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Friends Of Severn Beach Railway

Julie Boston, Bristol, writes about the campaign to defend Bristol’s only remaining branch line.

These words rattled through my brain every time I took the local train in 1995. The Severn Beach line is Bristol's last remaining branch line and has been under threat for many years. It was kept alive by Avonmouth dockers in the 60s and by the Severn Beach Passenger Line Association in the 80s.

Local authorities were reluctant to subsidise it, but regulars knew its attraction - at its best it was quick and cheap. In June 1995 British Rail hit! Passengers learned that the number of trains running between Severn Beach and Bristol for commuters would be cut. The local media interviewed angry passengers from Severn Beach who organised a petition.

The cuts threatened the whole line. Cyclists, pushchairs, shopping trolleys could not be fitted onto a tiny bus. But who was prepared to defend the line? One morning I sat down and wrote a poem, typed it out with my phone number at the bottom, photocopied it and gave it to anyone who was interested. The response was excellent. A commercial artist at a Bristol poetry SLAM donated a line drawing of the train going through Clifton Gorge; the "Prime Minister of Avonmouth" - a retired docker - put me in touch with two local people, and an ex-motorist threw in his organising energy. Richard, a 24-year old cyclist and disc jockey, helped organise a media event to protest against the introduction of the early morning railbus.

The first meeting of FOSBR was held at the Steam tavern on Clifton Down Station and attracted about 15 people. A railworker suggested we use the train at off-peak times and the Ramblers' Association responded by offering to lead mid-day walks from stations. There were no offers to do any of the tedious tasks needed for effective campaigning.

Various groups and organisations passed resolutions defending the line which made their way to Bristol City Council Transport and Planning Committee. Press and television were happy to interview us in the build up to privatisation and we devised creative ways of presenting our case. Dressed as Ugly Sisters and Elves we petitioned the Rail Users Consultative Committee in December 1995, appealing for support to prevent privatisation.

The ad hoc group which rumbled on was struck at the end of 1997 by a transport spokesman of Bristol City Council who said that FOSBR consisted of 3 or 4 people! This taunt forced us to hold a well-publicised meeting in January 1998 and appeal for volunteers to take on the tasks needed to establish an organisation. We now have a bank account, membership cards, a logo, monthly meetings, and a monthly Newsletter. Our 80-strong membership consists of 10 organisations, including the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' Union, Pilning Parish Council, Valerie Davey MP and 3 local councillors. Our aim is to persuade Bristol City Council that the infrastructure is in place to extend the route from Avonmouth via Henbury to Filton Abbey Wood. This would allow 2 trains an hour in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

In the past year, Bristol City Council has given the line a creative boost by chartering a train on a Sunday. In March and August about 800 people took the chance of a free day on the train savouring the fresh air of Severn Beach and other on-line delights. At least 100 people completed walks between 4-7 miles long from Severn Beach and Sea Mills. FOSBR has asked Wales and West to publicise sample fares as they are far cheaper on this line than on the other rail routes.

In common with passengers on the rest of the privatised rail network, Severn beach suffer cancellations and lack of information. But, whereas Filton Abbey Wood workers (who stole the commuter train from us!) have the consolation of a tannoy system and the attraction of MacDonald's nearby, Severn Beach passengers are stranded on unlit stations. More cancellations can be expected as our drivers take upgraded jobs on other lines and our guards refuse to do overtime now they have improved basic pay.

The deterioration of the service is the result of privatisation. The line should either be taken back to public ownership or it should be improved by grants on environmental grounds and run as a social service. As the guard said at the first FOSBR meeting in 1995: "Use the line at off-peak times". There are attractions for people of all ages on the Severn Beach Line. Organise a group outing. You'll enjoy it.