How soon could Saltford station reopen?

Transport heads from B&NES, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset Councils want to to see the reopening of the station included in the awarding of a new Great Western Rail franchise for next year.

They are due to meet today to discuss including it in plans for the Greater Bristol Metro, which could see trains stopping at the village again between 2019 and 2023.

However, the momentum is building to see the station reopened much sooner.

The Saltford Environment Group has collected a petition of 300 signatures in favour of the reopening, which it believes would cost between £2 million and £4 million. The group is currently in discussion with Keynsham MP Jacob Rees Mogg about presenting a 300-signature to Parliament.

The 300 respondents to the petition, who say they would use the station daily, have been given a questionnaire to complete which would help demonstate at what times they would need trains to run.

And Bath Spa University's Student Union is strongly in support of the reopening. Richard Bidgood, Students' Union President has issued a public letter in which he writes: " I personally feel that reopening Saltford Sation would be beneficial to the students and staff at Bath Spa University.

"It would allow people travelling from Bristol and the surrounding areas to stop at a closer station which would give them an opportunity to walk or cycle to Bath Spa.

"Opening the station could create an opportunity for a bus route between the station and the university. This would, in turn, allow access to cheaper accommodation outside Bath for staff and students and offer part of a solution to the lack of supply of affordable housing in Bath."