RHODRI CLARK REPORTS ON THE FOUR-TRACKING SCHEME NORTH OF BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS
Has Bristol had a raw deal? The scrapping of electrification to Temple Meads in 2016 (p22, December 2016 issue) led some to think so. There is some compensation though: the infrastructure works that are now proceeding apace north of Temple Meads provide visual reassurance that Bristol passengers have not been forgotten.
Before Control Period 5 (2014-19), Network Rail judged that the two-track railway along ‘Filton Bank’, between Filton Abbey Wood and Dr Day’s Junction, would be insufficient for planned increases in passenger services. This includes a commitment to increase the frequency of off-peak services between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington via Bristol Parkway to two trains per hour (tph), and proposals for new and additional suburban services.