The need for improvements in accessibility, affordability and reliability in Bristol’s rail network has been discussed in Westminster.
Highlighting the struggles faced by her constituents—including disabled passengers and those reliant on often unreliable train services— Bristol Central’s Green MP Carla Denyer demanded urgent action on long-delayed projects like the reopening of the Portishead branch line and upgrades to Lawrence Hill station.
With the city increasingly reliant on sustainable transport options, Ms Denyer’s call for public ownership of railways resonates with a broader push for greener and fairer infrastructure.
“Unfortunately, my Bristol Central constituents often contact me about their poor experiences with trains in and around Bristol,” she said, detailing a litany of complaints regarding exorbitant ticket prices, frequent cancellations, and last-minute delays. These issues disproportionately affect disabled passengers and those with long-term health conditions. “They often go to huge lengths to carefully plan their journeys, only to have them upturned at the last minute,” she explained.
The lack of accessible infrastructure compounds the problem. Ms Denyer pressed the government for updates on making Lawrence Hill station accessible for disabled passengers. This long-standing issue, she noted, was also championed by her predecessor, Thangam Debbonaire. The delay in addressing these accessibility needs, Ms Denyer argued, forces many to turn to costlier and environmentally damaging forms of transport.
Ms Denyer, a staunch advocate for sustainable transport, emphasised the environmental benefits of rail travel. “Train journeys produce only around 32% of the emissions of a car journey per person,” she pointed out, adding that reliability is essential to making trains a viable alternative to private vehicles. She praised the recent move to bring railways back into public ownership, a cause long championed by the Green Party. “I am very pleased to see the railways coming back into public ownership,” she stated, urging clarity from the government on the timeline for Great Western Railway’s transition. “The core term expiry date is in June this year, but the full expiry date is not until June 2028, leaving some uncertainty over when exactly the Government will end the contract,” she said.
She also called for updates on the long-delayed reopening of the Portishead branch line, a project critical to easing congestion and connecting communities in the Bristol area. She ended her speech by urging the government to provide clarity on steps being taken to modernise the railway system, making it affordable and reliable for all.
The debate drew contributions from MPs across the southwest, highlighting regional disparities in rail investment. Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon, acknowledged the importance of the railway system but argued that the government has already made significant investments. “Between 2010 and 2024, the Conservatives increased investment by £100 billion,” she said, referencing the £165 million spent on the south-west rail resilience program.
Ms Smith criticised the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, labelling it an “ideological” piece of legislation. “We have seen decreased performance, decreased punctuality, increased cancellations, and decreased public performance measures,” she stated, linking these issues to recent pay increases without productivity agreements. Ms Smith also raised concerns about the potential for disruptions caused by HS2 developments, particularly at Old Oak Common, and their impact on south-west services.
Simon Lightwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, acknowledged the challenges faced by rail users in the southwest. “A resilient railway is crucial to the economy, not just in the south-west but right across the country,” he said, touting the £165 million already invested in the south-west resilience program. However, he admitted that further investments would be constrained by the government’s financial situation.
Mr Lightwood addressed concerns about Old Oak Common, emphasising its importance as a hub for HS2 services. “Without it, HS2 cannot open,” he said, but reassured MPs that efforts were being made to minimise disruption. He also highlighted plans to address capacity issues, particularly on local services around Devon, and noted that additional CrossCountry trains would enter service in May.
Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley praised the government’s recognition of the rail network’s importance but stressed the need for long-term commitments. “What Network Rail needs is not funding today but the promise of funding in the future,” he argued.
Mr Wrigley also raised concerns about Old Oak Common, echoing Ms Denyer’s call for assurances that south-west services would not be adversely affected. “We just want the confirmed option that some trains will not stop,” he said, urging the government to keep fast connections to London intact.