New station at North Filton/Brabazon, Bristol

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

It does seem ambitious. The MCA’s website talks of an ‘accelerated’ programme:

https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/news/mayor-welcomes-2-billion-investment-for-region/

Ashley Down Station took about 15 months from mobilisation on site to main works completion, so it is possible if mobilisation plans are well advanced. But without Henbury terminus in place, how would Brabazon be served? Others with a better understanding of track and signalling may have a view on this…

It may be accelerated, but the article doesn't say how or how much. YTL can wave a wad of Ringgits in the air and organise their own building teams to start on a station site, but they will still have to deal with all the various railway authorities, and DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) probably hit the snooze button long ago in anticipation of nothing much happening. If work does start, I would hope it would be easier than Ashley Down because of the much lighter traffic on the line.

I've ridden on a Malaysian train, and they seem to know what they're doing. I can't see that being much help, though.

[eightonedee]

I've ridden on a Malaysian train, and they seem to know what they're doing. I can't see that being much help, though.

But I dealt with a Malaysian engineering firm once in my professional career, and it was an absolute shambles! They were particularly poor at appreciating the need for statutory approvals, organising themselves to apply for them and understanding what was needed (including reading the advice they were given), or at estimating how long it would take to obtain them.

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

Council approves £3m for station preparation work



Preparatory works for a new railway station could soon be under way after nearly £3m in funding was granted.

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about)) has approved £2.95m towards buying materials and creating designs for the new station in Filton in the north of Bristol.

The new station, which will be called either North Filton or Brabazon, will serve the £2bn Brabazon housing scheme, being built on the former Filton Airfield.  It will also take passengers to the new YTL Arena, which is also being built on the airfield site.

Speaking at a WECA meeting on 31 January 31, co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council Ian Boulton said the new town would be "the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s largest brownfield development."

Mr Boulton said the new Brabazon development needed an integrated mass transit system, with North Filton station being a "vital component".  "The development is a £2bn investment which represents a huge vote of confidence in the West of England region and the UK. Its vital therefore that we ensure the new railway station is delivered, and on time", he added.

The money has come from WECA's £72.6m Metrowest Phase 2 funding pot, which is set aside for both the North Filton/Brabazon and Henbury stations.  According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, £37.5 has already been spent on the Ashley Down station and the design for the new Henbury and North Filton/Brabazon stations.

A paper which went before the WECA committee, made up of metro mayor Dan Norris and the leaders of three three member councils, said project costs are expected to exceed the £72.6m funding.  A full business case still needs to be submitted before building the station can begin.

While the plans for Metrowest Phase 2 progress, the first phase of the project - which covers reopening the railway line to Portishead and Pill - remains uncertain.  While funding has been committed locally and North Somerset Council has approved measures to allow construction to start this summer, the new Labour government is reviewing its contribution to the project.

[Red Squirrel]

Anyone know what progress has been made to address the tricky problem that the current station design would not be able to cope with a crowd of concert-goers? I seem to remember hearing somewhere that they would need to close it for safety whenever there was a gig on, which seems a bit... sad really.

[grahame]

Anyone know what progress has been made to address the tricky problem that the current station design would not be able to cope with a crowd of concert-goers? I seem to remember hearing somewhere that they would need to close it for safety whenever there was a gig on, which seems a bit... sad really.

From WikiPedia and may now be historic - example on Coventry as to how they made the Arena station safe>

Although the station was intended to serve the adjacent arena, it was announced in August 2015 that the station would be closed for one hour preceding and following football matches, rugby matches and concerts on safety grounds as there was insufficient rolling stock to run the services necessary for spectators while six-carriage trains could be chartered to run every half-an-hour during weekends, the fares generated would not cover the chartering cost

[TonyK]

Anyone know what progress has been made to address the tricky problem that the current station design would not be able to cope with a crowd of concert-goers? I seem to remember hearing somewhere that they would need to close it for safety whenever there was a gig on, which seems a bit... sad really.

I once caught trains to and from Manchester United FC^‡(resolve) station, ex Piccadilly. After the game, it seemed like about a 14-car train pulled up empty, for the 8 minute or so trip back to Piccadilly (and onward connection to BPN). That is now closed because of safety fears, leaving the nearby tram stop on Metrolink to take the strain. I fear the idea of not being able to use trains on gig dates at the YTL Arena (if ever built) may not be fanciful.