Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan Revised Deposit 2003

Chapter D5. Railways

D5.1 Bath & North East Somerset benefits from good rail links despite having only four stations at present at Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa and Freshford. In 1991 some 4% of those working in Bath travelled by train but this proportion may well now be higher as it is estimated that rail passenger numbers in this area have increased by an overall 38% in the last five years.

D5.2 In June 2000 the Council, together with the other former Avon authorities adopted the 'Rail Strategy for the Bristol, Bath and Weston-Super-Mare area'. This was based on the Strategic Avon Rail Study (1992) and more recent studies which revealed that it would be possible to increase the capacity of the Great Western main line substantially. The Strategy therefore calls for more frequent trains between Cardiff and Southampton/Portsmouth and on the "Heart of Wessex" line to Weymouth to provide an improved service from the three smaller stations listed above.

D5.3 Other possible developments envisaged by the Strategy include the re-opening of the Radstock to Frome line and Saltford station.  In addition the provision of a new station on the western edge of Bath may be feasible in the future depending on the precise size and configuration of the transport interchange proposed at depending, inter alia, on the outcome of investigations into expanded park and ride provision in the Newbridge area to serve the Western Riverside regeneration area and therefore no site for this station is shown on the Proposals Map.  The provision of a new station on the eastern edge of Bath was rejected by the rail studies referred to above but the Council has supported the proposed re-opening of Corsham station in North Wiltshire and possibility of a new station in the Bathampton/Bathford area will be re-examined in the context of the Bristol/Bath to South Coast and Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Studies which, it is hoped, will soon increase rail commuting to Bath from Wiltshire.

D5.4 The Strategy is less specific about rail freight with no infrastructure proposals for Bath and North East Somerset apart from the retention of the railhead facility at Westmoreland Station Road, Bath, used for transportation of waste. There may be scope to make greater use of this facility and its use for rail freight is safeguarded in policy T11. Opportunities for some form of rail freight facility may arise in association with the reopening of the Radstock to Frome railway.

D5.5  The Joint Rail Strategy has been submitted to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) in the hope that its proposals will be included in the forthcoming ' Wessex ' rail franchise.  Its implementation future rail franchises.  It has also informed the current Bristol/Bath to South Coast Transport Study and it will hopefully provide an important input for the Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study.  Implementation, which will be assisted by the establishment of a Bristol and Bath Rail Management Unit (SRA) could lead to a 5% per annum increase in rail use on local passenger services up to 2006 and a 4% modal share of the journey to work in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset (1.9% in 1991 and 2.4% in 2001).  Both Local Authorities and, when appropriate, developers will be expected to contribute financially towards the implementation of the strategy.

 D5.6     A number of disused railway lines cross the area.  Some are still very identifiable and still in use as footpaths or cycleways such as the section of the former Midland Railway which provides part of the Bristol / Bath Railway Path between Saltford and Newbridge.  Others like the Somerset and Dorset line between Midford and Radstock and the former Great Western line between Radstock and Whitchurch have seen some development for other uses since closure.  There are proposals to re-open the best preserved line, that between Radstock and Frome as a self contained heritage railway and/or as an extension of the national rail network in conjunction with in conjunction with part of the national cycle network.  The Avon Valley Railway has recently been extended a short way into the District at Saltford and the company ultimately hopes to reach Bath , alongside National Cycle Route 4. Detailed studies would be needed to determine the feasibility of reusing any of the other former railway lines to provide public transport but the major part of these are safeguarded to provide sections of the Strategic Cycling Network (Policy T.7) and/or recreation routes (Policy SR.9). sections of the following lines are designated as Sustainable Transport Routes in accordance with Structure Plan Policy 53:

 (i)     Former GWR – Bristol and North Somerset line between Whitchurch and Radstock, and Camerton Branch from Hallatrow to Limpley Stoke;

 (ii)     Former Midland Railway line between Saltford and Bath ( Green Park );

 (iii)   Former Somerset and Dorset Railway line between Bath ( Green Park ) and Midsomer Norton.

 D5.7 In addition to the Radstock – Frome and Avon Valley Railway schemes, there are proposals to use part of (ii) above to provide some form of rapid transit to link a transport interchange at Newbridge with the Western Riverside area and the City Centre (see paras D6.1 and D6.3 below), but otherwise the only envisaged use of these safeguarded lines during the Plan period is as cyclepaths or footpaths.

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