During a debate in Parliament this week, called by South Gloucestershire MP Luke Hall, Rail Minister Huw Merriman confirmed that half-hourly trains from Yate will be given the go ahead from May, reducing journey times for residents.
Alongside a growing family population, Yate has is now home to several new employers, with staff traveling from across the region to jobs in the town. With train usage continuing to rise in South Gloucestershire, the current service has been deemed insufficient to be a viable option for many people in the surrounding towns and villages, with overcrowding on the Bristol-Yate services becoming a real problem.
Luke has campaigned for half-hourly trains for a number of years and has called on Great Western Rail and the Government to deliver on their commitment to increase the frequency of train services from between Yate and Bristol, which currently run only once an hour. The MP has previously stated that half-hourly services would be invaluable to the local community and would make rail a more viable option for many people locally, reduce journey times, take cars off the road and reduce emissions.
During the debate, the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman was clear that, following conversations with GWR, issues would be resolved and the service delivered.
Minister Huw Merriman said: “I am happy to confirm that, subject to the provision of the necessary funding by the West of England Combined Authority, services between Bristol and Gloucester will be doubled to two trains per hour from the May 2023 timetable change as part of the wider MetroWest scheme.”
“I thank my hon. Friend for helping make this happen and the West of England Combined Authority, which has worked in partnership with officials in my Department and the operator, Great Western Railway, to make this possible.”
Luke Hall MP said: “This is fantastic news for our community. Half-hourly train services will make rail a more viable option for many people locally, reduce journey times, take cars off the road and reduce emissions. Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign over a number of years. It’s taken some time, but it’s a key part of our Positive Plan for Transport in South Gloucestershire and I’m delighted we are almost there.”
The introduction of half-hourly services is a key part of Luke’s Positive Plan for Transport locally, and his campaign to Get South Gloucestershire Moving! by improving local transport infrastructure and services.
