2016 and beyond

[the green mile]

A few days ago, the Evening Post included an article on the proposed alterations to Temple Meads including an aerial shot showing the two new platforms into the old train shed. With OHLE masts all over the place, will it ever look the same?

I have also seen the plans for the new depot at the top Filton Bank. I think there are going to be a lot of unhappy bunnies who live on the other side of the main line. 27 stabling sidings, presumably floodlit all night is going to create an awful lot of light pollution, notwithstanding the noise from constant ecs movements. Glad I don't live there.

[Robin Summerhill]

I have also seen the plans for the new depot at the top Filton Bank.

Anything online about this that you can provide a link to?

[mjt]

Anything online about this that you can provide a link to?

Try:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-plat ... story.html

[the green mile]

I do not have an electronic copy of the depot plan yet. I have tried searching for planning applications on the South Gloucestershire Council website to no avail. Perhaps it hasn't been submitted yet or maybe it is covered by a higher authority. Anyone know anything about planning?

I understand that the original 4 tracks up Filton Bank will be reinstated for capacity. Only once in my childhood did I ever see 4 trains at once on the bank and that was at Narroways. Might see it again one day but sadly not with a 38xx acting as a banker from Stapleton Road.

[Rich_Eason]

Does make you wonder that the land that was once Rolls Royce 1 Shop etc could be used for the yard - easy access to roads, adjacent to railway line connection and no one wants the site for development.

[the green mile]

Interesting idea! I presume you mean the big pile of recycled masonry visible from the A38. I imagine the land being proposed for the new depot is owned by Network Rail and is made up from spoil. What I don't know is whether the new depot will be owned by Hitachi or leased from NR therefore the issue of buying or leasing land to build it on could be an expensive consideration.

[free2grice]

Does make you wonder that the land that was once Rolls Royce 1 Shop etc could be used for the yard - easy access to roads, adjacent to railway line connection and no one wants the site for development.

It's not a case of not wanting the land, more a case of can't afford the asking price. <BJ>

[StrawberryLine]

Surely not only is the pile of masonry being recycled but also is this plan. I do remember many years ago when Bath Road was still in existence there was talk of relocating the Depot from there to the triangle formed by the South Wales, London and Filton Bank lines. This fairly large parcel of land is not much good as it surrounded by railway lines and currently used as a ballast dump I believe. So it is already NR's. Perhaps after all of these years the plan is to come together and then they can sell St Phillips Marsh as well for redevelopement

[stopblock]

There was a news item on (Not so) Radio Bristol this morning. The residents have already signed a letter with 500 signatures against any proposals for a depot there. I expect these are the same ones who objexted to the proposed airport at Filton many years ago. It was on about 7.20 this morning so may be on listen again on BBC web site.
There is land becoming available a little further away and wouldnt cause any hassle to anyone as its already in use as a runway and with the closure on the horizon could easily be turned in to a rail depot. I'm guessing that the proposed depot land would be excavated to make it slightly sunken it cant be any worse then having a waste recyling plant next door to them run by Virrdor.

[jules]

Anyone know anything about planning?

I believe that operational railways are not legally required to apply for planning permission to do operational stuff on their own land, such as building depots etc. Usually they would apply same as anyone else, just to keep people happy, but if the local authority says No the railway can legally, technically go ahead and do what the hell they like ) (Finally one in the eye for the nimbys, perhaps!)

I know this because back in the early days of the D&EPG at Williton, we erected our depot shed without planning permission, citing it was an operational railway building (which it is). It saved a lot of time, but boy did it upset West Somerset District Council, who gave us grief for many years thereafter ...

As to the Filton Triangle, I don't believe NR would be looking to buy anybody else's land at whatever price or purpose. Their ballast dump has been there as an operational site for many, many years and what else can they (or anybody else) do with it really? It's the perfect site for a new depot.

Final point - in these days of "total package procurement" the train builder is likely to offer a package of design, build, supply & all ongoing maintenance thereafter, quite possibly including the construction and operation of the required depots, though naturally this would be a joint development with NR, who I am guessing would lease them the land and possibly also the buildings (to the train suppliers requirements). Interesting times