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Tuesday 11 Oct 2022

Planning application submitted for Charfield Station

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

South Gloucestershire Council and Network Rail have submitted a planning application for a new train station in Charfield.

The proposed station, to be built on land off Station Road in the centre of the village, will include two platforms serving north and southbound journeys, a pedestrian footbridge, a bus stop, covered cycle parking, and car parking.

The planning application also includes proposals for local highway improvements to enhance access to and from the station and car parking.

The Local Planning Authority, which will decide the application, has launched a public consultation, providing an opportunity for people to comment on the application.

To read and comment on the application, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/planning-applications and search application number P22/05778/R3F.

A public consultation held earlier in the year showed that 78 per cent of people who took part in the survey were supportive of the principle of reopening a station. Initial designs for the new station also received support from 73 per cent of people.

A new station in Charfield represents significant investment in sustainable public transport provision in our rural areas.

The station will improve access to jobs, further and higher education and a wider variety of services and facilities. It will help to mitigate some of the impacts of recent permitted development in the area.

Councillor Steve Reade, South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “At South Gloucestershire Council we are committed to creating sustainable communities and lowering our carbon emissions and it is fantastic to have submitted this application to create a brand-new train station in Charfield.

“Investing in infrastructure projects such as this station will help towards these commitments and our Climate Emergency goal of net zero emissions by 2030.

“We want public transport to be a credible option for all of our residents, helping to boost connectivity to those those living in our rural communities.

“A station in Charfield will also improve access to jobs and education, opening up opportunities for local residents.”

Malcolm Parsons, Network Rail’s industry programme director for the West of England, said: “This planning application is an important step in bringing rail travel closer to more communities.

“We look forward to working with South Gloucestershire Council and our wider partners on the development of the business case for Charfield station. As part of wider rail regeneration, we are encouraging more people to use the train, to help deliver on our target to achieve net zero by 2050.”

Dan Okey, Head of Regional and Welsh Development at Great Western Railway, said: “We are delighted to see the planning application for a new station at Charfield has now been submitted by South Gloucestershire Council.

“This is an important step forward and we look forward to continuing to work in collaboration with the council and Network Rail to bring forward a scheme that can be delivered.”

Information on the proposals for a new train station in Charfield can be found by visiting the project webpage, go to www.southglos.gov.uk/charfieldstation

People who are interested in the scheme are also encouraged to sign up for a new project newsletter. This can be done via the webpage.