news and we’re delighted the Department for Transport has recognised the value these services bring by making them permanent.
“These aren’t just trains – they’re vital economic lifelines connecting communities and businesses across the region. The decision validates our belief that reliable rail services are essential for local and national growth.
“We’ve worked closely with the West of England Combined Authority to build a compelling case for these improvements, which will also ensure our new Charfield station – currently under construction – can be served.”
Two new railway stations have opened in the region in recent years: Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down. Five more are being delivered as part of a wider £400 million regional investment: Charfield, Henbury, North Filton, Pill, and Portishead.
