New Station fund announcement

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

In Bristol, this could be another chance to trot out the now mythical Portway Park and Ride station, scheduled for opening in Autumn 2013 IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly). Although the only way that is shovel ready would be in the cemetery context of the term by now.

That's probably at GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) 4 or 5 isn't it? 

If it is, it is being kept well under wraps. The last mention of it in the Bristol Post is from August 2014, suggesting an opening date of April 2016. The papers for the Joint Transport Board meeting on 12 September 2014 say:

Portway Park & Ride platform
19. It was hoped that the second Network Rail Value Management Workshop for the project would be held in September 2014. Unfortunately due to Network Rail’s current busy programme of works, including electrification and Filton Bank four tracking, this workshop has been delayed until early 2015. Network Rail is currently procuring consultants for GRIP 3 project development. Sufficient time has been built into the programme to achieve a Summer 2016 opening date, depending on the costs that emerge through the project’s development.

March 2015's papers show (December 2014's said similar):

29. The current GRIP Stage 2 study is nearing completion and a review meeting has been arranged for mid-March 2015 where Network Rail and their consultants ARUP will present the findings of the study. It is anticipated that the key issues will be around signalling requirements for the West Town Gate level crossing to minimize the downtime of barriers (which is also required for MetroWest Phase). It is anticipated that the GRIP Stage 2 report will be published in April 2015.

July 2015 sees a rather upbeat report:

17. The GRIP Stage 2 study has been completed and we expect Network Rail to issue the report to Bristol City Council later this month. The emerging findings of the study indicate that there are feasible options to deliver a new platform to serve the Park & Ride site with some rail signal mitigation works required. Bristol City Council will consider these options in the context of their likely cost and implications for the business case, and the potential delivery timescales.

October 2015's report is concise:

Portway Park & Ride platform
15. Bristol City Council is awaiting the final GRIP Stage 2 study.

Come the end of January 2016, the papers begin to assume a pattern familiar to Bristol transport watchers:

28. The GRIP Stage 2 report has been completed by Network Rail. Bristol City Council has identified £0.35m funding to take the project forward to GRIP Stage 3 with associated work streams in 2015/16 and for two years afterwards. A bid may be made to the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund, details of the new round of funding still to be announced, but the project is not reliant on a bid. Delivery is planned for the first half of 2019.

No explanation for the 3-year slippage. So it is that in the papers for the meetings in March and June 2016, we read:

(Intentionally left blank)

This suggests it has made it to GRIP 2. I have heard comments elsewhere that suggest the down time of the level crossing at West Town Road may well be fatal to the project.

[Andy]

Some authorities are all talk no action to gain popularity. Others get on with it. Devon council I would say set the example.
Cornwall council have a chap high up who doesn't drive and is reliant on public transport, but nearly all of his portfolio spending has been bus lanes and bus projects. No rail projects I've heard spoke of.

You're being rather unfair to Cornwall Council there, Rich.  They are heavily investing in rail, with the aid too of EU^» (European Union - about) funding.   First up are the refurbished sleeper carriages, new sleeper lounges at Penzance and Truro and improvements to the Paddington one (funded by Cornwall), plus enlargement of Long Rock Depot, then we have the extra signals (22 in all) to allow the two train an hour service between Plymouth and Penzance from December 2018.  The trains to run this service are being funded through the franchise.  St Erth Park & Ride (a long-running project) is getting closer to fruition too.

Rail will also be a big beneficiary of the One Transport System for Cornwall now being planned by the Council - this is an ambitious attempt to link all public transport.  The aim is a unified timetable and much improved intermodal ticketing, among other things.

In terms of the New Stations Fund,  Marsh Barton in Exeter is very well advanced now so I'd be pretty sure that a bid will go in from Devon to help with the cost of that.  Next in line is Edginswell in north Torquay, near the Hospital, which Torbay Council are leading on. 


Edit to clarify quoting - Grahame

Realistically, I can't think of a new/reopened station proposal in Cornwall that could compete with the likes of Marsh Barton or Edginswell.   

   

[TaplowGreen]

Some authorities are all talk no action to gain popularity. Others get on with it. Devon council I would say set the example.
Cornwall council have a chap high up who doesn't drive and is reliant on public transport, but nearly all of his portfolio spending has been bus lanes and bus projects. No rail projects I've heard spoke of.

You're being rather unfair to Cornwall Council there, Rich.  They are heavily investing in rail, with the aid too of EU^» (European Union - about) funding.   First up are the refurbished sleeper carriages, new sleeper lounges at Penzance and Truro and improvements to the Paddington one (funded by Cornwall), plus enlargement of Long Rock Depot, then we have the extra signals (22 in all) to allow the two train an hour service between Plymouth and Penzance from December 2018.  The trains to run this service are being funded through the franchise.  St Erth Park & Ride (a long-running project) is getting closer to fruition too.

Rail will also be a big beneficiary of the One Transport System for Cornwall now being planned by the Council - this is an ambitious attempt to link all public transport.  The aim is a unified timetable and much improved intermodal ticketing, among other things.

In terms of the New Stations Fund,  Marsh Barton in Exeter is very well advanced now so I'd be pretty sure that a bid will go in from Devon to help with the cost of that.  Next in line is Edginswell in north Torquay, near the Hospital, which Torbay Council are leading on. 


Edit to clarify quoting - Grahame

Forgive me if I'm missing something - are you saying that Cornwall County Council are paying to refurbish GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s Sleeper carriages, lounges and also signals..............isn't this something that should be funded by GWR and NR^» (Network Rail - home page)?

I can't see those who are being turned down for Local Authority Funding in Cornwall being too impressed that their money is being spent on improving a sleeper lounge at Paddington, which let's face it only a tiny minority of Cornishmen are ever going to get any benefit from?

[Tim]

are you saying that Cornwall County Council are paying to refurbish GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s Sleeper carriages, lounges and also signals

It's EU^» (European Union - about) money though.  Widely seen by local authorities as "free money" rather than money paid by Cornish taxpayers (although of course a tax payer in Cornwall contributes to the pot out of which it is drawn)

[TaplowGreen]

are you saying that Cornwall County Council are paying to refurbish GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s Sleeper carriages, lounges and also signals

It's EU^» (European Union - about) money though.  Widely seen by local authorities as "free money" rather than money paid by Cornish taxpayers (although of course a tax payer in Cornwall contributes to the pot out of which it is drawn)

OK I just think it's a rather bizarre use of this money when surely it is up to GWR/NR^» (Network Rail - home page) to maintain their assets? I fail to see how an improved sleeper lounge at Paddington station improves the lot of the average Cornishman - unless of course this money has been granted by the EU for this specific purpose?

[ellendune]

are you saying that Cornwall County Council are paying to refurbish GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s Sleeper carriages, lounges and also signals

It's EU^» (European Union - about) money though.  Widely seen by local authorities as "free money" rather than money paid by Cornish taxpayers (although of course a tax payer in Cornwall contributes to the pot out of which it is drawn)

OK I just think it's a rather bizarre use of this money when surely it is up to GWR/NR^» (Network Rail - home page) to maintain their assets? I fail to see how an improved sleeper lounge at Paddington station improves the lot of the average Cornishman - unless of course this money has been granted by the EU for this specific purpose?

You seem to be under the misapprehension that rail is privatised. 

NR is now officially recognised as a public sector body and so improvements (that is what we are talking about signalling improvements to increase capacity) funded by other public sector bodies is entirely logical.  I doubt whether the additional funding is for the like-for-like renewals element anyway. 

GWR, while it is a private sector company is actually only providing a contracted service to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about), so the service provided is not really private sector either.  I know its called a franchise, but the term of contract is so short that it is little more than a management contract.  Since the upgrading of the sleeper fleet does not stack up commercially, GWR can only do it if the public sector stumps up some money.  As for the trains, they do not belong to GWR and the lease will pass to any successor to GWR if/when the franchise changes hands. If you want franchises that actually involve the private sector investing then you will have to go back to 20 year or longer franchises without micromanagement from Dft.  Chiltern - before the 2008 banking crash - was the only real example.  However politicians (of all parties) want to be able to meddle in things that they do not understand ans so this is not an option. 

As for the lounge at Paddington it is only a small part of the sleeper programmer all of which is projected to provide economic benefits to Cornwall.  If there is a problem, since Cornwall CC are not funding the whole scheme they could easily say they are not funding that bit.

Simples.   

[TaplowGreen]

You seem to be under the misapprehension that rail is privatised. 

..............There's a Mr Corbyn wanting to speak to you about that one, you'll find him sitting on the floor (without his wife!) 




Edit by FT, N! - formatting only

[LiskeardRich]

I've just stumbled across a list of candidate stations.

http://trundleage.co.uk/2016/08/new-stations-fund-round-2-contenders/

The second round of the New Stations Fund sees up to £20m allocated to projects to open railway stations on the national rail network in England and Wales. The first round supported the opening of five railway stations. Three have been opened and the other two are due to open shortly.
There are a number of contenders for this funding. The first round saw thirteen applications for funding and a number of groups organisations have progressed campaigns and studies into other candidates.

So who are the contenders!

Haxby

Located on the York to Scarborough railway line, this station did not receive funding during the first round of the New Stations Fund. Regardless, the proposal remains a strong candidate, having been pushed as a likely station project in the Leeds City Region.

Wixams

Located on the Midland Mainline, this station is subject to frustration from residents of new build housing estates who were promised a railway station. Developments have not progressed as fast as expected here, so potentially it could miss out. However, stakeholders were meeting to look at ways to cover the £12m funding gap. Is it too much?

Warrington West

Struggling with a shortfall of funding, this proposal could be a likely winner. The station surprised many when it made it on to the map for services of the new Northern Rail franchise. The local authority has been pushing this project through the required studies over the last few years.

Worcestershire Parkway

Following the recent resolution of the land ownership issues, only money stands between this station and an opening date. There are concerns that the station may struggle attract the required train services to ensure that it opens.

Belford

Located north of Chathill, this station was a contender for opening. With an infrequent service and only a single platform, it could be a low cost addition. However, a number of issues have put this proposal on the back burner. Could an injection of government cash unlock the potential of this site.

Horton Sea View/Peterlee

Another station quietly moving through the studies is a proposed station serving Peterlee on the Newcastle to Sunderland Coast line. The council are unlikely to ignore an opportunity like this to invest in this area.

Portway Park and Ride

One of the proposed stations to enhance the MetroWest project is Portway Park and Ride. With the P&R^▸ (Park and Ride) already in place, it could be a relatively low cost addition, although it may struggle with abstraction from existing passenger transport services. It has completed GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) 2 and funding is in place to deliver GRIP 3.

Cranbrook East

Hot on the heels of Cranbrook is Cranbrook East. The long term developments of this area could bring a demand for a second railway station. Proposals are in an early stage but they are already being considered by the relevant authorities. Unlikely contender with others in a better position in this area.

Edginswell

Very likely with some funding already in place. Whilst the station is desired, the proposed car park has been rejected by local residents and the planning committee. Expected opening date is December 2018.

Reading Green Park

A possibility with the station part funded as part of a local growth deal. Costs have increased when higher passenger forecasts required more facilities to be provided here.

Crosshills and Kildwick

Located on the Airedale line, this station has been a long held ambition for some. It sits awkwardly just over the border from West Yorkshire, which has left it without the required support. However, the inclusion of Craven in the Leeds City region made it a sure fire inclusion in the top four station projects. An outside chance with strong candidates located elsewhere in the region and a ticketing problem being located on the wrong side of the border.

East Leeds Parkway

Where is East Leeds Parkway going to go is a question expected to be answered shortly by a report to the local transport authority. There are two options with one being Thorpe Park and a second being near Micklefield. Potentially the other strong candidates in the region with stronger business cases leaves this one as unlikely

Maghull North

Located on the Merseyrail network, this station should be funded from the local growth fund and the Housing and Communities Agency. It is unlikely to apply.

Bow Street

A project that has been moving through studies recently has been the proposed station serving Bow Street. Outline plans are almost ready to be submitted, putting this station in the ideal position of being virtually shovel ready. If the potential time tabling issues are resolved, this could be the strongest Welsh contender.

Cullompton

With £100k committed by the local councils last month to develop early plans, this station could be a contender to enhance the rail network around Exeter.

Ashington/Bedlington

Added to the Northern Rail franchising bid documents as an option to cost, Ashington and Bedlington are potential candidates. Bedlington lies a few short miles beyond the head shunt that Morpeth trains use between services. Ashington would require the creation of a new rail service up the Blyth and Tyne. An active campaign group could help put the case together for funding.

Ashton Gate

Located on the Portishead line, this station is a strong candidate for funding. It could be constructed as part of the works to open the Portishead line to passenger traffic and be ready for the deadline set by the NSF requirements.

Saltford

Located near Bath, this is one of three stations proposed to serve the MetroWest network that is not fully funded. The station has strong local support from the station action group.

Corsham

Located between Bath and Chippenham, this is one of three stations proposed to serve the MetroWest network that is not fully funded.

Stonehouse (Bristol Road)

With strong support from residents and the local MP^▸ (Member of Parliament), this station would provide a direct link to Bristol and Birmingham for residents of Stonehouse.

Langport and Somerton

Commendable efforts are being made by the local media to drive forward the campaign to open the railway stations serving Somerton and Langport.

Wantage and Grove

There is local support for a station serving here although it does not appear that any outline business cases have recently been completed. Without this, the railway station is an outside chance.

Leeds Bradford Airport

Highly unlikely but with a similar BCR^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) to a direct link to the airport, a railway station near the airport on the Harrogate line could be a potential candidate if the local transport authority performs a U-turn on their conclusions from the recent report into surface access to Leeds Bradford Airport.

Elland

Long proposed since the line through Brighouse opened in the year 2000. It managed to make the top four proposals with the main difficulties being the delivery of a railway station at an elevated site and the provision of step free access. This is another of the four candidates in the Leeds City Region that could get funding.

Middlewich

Just weeks away from publishing a business case, this candidate sits closed as Virgin Voyagers crawl past during weekend diversions. If the infrastructure concerns (mainly line speed) can be mitigated and trains sourced to run the additional service required, Middlewich could be a candidate.

Halton Chord

The new service could bring a new railway station to serve the area due to be transformed by the new bridge over the Mersey. Without a service already in place it will be difficult to model likely demands particularly with so many transport changes due in this area.

[TonyK]

This confirms that the Portway P&R^▸ (Park and Ride) station languishes at GRIP2. There is funding to take it forward to GRIP3, but its negative point (abstraction from other services) probably outweighs its positive point (cheap). The bus service from there to Clifton is being withdrawn from next month. The option to build the P&R site closer to Shirehampton station was rejected by the city council, because at the time there were hardly any trains - poor judgment in hindsight, but this is Bristol.

The question for debate is whether it is worth spending the money for GRIP3.

Ashton Gate seems surprisingly strong. The local councils (Bristol and North Somerset) with the greatest input, and West of England LEP^» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about) seem desperate to play down the possibility of a station there, despite the concentration of housing and businesses close by and the recently enlarged (and much more popular) football ground across the road from the likely site. On that last point, the attendance last Saturday was over 21,000, and Parson Street station saw substantial numbers waiting for trains after the match in both directions. So why are the powers that be so keen to avoid a reopening of Ashton Gate?

MetroBust! It would look even more of a white elephant if it had competition.

[grahame]

From The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

The cost of building a new railway station in Bristol is facing a shortfall of £1m.

Development work on Portway station has seen the cost of the project rise to between £3.4m and £3.6m, a report to the city council has revealed.

Track drainage, lighting and walkways and an extra passenger waiting shelter are cited as key reasons for the rise.

The station, located on the line between Avonmouth and Shirehampton, is expected to open in December 2020.

There will also be a longer platform than originally proposed to "future-proof" the station for bigger trains, so it can serve the Severn Beach line.

[johnneyw]

So, as I feared, does this signal the demise of an important development of Metrowest despite all the bigged up promises/reassurances?

Edit: BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article states that WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) is being asked to make up the shortfall but will they be agreeing to this?