Portishead line to be cleared

Post by **James** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:25 pm

Just spotted this on the wnxx forum:

wagonbasher wrote:Just heard on BBC Radio Bristol that the Portishead line is to be cleared in order that a trial 'passenger' evaluation to be run down by First Great Western in Autumn.

If true this is a superb development. Anyone out there able to verify this?

Might have to go and speak with my neighbour who is on the sustainable transport committee.

May well be a crock of sh** though. Last estimate was Ãº35m for signalling and station upgrades.

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:00 pm

It'll need more than "clearing" beyond Portbury. There are, amongst other things, metal fences crossing the line, trees growing in the four foot and Lord knows what else.

I'd be wary of running a platelayers truck down there, let alone anything more substantial

AndyK · Post by **AndyK** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:30 pm

It sounds a bit to good to be true, and there's not yet anything about it on http://www.portisheadrailwaygroup.org , which says it was last updated yesterday.

AndyK · Post by **AndyK** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 4:56 pm

AndyK wrote:It sounds a bit to good to be true, and there's not yet anything about it on http://www.portisheadrailwaygroup.org , which says it was last updated yesterday.

Well it does mention it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13719922

tonyperks · Post by **tonyperks** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:25 pm

when i travelled on the Coal stone haul the portishead branch wasnt even conected any more, there wasnt even a point in place the line just went straight down to the docks at portbury!!

stumpytrain · Post by **stumpytrain** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:33 am

tonyperks wrote:when i travelled on the Coal stone haul the portishead branch wasnt even conected any more, there wasnt even a point in place the line just went straight down to the docks at portbury!!

I believe there is a crossing vee, the minimum that can exist to satisfy whatever requirement there is that a junction be retained.

I'd love to be proved wrong the suggestion of a trial runs sounds like complete and utter unresearched maddess. Perhaps they could do Bath - Bournmouth over the S&D at the same time?

Alex