Although we are delighted that the Henbury Spur Line will open up to passengers in 2021 we believe that so much more can be done to realise our rail ambitions for Bristol.
In 2015 the Local Enterprise Partnership decided to proceed with a Henbury Spur Line over the complete Loop. This decision was based on what we believe was a flawed business case. We believe that the report underestimated the business growth in Avonmouth, the housing growth in South Gloucestershire, the passenger numbers that would use the services and it only looked at one solution to the access issues at the Bristol Port.
All taken together we believe that the time is right to look once again at the Loop as a means of cutting congestion in North Bristol. If we can connect the major employment areas of Filton, Avonmouth and Temple Meads then we will get traffic off the road and reduce air pollution.
We therefore want the Mayor, Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority to commission a new and independent business case that considers all possible options for bringing forward this much needed rail project.