Henbury Loop circle line to be debated at Bristol council meeting
Conservative councillors push for cross-party backing on revisiting rail plans
Substantial changes to housing developments and the planned indoor arena make the case for reopening the Henbury Loop much stronger according to Conservative councillors. They will try to get cross-party support for a proposed circle line train service running around Bristol.
Two new train stations recently opened in Bristol with two more planned to open soon, in North Filton by the new arena and in Henbury. A section of railway already links up the extended passenger service from Henbury down to Avonmouth, but this is only used for freight trains.
Reopening this section as a passenger line, linking the west and the north of the city, was an idea previously considered but dropped around a decade ago. But as more new homes are built and the capacity of the new arena is expanding, Tories believe the option should be revisited.
Councillor Mark Weston is the leader of the Conservative group on Bristol City Council and also represents Henbury and Brentry. He will table a motion at a full council meeting on Tuesday, January 13, urging councillors from all parties to back demands revisiting the loop option.
Ahead of the meeting, he said: “The current Henbury Spur plan was chosen because it was deemed cheaper, less risky, and deliverable in the short term. However, I always believed that decision was flawed, lacked ambition, and short-sighted due to the likely impact of major housing and industrial developments in this part of the city.
“Extra housing, an increased capacity of up to 20,000 patrons for the indoor arena now being suggested, and growing industries in this part of Bristol, dictates that the previous calculus made on projected demand for rail is clearly out of date.
“The delivery of a fuller suburban rail service with improved frequency not only contributes to declared corporate goals on tackling climate change and improving the environment. It also addresses the problems of congestion on our creaking road network, and helps to ensure the city can meet the serious demands of population growth and sustainability over the years ahead.”
The decision wouldn’t be taken by the council but instead the West of England Combined Authority. However, getting a motion supported by the council would put a lot of pressure on the combined authority to take the idea more seriously. In autumn last year, the chief executive of the West of England, Stephen Peacock, revealed that the Henbury Loop would be looked at.
Speaking to councillors last October, Mr Peacock said: “That Henbury Loop is a slightly complex one and probably quite expensive. But we will be looking at it as part of our overall delivery planning. It’s definitely in the list of projects, Henbury Loop, but it’s something we’ll have to come back to in the course of next year.”
Planning permission for the new Henbury train station was finally granted by South Gloucestershire Council last October, which is due to open in 2028. Another station is estimated to open at North Filton, next to the arena, either towards the end of this year or at some point next year. Tory councillors believe a third station should be built at Chittening industrial estate.
Services along the Henbury line will eventually stop at Henbury, North Filton, Filton Abbey Wood, Ashley Down, Stapleton Road, Lawrence Hill and Temple Meads. Bristol’s leading politicians hope the investment will tempt commuters away from cars and ease congestion. However the trains are initially only planned to run once every hour.