Future
First Great Western declined an option to continue the Greater Western passenger franchise (of which services along the Severn Beach Line are a part) beyond 2013, citing a desire for a longer-term contract due to the impending upgrade to the Great Western Main Line. The franchise was put out to tender, and it was announced in March 2012 that Deutsche Bahn, First Group, National Express and Stagecoach had pre-qualified. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013; however, it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended due to the late issue of the Invitation to Tender (ITT). The ITT was eventually released at the end of July, and will run until October 2012. The winner is due to be announced in March 2013, and take over on 21 July 2013. The franchise is due to end in July 2028. The ITT also states that the funding for increased frequency and Sunday services to Severn Beach is due to move from local to national sources in 2015.
With the coming upgrade to the Great Western Main Line, the main line from London to Bristol is due to be electrified by 2016. However, the electrification will not extend beyond the main lines, so the Severn Beach Line will continue to be served by diesel trains. Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West, questioned whether electrification could continue to Clifton Down. Then-Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond MP replied that it would have to be looked at in the future. Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR) supports the electrification of the entire Severn Beach Line.
Improved services along the line are called for as part of the Greater Bristol Metro scheme, a rail transport plan which aims to enhance transport capacity in the Bristol area. There is an aspiration for half-hourly services, however due to the large sections of single-track and the congested main line from Temple Meads, such frequency is not currently feasible. However, it is expected that with the four-tracking of Filton Bank, including the Severn Beach Line between Temple Meads and Narroways Hill Junction, that there will be sufficient capacity to allow half-hourly services. The Invitation to Tender for the new Greater Western franchise asks bidders to include costs for two trains per hour each direction on the Severn Beach Line, one between Severn Beach and Portishead, the other between Severn Beach and Bath Spa, both calling at all stations. These services are to run from December 2017, operating 18 hours a day Monday-Saturday and 9 hours a day on Sundays.
The metro plan also calls for the reopening of the Henbury Loop Line, which could allow a service from Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway via the Severn Beach Line. The metro scheme was given the go-ahead in July 2012 as part of the City Deal, whereby local councils would be given greater control over money by the government, however it is as yet unclear which elements will be implemented. FOSBR and other local groups lodged concerns with the Department for Transport that the reopening of the Henbury Loop was not included in the ITT for the new Greater Western franchise.
It has been proposed that a station be built to serve the A4 Portway Park & Ride scheme. Such a station would be situated between Shirehampton and Avonmouth, where the line runs alongside the Park & Ride. The plan is supported by FOSBR and the Bristol branch of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers. The station is included in the Bristol Metro proposal.
Read more about this topic: Severn Beach Line
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