Train Services: South Gloucestershire

Opened the debate

Luke Hall highlighted the importance of public transport in South Gloucestershire for daily activities such as work, education, healthcare and social visits. He noted significant progress made in local transport infrastructure including opening park and rides, scrapping Severn bridge tolls, reopening road turns, and reinstating bus services to hospitals. However, he raised concerns about the current train service frequency from Yate to Bristol and Gloucester which is hourly despite high passenger demand and need for more frequent services due to population growth and housing development in Yate. Hall presented data showing a doubling of passengers on the Yate-Bristol line over recent years and emphasised the importance of increasing service frequency to half-hourly. He mentioned obstacles such as track works required at Bristol East junction, which were addressed with government investment but led to delays. Hall also discussed the MetroWest project phase 2, supported by Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) and funded by the West of England Combined Authority. He expressed frustration about delayed implementation due to staffing shortages from pandemic impacts. GWR confirmed they have submitted a timetable bid for additional services from May 2023 but Hall asked for assurance that staffing levels will be sufficient at this time. He highlighted provisional plans for funding these new services by the West of England Combined Authority for three years post-implementation. Hall requested the Minister to outline efforts being made to drive rail industry recruitment and expressed hope for a meeting to discuss DfT support in ensuring half-hourly train services can commence as planned.

Government Response

Merriman acknowledged Hall’s commitment to improving transport infrastructure in South Gloucestershire. He noted the government's financial support during the pandemic, including £31 billion investment and capping rail fare increases at 5.9% for 2023. He addressed Hall’s concerns about staffing shortages by discussing initiatives aimed at modernising workforce recruitment processes through technology use while maintaining safety standards. Merriman also confirmed that with funding from the West of England Combined Authority, services between Bristol and Gloucester will be doubled to two trains per hour starting May 2023 as part of the MetroWest scheme. Merriman assured Hall that GWR has identified necessary rolling stock and staff training is on track for completion by May. He invited Hall to meet further if any additional concerns arise. Merriman also mentioned other rail developments like Charfield station reopening, Filton airfield development with new stations at North Filton and Henbury, and improvements planned for Gloucester station.