BATH Spa University has reaffirmed its support for the campaign to reopen a railway station at Saltford.
Professor Becky Schaaf, interim deputy vice-chancellor, says a station would alleviate traffic congestion on the A4 between Bath and Bristol, as well as making the university more accessible to students.
In a letter to B&NES Council and the West of England Combined Authority, Prof Schaff states that a station at Saltford would benefit the university and the region as whole.
She said: “The station’s location would provide an environmentally friendly and efficient transport option for students and staff who currently commute between Bath, Bristol and beyond.
“This could help to reduce car dependency, alleviate traffic congestion on the A4 corridor, and support Bath & North East Somerset Council’s climate emergency objectives.”
She added: “From a strategic perspective, the station would support regional development and accessibility goals. Importantly for us, improved rail access may also increase participation in higher education by making the university more accessible to underrepresented groups and those without access to private vehicles.
“Furthermore, we would be happy to work with local transport providers to ensure an accessible route is available via public or active transport between Saltford station and our campuses.”
In response, WECA mayor Helen Godwin said the letter was “really helpful as we start to think about future transport strategy and how we can build the true suburban rail network that we need.”
Duncan Hounsell, Bath and North East Somerset ward councillor for Saltford, also welcomed Prof Schaff’s comments, which reaffirm Bath Spa University’s previous expression of support for a station at Saltford in 2019.
Cllr Hounsell and Jon Godfrey, chair of Saltford Parish Council, met previous WECA Mayor Dan Norris in December 2023 to discuss the case for re-opening a Saltford Station.
WECA Committee approval followed in January 2024 for a new stations feasibility study, including a station at Saltford.
In a statement to a meeting of B&NES Council on July 17, Cllr Hounsell said: “Thanks to the advocacy of Cllr Kevin Guy, the West of England Combined Authority Committee in March this year went further and included Saltford in business case development for potential new stations as part of developing a new regional rail strategy.
“Work on a business case for a Saltford Station has never happened before and Cllr Guy is to be congratulated.”
Saltford station served the local community for 130 years, from 1840 to 1970.
A campaign to reopen the station was founded by fellow Saltford councillor Chris Warren in 2011. Its supporters include Saltford Parish Council and Saltford Environment Group.
Pictured, Saltford railway station in the 1960s – it closed in 1970 Image copyright Saltford Environment Group
University boost for Saltford station campaign
