The petition of residents of Long Ashton, North Somerset and the surrounding areas,
Declares that the community of Long Ashton in North Somerset is significantly underserved by public transport infrastructure; further declares that the area is set to become home to a £1.25 billion healthtech campus which will bring substantial employment, economic growth, and inward investment to the region; further declares that the absence of a railway station serving this community places an unacceptable burden on residents who currently have no viable rail connection to Bristol and beyond; further declares that the provision of a new station in Long Ashton would reduce car dependency, ease congestion on local roads, support the region’s net zero ambitions, and ensure that the economic benefits of the incoming healthtech campus are accessible to a wide range of workers and residents; and further declares that failure to invest in this infrastructure risks undermining the full economic potential of one of the most significant development projects in the West of England.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to undertake a feasibility study for the construction of a new railway station at Long Ashton, North Somerset, in order to serve the existing community and support the sustainable development of the forthcoming healthtech campus.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Sadik Al-Hassan, Official Report, 8 July 2026; Vol. 789, c. 422.]
[P003220]
Observations from the Minister for Rail (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill):
The Department is aware of stakeholder aspirations for a new station to be provided at Long Ashton in North Somerset, aligned to committed and anticipated development in the area, and to provide better connectivity to Bristol airport.
New stations can support housing delivery and sustainable development by improving transport links to areas identified for growth and encouraging the use of public transport. They can also improve economic and social connectivity by providing communities with better access to employment, education, other public services and the wider rail network.
Successful new stations require more than the construction of infrastructure. They require alignment between station design, train services, timetable planning and operator resources to ensure a viable passenger offer from the day the station opens. A key consideration for any new station proposal is whether a suitable train service can be provided.
The benefits of a station depend on trains being able to call in a way that meets passenger needs while maintaining the performance and reliability of the wider network. Proposals for new rail services and infrastructure investments also need to demonstrate that they generate revenues and do not make the national railway more expensive to operate. These will all be essential considerations for any proposal at Long Ashton.
The Government believe that local or combined authorities are best placed to decide on, and take forward, transport schemes that will most benefit their local areas, including new stations. The ultimate aim is to encourage strong business cases that effectively identify the transport problem or opportunity and optimal solution.
Investment in new transport infrastructure and services should support the Government’s priorities of economic growth, more homes and increased job opportunities. Local or combined authorities and other interested stakeholders should engage with the rail industry to work together to bring forward a coherent case for developing the proposal for a new station at Long Ashton.
The Government plan is that Great British Railways will be in place by the end of 2027. GBR will own and operate the national railway, advise on its future needs and take a holistic view on the strategic investment recommendations that it makes to Ministers.