The Anonymous Widower

A Diversion To Severn Beach

After my trip to Cardiff yesterday was curtailed by a signalling problem, I ended up at Bristol Temple Meads station.

After checking the timetable, it occurred to me, that it would be easy to take a diversion to Severn Beach station before I took a train back to London.

I took these pictures on the journey.

Note.

1. Stapleton Road station has massive ramps.
2. Stations like Redland and Avonmouth have interesting art works.
3. The Avon, several wind turbines and the Secon Severn Crossing can all be seen.

This Google Map shows the location of Severn Beach station.

Note.

1. The M4 and the Second Severn Crossing are at the top of the map.
2. The rail station icon marking Severn Beach station at the bottom of the map.

This second Google Map shows the area of the station.

Note.

1. Shirley’s Cafe, where I bought my ice cream.
2. The cafe does gluten-free breakfasts.
3. The promenade, where I took the pictures of the Second Severn Crossing.
4. The long platform in the station.
5. The fare from Bristol Temple Meads was only £1.95 for a return with my Senior Railcard.

Severn Beach looks to be a good place to go for a walk.

These are pictures I took at and around the station.

We need more ice  cream sellers in or near stations.

Portway Park & Ride Station

Portway Park & Ride station is a new station currently under construction.

I took these pictures as the train passed.

This Google Map shows the location of the station.

Note.

1. The parking is to the South of where the M5 and A4 cross.
2. The blue dot at the South of the site marks the single-platform station.
3. The buses from the Park & Ride run every twelve minutes.
4. The trains are only an hourly service.

From the pictures, it looks like the station will be opening soon.

I would hope that the access to the parking from the major roads is good.

Improving The Line

I was a bit worried that I’d miss the train back, so I only had an ice cream, but if the trains were more frequent, I might have had a drink in the cafe as well.

Under Future in the Wikipedia entry for the Severn Beach Line, the following is said about train frequency.

Improved services along the line are called for as part of the Greater Bristol Metro scheme, a rail transport plan which aims to enhance transport capacity in the Bristol area. There is an aspiration for half-hourly services, however due to the large sections of single-track and the congested main line from Temple Meads, such frequency is not currently feasible. However, it is expected that with the four-tracking of Filton Bank, including the Severn Beach line between Temple Meads and Narroways Hill Junction, that there will be sufficient capacity to allow half-hourly services.

Two trains per hour (tph) would be a good improvement.

This is also said.

Plans also call for the reopening of the Henbury Loop Line, which could allow a service from Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway via the Severn Beach line.

After my experiences yesterday, a more frequent route between the two major Bristol stations must be a good idea.

Zero-Carbon Trains

Given the route and its length and location, the Severn Beach Line must be a candidate for battery or hydrogen power.

May 20, 2023 - Posted by AnonW | Food, Transport/Travel, Uncategorized | Bristol, Bristol Temple Meads Station, Coeliac, Ice Cream, Portway Parkway Station, Severn Beach Station