News / Transport
Tram-trains could provide central loop from Temple Meads to city centre
A group of rail campaigners have reiterated their ambition for tram-trains in Bristol, envisaging a central loop from Temple Meads to the city centre.
Tram-train technology allows trams to run on both railway lines and tram tracks, with Bristol Rail Campaign saying it “offers an opportunity to give Temple Meads a high quality connection to central Bristol, and also to transform Bristol’s existing rail network into a proper regional rapid transit system”.
Campaigners say the best place to connect a tram-train route into the existing rail network is immediately to the north of Temple Meads next to platform 1 where an old line to the docks once branched off.
is needed now More than ever
Tram-trains coming from suburban railway lines including the Severn Beach line could switch to tram mode here; then run down Friary to connect with a city centre loop via Bristol Bridge, the Centre, Bond Street and Temple Way.
The loop could initially be single track with tram-trains running in one direction around the loop.
Writing in a blog on their website, Bristol Rail Campaign say this “would deliver many of the benefits of rapid transit at a lower cost and with less disruption than a double-track solution”.
A potential tram-train route could connect Temple Meads to the Centre via Broadmead and Old Market – map: Bristol Rail Campaign
Bristol Rail Campaign say that “most urgently, the Temple Quarter Masterplan must make sure the vital connection near Platform 1 at Bristol Temple Meads remains available”.
Their blog adds: “Tram-trains could usefully be introduced on local services ahead of building the Bristol Central Loop.
“These services currently use unsuitable worn-out diesel trains and are ripe for modernisation.
“An electrification scheme is required for the Bristol area, potentially using discontinuous electrification where this makes economic sense.
“Tram-trains are suitable for use on a number of local services. The Severn Beach or the Henbury line, via Brabazon, could be good places to start.
“Rapid transit requires dedicated rights of way, away from Bristol’s crowded roads. Our suburban rail network can provide these. Linking this network to central Bristol is key to unlocking its full potential.”
Main photo: Travel South Yorkshire
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