Avon Valley Railway plans more trains next year

[BristleGWR]

Bristol Evening Post - 25th November 2008

Avon Valley Railway plans more trains next year

Avon Valley Railway hopes to run its popular trains more often from next year so more visitors can ride on the line.
But the proposals prompted objections from people living near the railway, which runs from Bitton, South Gloucestershire.
The line operates 110 days a year and wants to extend that to 130 days.
If South Gloucestershire planners approve the change, the first visitors to benefit will be children and families on half-term next February.
Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust said it had 40,000 visitors last year and numbers were rising.
Operations manager, David Cole, said: "The 110 days we currently have are fairly well spread throughout the year, with steam trains every Sunday from Easter until the end of October.
"We also run steam trains every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the school holidays, while packages that include a steam train ride, a 40-minute river Avon boat trip and a cream tea have been extremely popular in the summer."
He said more days would allow more groups to go on the rail and boat trips and also let schools organise rides for children in term time.
The railway would be able to hold school trips once a week in June and July if it was given the extra days.
It could also run during the school holidays in February, when many tourist attractions were closed.
"It's a small increase in operating days but it would take the load off the days when we are extremely busy and extend the season a little bit," said Mr Cole.
But the trust said the change, if approved, would not include any alterations to operating times.
Some people opposed the railway's application, which could be determined by the end of the year.
They complained of noise from the trains û steam and diesel û and smoke blowing into gardens and homes.
Mr Cole said: "The railway has been here for some time and in recent years we have worked very closely with the council and set up a residents' forum, which allows people to talk with us regularly."