• Business
  • Community
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Blog
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Search
  • Listen or translate
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
  • Business
  • Community
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Blog
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Home Newsroom Email Significant estimated cost increases for MetroWest Phase 1
  • Newsroom Email
  • Transport

Significant estimated cost increases for MetroWest Phase 1

By
Editor
-
9th March 2017
0
1135
Share on Facebook
Tweet on Twitter
Under Phase 1, Severn Beach Line stations would be upgraded to a ½ hourly service (hourly beyond Avonmouth)

On 17 March the West of England Joint Transport Board will be advised of significant increases in the estimated cost for MetroWest Phase 1.

The members of the West of England Joint Transport Board will discuss a report that advises that the indicative cost estimate to deliver MetroWest Phase 1 has risen from £58 million to between £145 million and £175 million.

The revised cost estimate includes:

  • Additional costs identified by Network Rail following detailed technical work that has taken place as part of the next stage of the Governance for Rail Investment Projects (GRIP) process. This includes an increase in the scope of the works through the Avon Gorge.
  • Additional costs identified by the Councils. This includes the need to consider an alternative road access for Ashton Vale Trading Estate and associated land acquisition and environmental mitigation.

The Joint Transport Board will consider how to deliver Phase 1 in three stages but need to be certain that what is proposed is affordable and provides value for money, so are likely to ask officers to work with Network Rail and GWR to investigate the costs and practicalities of each stage.

Speaking on behalf of the Joint Transport Board, the Chair, Councillor Colin Hunt, said: “It seems likely that the Joint Transport Board will not be able to commit to delivery of the full MetroWest Phase 1 at this stage as the estimated costs are outside the existing allocated budget.
“Now we know what is required to deliver the full scope of Phase 1 we can look at how best to move forwards to deliver these much needed improvements to the local rail network and are already working closely with Network Rail and Great Western Railways on this.”

In a recent letter on the issue, Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport wrote: “Cost escalation within rail infrastructure projects has been prevalent at national level in recent years. The Department for Transport recognises the benefits of the MetroWest scheme and in particular the positive impacts it will have for the people of Bristol and has been engaged for several years. I have asked my officials to continue working with all parties to find a workable resolution to this issue and to keep me updated on developments”

Simon Maple, Network Rail Western Route Programme and Project Sponsor, said: “Network Rail has provided the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership with a detailed study of the range of options and costs to deliver the MetroWest rail scheme. Major projects such as this one cannot be taken forward until they are properly scoped and planned and have a robust estimate of what the cost will be. These detailed estimates have been independently verified and provide a realistic representation of the costs involved in delivering MetroWest rail.
“We will continue to work together with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, GWR and the Department for Transport on potential next steps to deliver this project and further improve rail services for passengers.”

  • TAGS
  • MetroWest
SHARE
Facebook
Twitter
  • tweet
Previous articleCivil rights novel scoops Concorde Book Award 2017
Next articleTrio of fly tippers prosecuted
Editor

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Big Lemon Bus

Council announces further support to extend vital 84/85 and 622 bus services

Black and white Bus stop sign

Bus services secured following council intervention to ensure children get to school

Black and white Bus stop sign

Councils urge Metro Mayor to reinstate ‘lifeline’ buses

Recent Posts
  • ‘Incredibly difficult’ choices ahead for South Gloucestershire Council Budget
  • South Gloucestershire schools handed top sustainable travel awards
  • Powerful new film released to encourage potential foster carers to step forward
  • Emersons Green man ordered to pay almost £1,500 following South Gloucestershire fly-tip
  • Chair of the Council pays tribute to heritage volunteers as part of Heritage Open Days
Categories
  • Budget
  • Business and economy
  • Chair
  • Children and Young People
  • Climate and nature emergency
  • Community
  • Digital inclusion
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Featured
  • Featured
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Housing
  • Leader's blog
  • Newsroom Email
  • Newsroom Email Featured
  • Transport

EDITOR PICKS

South Gloucestershire Council 2021/2022 Budget

Recover and Rise Budget will take forward council priorities and provide...

11th February 2021
Vehicles queuing for community surge testing for Covid-19 variant in Emersons Green

An update on surge testing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire

10th February 2021
Covid-19 Get Tested - community surge testing available - A mutation of the Covid-19 UK variant is present in parts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Everyone aged 16 or over without symptoms in eligible postcodes should get tested to help suppress this variant, and help protect their loved ones.

Two additional testing sites to open for community surge testing

9th February 2021

POPULAR POSTS

Vehicles queuing for community surge testing for Covid-19 variant in Emersons Green

Additional Community Testing for South Gloucestershire and Bristol

6th February 2021
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council Councillor Claire Young and Co-Leader Councillor Ian Boulton at the Page Road car park site

South Gloucestershire Council announces additional measures to help residents dispose of...

3rd July 2023
Covid-19: Get tested community surge testing available

Collect and Drop Surge Testing Service Launches

8th February 2021

POPULAR CATEGORY

  • Newsroom Email679
  • Community385
  • Environment229
  • Health and wellbeing188
  • Transport159
  • Business and economy138
  • Education135
  • Newsroom Email Featured47
  • Climate and nature emergency30
ABOUT US
FOLLOW US
©