Bristol Airport access

[stuu]

I've just done a check departing Thurs 14th. There's 16 departures from Cardiff to Bristol Airport.
National Express - 10 departures 0230, 0430, 0620, 0845, 1100, 1300, 1515, 1805, 2015, 2210
Flixbus - 6 departures - 0220, 0505, 0820, 1105, 1450, 2335

According to the Falcon timetable there's 20 departures a day.

Fair enough. Wonder why NX say only 5? Are some of those connections?

 

[Topological]

Given all that has been said about Worle, is the answer actually a better road from the M5?

(Yes, this is a rail forum, but most passengers will not use rail and the problem is often the traffic on the single carriageway road from Bristol and associated links)

 

[John R]

All the discussion so far has focused on passenger needs. The airport does of course, directly or indirectly employ thousands of people, and at the moment their public transport needs are woefully inadequate. If you live in Portishead, Clevedon, or Nailsea you have to drive. (One issue is that with many shifts starting at 3 or 4am, unless such public transport meets those needs employees will need a car anyway, at which point they will probably use it all the time.)

A frequent bus link from Nailsea calling at the station and then Backwell should be viable, both for staff and passengers. That could mean the station car park is overloaded with airport pax though, using it as a cheaper alternative to airport parking.

Finally, if N&B station is promoted as a passenger link to airport, it will need to be made fully accessible, which will not be cheap given its constrained location on an embankment.

 

[zwk500]

Given all that has been said about Worle, is the answer actually a better road from the M5?

(Yes, this is a rail forum, but most passengers will not use rail and the problem is often the traffic on the single carriageway road from Bristol and associated links)

Probably, but the only option that looks remotely viable is a new route across from J20 that also functions as a Nailsea access road/bypass and that will still need to deal with the climb up to the airport as well as drainage on the section between Clevedon and Nailsea.

However the problem is generally quite localised, so maybe instead of a completely new road what needs to be done is a much more targeted improvement of the access to the airport itself and the local road network within 1-2km.

 

[Envoy]

Being as Bristol Airport has such terrible access and a soon to be lack of parking space for the planes, then surely if Easyjet and others could move some of their flights to be based from Cardiff, that would solve the plane parking problem and skim off some of the passengers from overloaded Bristol?

I also note that the Vale of Glamorgan Coast Line (for Rhoose - Cardiff Airport via 2 mile bus link) will soon have a half hourly train service operated by the modern FLIRT trains from Swiss company Stadler. These trains have level boarding so ideal for those with cases. The connection with the mainline at Bridgend is ideal for those coming from points west as eliminates the need to go via Cardiff let alone make the much longer journey to Bristol.

 

[Topological]

Probably, but the only option that looks remotely viable is a new route across from J20 that also functions as a Nailsea access road/bypass and that will still need to deal with the climb up to the airport as well as drainage on the section between Clevedon and Nailsea.

However the problem is generally quite localised, so maybe instead of a completely new road what needs to be done is a much more targeted improvement of the access to the airport itself and the local road network within 1-2km.

Junction 20 makes a lot of sense.

The A38 presumably could be dualled, but then when it reaches Bristol there are some troubles. The National Express 216 took Portway to go out to the M5, but there does not seem to be a sensible Bristol Southern Bypass. Dualling the A38 will not do that much to help the Bristol bus either.

Having looked at the map, a road to Junction 20 of the M5 makes the most sense.

Being as Bristol Airport has such terrible access and a soon to be lack of parking space for the planes, then surely if Easyjet and others could move some of their flights to be based from Cardiff, that would solve the plane parking problem and skim off some of the passengers from overloaded Bristol?

I also note that the Vale of Glamorgan Coast Line will soon have a half hourly train service operated by the modern FLIRT trains from Swiss company Stadler. These trains have level boarding so ideal for those with cases. The connection with the mainline at Bridgend is ideal for those coming from points west as eliminates the need to go via Cardiff let alone make the much longer journey to Bristol.

They may as well move flights to Exeter, that at least has the M5 nearby.

The optimal location for an airport is to serve many connurbations. The UK is littered with smaller airports that serve smaller areas. A legacy of small thinking.

Given that the respective regional governments could not collaborate on a joint Bristol-Cardiff airport, the South West is stuck with many small airports which cannot serve the full demand and have their growth stunted.

 

[father_jack]

And right on cue this appeared yesterday

Bristol Airport announces huge increase in National Express services

Over 100 additional journeys each week

www.somersetlive.co.uk

Bristol Airport announces huge increase in National Express services
National Express has revealed plans to ramp up the number of its bus services stopping at Bristol Airport, with over 100 additional journeys scheduled every week from next month. The coach company will enhance services from Birmingham, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Weston-super-Mare, offering more direct routes to Bristol Airport starting December 12.


The decision to expand services was influenced by the airport's ongoing expansion, which includes a £60m 'transport hub' currently under construction.
Ed Rickard, National Express' network director, said: "We continue to invest in our extensive coach network, including this newly enhanced service which is a welcome addition following the ongoing success of our existing routes to Bristol Airport, including journeys to and from South Wales, London, Plymouth and Birmingham,"

He added: "With soaring costs and disruption on the railways, more and more savvy customers are choosing National Express for reliable, great value travel and a guaranteed seat. We're really pleased to be providing even more direct, affordable journeys, especially as people start to make travel plans for the festive season,".

National Express has recently revealed plans to increase the number of services running between Bristol and London, following Megabus' decision to cut all its services to the capital. Interestingly, the only service in the south west region that Megabus has not discontinued is its South West Falcon service, which operates between Bristol and Plymouth, and travels from Bristol Bus Station to Bristol Airport.

National Express also announced it will be adding more coaches between Bristol and Birmingham, with over 200 running each week. Meanwhile, Bristol Airport's transport hub is set to open in the middle of next year.

 

[Snow1964]

Although there is talk of increasing the 12m limit, Bristol airport is a bit seasonal even if the limit appears to be equivalent of 1m per month.

July 2024 passengers were 1,158,076
August 2024 passengers were 1,203,832
(average about 38,000 per day)

per CAA table 09 for July and August

https://www.caa.co.uk/Documents/Download/11905/71dc2913-7da9-4f67-9cb7-e0eb6f5b2c94/16687

https://www.caa.co.uk/Documents/Download/11906/7ae45bcc-d0b5-45b1-8726-70f8a4d48cbc/16753

And right on cue this appeared yesterday

Bristol Airport announces huge increase in National Express services

Over 100 additional journeys each week

www.somersetlive.co.uk

But still virtually no public Transport from some South West Counties like Dorset, Wiltshire or East Somerset

 

[John R]

But still virtually no public Transport from some South West Counties like Dorset, Wiltshire or East Somerset

Or even some of the major towns in North Somerset where the airport is based!

 

[JKF]

Missed opportunity to stick an airport on an island in the middle of the Bristol Channel midway between Bristol and Cardiff linked by a Severn barrage with road and rail links (bypassing the congested M4 at Newport). Just needs some floppy-haired failed politician to put his name to it!

The talk of a Bristol underground seems to have gone quiet, there seemed to be a lot of noise around 2022 but with the scrapping of the mayor’s job it seems to have been put back on the shelf. A link to the airport on this system was supposed to be critical to it succeeding.

 

[Checkflaps]

A taxi from the airport to Nailsea and Backwell station is about£15-20 if you want your own DIY shuttle service, which is very reasonable if there are 2,3,4 people

The WestLink was only £2 each from Clevedon - with 2 of us on it, its a very large private shuttle (that only operates until 7pm, sadly)
Sadly, I can't see there being a dedicated (light) rail link from Yatton or N+B, in spite of it being 'only' 5km or so from the airport.

 

[contrex]

Shame this isn't a consultation so we can't complain that the integrated ticketing is rather broken

Last month we went to Toulouse for a week. We live near Stapleton Road station, and have taken to using train/bus rather than extortionate taxis. (I once got ripped off by a former airport taxi company's driver who maintained, straight faced, that two £20 notes I had given him for a £30 fare were a £20 and a tenner). On the train to Temple Meads, the ticket lady eyed our suitcases and asked if we wanted bus tickets to and/or from the airport. She sold us a pair of return tickets for the A1 bus which we just had to scan on board. Very convenient.

 

[tpm]

The talk of a Bristol underground seems to have gone quiet, there seemed to be a lot of noise around 2022 but with the scrapping of the mayor’s job it seems to have been put back on the shelf. A link to the airport on this system was supposed to be critical to it succeeding.

That was all part of a "mass transit" thing that is still very much in the making, just without or with fewer underground sections, which were mostly for the other routes/directions anyway (north, east). Even though there were some options with underground sections towards the airport, I don't think those would ever have made any shortlist. A mass transit route to the airport is still very much a critical part of such a system I think, though we'll have to see if it will end up being light rail or just metro busses on a widened and realigned A38 (Bristol South West Economic Link scheme). Perhaps one first, then the other later.

All heavy rail options to the airport have been excluded from the mass transit shortlist, as far as I know.

The airport claimed back in the day (when they were around 3-6mppa) that a heavy rail connection was generally only viable from 15mppa onwards, so I expect the next expansion request to be for 14.999mppa

Wouldn't worry about apron space by the way, the plans they have for expanding the apron are absolutely massive, see page 43 on this PDF (bit old, there was also a consultation website somewhere a while back, but I can't find it any more. I'm sure they'll make a new one soon enough for the next round of expansion).

 

[dggar]

At least BRS still has a free drop-off/pick-up parking area near the long stay car park, if you know where to look for it...

Could you let others know where to look. last time I went to the airport(about a month ago) I couldn't find any free drop off/ pick up parking

 

[Snow1964]

Could you let others know where to look. last time I went to the airport(about a month ago) I couldn't find any free drop off/ pick up parking

It's on the opposite side of the airport, the south side by the staff and Silver parking. No where near the terminals and requires a shuttle bus (or a 2 mile walk) to the terminals.

Probably better described as drop off and ride (like a park and ride) rather than free drop off zone

 

[red cuillen]

One counter from the rail side of things of course is that a large number of the departures are domestic routes which could arguably better be done by rail. Why invest money or time in connecting an airport which runs 5 flights a day to Edinburgh when you could invest it in carriages and speed increases for the direct trains the rail network runs in competition?

Personally I'm only on the plane because I've been priced off the trains anyway.

We flew from BRS to INV, but that wasn't cheaper than the train once factoring in car hire BUT why would we waste 2 days holiday to travel by train to INV? Otherwise I agree about improving the train journey!
Going off topic somewhat, when younger I often traveled from Cheltenham to the Moray Firth by train for work, trains then were slower but far more comfortable (the Clansman to Inverness or a HST from Aberdeen). I would hate to drive that distance now but plane would win hands down over train. We are now looking at moving back up there from Somerset, but still the train would be our least favoured option for all the trips required for viewing houses etc. I know there is a mania about not carting fresh air around, but carriages are too cramped and seats too uncomfortable for long distances (for me anyway).

 

[takno]

We flew from BRS to INV, but that wasn't cheaper than the train once factoring in car hire BUT why would we waste 2 days holiday to travel by train to INV? Otherwise I agree about improving the train journey!
Going off topic somewhat, when younger I often traveled from Cheltenham to the Moray Firth by train for work, trains then were slower but far more comfortable (the Clansman to Inverness or a HST from Aberdeen). I would hate to drive that distance now but plane would win hands down over train. We are now looking at moving back up there from Somerset, but still the train would be our least favoured option for all the trips required for viewing houses etc. I know there is a mania about not carting fresh air around, but carriages are too cramped and seats too uncomfortable for long distances (for me anyway).

I think there's a lot of variables there. A reasonable amount of the traffic for example will be from the Southwest, where people are potentially getting on a direct train much closer to home, or from Cardiff where an adequate service to Birmingham makes the train close to time-competitive with flying from Bristol.

If it was just about pleasing me then the optimal result would be to redirect a couple of the Edinburgh jets to Exeter, since the current set-up involves flying to an irretrievably badly-located shed and then sitting on a coach for 2 hours. I'm not convinced that would either fill the jet or relieve enough traffic from Bristol though.

Clearly I'm suggesting that it's worth investing in getting the trains at least back to the state they were in 5-10 years ago rather than saying they are okay as-is. Right now the journey is not for the faint-hearted and is at the point where it's often cheaper via London from the Southwest.

 

[Sly Old Fox]

Crikey there will never be the sort of funding required from Bristol council. This is so pie in the sky. It’s never going to happen.

 

[AeM]

Seemingly a lost opportunity if heavy rail isn't part of the consideration. A rail link to Bristol Airport should be considered as part of a wider investment case into reliable public transport access to less served areas of Nth Somerset. Then it's not just about the airport, but providing an alternative non-road based transport option for people.

 

[Annetts key]

Given all that has been said about Worle, is the answer actually a better road from the M5?

(Yes, this is a rail forum, but most passengers will not use rail and the problem is often the traffic on the single carriageway road from Bristol and associated links)

Probably, but the only option that looks remotely viable is a new route across from J20 that also functions as a Nailsea access road/bypass and that will still need to deal with the climb up to the airport as well as drainage on the section between Clevedon and Nailsea.

However the problem is generally quite localised, so maybe instead of a completely new road what needs to be done is a much more targeted improvement of the access to the airport itself and the local road network within 1-2km.

I honestly think a new road from the M5 junction 20 towards the airport is a non-starter. Do you really think locals who have to suffer the noise of the aircraft are going to agree to this? Or the landowners. And you still need funding from somewhere. I can't see central government putting the money up for this and North Somerset council certainly won't.

There is already a new road that links between the A38 on the outskirts of Bristol and the A370 also on the outskirts of Bristol. Not much use for people living in North Somerset to the West or South of Bristol. But does help people in Bristol, or travelling through Bristol, even if only a little.

As to Bristol's traffic problems, that's a whole other nightmare.

As pointed out, the root cause of these problems is that this airport was allowed to expand. The former Filton airfield would have been a far more logical choice. What with a railway line right next to it, a main dual carriageway right next to it, and it not being very far from THREE motorways (M4, M5 and M32). But instead the surrounding land was given planning permission for housing. Hence when the then owners of Filton airfield tried to get planning permission for passenger aircraft to operate as a commercial service, it was refused. And now the former airfield is having houses built on it.

I also would not take it as a given that Bristol Airport will be granted planning permission for this latest expansion plan. There is likely to be substantial opposition.

 

[zwk500]

I honestly think a new road from the M5 junction 20 towards the airport is a non-starter. Do you really think locals who have to suffer the noise of the aircraft are going to agree to this? Or the landowners. And you still need funding from somewhere. I can't see central government putting the money up for this and North Somerset council certainly won't.

There is already a new road that links between the A38 on the outskirts of Bristol and the A370 also on the outskirts of Bristol. Not much use for people living in North Somerset to the West or South of Bristol. But does help people in Bristol, or travelling through Bristol, even if only a little.

As to Bristol's traffic problems, that's a whole other nightmare.

Fully agree on all of this.

 

[Topological]

I honestly think a new road from the M5 junction 20 towards the airport is a non-starter. Do you really think locals who have to suffer the noise of the aircraft are going to agree to this? Or the landowners. And you still need funding from somewhere. I can't see central government putting the money up for this and North Somerset council certainly won't.

There is already a new road that links between the A38 on the outskirts of Bristol and the A370 also on the outskirts of Bristol. Not much use for people living in North Somerset to the West or South of Bristol. But does help people in Bristol, or travelling through Bristol, even if only a little.

As to Bristol's traffic problems, that's a whole other nightmare.

As pointed out, the root cause of these problems is that this airport was allowed to expand. The former Filton airfield would have been a far more logical choice. What with a railway line right next to it, a main dual carriageway right next to it, and it not being very far from THREE motorways (M4, M5 and M32). But instead the surrounding land was given planning permission for housing. Hence when the then owners of Filton airfield tried to get planning permission for passenger aircraft to operate as a commercial service, it was refused. And now the former airfield is having houses build on it.

I also would not take it as a given that Bristol Airport will be granted planning permission for this latest expansion plan. There is likely to be substantial opposition.

I was just mulling over whether a parkway station where said road crossed the railway would help. The problem is that Temple Meads is not well located in Bristol. However, it might be preferable than crawling into the city for people approaching from the south. Buses could connect the airport to the station using the new road.

As you say, Filton was the best choice, but the local governments conspired to screw that up.

The problem with any development is that locals object. Such objections will blight most plans for improvement anywhere.

It is just lucky for Manchester for the North West, and Birmingham for the Midlands, that they have their regional airports for 30m passengers+ in place and can handle long-haul as well. The South West has Bristol in the wrong place and Cardiff in the wrong place. Filton would have been ideal.

 

[Snow1964]

As pointed out, the root cause of these problems is that this airport was allowed to expand. The former Filton airfield would have been a far more logical choice. What with a railway line right next to it, a main dual carriageway right next to it, and it not being very far from THREE motorways (M4, M5 and M32). But instead the surrounding land was given planning permission for housing. Hence when the then owners of Filton airfield tried to get planning permission for passenger aircraft to operate as a commercial service, it was refused. And now the former airfield is having houses built on it.

Two Bristol airports have been closed

Whitchurch in South Bristol has been built over, Filton is currently being built over. Lulsgate (a former RAF site) which took over from Whitchurch is current airport. Even now satellite view shows the usual triangle of runways from its former usage, and former straight route of A38 which now arcs around end of current runway.

Bristol Airport · Bristol BS48 3DY

★★★☆☆ · International airport

www.google.co.uk

 

[Annetts key]

If travelling by train from the South West, one option is to travel to Weston-super-Mare station. There is a local airport bus that picks up from the bus stop next to the station. The downside is that this also operates as a local bus service so goes via various villages and hence takes a while. Before COVID19 I used it for one trip.

I don't think the near future is very bright for any substantial transport infrastructure improvements for Bristol Airport. Bristol's metro/underground/whatever will not happen until a very large chunk of money is found from somewhere. And heavy rail has the same problem. The quarry near Flax Bourton was unable to get planning permission for a conveyer link to the mainline at Flax Bourton. So I don't see any railway line being any easier.

Yes, Whitchurch was the first commercial airport for Bristol. However, this closed a long time ago.

 

[John R]

If travelling by train from the South West, one option is to travel to Weston-super-Mare station. There is a local airport bus that picks up from the bus stop next to the station. The downside is that this also operates as a local bus service so goes via various villages and hence takes a while. Before COVID19 I used it for one trip.

I don't think the near future is very bright for any substantial transport infrastructure improvements for Bristol Airport. Bristol's metro/underground/whatever will not happen until a very large chunk of money is found from somewhere. And heavy rail has the same problem. The quarry near Flax Bourton was unable to get planning permission for a conveyer link to the mainline at Flax Bourton. So I don't see any railway line being any easier.

Yes, Whitchurch was the first commercial airport for Bristol. However, this closed a long time ago.

A big problem with the Weston Airport Flyer is that it only runs hourly. Miss the connection at Weston and you're going to be getting very anxious about your flight, unless you've left more than the usual margin of error for delays.

 

[The exile]

Seemingly a lost opportunity if heavy rail isn't part of the consideration. A rail link to Bristol Airport should be considered as part of a wider investment case into reliable public transport access to less served areas of Nth Somerset. Then it's not just about the airport, but providing an alternative non-road based transport option for people.

Sadly the problem with an expensive heavy rail link to Bristol Airport is that that is all it would serve that isn’t already on the railway - the topography and population distribution aren’t favourable. It’s not a coincidence the roads are inadequate for airport traffic….

 

[Barclay]

Realistically the best way to provide rail access to the airport would be with light rail. It would be possible for a tram to run from Temple Meads parallel to the main line as far as the South Bristol link road, where there is space to accommodate tram lines as far as the lime kiln roundabout. Trams up the A38 from here would be difficult, I suspect a tramline would need its own dedicated route.

The owners of the Woodspring golf club (between the A38 and South Bristol Link Road) would like to develop the golf course as a garden suburb, which might help the finances a little and could offer a corridor through a small part of the land needed.

An alternative would be tram-trains using the main line from Temple Meads to Yatton, the formation of the defunct Wrington Light Railway from Yatton to Wrington, but then a few formation of around 3km up the hill to the airport. But that would be quite a circuitous route.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Given the entire daily flight list is often showable on a single screen, the justification for a rail link is really not there.

That isn’t an accurate reflection of the flight list except in the absolute quietest months. We flew in mid-October and the flight departures between 0700-1130 filled four screens and averaged about 8 per hour. When there were gaps, it was due to a cluster of scheduled arrivals.

Or even some of the major towns in North Somerset where the airport is based!

That is actually a reflection of the abysmal quality of east-west roads across Wiltshire and Somerset. Aside from the A303 which goes nowhere near Bristol, the A361 which meanders around the Shepton Mallet area and the M4 which is too far north for most journeys, you’re subjected to a series of minor A roads and (at times) country lanes. (The A4 through Bath, Keynsham and Brislington is a car park during the peaks.)

 

[tpm]

"Figure 2-11 - Shortlisted corridor options" and "Figure 2-9 - South-West Corridor longlist options" in the WECA Future4WEST Strategic Outline Case (pdf) has all the route options considered for what it's worth.

 

[Annetts key]

Realistically the best way to provide rail access to the airport would be with light rail. It would be possible for a tram to run from Temple Meads parallel to the main line as far as the South Bristol link road, where there is space to accommodate tram lines as far as the lime kiln roundabout.

There is currently insufficient space for a tram line to run parallel to the existing railway in many places without some substantial engineering work being needed.

Also there are unfunded Network Rail plans to reinstate the down relief between Bedminster station and Parson Street station (it had been hoped that this work would be funded as part of enhancing the Portishead line). If this down relief line route is to be protected, running a parallel tram line is impractical.

Some of this route is in cuttings and some is on embankments. It’s an urban area so outside of the existing railway boundary, there is very little unused space available.

Anything that increases the cost makes it even more unlikely.

Personally, I do think that public transport to the airport should be much better. But there is no easy solution apart from running more busses.