UK: South Gloucestershire Council opened a 12-week public consultation on proposals for a new station at Charfield on October 19.
The original station on the Bristol to Gloucester route closed in 1965. The new station would have two platforms, a footbridge, a bus stop, covered cycle parking and car parking.
The council has developed preliminary plans with funding from the West of England Combined Authority, appointed Network Rail to progress design work, and last month submitted an outline business case to the combined authority with a view to securing further funding.
It anticipates that a planning application will be submitted in April 2022, and a full business case in December 2022, with construction to start in 2023 for opening at the end of 2024. An hourly service is envisaged.
‘A new railway station for Charfield has been talked about for many years and it is really exciting to see that deliverable plans are coming forward’, said Cllr Steve Reade, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment & Strategic Infrastructure.
‘Improving the public transport network for our rural communities is vitally important and will enable more people to consider sustainable travel options, which in turn will help with the council’s climate emergency target to lower carbon emissions.’
