The news comes as the regional authority looks to build more stations across the South West
A train waiting on a platform at Bristol Temple Meads station (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
More frequent trains on a number of lines from Bristol Temple Meads station will continue following an agreement with the government.
The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) said that since introducing half-hourly services on certain lines, there had been more than three million more train journeys on those routes.
The routes that will continue to offer more frequent services are:
- Bristol Temple Meads to Westbury (part of the Heart of Wessex Line), also stopping at Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, and Westbury;
- Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester, via Yate, also stopping at Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway – and will also serve every hour the new Charfield station currently under construction;
- Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach (the Severn Beach Line), also stopping at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Redland, Clifton Down, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Portway Park and Ride, Avonmouth, St Andrews Road (hourly), and Severn Beach (hourly).
Weca said its “longer-term ambition” is to have four trains per hour serving stations across the network, after the region secured £752m investment for transport infrastructure improvements from the government last year.
The announcement comes as Weca prepares to unveil a new ‘Transport Vision for the West of England’ this week, setting out more details about the authority’s goals for the future.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, said: “Half-hourly services between Westbury, Gloucester via Yate, Severn Beach, and Bristol Temple Meads are important for local commuters, giving people more options to travel on our growing regional rail network.
“Our new agreement to protect these regular services is welcome news for passengers across the West Country. As we build five new train stations, and look to increase the frequency of services across the board, this is another vote of confidence in the West of England.”
Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, said she was “thrilled” with the news that train services in Yate would run on a half-hour frequency permanently.
“This is something I have campaigned hard for alongside local councillors and I raised the issue five times in Parliament,” she said.
“It also means that the new Charfield station will be able to run hourly trains. The half-hour service will support jobs in Yate and also help students to access colleges in the area.”
GWR Wales and West of England commercial development manager Hannah Shackleford added: “These aren’t just trains – they’re vital economic lifelines connecting communities and businesses across the region. The decision validates our belief that reliable rail services are essential for local and national growth.”
Two new railway stations have opened in the region in recent years: Portway Park and Ride, and Ashley Down.
Five more are being delivered as part of a wider £400m regional investment: Charfield, Henbury, North Filton, Pill, and Portishead.