re:
The confluence of the A40 and A49 at Ross-on-Wye (population of 10, 978) is without any rail presence, locks in road dependency of access to this des-res hotspot location very popular for tourism and visitors.
It is BRTA's view, that a rail alternative is needed for passenger workings to enable wider rail access to the area, giving a choice for access and reducing the side-effects of roads-only choices which include land-use demand for ever more parking, congestion, delay, blight, emissions, deteriorating public well-being and bloating of NHS waiting lists to name but a few. Locked-in road demand means all access by road, which synthetically inflates road statistics which are seized on to justify road upgrades, when actually, given choice, most evidence shows people will use rail where it can be reasonably accessed.
It is BRTA's view that reopening Phase 1 Gloucester-Ross-on-Wye and Phase 2 extension to Hereford, would provide a strategic rail route for people and goods more by rail, with footfall and spend on a sustainable basis highly likely sustaining local economies of where the railway would serve. It would also provide rail capacity from Southampton to Merseyside via Shrewsbury and make getting to the south easier than the hotspots of roads or existing lines like Reading-Oxford, which are reaching capacity.
BRTA calls for councils to club together, pool resources and create consortia to build and court the investment in studies, working up feasibility, engineering and case merits considerations. Most rail reopenings have exceeded predictions of use and this is likely to be a case in point too. Taking it forward, protecting what route and structures remain and consideration of deviations where blockages cannot be negotiated to relocate; needs careful consideration but is not unprecedented.
BRTA welcomes membership, which helps with reliable volunteering to resource our endeavours more. See: https://brtarail.com/
Reader also: https://www.rosstc-
Email your local MP in support of what BRTA is advocating:
and join BRTA as a supportive member:
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