Filton Bank

Filton Bank is the name given to a 4 1⁄2-mile (7 km) section of the Bristol to Birmingham line in Bristol, roughly between Lawrence Hill and Filton Abbey Wood stations.

A southbound CrossCountry HST descending Filton Bank at Narroways Hill Junction in March 2009

Description

The line runs from Dr Days Junction where the Great Western Main Line branches off from the Bristol to Birmingham line just south of Lawrence Hill station, to Filton Junction just north of Filton Abbey Wood station where the South Wales Main Line branches off. The Severn Beach line branches off at Narroways Hill Junction. The 4 1⁄2-mile (7 km) line has recently (autumn 2018) been returned to quadruple track for its full length.[1]

History

The line was built by the Bristol and South Wales Union Railway. It was four-tracked until 1984 when it was reduced to double track, with the running lines slewed over to increase line speeds. In late 2018 it was returned to four-track.[2]

Reinstatement
Work in 2018 to reinstate the two extra tracks at the site of Horfield railway station

It was announced in July 2012 that Filton Bank would be returned to a four-track layout. This has restored the separation between fast, main line services and stopping, relief line services, increasing capacity on the line. A fourth platform has been built at Filton Abbey Wood station. It will allow services on the Severn Beach line to be increased to twice hourly, and the introduction of a twice hourly London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads via Bristol Parkway service.[3][4] The additional tracks were opened on 19 November 2018 with work scheduled to finish in 2019.[5]

The line was to have been electrified as part of the Great Western Main Line electrification scheme.[6] In preparation for electrification, the footbridge at Stapleton Road was replaced to give room for overhead cables.[7][8] In November 2016 it was announced that electrification on this section of line had been deferred due to cost overruns.[9]

See also

References
  1. Bristol Upgrades Filton Bank Network Rail
  2. NR agrees £33m contract for Bristol four-tracking Rail issue 761 12 November 2014 page 24
  3. "Green light for long-awaited rail improvements". Bristol Evening Post. Northcliffe Media. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  4. GWR boss says we're on track for a better future for the railways Bristol Post 18 May 2017
  5. "Bristol 2018". Great Western Railway. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  6. "Bristol to London line to be electrified". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  7. "FOSBR Newsletter" (PDF). Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways. April 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  8. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/tracking-Filton-Bank-near-approval/story-19269297-detail/story.html
  9. Department for Transport and Paul Maynard MP Paul Maynard MP (8 November 2016). "Rail update: rail investment in the Great Western route - Written statements to Parliament - GOV.UK". Retrieved 8 November 2016. The 4 projects being deferred are:..electrification of Filton Bank


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