Local Conservatives have successfully fought for almost £3million in funding to progress plans for a brand-new rail station in Charfield.
The vital investment, which was approved at the West of England Combined Authority meeting on Friday, December 3, was secured by Cllr Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council as part of an amendment to a report on rail investment across the region and followed a joint appeal with Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall in the run up to the meeting.
Delivering the new station, giving Charfield and its surrounding communities easier access to sustainable public transport, has been a longstanding priority for South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative Administration and the local MP as part of their efforts to keep the region moving.
Plans for the new station, backed by local Conservatives, will include northbound and southbound platforms – connecting Charfield to key locations such as Bristol and Gloucester – as well as a pedestrian footbridge, covered cycle parking, and car parking.
Luke and the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council wrote to the WECA Mayor prior to the meeting, calling for approval of the investment and highlighting its importance in supporting sustainable transport and local efforts to tackle the Climate Emergency as well as providing access to jobs, education and a wider variety of services.
Cllr Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Investing in public transport has to be a key part of our green economic recovery and I am delighted that we have been able to secure this funding to take our plans for a brand-new rail station in Charfield to the next level. While it is disappointing that WECA’s Labour Mayor decided initially that he did not want to discuss this important issue, what is important is that we have been successful and our focus on delivering for the people of Charfield will continue.”
Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall added: “Having campaigned for a new station in Charfield for several years as part of my Positive Plan for the region, it is fantastic to see us take this massive step towards seeing it become a reality. It is vital that we do all we can to keep our rural communities connected and I am committed to working with the Council to help keep our region moving."
