Contact Us on the Before Councils Submit Their Final Bids the Wider Area, in Telephone Number Below

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Contact Us on the Before Councils Submit Their Final Bids the Wider Area, in Telephone Number Below Stages in the bidding process 2008/2009 We consulted you on the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and South Bristol Link schemes Mar 2009 We submitted the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads bid to the Next steps DfT The three schemes are at slightly different Dec 2009/ We consulted you on the North Fringe to Hengrove Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils stages of development and preparation, but Jan 2010 Package working together to improve your local public transport all three schemes have to provide a ‘best and Mar 2010 ❙ We submitted the North Fringe to Hengrove Package and final’ bid to the Department for Transport the South Bristol Link to the DfT. (DfT) by 9th September this year. We expect Transport News from the West of England June 2011 a decision on the results to be announced by ❙ The DfT awarded the go-ahead for further design of the the end of the year. Ashton Vale to Temple Meads. Jun 2010 We submitted a Transport and Works Act Order for the Three rapid transit routes proposed for the West of England Ashton Vale to Temple Meads scheme Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils are working ❙ Summer Central Government asked us to reduce the scope of all together to improve transport in the area. We are in the process of bidding for some funding from the 2010 schemes. Department for Transport which is available for major transport schemes across the country. ❙ We consulted you about the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads ’Transport and Works Act Order’ We are submitting five separate bids – three Oct 2010 We were invited by the DfT to make an ‘expression of interest’ What is rapid transit? of our intention to submit the revised bids of which seek funding for a new network of Rapid transit is a fast, frequent and reliable three rapid transit routes for the area: public transport service using modern, “We believe the Dec 2010 Expressions of interest’ submitted including draft revised accessible, comfortable and low-emission North Fringe Find out more proposals, trying to keep as many of the benefits as possible ❙ North Fringe to Hengrove – linking vehicles. to Hengrove To find out more about any of the bids we whilst reducing the costs areas like Cribbs Causeway, Aztec West Package would are making to the Department for Transport Feb 2011 The DfT invited us to submit ‘best and final bids’ by 9th and Emersons Green with Bristol city Benefits for passengers provide significant including information on the Weston September 2011 centre and with Hengrove in the south of benefits to UWE Package and Bath Package, please visit Bristol ❙ Reduced journey times Jun/Jul 2011 Information about our revised proposals is being published and employers in www.travelplus.org.uk, or contact us on the before councils submit their final bids the wider area, in telephone number below. ❙ Ashton Vale to Temple Meads – ❙ Improved ticketing and payment facilities Sep 2011 We will submit all 3 best and final bids by 9th September providing frequent services from Long terms of improved accessibility which Dec 2011 The DfT is expected to announce their decision about which Ashton Park & Ride to Bristol Temple ❙ Turn up and go service frequencies and council’s’ schemes have been successful Meads and on to the city centre reliable journey times would, in turn, Contact us enhance the local If we are successful in our bid: ❙ South Bristol Link – extending the ❙ High quality stops with facilities like economy” West of England Office, Wilder House, Mar 2012 Anticipated date of the public inquiry for the Ashton Vale to Ashton Vale to Temple Meads rapid transit CCTV at stops and real time electronic University of the West of Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8PH Temple Meads scheme service from Long Ashton Park & Ride to information England 0117 903 6868 the new community hospital campus and 2012 & 2013 ❙ Detailed scheme design and consultation with you on the [email protected] leisure centre at Hengrove ❙ Modern, environmentally friendly vehicles designs Bath & North East Somerset ❙ Application for the relevant planning permissions If successful, these rapid transit routes would ❙ High quality walking and cycle links Council ❙ Anticipated dates of the public inquiries for North Fringe to play an important role in tackling traffic www.bathnes.gov.uk Hengrove package and South Bristol Link congestion and would provide services that ❙ High quality, comfortable, and accessible link residential areas, shopping, work, leisure vehicles ❙ Purchase land needed for the proposals Bristol City Council and district centres. www.bristol.gov.uk ❙ Tender for contractors to carry out the work 2013 & 2014 If the DfT gives the necessary approval, construction could The councils are bidding for funding for North Somerset Council start as early as 2013 (Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and North each rapid transit route separately, but if they www.n-somerset.gov.uk Fringe to Hengrove) and 2014 (and South Bristol Link) are all successful, they would link together to provide a direct and efficient transport South Gloucestershire Council 2015 Parts of the new rapid transit system could be in operation network for the area. www.southglos.gov.uk during 2015 If you would like this information in a different format, for example Braille, audio tape, large print or computer disc, or community languages please Designed by SGCCREATIVEDESIGN Printed on recycled paper S 7118 | 06 | 11 contact the West of England Partnership Office on 0117 903 6868 Consultation has been a very important part ❙ The Park & Rides at Emersons Green and signal working for rapid transit vehicles. of the development of all these schemes, Parkway Station have been retained but ❙ The Bristol Harbour railway terminus spur and your input at key stages of each scheme with reduced on-site facilities at Emersons has been shortened. helped form the basis of what we submitted Green and fewer spaces near Parkway ❙ While Prince Street Bridge is closed to to the Department for Transport in 2010. Station. West of England Allotments traffic, a temporary structure would have Since then, Central Government has Rapid Transit Network ❙ The M32 Park & Ride site is no longer part Allotments Cricket Pitch to be provided. The specification of this announced a reduction in the amount of of the scheme. A bus-only junction onto structure has been reduced. funding available for transport projects. In the M32 has been kept in the scheme so order to increase our chances of receiving that priority can be given to rapid transit South Bristol Link Parkway North The South Bristol Link has been designed to funding for each scheme, we’ve had to make Park & Ride services from the North and East Fringe some changes to reduce costs. getting onto and off the motorway. link key employment, housing and leisure Bristol Parkway Stoke Gifford areas in the south of Bristol together. It Some of the changes apply across all the Transport Link ❙ The proposed bus, cycle and pedestrian would also improve accessibility from South schemes. For example, while we have kept bridge over the New Cut has been revised Bristol to the city centre and to the strategic the high quality shelters, train station style to deliver a more affordable structure UWE transport network, including Bristol airport. platforms, real time information and CCTV at whilst still meeting appropriate design Emersons Green all stops, we have decided to only provide M32 Bus only junction Park & Ride criteria. This rapid transit route would extend the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads rapid transit extended platforms and shelters for the ❙ Further enhancements to public spaces in service from the Long Ashton Park & Ride site key stops on the network. Other changes the East Street area of Bedminster district Allotments to the new community hospital campus and are particular to each scheme and are centre have been deferred to be funded leisure centre at Hengrove, improving public highlighted below. from separate sources. transport to these key community facilities. We believe that we have managed to keep Ashton Vale to Temple Meads The Bristol Airport Flyer service would also the most effective elements of the scheme join the South Bristol Link, reducing journey in place and are confident that we will still be The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads rapid transit route would provide a separate times and improving the reliability between able to deliver an efficient, rapid and reliable Bristol City KEY running lane for rapid transit vehicles the airport and the city centre. public transport service. Centre North Fringe Hengrove Package adjacent to the public highway from the The South Bristol Link would provide a new North Fringe to Hengrove Temple Meads route option to be determined Long Ashton Park & Ride to Bristol Temple highway between the A370, the A38 and the The North Fringe to Hengrove bid is a South Bristol Link Meads, and on to Cabot Circus, Broadmead Hartcliffe Roundabout. Rapid transit vehicles package of measures designed to improve Long Ashton and the city centre. This would also provide Park & Ride Ashton Vale to Temple Meads would run predominately on nearside Allotments the links between residential areas and park & ride site huge benefits for passengers using bus bus lanes except near the A370 where a employment, leisure and retail centres. railway station services from North Somerset (Weston- Weston-super-Mare dedicated busway will link to the Long It links key employment hubs like Cribbs provisional stop location super-Mare, Clevedon and Nailsea), which Ashton Park & Ride Site. A segregated cycle Causeway, Aztec West, the Science Park at Hengrove would be able to join the network from the and pedestrian path will be provided along Park N Emersons Green and Bristol city centre with South Bristol Link Long Ashton Park & Ride.
Recommended publications
  • Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and Bristol City Centre
    Report to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by Christopher Millns BSc (Hons) MSc CEng FICE FCIHT an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Assisted by Inspector Brendan Lyons BArch MA MRTPI IHBC Date: 7 January 2013 TRANSPORT AND WORKS ACT 1992 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 ACQUISITION OF LAND ACT 1981 ASHTON VALE TO TEMPLE MEADS AND BRISTOL CITY CENTRE RAPID TRANSIT ORDER 201[] APPLICATION FOR DEEMED PLANNING PERMISSION APPLICATIONS FOR LISTED BUILDING AND CONSERVATION AREA CONSENT APPLICATION FOR EXCHANGE LAND CERTIFICATE Inquiry opened: 22 May 2012 Ref: DPI/Z0116/11/24 REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNTIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FILE REF: DPI/Z0116/11/24 TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY CASE DETAILS 1 PREAMBLE 1 2 PROCEDURAL MATTERS 3 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHEME AND ITS SURROUNDINGS 4 4 THE CASE FOR THE PROMOTERS 8 General Introduction 8 Approach 8 Scheme Evolution and Design 9 Modelling and Alternatives 12 Delivery 20 Commitment 21 The Bus Operators 21 Funding 22 Bristol Harbour Railway 23 Landowners 25 Walkers & Cyclists 25 Heritage 29 Ashton Avenue Bridge 30 Prince Street Bridge 30 The City Docks Conservation Area 31 Landmark Court/Cumberland Road Residents 36 Ashton Fields 38 Acquisition of Land Act Section 19 40 Statement of Matters 43 Conclusion 54 5 THE CASE FOR THE SUPPORTERS
    [Show full text]
  • Railways List
    A guide and list to a collection of Historic Railway Documents www.railarchive.org.uk to e mail click here December 2017 1 Since July 1971, this private collection of printed railway documents from pre grouping and pre nationalisation railway companies based in the UK; has sought to expand it‟s collection with the aim of obtaining a printed sample from each independent railway company which operated (or obtained it‟s act of parliament and started construction). There were over 1,500 such companies and to date the Rail Archive has sourced samples from over 800 of these companies. Early in 2001 the collection needed to be assessed for insurance purposes to identify a suitable premium. The premium cost was significant enough to warrant a more secure and sustainable future for the collection. In 2002 The Rail Archive was set up with the following objectives: secure an on-going future for the collection in a public institution reduce the insurance premium continue to add to the collection add a private collection of railway photographs from 1970‟s onwards provide a public access facility promote the collection ensure that the collection remains together in perpetuity where practical ensure that sufficient finances were in place to achieve to above objectives The archive is now retained by The Bodleian Library in Oxford to deliver the above objectives. This guide which gives details of paperwork in the collection and a list of railway companies from which material is wanted. The aim is to collect an item of printed paperwork from each UK railway company ever opened.
    [Show full text]
  • Ashton Vale to Temple Meads Best and Final Bid Download
    LOCAL AUTHORITY MAJOR SCHEMES BEST AND FINAL FUNDING BID SEPTEMBER 2011 Scheme Name Bus Rapid Transit Ashton Vale to Temple Meads Local Authority Bristol City Council (Lead) SCHEME COST SUMMARY (£m) Scheme As Previously Revised Scheme Configured (from section 4.4) (from section 1.4) LA contribution £7.483m £13. 613m Third Party Contribution * £1.250m DfT Funding Contribution £44.114m £34.508m Total £51.597m £49. 371m CONTACT DETAILS FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES Lead Contact: Bob Fowler Posi tion: Service Manager, Major Transport Projects, Bristol City Council (Senior Responsible Owner) Tel: 01179 036 579 E-mail: [email protected] Alternative Contact: Alun Owen Position: Service Director Major Projects, Bristol City Council Te l: 01179 037 481 E-mail: [email protected] NOTE: Bids should be received by the Department by Noon on 9 th September 2011. SENIOR RESPONSIBLE OWNER DECLARATION As Senior Responsible Owner for Bus Rapid Transit Ashton Vale to Temple Meads I hereby submit this Best and Final Funding Bid to DfT on behalf of Bristol City Council (as Lead Authority) and confirm that I have the necessary authority to do so. Name: Bob Fowler Signed: Position: Service Manager, Major Transport Projects, Bristol City Council SECTION 151 OFFICER DECLARATION As Section 151 Officer for Bristol City Council I declare that the scheme cost estimates quoted in this bid are accurate to the best of my knowledge and that Bristol City Council (as Lead Authority) has the intention and the means to deliver this scheme on the basis of its proposed funding contribution at section 4.3 (a) above, as well as meeting any ongoing revenue requirements on the understanding that no further increase in DfT funding will be considered beyond the maximum contribution requested at 4.3 (c) (including if third party contributions should no longer be available).
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol Docks Estate Wildlife Survey and Assessment
    Bristol Docks Estate Wildlife Survey and Assessment Final Report 20 December 2009 Phil Quinn MPEcology Wildlife Survey and Assessment of the Bristol Docks Estate Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 2 2. Methodology .......................................................................................... 3 3. Site description ...................................................................................... 5 4. Results and Assessment .................................................................... 13 5. Conclusions ......................................................................................... 33 6. Recommendations ............................................................................... 35 Appendix 1-8: Detailed Survey Results 61-94 Figure 1-6. Survey Areas. 7 Figure 7-12. Summary of Findings. 17 Figure 13-15. Species Maps (Appendix 8). 95 Cover photograph: View east along the New Cut This report has been produced for Bristol City Council by: Phil Quinn (Ecology and Land use), 15 Osborne Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2HB. E-mail: [email protected] MP Ecology, 30 Tilnor Crescent, Norman Hill, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 5RZ.E-mail: [email protected] Bristol City Council Acknowledgement : The provision of information by Bristol City Council does not imply a right to reproduce or commercially exploit such information without
    [Show full text]
  • Character Areas 4
    Bristol Central Area Context Study Informing change Character areas 4 Bristol Central Area September 2013 Context Study - back to contents City Design Group 37 Character areas Criteria for character areas The character of each area refers to the predominant physical characteristics within each area. The The character areas have been defined using English boundaries are an attempt to define where these Heritage guidance provided in ‘Understanding Place: physical characteristics notably change, although there Historic Area Assessments: Principles and Practice’ will be design influences within neighbouring areas. (2010), although the boundaries have been adjusted to Therefore adjoining character should be considered in fit with existing Conservation Area or Neighbourhood any response to context. boundaries where practical. The key challenges and opportunities for each Detailed description of character areas has been character area are given at the end of each character provided where they intersect with the major areas of description section. These challenges are not an change as identified by the Bristol Central Area Plan. exhaustive list and are presented as the significant Summary pages have been provided for the remaining issues and potential opportunities as identified by the character areas including those within the Temple context study. Quarter Enterprise Zone (section 5). Further information about the Enterprise Zone is provided in the Temple Quarter Heritage Assessment and Temple Quarter Spatial Framework documents. Following the accepted guidelines each character area is defined by the aspects in 1.1 and primarily Topography, urban structure, scale and massing, building ages and material palette. This is in accordance with the emerging Development Management policies on local character and distinctiveness.
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol's 'Railway Mania', 1862-1864 Is the Sixty-Sixth Pamphlet to Be Published by the Bristol Branch of the Historical Associ­ Ation
    BRISTOL BRANCH OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION BRISTOL'S THE UNIVERSITY, BRISTOL 'RAILWAY MANIA' Price £1.00 1987 1862-1864 ISBN O 901388 49 1 PETER HARRIS BRISTOL BRANCH OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION LOCAL HISTORY PAMPHLETS Hon. General Editor: PATRICK McGRATH Assistant General Editor: PETER HARRIS Bristol's 'Railway Mania', 1862-1864 is the sixty-sixth pamphlet to be published by the Bristol Branch of the Historical Associ­ ation. Its author, Peter Harris is national chairman of the Local History Committee of the Historical Association and a former Deputy President of the Association. He is Area Adviser for Gloucestershire and Avon as well as Honorary Secretary of the BRISTOL'S 'RAILWAY MANIA'. Bristol Branch. It was at his suggestion that this series of pam­ phlets was started in 1960, and his energy and enthusiasm as Honorary Assistant Editor and as Business Manager have made it possible for the series to flourish over the last twenty-seven years. The illustration on the front cover shows the new Temple Meads It is not always an advantage to be first in any major Station of 1880. The back cover shows the original Great Western technological advance. Bristol was in the vanguard of railway Railway offices on Bath Parade. construction when, in 1834, its citizens promoted the building of a The next pamphlet in the series will be The Bristol Gas Industry railway from Bristol to London. When the Great Western Railway 1815-1949 by Dr Harold Nabbs. was opened it had a splendid terminus at Temple Meads, but time The Pamphlet Appeal Fund, which is designed to put the series was to show the inconvenience of its situation and a number of on a sound financial basis, is still open, and readers are invited to attempts were made later to bring the railway into the heart of the contribute.
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol and the Clifton Suspension Bridge Walk
    Saturday Walkers Club www.walkingclub.org.uk Bristol and the Clifton Suspension Bridge walk Bristol's waterfront and historic centre, Clifton's grand houses and Suspension Bridge over the dramatic Avon Gorge. Start and Bristol Temple Meads Finish Length 7.0 miles (11.2 km). Allow 3 hours plus sightseeing. Toughness 3 / 10. 500 feet (150 m) of ascent. All tarmac. Map OS Explorer 155 (Bristol and Bath) or 154 (Bristol West), but Google Maps / Openstreetmap on your phone / a city map (in Visit Bristol tourist pamphlets) is better Walk This is a city walk through Bristol's historic centre to the wealthy hillside Notes suburb of Clifton, which has a picturesque iconic suspension bridge across the dramatic River Aon gorge just off its village green. Starting from the main station, pass St Mary Redcliffe Church (free), Queen Square (restored Georgian Square), the floating harbour (waterfront area), Spike Island (historic dockyard buildings, cranes and railway), M Shed (museum of Bristol life and history, free), The Matthew (museum ship replica, free), Arnolfini Gallery (free), Bordeux Quay (bars and restaurants), Millennium Square, We Are Curious (kids science museum, pay), Bristol Cathedral (free), College Green, Brandon Hill (hillside park), Cabot Tower (free), Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (free), RWA (Royal West of England Academy, pay), Clifton's grand houses and crescents, Clifton Village (independent shops and cafes), Clifton Suspension Bridge (free) and visitor centre (museum, free), street murals, the old town, St Nicholas (covered) Market. St Peter's Church (ruin), Castle park (riverside park with ruins). The highlight of the walk is the iconic suspension bridge over the river Avon Gorge.
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol Harbour Heritage Trail
    Bristol Harbour Heritage Trail Bristol’s Floating Harbour was built at the The Harbour complex also contains three miles of man- beginning of the 19th century and opened on 1 May 1809. made waterways – the New Cut and the Feeder Canal. The The famous canal engineer William Jessop devised a former provided a tidal bypass for smaller vessels to enter scheme that impounded 83 acres of the tidal river Avon, or leave the Harbour further inland, at Bathurst or meaning that for the first time ships in the port of Bristol Totterdown locks. This delivered the barges and small could stay afloat at all times – hence the (to modern ears) sailing vessels closer to the parts of the Harbour they curious name. wanted to use. The Feeder provided both a supply of fresh water to maintain the level of the Harbour and a route for For centuries, ships visiting Bristol had used the strong tidal inland waterways craft to rejoin the river Avon above the current to carry them the six miles between the city and weir at Netham, on which they could journey to Bath and the mouth of the river Avon. Careful navigation was needed later in the century to London. to ensure that they reached their destination before the tide ebbed, forcing the ships to go aground at whatever point The Harbour officially ceased to be part of the commercial they had reached. The quaysides couldn’t accommodate Port of Bristol in 1975 and has since been the scene of many ships and by the late 1700s lots more ships wanted extensive regeneration.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 No. 904 DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT
    STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 2010 No. 904 DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Networks) Exemption Order 2010 Made - - - - 22nd March 2010 Coming into force - - 6th April 2010 The Secretary of State makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 47(1), (1A) and (4) and 67(2) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995(a). Having consulted the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee(b) in accordance with section 67A(1)(c) of that Act, the Secretary of State has decided that the Parliamentary procedure to be adopted is that a draft statutory instrument containing the order will be laid before Parliament for approval by each House of Parliament. In accordance with section 67(5A)(d) of that Act a draft of this instrument has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. Citation and commencement 1. This Order may be cited as the Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Networks) Exemption Order 2010 and comes into force on the fifteenth day after the day on which it is made. Interpretation 2. In this Order— “fairground equipment” means— (a) any fairground ride; or (b) any similar equipment which is designed to be in motion solely for entertainment purposes with members of the public on or inside it; (a) 1995 c. 50; section 47(1) and (1A) was inserted by section 6(3) of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (c. 13). (b) The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee was established under section 125 of the Transport Act 1985 (c. 67) and has a statutory duty to provide the Government with advice on the public passenger transport needs of disabled people.
    [Show full text]
  • Development Control Committee B – 3 February 2016 ITEM NO
    Development Control Committee B – 3 February 2016 ITEM NO. 1 WARD: Cabot CONTACT OFFICER: Ben Burke SITE ADDRESS: Railway Siding Head Shunt Wapping Railway Wharf Bristol BS1 6DS APPLICATION NO: 15/05486/F Full Planning EXPIRY DATE: 29 December 2015 Construction of an engine garaging shed to house two railway maintenance vehicles. RECOMMENDATION: Grant subject to Condition(s) AGENT: Alec French Architects APPLICANT: Bristol Museums Galleries And 27 Trenchard Street Archives Bristol M Shed BS1 5AN Wapping Road Bristol BS1 4RN The following plan is for illustrative purposes only, and cannot be guaranteed to be up to date. LOCATION PLAN: 25/01/16 11:51 Committee report Item no. 1 Development Control Committee B – 3 February 2016 Application No. 15/05486/F: Railway Siding Head Shunt Wapping Railway Wharf Bristol BS1 6DS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY During the late 19th Century a series of Acts of Parliament led to the creation of railway tracks and transit sheds furnishing the length of the Quayside. Wapping wharf is the remains of this railway, which the Bristol Harbour Railway regularly run weekend steam journeys along. When Bristol Industrial Museum closed in 2007 to allow for the creation of M Shed, it resulted in the loss of workshop and garaging space for the Bristol Harbour Railway (BHR). Whilst M Shed has provided space for the garaging of two locomotives, there is no room for other equipment. To mitigate for this (and following a grant of temporary planning permission), a steel framed building was erected at the rear of the Guinness building in 2007. Subsequent to this, the structure was moved and re- erected, on a temporary planning permission, on land adjacent to A-Bond; the consent for which expires in 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • THE OFFICIAL GUIDE for GROUPS Decaux Trim 1750Mm X 1185Mm • CMYK • HI REZZ PRINT
    UK HERITAGE RAILWAYS 2019 THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR GROUPS Decaux trim 1750mm x 1185mm • CMYK • HI REZZ PRINT 25 SEPT 2018 – AUGUST 2019 LIVERPOOL RD MANCHESTER FREE ENTRY FOREWORD A generation ago, heritage railways were destinations appealing only to dedicated enthusiasts. Now, as every successful group travel organiser and tour operator knows, they rate highly as enduringly popular destinations with exceptionally wide appeal. For tour operators, one of heritage rail’s first moors, mountains, forests, open countryside and appeals is proximity. There are some 200 coastlines, where there are no roads, and where preserved railways, tramways, steam centres the vistas are both stunning, and unique to the and related museums in the UK – a respectable rail passenger. alternative to, say, the National Trust’s 300 historic buildings. Some heritage railways are located Many railways have routes joining towns and near or connected to the national rail network, villages, allowing tour operators to drop-off at making connecting travel by rail an alternative to one location, and pick-up elsewhere. Heritage road. Wherever the tour begins, there’s a heritage railways also understand the benefits of group rail destination within easy reach, by road or rail. rates and reservations, meet-and greet teams and tour guides. Most are flexible enough to schedule And every one of them is distinctively different. train departures and arrivals to work with tour operators’ needs, and all will have disabled In addition to locomotives, trains and buildings facilities. appealing to the nostalgia of an older generation and technical enthusiasts, you’ll also find Today’s heritage rail operators understand the diversions and entertainments for young children value of offering destinations attractive to visitors and teenagers, educational activities for school and groups with ranging interests, of all ages.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Value of Heritage Railways
    All Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail Report on the Value of Heritage Railways July 2013 1 Members conducting the oral evidence sessions House of Commons: Mark Garnier MP (Con) - Chair Susan Elan Jones MP (Lab) -Vice-Chair Martin Vickers MP (Con) - Vice-Chair Nigel Mills MP (Con) Nicky Morgan MP (Con) Helen Goodman MP (Lab) Robert Goodwill MP (Con) Andrew Selous (Con) Richard Bacon (Con) (Research Assistants to Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP and Norman Lamb MP also attended a session.) House of Lords: Lord Grocott (Lab) - Vice-Chair Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Lab) - Vice-Chair Lord Snape (Lab) Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru) Secretariat: Chris Austin, OBE - Secretary 2 PART ONE – KEY RECOMMENDATIONS AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Key recommendations. The Group has made six key recommendations as a result of this inquiry: FOR GOVERNMENT 1. Planning Law. Heritage railways should be able to benefit from the same permitted development rights as Network Rail does on the national network. We believe guidance is needed to prevent over-zealous interpretation of planning legislation and regulation stifling development of heritage railways. 2. Railway extensions. The requirements for a Transport & Works Act Order for modest extensions to heritage lines should be simplified, possibly using an on-line proforma application process. 3. Sponsorship. The Department for Transport should take the lead sponsorship role on policies affecting heritage railways. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport should remain responsible for policy on tourism issues and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for apprenticeships, training and development. FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES 4. Public Transport. There is scope to provide a public transport service on some heritage railways and a „public tourist service‟ on some others which should 3 be further developed and encouraged.
    [Show full text]