Further action has been taken to improve rail services across South Gloucestershire, following the latest intervention from the local MP Luke Hall.
The MP met with the Minister of State for Transport, Huw Merriman MP, personally this week, to discuss a number of key rail projects in South Gloucestershire. Luke highlighted the importance of the region’s railway network to the local economy, as well as the ongoing efforts to relieve traffic on the road, and enhance journeys for commuters.
With half-hourly rail services from Severn Beach currently set to expire in December of this year, Luke Hall secured an urgent meeting with the Minister to call for further funding to be released in order to preserve and sustain these key services.
As well as pushing to secure these half hourly trains for the future, Luke also highlighted the success of the half-hourly services that were delivered between Yate and Bristol, and Yate and Gloucester, and asked the Department for Transport to also protect this timetable, and ensure that the half-hourly trains can continue serving the Yate community.
Luke said, “Half hourly trains from Severn Beach are absolutely crucial for the community, and to lose these services would be hugely detrimental not just to the local economy but would severely impact many residents and the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“I have called on the Government to take urgent action to keep these services going, and have asked that renewed funding is announced without delay, to ensure these service continue without interruption.”
Also on the MP’s agenda was his campaign to reopen Charfield Railway Station, which has continued to progress since the MP was first elected in 2015.
In his latest meeting with the Minister, Luke secured a further update, with the Government expecting construction to reopen Charfield station beginning in 2025/26, with the grand reopening set for 2027.
The commitment to improving rail services in South Gloucestershire has been a key part of Luke Hall MP’s campaign to Get South Gloucestershire Moving, and is a priority in the MP’s Positive Plan for Transport.
