Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways announce 2010 award winners

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Green Party members Bill Heaney and Tony Dyer attended the ceremony.

FOSBR Chairman Bernard Lane said that the Severn Beach line had seen an increase of 60% in passenger numbers in the past two years when extra funding for the service was secured from Bristol City Council.

The funding, £1.35 million over the period 2008-11, had improved the service on the line from hourly trains to once every 40 minutes up to 7.30 p.m. with less frequent services after that.

FOSBR is now campaigning to have the service improved at other stations, particularly Yate and Keynsham, where, despite excellent infrastructure, trains stop only once an hour.

FOSBR would like the help of any local people who use Yate and Keynsham stations to help them with their campaign. Please get in touch through the FOSBR website, or through the Green Party.

The group would also like to see the Portishead line and Henbury loop (between Avonmouth and Bristol parkway) reinstated.

"Since May 2008 your train service has been more frequent and reliable because Bristol City Council has paid for a second train between Temple Meads and Avonmouth Stations," said Julie Boston of FOSBR.

"The Council is reviewing its budget so if we want this better service to continue we need to make the case for it!

Julie points us that unless we persuade the council to invest and start negotiating with First Great Western and Network Rail now, there will only be one train from May 2011 and endless cancellations as was the case prior to May 2008.

"FOSBR urge you to contact your local councillor asking him / her to tell the Cabinet that the Severn Beach line investment must be protected as part of the City Development Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2010/11 and as part of ‘service reviews in Highways, Passenger Transport and City Transport’."

The Green Party supports FOSBR in these campaigns.

"The public in Southville and Ashton are keen on the idea of reopening the Portishead line to passengers as not only would it give them easy access to Pill and Portishead for leisure, it could divert some of the football fans who currently walk through this area from Temple Meads to matches," said Councillor Tess Green.

"A new station at Ashton, where there was one years ago, would provide a public transport link for Ashton and Bower Ashton residents to Temple Meads and the centre of Bristol.

"It would also make for easier journeys for city dwellers to Ashton Court, which is close to this station.

"The route from Portishead into Bristol is one of the worst commuter routes by car with steep, narrow and twisting roads.

"A rail alternative serving the areas of Portishead, Portbury and Pill would attract many drivers off the road and reduce commuter parking in the city."

Tess and the Bristol South Green Party are members of FOSBR.

"FOSBR ran a very successful campaign to increase the frequency of trains on the Severn Beach line so let's hope they can do this for both Yate and Keynsham and take more cars off the road," Tess said.

Below you can see an image of how FOSBR sees Bristol's future rail network.

The award winners announced Thursday morning were:

For Station Improvements (no picture): Severnside Community Rail Partnership, which has introduced flower planters and help points at all stations, repainted railings (with the help of community service offenders), and painted Clifton Down’s station name on the bridge. The group has also improved shelters, signs, lighting, seats and handrails and has introduced artwork.

For Service Delivery: First Great Western, represented by Bristol Station Manager Richard Morrish (above) and First Great Western Train Drivers and Crew, represented by Gary Abbott, Secretary of Bristol Branch of RMT union.

For Rail Infrastructure Improvements: Network Rail for relaying the track from Montpelier Tunnel to Avonmouth Dock Junction, renewing Narroways Hill Junction, introducing a turn-back facility at Clifton Down, making the signalling cable more secure and introducing a new train-to-shore communication system mast at Montpelier.

For Funding: Bristol City Council, represented by Liberal Democrat Councillor for Eastville Steve Comer.

There were seven awards for Inspiration, “celebrating an explosion of creativity inspired by the Severn Beach Line”.

1) FOSBEER pamphlet about pubs near rail stations by Matt Redmond.

2) Stapleton Road mural by artist Bill Guilding.

3) Fairfield High School for pop art murals at Redland station, here with teacher David Otlet.

4) Henbury School for Roman-style mosaics at Sea Mills station, here with teacher Ben Bird.

5) Avonmouth CE Primary School for murals at Avonmouth station, here with teacher Ralph Dolling.

6) “Looking for Obama” play featuring Sea Mills station by playwright Jenny Davis.

7) "The Severn Beach Line" film by poet David Johnson and director Diana Taylor.