Rail Study Report Gloucestershire Rail Study
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Rail Study Report Gloucestershire Rail Study COGL14R037 /Rep01 Revision 01 September 2015 Document Control Sheet Project Name: Gloucestershire Rail Study Project Number: COGL14R037 Report Title: Rail Study Report Report Number: Rep01 Issue Prepared Reviewed Approved Status/Amendment Client Draft Name: Neil Anderson Name: Rajeshkumar Name: David Coles Makwana Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 31 July 2015 Date: Date: Amended draft for final Name: Neil Anderson Name: Rajeshkumar Name: David Coles comments Makwana Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 21st Aug 2015 Date: 21st Aug 2015 Date: 21st Aug 2015 Issue Version Name: Neil Anderson Name: Ian Sanders Name: David Coles Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 2nd Sept 2015 Date: 2nd Sept 2015 Date: 2nd Sept 2015 Name: Name: Name: Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: Date: Date: Project Name Gloucestershire Rail Study Document Title Rail Study Report Executive Summary Introduction and Context This study is designed to review a number of rail development proposals within Gloucestershire in the light of wider developments within the rail sector and economic growth plans within the county. It will form the foundation for the County’s Rail Strategy as part of the wider Local Transport Plan. Gloucestershire stands in a strategic location between the growing City Regions of Bristol, Cardiff and the West Midlands and its rail links enable commuting and commercial links to Oxford, Reading and London. This location and the high quality of life available in its towns, villages and rural areas will enable significant housing and employment growth which is reflected in the local plans of the six district, city and borough councils. Gloucestershire’s pivotal position on the rail network is a key asset in delivering these plans in an effective, sustainable manner. A number of proposals have been put forward for new stations and for increases in service at existing stations. Alongside this, the rail industry has put in place a long term investment planning process, with the forthcoming delivery of Route Studies for each of the regions (including the Western and Welsh routes) along with short, medium and long-term proposals for electrification and resignalling. All of this has been taken into account when considering the opportunities presented by rail connectivity in Gloucestershire and the barriers which must be overcome to exploit them. Expansion of services, new stations and additional stops can only be introduced in the context of wider investment by the rail industry, alongside complementary funding through partners such as local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships. This study seeks to understand these synergies in order to present a strategic approach designed to make the best of Gloucestershire’s strengths in the short, medium and long term. Growth and Opportunity The electrification of the Great Western Mainline (GWML), the completion of Crossrail in 2018 and its integration with the GWML at Reading will provide significantly improved access to the economy of the South-East, enhanced further in the future by improved links to Heathrow. In parallel, the Bristol City Region has developed its MetroWest programme which includes funding for enhanced links to Yate and potentially to Gloucester. This complements the existing fast links to Bristol, Birmingham and beyond. Growth in employment and housing will be supported and strengthened through these developments. However, it is important that local connectivity is improved to ensure that all residents, existing and new, can benefit from Gloucestershire’s location. The proposals for housing and employment growth in the Local Plans have been analysed in the study in relation to the development of existing stations and the services which use them, along with the potential for new stations. Gloucestershire Rail Proposals In its Local Transport Plan and in the draft Rail Strategy published by the Gloucestershire Local Transport Board, a number of proposals for new stations were put forward. The following proposals have been considered by this study: Hunts Grove, on the main line south of Gloucester, approximately 5km from Gloucester Town Centre; Stonehouse Bristol Rd on the mainline towards Bristol, south of the junction with the route towards Swindon and the existing station at Stonehouse; Doc. Ref.:COGL14R037 /Rep01 Rev. 01 - i - Issued: September 2015 Project Name Gloucestershire Rail Study Document Title Rail Study Report Stonehouse North, encompassing both the Bristol and Swindon lines; Charfield (in South Gloucestershire), on the main line towards Bristol, 26km from Gloucester and a similar distance to Bristol and; Chipping Campden on the North Cotswold Line, approximately 7km north of the existing station at Moreton-in-Marsh. The case for these stations has been considered in relation to their strategic importance, the feasibility of stopping trains at these locations (with reference to line capacity and speed) and the commercial and economic performance likely to be achieved with current and forecast demand in the area, including forecast housing and employment growth. The feasibility of provision of the stations has been considered in terms of an indicative cost of construction, which has been used to undertake the economic analysis. Rail infrastructure costs (ie additional track and signalling) have not been built into this analysis since it is assumed that local stations of this nature could only go ahead if they could be supported by existing infrastructure or that any additional infrastructure would be provided as part of the wider rail investment programme. Alongside this, in the context of the wider rail investment programme, the potential for increasing train frequencies at existing stations has been considered as part of a wider investment programme in rail station facilities. This takes account of the existing and potential demand at these stations, current journey patterns, their location relative to existing or planned development and the wider rail investment programme set out in the Route Studies. As well as increased frequencies, the provision of car parking, improved integration with the surrounding areas and the provision of improved cycle and bus links have been considered. Census Journey to Work and rail ticketing data were used to determine the likely pattern of patronage from each of the stations (existing and proposed) in their overall context, taking account of existing and proposed development in the area. Consultation was undertaken with stakeholders to understand the performance of the existing stations, the train service frequencies and destinations available and the physical constraints affecting access to assist in this process. The analysis has been conducted on a station-by-station basis with each of the proposals being considered in isolation. Whilst this is adequate to provide the overall strategic direction and the required indication on the likely economic performance of the individual proposals, further analysis would need to be conducted before a business case could be developed for any of the proposals. The results of these assessments are reported below. Doc. Ref.:COGL14R037 /Rep01 Rev. 01 - ii - Issued: September 2015 Project Name Gloucestershire Rail Study Document Title Rail Study Report Summary of Proposals – Demand/Economics, Strategic and Deliverability Factors Cheltenham Spa Short-Term Recommendations Medium to Long-Term Findings (to 2019) Recommendations (2019-2029+) Key gateway to one of two Investment in facilities Review train capacity main urban centres requirements and potential Increase car parking need for bay platforms Excellent connectivity across (including short-term use of (terminating trains) UK, including London area for potential bay platforms Review overall service patterns Rail Interchange point as part of wider planning Improve concourse Distant from town Improve bus interchange Poor passenger facilities Improve cycle access & Lack of parking facilities Long-term train capacity issues The patronage and economic analysis of frequency increases at Cheltenham Spa indicates that a total discounted benefit (PVB) of £19.5m could be achieved. With a doubling of frequency on key routes, patronage growth is predicted as 5% (2015) and 32% (2030). Gloucester Short-Term Recommendations Medium to Long-Term Findings (to 2019) Recommendations (2019-2029+) Key gateway to one of two Develop car park on north Work with GFirst, Bristol and main urban centres side West of England LEP to fund & deliver half-hourly Bristol- Excellent connectivity across New pedestrian entrance to Gloucester service UK, including London (some north side (car park and with interchange at hospital) Work within rail industry long- Cheltenham Spa) term planning to increase Improve highway access to Gloucester-London frequency Central location provides focus north-side car park for development of Gloucester Improve north-south access City (improve subway) Poor environment around Integrate station with town station centre, via Kings Quarter and Poor access to town centre new bus station Very poor access to north side, Improve forecourt and station including hospital buildings Limited car parking Develop land to north of station – good connectivity The patronage and economic analysis of frequency increases at Gloucester indicates that a total discounted benefit (PVB) of £18.3m could be achieved. With a doubling of frequency on key routes, patronage growth is predicted as 7.6% (2015) and 50% (2030).