Category: Clean air
Battery powered trains
Battery powered trains could allow electrification on some parts of the network where overhead 25kV power is hard to achieve. GWR and Network Rail are testing this technology on a branch line near London. They invited us to see the results. The problem Much of GWR’s network is served by old diesel trains which will…
Air and noise pollution at Severn Beach
Residents of Severn Beach have recently written to the Minister of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, asking for support in removing intolerable levels of noise and air pollution at Severn Beach station. Mr & Mrs Calvert, who live close to the station, acknowledge that the approx. 2,500 residents of Severn Beach value and rely on…
Low carbon alternatives for Severn Beach Line
What can be done to decarbonise the Severn Beach line quickly? FoSBR supporter Shabs Hussain looks at some low carbon alternatives.
Net zero by 2030: Can local rail help?
We need to act rapidly if we are to avoid the worst effects of the climate emergency. There can be no doubt that unless we change the way we do things, and change quickly, the consequences for life on Earth will be dire. The current UK government target is to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050.…
Electric scooters – last mile solution?
The Voi electric scooter hire trial has been expanded to cover a larger area or Bristol. Could electric scooters help solve the ‘last mile’ problem?
Electrification through Bath
Electrification of the Great Western Main Line stopped short of Bath. Was this down to the Bath Preservation Trust, or Chris Grayling?
WECA Strategic Rail Investment Plan
WECA approved their 10 year delivery plan for Strategic Rail Investment at a meeting on 4th December 2020.
TfGB submits plans to speed up zero carbon transition
Transport for Greater Bristol (TfGB), an alliance of transport, environmental and community groups, has written to Transport Minister Grant Shapps with comprehensive proposals to speed up the transition to zero carbon emissions in the West of England. Their proposals include a rapid transit plan for Bristol and Bath, parking and traffic management plans for Bristol,…
Decarbonisation
Network Rail have published their Interim Programme Business Case for the Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy (TDNS). The title may appear dull, but the implications are anything but: Although rail contributes less than 1% of the total UK annual greenhouse gas emissions it is in the unique position of currently being the only transport mode capable…
Getting back on the train
It is difficult to overstate the impact that measures to control Covid-19 have had on rail, bus and coach travel. Government orders led passenger numbers to fall by over 90% on some services, and rail operators were quickly brought under emergency measures to prevent collapse. But shops, pubs and beaches have reopened. Can we get…