Decision details

A report was completed in June 2012 into the feasibility of reopening the Radstock to Frome Railway line.  This report outlines the conclusions of the feasibility study.

(1) To NOTE the conclusions of the study as outlined in paragraph 5.11 of the report;

(2) To NOTE that the majority of the disused railway line remains protected within the Local Plan Policy D9 for ‘sustainable transport purposes’ which at the moment is represented by a cycle path, NCN 24;

(3) To ASK Halcrow to review their conclusions in the light of the results of the 2011 Census and the likely growth in housing in the area promoted in the Core Strategy to ascertain if their conclusions remain valid in the light of this more up to date information; and

(4) To ASK Halcrow to consider the merits of a simple shuttle between Radstock and Westbury to allow access to the wider rail network including intercity services both to London and the South West and the implications of the potential expansion of the Greater Bristol Metro Scheme.

The capital and revenue costs of re-opening the Radstock to Frome railway line are significant.  There is no appetite within the Rail industry to develop the business case for this proposal, so no further action can be taken except some additional analysis outlined in the report which will be commissioned within existing budgets.

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