Call for developer to back turnback facility at Yate Train Station

9:30am Monday 21st December 2009

By Alexandra Womack

A TURNBACK facility at Yate Train Station will never become a reality unless a local developer contributes money for the project.

Campaigners have been calling for the line between Bristol and Gloucester to include a turnback at Yate, so rapid trains can run between the town direct and Bristol city centre, for years.

Chris Aldridge, principal network planner for Network Rail for Wales and the West, said the operator was investigating a number of options for the project but funding would be needed before it go ahead.

He told a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s planning, transportation and strategic environment select committee: “We are looking at a number of options.

“We are looking at a facility to park trains out of the way or introducing an additional bay platform at Yate to facilitate new services.

“But the cost of doing that would not only mean the cost of new infrastructure but also the cost of additional rolling stock.”

He added: “At the moment we cannot make a rail industry case to stand on its own and at the moment we need a contribution from a third party from funding or a section 106 agreement from a developer in the local area.”

The bid for a turnback at Yate has intensified recently following an increase in reports that commuters are left stranded at Yate because trains from Gloucester are full when they reach the town.

Cllr Sue Walker (Lib Dem, Yate), who is also chairman of the Friends of Yate Station, said: “People are so uncertain about whether they can get to work or not. They really are desperate for an extra service and with the new council offices at Badminton Road just a few hundred yards from the station and all the new houses planned it is really vitally important that we increase this service.

“The people of Yate are desperate to use trains more and this really needs to be addressed.”

Cllr Pat Hockey (Lib Dem, Frampton Cotterell), chairman of the committee, said: “It is disappointing that this issue has been around for such a long time.

“We need to increase the frequency between Yate and Bristol and I wonder whether we could consider a low cost option to enable us to have a half hour frequency.”

Cllr Brian Allinson, the council’s executive member for transport, has added his support to the campaign for a turnback facility at Yate.

He said: “It is disappointing that Network Rail is maintaining its stance on the turnback.

“I maintain the view that a turnback is very important and we will continue to pressurise Network Rail in that respect.”