This Sunday, May 23, the service from Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth will be extended to serve Severn Beach in South Gloucestershire.
This is the first time for some years that Severn Beach has had a Sunday train service. Passengers stepping on board the Severn Beach line this Sunday from 10.30am could even win a prize. Goodie bags will be handed out to all children on the train with the chance to win a family train ticket to Weston-super-Mare, by taking part in a colouring competition.
South Gloucestershire Council is funding the extension from Avonmouth to improve transport provision in the area and also to attract tourists and encourage families to have a day out travelling around the region by train. The service to Severn Beach runs hourly on Sundays through the summer until September 5 with certain trains running beyond Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare and Taunton.
This picturesque line is ideal for family days out, as it runs along the Severn estuary into the heart of SevernBeach where there are many scenic walks and wildlife to discover and cycle routes for visitors to enjoy.
The council have been working jointly with the Severnside Community Rail Partnership, First Great Western and Bristol City Council to promote the route.
Cllr John Calway, leader of the council, said: “This is excellent news for SevernBeach residents. This new service will provide a regular and fast route to Bristol city centre and also increased tourism opportunities for visitors to take the train and experience the wonderful scenery that the Severn estuary offers.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to improve transport options across the district and I hope the new Sunday service will be well-supported as we go into the future.”
Keith Walton, chairman of the Severnside Community Rail Partnership, added: “The SevernBeach line is a very popular route and we have seen passenger numbers along the route increase by over 80 per cent over the last three years. We are dedicated to improving the local stations and work with our partners to help boost usage of our local stations.”
The service will also continue to run in the winter months with two journeys in each direction from 12 September 2010.
For train timetable information contact national rail on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
ENDS