Bristol Live readers have been setting the comments section alight with their view on the long-awaited Ashley Down train station in Bristol which is set to open this weekend, marking the end of a 60-year hiatus since trains last stopped at the site. The excitement surrounding the opening has been building, particularly given the closure of the old Ashley Hill station back in 1964.
The new station forms part of the MetroWest programme, following on from the successful opening of the Portway Park and Ride station last year.
The inaugural journey from Temple Meads to Ashley Down is due to depart at 07:25, arriving just eight minutes later at 07:33 after brief stops at Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road. Those keen to be among the first to use the new station can either hop on board this first service or head straight to Ashley Down to greet its arrival.
The return trip is scheduled to leave at 07:57, pulling into Temple Meads by 08:08.
Public opinion on the new station and wider railway developments in Bristol has been varied. Reader Magnus1975 says: “Hopefully they will increase the frequency of trains when the new stations are built near the old Filton airfield, otherwise an hourly service for such a short distance to TM won’t be much use to many people. However it looks like there is also a random direct service to Penzance on Sunday afternoon – I guess this is just a quirk of the timetable? It also stops at Weston, so takes quite a while.”
While Rolandrp reminisces: “Passed the old station countless times on the way to school. Nice to see the new station completed.”
DaveWhatley adds: “Money would have been better spent on the Portishead railway.”
Batteryacid comments: “The North Somerset unitary authority decided not to join WECA and are consequently reaping the rewards.”
Bluethroughnthrough replies: “Money spent on refurbing an existing station/rail line would be more economical than the Portishead project though, I also would imagine it to be a much more popular destination for most and more lucrative for the operator too? When you consider that it grants easier access to some sport as supposed to er, Portishead?”
Clikbait answers: “That’s not actually true though is it, both WECA and NSC have stuck in large amounts of funds to it (circa £60m) – Grant Shapps needlessly delayed the approval. Had he just approved the DCO back when it was all ready to go we’d have already got the thing open.”
Barrelslice declares: “First decent thing they’ve done in Bristol in over 30 years.”
Clikbait disagrees: “Actually restoring the 4 lines on Filton Bank was pretty decent. As was the Severn beach line being kept running..”
While over on the Bristol Live Facebookpage – Chris Bailey writes: “Connect the villages in north Somerset now to Yatton and weston/worle appropriate times and you might actually be doing something worthwhile! Imagine that.”
Neily Dan says: “Good news, but any improvements for the stations in the South of the city? Thought not. We don’t matter.”
So are you looking forward to trying out the new station? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.