Filton Abbey Wood - a great success? Emulate it just to the north??

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

But but but... AZW is not a recognized station code!!!  

Yet     

... in all seriousness, just because something's worth talking about doesn't mean the case would stack up. And if the case did stack up, doesn't mean it would be the best case way to provide. And even if it was the best way to provide, doesn't mean that the political or financial environment to provide it would happen.

Yeah. Given the likely engineering and other difficulties in that site, I reckon improved connections with Patchway, Parkway and the future Filton North site are probably a better option.

[PhilWakely]

Friend says "Given the office is almost next door to the BMX track, that would make bike + train a much more realistic option than at present."

A whole new meaning to the phrase "jump on a train" 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah. Given the likely engineering and other difficulties in that site, I reckon improved connections with Patchway, Parkway and the future Filton North site are probably a better option.

The 'B4057 Bridge' location, though, is superb. That ought to count for a lot. Building a station there would be challenging, but look what's been overcome to build Crossrail.

[Red Squirrel]

... I mean, think of it as like building a cut-and-cover tube station without the need to either dig or replace the roof.

[simonw]

Just build the station over the current track, and add lifts/stairs to two platforms either side of the track.

Make sure that there is space for a regular bus, every 10 minutes minimum that links Cribbs Causeway, Aztec West and Bristol Parkway.

[TonyK]

... I mean, think of it as like building a cut-and-cover tube station without the need to either dig or replace the roof.

As Tevye doesn't say in "Fiddler on the Roof" "Send us the sickness, we've got the cure already".

[Bmblbzzz]

The nearest you could put a new station to Aztec West would be actually underneath the BMX track, in the tunnel. Just like a tube station but the cut and cover is already done! All you need to do is sink a couple of lift shafts (which the BMXers could jump over)!

[Red Squirrel]

The nearest you could put a new station to Aztec West would be actually underneath the BMX track, in the tunnel. Just like a tube station but the cut and cover is already done! All you need to do is sink a couple of lift shafts (which the BMXers could jump over)!

Yes, but I'm suggesting (or is it agreeing?) that putting it near the A38 would serve Stoke Lodge, Charlton Hayes, Patchway and Bradley Stoke too.

_{Edit: Typo}

[simonw]

And a regular bus service that does not get struck in traffic in far away places, just servicing Cribbs, Aztec, Bristol Parkway would help make it successful.

After all, who wants to wait a hour for a 15 minute interval bus to appear, followed by two more buses.

[johnneyw]

Bristol is no stranger to stations in deep cuttings. Old photos of Horfield Station show quite lengthy stair access and a rather precarious street level ticket office supported by stilts to the rear dug into the slope. Off course lift access would also be required these days and the Aztec cutting is deeper and split level but a sloping zig zag path could reduce the amount of bridging needed, perhaps even at wheelchair accessible gradients in the event of lift failure.

[Red Squirrel]

See, I'd gone completely crazy and imagined lifts...

[Chris from Nailsea]

I can imagine lifts at Nailsea & Backwell station.

However, the proposed building of a ramp access has been stalled, as it would apparently cost one million pounds - so the cost of installing lifts to both platforms would clearly be astronomic. 

[TonyK]

The 'B4057 Bridge' location, though, is superb. That ought to count for a lot. Building a station there would be challenging, but look what's been overcome to build Crossrail.

... I mean, think of it as like building a cut-and-cover tube station without the need to either dig or replace the roof.

Ha ha ha ha! PMSL^▸ (I found that most hilarious)!

Hang on a minute - it's a very good idea indeed. The potential impact on traffic is enormous! Stopping trains between Cardiff and Temple Meads, calling at all the present stations, plus the proposed new ones in Lockleaze and Ashley Down, would be busy in both directions during peak periods. Travellers from Yate could change at Stapleton Road, with the right service frequencies.

Anyone told the Western Super Mayor?

[Red Squirrel]

...plus the proposed new ones in Lockleaze and Ashley Down...

Slightly stretching the definition of 'proposed', methinks. Not much chance of both happening, but to continue this round of 'Fantasy Stations' I can't help thinking the B&Q site on Muller Road has potential...

[simonw]

Not a bad location, with car park, large local population and good connectivity with buses.