I thought the owners planned to build industrial units on that site? I supose with Filton runway due to close it could even end up as housing now.


I would say the residents have every reason to be scared as I don't see any major grounds for South Gloucestershire council to reject the planning application. Should South Glos reject the application I'd be amazed if the decision wasn't "called in" by the Secretary of State on the grounds of "major importance having more than local significance".

The railway triangle is interesting peice of land for a depot as the space within the triangle is generally lower than the land outside of it, couple that with the tracks being banked up and you have natural screened bowl in which to build something not visible from outside. The planting and embankments will act as natural acoustic barriers but I'd guess Hitachi will have covered in the noise assesment report.. Chemical / water polution isn't really an issue these days as the Enviroment agency require all new industrial sites not to discharge directly into water courses. Light polution will be restricted by CAA^» (Civil Aviation Authority - about) rules over allowable lighting on the approach / vicinity of a commercial airport for anyone with knowledge of the area this is way the lamp standards around Cribbs Causeway are half the normal height.  The western part of the site has runway approach lights currently.

In terms of other suitable sites this side of the seven tunnel I supose you could build it in Avonmouth / Serven Beach / Pilning plenty of spare land and no restrictions over 24 hour working, but picking another location now certainly wouldn't get it open in time for the first trains.



Edit note: Quote marks fixed. CfN. 

I do agree the council / councilors are barking up the wrong tree.

It is also nice to note that local green councilor doesn't know which stations serve the golden valley line having omitted Stonehouse (also not accessible).

Railtrack made Cam and Dursley accessible on opening by installing a very long access ramp onto the foot bridge rather than building a lift. This wouldn't be possible at Stroud or Kemble as both stations and footbridges are grade II listed. Actually I'm not sure English hertatage would allow a typical platform lift to be installed as it would change the character of the existing listed footbridge, so improving accessiblity would likely require a new and somewhat expensive accessible footbridge and the existing being either left insitu or relocated to the hertitage railway.