My mention of the 'Bristol Tube' above got me thinking.
There is a London blog called London Reconnections that deals with the type of subjects covered here in this thread . Perhaps 'Bristol Reconnections' could be a useful re-titling for this thread.
The reason I suggest this, is prompted also by a suggestion I think should be made which is unlikely to be made in the context of 'new services' because it is not franchise-driven, more a strategic link one, thus a consideration for the
RUS▸ procedures (?).
The Bristol Avoiding Line used to do just that (avoid), as far as services that did not need to access the central area around Temple Meads. (Indeed, Bristol had two, as the Harbour line could and did very occasionally so serve in the last war, but clearly for a very much shorter distance.)
The one through St Philips Marsh could access the Mainline to the east, by cutting through the area now occupied by the ghastly American style car-orientated mall area to the east of the Spine Road.
Fortunately, the trajectory of that line is now occupied by a high tension power line. Thus, there is potential to reinstate it, especially as the Spine Road is on a viaduct. One of the appalling bowling alley type developments might have to be acquired. They could even gain a station!
What a dreadful legacy that Development Corporation of the 90s left. The area beneath the Spine Road was for the majority, just left to light industry (nothing wrong in that actually, but not exactly what we now think as mixed development) and some less savoury activities. I do not accept the achievements were at all as described in the Wikipedia entry. Now we have another such organisation (
WOE▸ LEP» ) although one observes that its Chairman, Mr Colin Skellet, appears more enlightened.
Why would one do this? Well,
1) it gives a swift way for diverting trains from the Castle Cary route, without so many conflicts. Other services could easily use it in emergency. Admittedly, if Doctor Days Jcn to Filton Jcn is redoubled to quadruple, such diversions can proceed via Badminton, but that route is to receive the expanded Bristol Metro, so the extra capacity will be soon absorbed.
2) it gives the possibility to develop a station at the south end of the proposed Arena, where excursions to events (similar idea to re-opening Ashton Gate and using Abbey Wood) could be handled, again relieving the
TM‡ area.
3) a new service via that route could connect with buses that pass Bath Road bridge towards the central area, using lifts and / or escalators as well as serving the residential developments in the immediate area. The new station could be connected with TM proper by shuttle or travolator (I've walked further at Lulsgate Airport!!!).
4) It cannot be ruled out that the era of holiday excursions from South Wales and the North (which used to use the route in the 50s) is upon us once more.
5) As the freight is coming from south of Bristol, (e.g. Liberty and Portbury) it ticks that box too.
As the only re-connection is the short spur to the Main Line, one does not envisage the cost as huge as the bridges are intact and the line can be doubled. If incorporated into the new signalling system (at least preparation for it) that is also eased.
Did I forget anything?
