Bristol May Be First English City To Face Monthly Black Bin Collection
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
More than 4,000 Bristolians are opposing the council’s plan to switch to a four-week cycle, which the city says would save money and be better for the environment
I live in Hackney and we still have two-weekly collections for recyclables and weekly for waste food.
These are my thoughts on Bristol.
As a widower, who lives alone , I don’t put much in my black bin, as I do recycle properly and use my waste food bin and green sack recycling fully.
I’ve also noticed, that a lot more items have been marked that they can go in the green sacks.
I am a coeliac and suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency for which I get three-monthly injections at the GP. But that is not enough and I have found that one of M& S’s Liver and Bacon Ready Meals adds enough B12 to keep be going at full speed.
The trays of M & S’s Ready Meals are now recyclable and I suspect, they’re not the only packaging, that can now be recycled.
So as more and more packing is recycled, we can surely reduce the black bin frequency.
It would appear, that by making packaging more recyclable, we can make rubbish collection more efficient.
Ashley Down Station – 28th September 2024
Ashley Down Station opened today, so I went to visit and took these pictures.
Note.
- There are four tracks and two platforms.
- The numerous numbers of Class 165 trains buzzing around.
- I saw several Hitachi Class 80x and CrossCountry passing trains passing through.
- I arriving in and left in Class 165 trains.
- All the Class 165 trains appear to have been refurbished.
- The station has stairs and a pair of lifts.
- There is bicycle parking and a car drop-off area.
It is certainly, a station with a long list of features.
The station is also in walking distance of Bristol Rovers ground.
This map shows the two locations.
Note.
- The football ground is in the North-West corner.
- Te staiton is in the South-East corner.
A Bristolian told me it will be 15-20 minutes walk.
Ashley Down Station Opens On Saturday
Ashley Down station will be Bristol’s latest new station, when it opens this Saturday.
I shall be going, after probably taking the Elizabeth Line to Reading station.
Aura Power Secures £10 Million Funding From Novuna
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Solar Power Portal.
These two paragraphs introduce the deal.
Aura Power has announced the successful closing of a £10 million debt facility with Novuna Business Finance. Novuna is a part of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, designed to support projects from early development through to the operational phase.
Bristol-based Aura Power is developing an active pipeline of utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage of about 12GW in the UK, Europe and North America. The funding will help progress global development for Aura, covering expenditures like grid payments, planning fees and legal land costs.
These two paragraphs describe some of Aura’s projects.
In December 2023, Aura was granted planning permission for a 100MW/400MWh battery energy storage (BESS) project in Capenhurst, Cheshire. It was the third UK project to receive planning permission last year, alongside Aura’s 49.9MW Horton Solar Farm located in East Devon and its 49.9MW Hawthorn Pit Solar Farm in Durham.
Aura has been active within the solar and battery industries, with a pipeline in development in excess of 20GW. Last week (2 May), following an appeal, the developer secured planning permission for an Essex solar farm that will have an export capacity of 30 MW.
Nearly, forty years ago, I started a finance company in Ipswich with a friend. Our financing was mainly directed towards truck leasing for companies moving containers to and from the Port of Felixstowe.
Before, I committed my money to that venture, I built a large mathematical model of the proposed business. I found, that there were some unique financial properties to leasing quality trucks, that meant losing large sums of money were difficult.
I wouldn’t be surprised that leasing battery energy storage (BESS) systems have a lot of things going for them, if you have the right contract.
This may explain, why there a large number of companies in the market of providing grid batteries.
- At the top end; Centrica, Rolls-Royce and SSE will supply you with one.
- Funds like Gore Street and Gresham House and others allow you to invest in batteries.
- At the other end of the market are companies like Aura Power.
I suspect, that as with truck-leasing company, the financial flows are very stable and investor-friendly, if you get the model right.
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.
- Stapleton Road station has massive ramps.
- Stations like Redland and Avonmouth have interesting art works.
- 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.
- The M4 and the Second Severn Crossing are at the top of the map.
- 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.
- Shirley’s Cafe, where I bought my ice cream.
- The cafe does gluten-free breakfasts.
- The promenade, where I took the pictures of the Second Severn Crossing.
- The long platform in the station.
- 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.
- The parking is to the South of where the M5 and A4 cross.
- The blue dot at the South of the site marks the single-platform station.
- The buses from the Park & Ride run every twelve minutes.
- 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.
Portishead Reopening Finally Approved
The title of this post, is the same as that of a small article in the January 2023 Edition of Modern Railways.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper has approved a Development Consent Order to reopen the railway to Portishead as part of the West of England Combined Authority’s MetroWest Phase 1B project.
Under the £152 million scheme, the disused railway between Portishead and Pill will be rebuilt, with the Pill to Ashton Junction freight line upgraded. It joins the Bristol & Exeter route at Parson Street Junction.
Note.
- MetroWest is going to be Bristol’s Metro.
- Portishead station is going to be one of its termini.
- It appears that a new station is going to be built at Portishead.
- There used to be other stations on the branch.
I have these thoughts.
Portishead Station
In the Wikipedia entry for Portishead station, there is a section called Future, where this is said.
In April 2019 the Department for Transport committed £31.9m to cover the shortfall in finance for MetroWest Phase 1, meaning that funding for the new station and reopened line has now been secured. In November 2019 North Somerset Council submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate, which seeks powers to build and operate the disused section of railway from Portishead to Pill, gain environmental consent to undertake works to the existing freight railway through the Avon Gorge and obtain powers for the compulsory acquisition of land. The Secretary of State for Transport is expected to make a decision within 18 months. Subject to final business case approval, construction work is expected to start on the line in December 2021 and then take around two years to complete.
The Secretary of State for Transport gave his decision in December 2022, but I would expect two year construction time to hold.
Stations On The Branch
The original branch had five stations; Ashton Gate, Clifton Bridge, Pill, Portbury and Portishead.
How many will be reopened?
In the Wikipedia entry for Ashton Gate station, there is a section called Future, where this is said.
The line through Ashton Gate would be increased to double track. Network Rail stated that it was not feasible to reopen Ashton Gate during the initial stage of the project, but that the scheme will be future-proofed to allow the construction of a station at a later date.
The section also mentions a reopened station at Pill.
The Wikipedia entry for Pill station, there is a section called Future, where this is said.
As part of the works, Pill station will be reopened. Trains both to and from Portishead will use the southern platform, which will be resurfaced and provided with a waiting shelter, lighting, passenger information displays and audible announcements. The northern platform, adjacent to the current single track line to Royal Portbury Dock, will not be reinstated, however the track will be retained for freight trains. The two tracks will have a junction east of the station.
It is expected that reopening the station will result in reduced car usage to and from Pill and the surrounding villages. Most station users will walk to the station, with the next largest share being car drivers and car passengers being dropped off, followed by cyclists and bus users. Some parking restrictions are proposed to prevent rail users parking on the local streets, which are narrow and not suitable for widening.
Note.
- The station design appears to not need a bridge.
- There would be disabled parking and a pick up/drop off point adjacent to the entrance.
I think this station design could be able to handle two trains per hour (tph).
What Will Be The Service?
This paragraph outlines the service.
An hourly service is proposed, with journey times from Portishead to the centre of Bristol expected to be around 22 minutes, which is said to be competitive with roads in the area.
Twenty-two minutes is an interesting time, as it will mean that it should be possible to do the following in an hour.
- Go from Bristol Temple Meads to Portishead.
- The driver changes ends and gets ready to return.
- Go from Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads
- The driver changes ends and gets ready to go to Portishead again.
If the train can do the full return journey in an hour, it will be able to run the service with a single train.
The Wikipedia entry for Pill station, there is a section called Future, where this is said.
Trains along the reopened line will operate between Portishead and Bristol Temple Meads, with two trains per hour in each direction. Services would call at Pill and Parson Street, with aspirations to also call at Bedminster and a reopened Ashton Gate. Trains could also be extended on to the Severn Beach Line. The trains used will be diesel multiple units, likely three carriages long.
Note.
- Wikipedia and Modern Railways are giving different frequencies.
- Two tph could probably be run by using two trains.
I suspect that the Modern Railways figure is correct, as it is the most recent.
Bristol And South Gloucestershire Set For Seven New Train Stations
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Multi-million-pound proposals to breathe new life into Bristol and South Gloucestershire’s defunct railways and reverse the Beeching cuts from the 1960’s, are set to go ahead.
With an investment strategy which proposes £350m for transport over the next 20 years. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA), comprising Bristol city, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, is expected to agree investments into a raft of projects at its committee meeting on Friday, June 14.
The improvements include.
- Improving the Severn Beach Line to provide direct services to Bath and Westbury.
- Reopening Henbury station.
- More frequent services to Yate.
- New train stations in Portishead, Henbury, Portway and Charfield.
Note.
- The reopening of Henbury station must mean the reopening of the freight-only Henbury Loop Line to passenger services.
- Portway Parkway station will be built adjacent to an existing Park-and-Ride.
- I wrote about Charfield station in Beeching Reversal – Charfield Station.
It certainly looks like MetroWest is finally getting underway.
Plans For Cable Cars Between Bristol Temple Meads And Clifton Suspension Bridge
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Bristol Live.
The title only says half of it, as this is only the first route.
Conclusion
I like the idea!
I also think we should have more!
Bristol Poised For Seven-Day Ban On Diesel Cars
The title of this post is the same as that of this article in The Times.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Bristol is set to become the first city in Britain to ban diesel cars under the toughest measures yet seen to combat air pollution.
A few points.
- It will apply to all diesels.
- It will apply in part the City Centre.
- Petrol cars will be exempt.
Although, I agree with the need to improve air quality, I doubt the measure will be passed. Selfish interests will prevail!
Transport for Wales Is Invading England
There is an article in the July 2019 Edition of Modern Railways, which is entitled TfW Targets Swansea To Bristol Services.
This is the first paragraph.
Transport for Wales Rail Services is aiming to start an open access service between Swansea and Bristol Temple Meads, commencing in December 2020.
These are characteristics of the proposed service.
- Hourly service
- Calls at Neath, Port Talbot Parkway, Bridgend, Cardiff Central, Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction and Filton Abbey Wood stations.
- Sixteen services per day will run Monday to Saturday in both directions, with twelve services on Sundays.
- Trains will be Class 170 or Class 175 diesel trains.
Looking at current times of sections of the route, I suspect that services could take a few minutes under two hours and would need four trains.
Reasons given for planning the service include.
- Long-term political pressure.
- Welsh ministers abandoning plans for the £1.6 billion M4 Relief Road around Newport.
- Cross-Severn road traffic has increased after abolition of tolls.
- Main roads on either side of the Severn are congested.
- Increased house sales in South Wales to people who work in the Bristol area.
Incidentally, before I read the article, if you asked me, I’d have thought there would be a direct service.
My only thought about the service, is that as there will be electrification between Bristol and Cardiff, why not run a proper fast bi-mode train like a Hitachi Class 800 train or a Stadler Class 755 train. The latter of which Transport for Wales have on order, for delivery in 2023.
The Class 755 train or its Welsh cousin, could be an interesting option.
- The distance without electrification between Cardiff and Swansea is 46 miles.
- Transport for Wales tri-mode version of the Class 755 train could have three batteries and a diesel engine in the four slots in the powrpack car.
Could it have the capability of jumping the gap.
Birmingham Services
The article also says that, Transport for Wales are also planning to extend their services that terminate at Birmingham to Coventry.
- Holyhead and Birmingham New Street takes three hours.
- Aberystwyth and Birmingham New Street takes three hours
- Pwllheli and Birmingham New Street takes five hours
As Birmingham and Coventry takes twenty minutes or perhaps a convenient hour to go to Coventry and return with a relaxed turnround, does the extension make these three long services simpler to operate?
Extra positioning services from Crewe to Coventry in the morning and return in the evening are also proposed.
These would also suggest that improving the ease of operation of these services is the reason for the extension to Coventry.
Liverpool Services
The article also says that these services to Liverpool will be added in 2022.
- An hourly service to Llandudno.
- A two-hourly service to Cardiff.
It isn’t said, if one of these services is an extension to the recently launched Liverpool and Chester service.
Conclusion
The Welsh are getting ambitious.
The Anonymous Widower 