Mintona
Established Member
It’s never going to happen is it?
Scheme was costed at 116m in 2017 and the supporting Development Consent Order had sufficient funding in place when it was submitted and the draft order was issued when the previous delay got announced over ecology issues now North Somerset Council say they need more time to secure funding. Looking at NS councils Feb budget meeting they say they have 91m allocated for Metro West over next four years but there is this commentPortishead Branch Line – MetroWest Phase 1: decision deadline extended
Deadline for the decision to construct the Portishead Branch Line – MetroWest Phase 1 extended until 19 February 2023.www.gov.uk
North Somerset still need to 'demonstrate funding has been secured'
Its lose change in the grander scheme of things to unlock a project that is shovel ready and a lot less money than some of teh other fanciful projects will need to get something built the politicians can take credit for and get a photo op.Portishead Railway project boosted by £15million funding
The Department for Transport (DfT) has granted more than £15 million of funding for the MetroWest Phase One scheme, which includes plans to reopen…www.northsomersettimes.co.uk
"North Somerset Council leader, Steve Bridger, said he was 'thrilled' to hear the DfT was to pump another £15.5m of funding into the scheme - on top of the council's £10m pledge."
Assuming this is true, a major step forward.
That is correct.If I understood Shapps’ statement when the last delay happened, the planning issues are totally dealt with now right? So if they can find the remaining bit of funding they should be able to get going right away.
Seems like good news then. Fingers crossed the negotiations with WECA go well.That is correct.
However Mayor Norris warned that, until the Development Consent Order is approved (where the relevant Secretary of State gives national permission and consent after a recommendation from the national planning inspectorate), there were still possible minefields ahead. The Secretary of State has set a new deadline of 19 February 2023 for the decision on the application.
The Mayor said: “We need that decision as soon as possible. Inflation is going through the roof and every day’s delay adds more cost. I will be chasing the Secretary of State to accelerate this process as much as possible.”
A backwards step there then. Either tied to 3 car formations until new units with SDO arrive or hope the line doesn’t become popular enough to warrant 5 cars. Build then for 5 now as it will be cheaper than extending them in the future.most notably reduction in platform lengths from 5 to 3,
This report is well worth a read for those interested.
Do you think this means a very low speed limit for passenger trains over the existing freight section? I seem to recall that there was intended to be a modest 50mph maximum speed on the branch initially.As part of this collaborative exercise, the following scope changes have been made:
o Reduction of scope to bring the existing freight line up to passenger train line standards
o Reduction of Portishead and Pill platform lengths from 5-Car to 3-Car
o Removal of Portishead Station building
o Reduction in selected highway scope (car parks, bridge works)
o Change in governance model, with DfT taking on the client role.
It is obviously easier to do when contractors are already on site, than come back later.A backwards step there then. Either tied to 3 car formations until new units with SDO arrive or hope the line doesn’t become popular enough to warrant 5 cars. Build then for 5 now as it will be cheaper than extending them in the future.
There was good reason. It makes it easier to 'mix and match' workings through Bristol where other trains are (or are planned to be) five cars. Thus, in its way, five car platforms at Pill/Portishead allow for more efficient operation at Temple Meads.For platforms to have been specified for five car trains, there must have been a good reason.
It does not say no improvement, just a reduction in scope for the improvement. This could easily be raising it to only 40mph. If this saves a track maintenance category, or makes it easier to comply with the cant standards for freight and passenger, this could be enough to nudge the needle back into the green for the project.If improvements are not done to raise the line speed, it will make it far more difficult to increase the frequency of the service in the future.