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Delight at Rail subsidy U-turn

26th January 2007

For immediate release

 
The Greens have welcomed a U-turn by Bristol's ruling LibDem group that should bring about improved services on the Severn Beach branch line.

After axeing a subsidy on the line in last year's budget, the Cabinet has bowed to pressure from rail users and from the Green and Labour parties, and rewritten its proposed budget for the coming year to include a payment toward the cost of an extra train to work the branch.

" This should make it possible to run two trains an hour along the most heavily used section, between Clifton Down and Temple Meads" said Peter Goodwin of the Green Party. "That means it's far more likely to be used by people making unplanned journeys at short notice, the sort of trip now being made by car and clogging up the city centre."

"It's also far more convenient, and costs very little more, for those travelling on from Temple Meads by rail. "

"It's important now for the partners - that's the council, First Great Western, and the public - to make sure it's a success."

"We had been developing our own proposals to bring back this subsidy, so it's good to see the LibDems catching up with us on this part of our local rail policy at least! Their sudden discovery of 'savings' that will pay the subsidy makes us wonder how much more cash might be available to prevent cutbacks in other council services."

Notes:

See our 10 Point Plan for Bristol suburban rail services (April 2005)

Contact:

Peter Goodwin (Green Party Press Officer) 01275 543280

Links:

Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways