Network Rail today has received accolades from the local user group, Friends of Suburban Bristol Railway, for its efforts in improving the Severn Beach branch line.

Trains going northbound on the Severn Beach branch line can now terminate at or turn back from Clifton to Bristol Temple Meads. 

This improvement promises a more reliable service for passengers travelling on the busiest part of the branch line. 

It also spells an opportunity for more trains to run between these stations, accommodating the industry’s aspiration to boost capacity on this line in the future.

Jointly funded by Network Rail and the Bristol City Council, the scheme aims to reduce the delays by enabling services between Clifton – Bristol Temple Meads to continue to run when the rest of the branch line is congested or has failed. 

Work was carried out by Network Rail to install a new signal equipment near Clifton Down. Depending on further study on time-table modelling, this enhanced capability could enable four trains to run per hour.

Mike Gallop, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition from Friends of Suburban Bristol Railway.  Schemes like this are critical to improving service performance as the daily operation of the railway becomes more robust.   Around 75% of the passenger journeys made on the Severn Beach branch line are between Clifton – Bristol Temple Meads and this line is an important link for them.  We are really pleased to see a little of our effort will go a long way for passengers.”

Besides this, Network Rail has also renewed life-expired tracks between Montpelier Tunnel and Avonmouth Dock Junction as well as at Narroways Hill Junction.   These efforts have significantly improved the reliability of the infrastructure on the line.

The railway in Great Western is one of the top ten best performing routes with an annual average of 92.4% of trains arriving on time every day.