Dropped city 'circle line' train plan revived

Plans are in place for a passenger train service between Bristol Temple Meads, North Filton and Henbury, where the service will terminate

Plans to create a railway "loop" connecting two growing parts of Bristol are to be looked at again despite originally being deemed too risky.

Plans are currently in place for a passenger train service between Bristol Temple Meads and Henbury, where the service will terminate.

But campaigners have long been calling for the reopening of the Henbury Loop line, to link Henbury to Avonmouth and the Severn Beach line, to create a circle line around the city,.

Despite the idea being dropped a decade ago, Stephen Peacock, chief executive of West of England Combined Authority (Weca), said they "will be looking at it" again as part of their overall delivery planning.

Earlier this month, South Gloucestershire Council granted planning permission for Henbury station, which is due to open in 2028, and North Filton station, near the YTL Arena, which is due to open in 2026 or 2027.

The new station will enable gig-goers and local residents to catch a train into Temple Meads but at Henbury the trains will have to turn around, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Henbury Loop, which takes advantage of an existing freight line connecting Henbury West and Avonmouth, was shelved in 2015 for being too expensive and not viable.

'Huge potential'

Speaking to councillors on the overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, Mr Peacock said reopening the line could form part of an upcoming transport strategy.

"That Henbury Loop is a slightly complex one and probably quite expensive," he said.

"But we will be looking at it as part of our overall delivery planning."

He said there was a "huge potential economically" in housing and tourism in "that part of South Gloucestershire across to Avonmouth".

"It's obviously held back by a lack of infrastructure," he said.

Conservative councillor Mark Weston, who represents Henbury and Brentry, said the connection would help link up new housing estates in Henbury and the former Filton Airfield with jobs and industry in Avonmouth.

"I'm delighted to hear that you're going to be coming back to it," he told the committee.

"I can assure you that I'll be coming back to the Henbury Loop repeatedly."