Community passenger train along the Portbury branch

[jules]

The track is being inspected to see how much work would be needed before trains could start running again.

Er, rather a lot of work I suspect, after 49 years out of use. It never ceases to amaze me just how ignorant the press are in relation to matters railway

What do they expect is going to happen? Cut down a few bushes and start running 125s up there?

[carpetcone]

The track is being inspected to see how much work would be needed before trains could start running again.

Er, rather a lot of work I suspect, after 49 years out of use. It never ceases to amaze me just how ignorant the press are in relation to matters railway

What do they expect is going to happen? Cut down a few bushes and start running 125s up there?

I read the report and have to say I didn't adopt the slightly negative approach that you obviously did!

It seems a very good piece of reporting, aimed at the public at large of course!, lineside clearance is exactly what they are doing before making an assesment on the line.

Of course, it hasn't been 49 years since trains last ran to Portishead but never let the facts get in the way of a good story eh?

And even if it was as easy as just cutting down a few trees and bushes, there is the need for the points to be replaced where the line now diverges to Portbury dock.

I'm looking forward to the reopening, but I bet you won't be able to move on the day for local council officials, VIPs and other hanger onners all on expenses and spouting on about how THEY were the leading lights in getting the project to completion

[Geoffers]

Headline on BBC Bristol page re clearance on line near Portishead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-21738510

Earlier photos of some work in February.

http://www.portisheadrailwaygroup.org/

Glad to read this story, particularly because last week, on BBC Points West there was a big story about First Group (and others) suing the Government in order to get back their costs for bidding for the new franchise, since scrapped.

According to reporter Paul Barltrop, this will mean a delay of years for plans to reopen the Portishead line and the building of other local stations. He interviewed the usual chap from the rail passenger's group, who whined about how the delay would make things worse for passengers because things will have deteriorated even further.

Was this "delay" story all based on a misunderstanding, because I never heard or read anything further about it. Barltrop's crumb of comfort was that it wouldn't affect electrification.

[jules]

I read the report and have to say I didn't adopt the slightly negative approach that you obviously did! Cool

Oh I wasn't being *that* negative

It's just the way they worded it: "the track is being inspected to see how much work would be needed" ...

The article put across the impression that maybe there is "track" that is still usable under all those trees and bushes. Of course, you and I know that after at least 30 years OOU, not only will the track itself be beyond any form of repair, much of the formation itself will require extensive work and the track then completely relaid anew ...

It would have been more accurate if they had said this, along the lines of "the trackbed is being inspected to see how much work would be needed to relay the line". That would probably be more detail than the press imagines Joe Public could digest though ...

He interviewed the usual chap from the rail passenger's group, who whined about how the delay would make things worse for passengers because things will have deteriorated even further.

I think in railway and engineering terms, things have probably already deteriorated about as far as they can get. A few more years delay, whilst regrettable, is hardly going to impinge much further damage to the fabric of the line, than has already occurred ... Far more danger from planners and house builders than mother nature if you ask me

[AndyK]

... Far more danger from planners and house builders than mother nature if you ask me

Indeed. There seems to be a possibility that the line may have to terminate on the edge of the town - see http://tinyurl.com/d4njwww

The route of the line has been safeguarded in previous plans. However, the location of the station now needs to be resolved as part of the CouncilÆs detailed development plan proposals. At the time of the master planning for the Ashlands development it was anticipated that a level crossing would be provided at Quays Avenue. However, national design standards for rail crossings have changed which means that the original intention to locate the station at Harbour Road as previously planned (Option 1 on the plan overleaf) would now require a road-over-rail bridge at Quays Avenue. The merits of this station location and alternative options are therefore being reviewed. Three possible sites are safeguarded for the location of the railway station. These are subject to further investigation, legal processes and business case but we would also like to hear your views.