New station is approved

balance between the needs of train users and local residents, without discrimination towards either.” transport project that will help with our commitment to creating sustainable communities and lowering our carbon emissions".

But one local councillor welcomed the new station, which he said had “wide support in the area”, and would lead to more opportunities for jobs and education.

Charfield Liberal Democrat ward councillor John O’Neill said: "I’ve campaigned to reopen the station in Charfield for many years.

"The bus service in the rural area can at best be described as poor, and is set to become obsolete with the withdrawal of the 84/85 service.

He said: "A station in Charfield will make public transport a credible option for those living in the village and neighbouring communities, taking cars off our busy roads."

Network Rail interim route director David Davidson said: "This is certainly an important milestone for the project and brings it a step closer, making the railway a tangible local transport option for the community."

A public consultation held at the end of 2021 found 78% of people supported the principle of reopening a station.

But a report into the consultation, which received more than 600 responses, showed a "significant minority" of people living in the village itself – 39% of Charfield respondents – opposed it.

Many passengers are expected to come from outside Charfield to use the station, and some villagers have raised concerns about an increase in parking elsewhere in the village.

When councillors on the strategic sites delivery committee voted to approve planning permission in March, concerns were also raised about noise from the platform public announcement system, which will be used at least eight times an hour.

Naomi Carter, who lives near the planned station, told the planning meeting: "To get the PA system down to levels that have negligible impact on local residents, the planning report seems to indicate that the PA system would be rendered unintelligible.

“The number of announcements, a minimum of eight an hour, will impact on the lives of local residents if a typical Tannoy loudspeaker is used. There needs to be a better

"The failure of the bus service to meet the needs of the community has led to the area becoming car reliant.

"A reopened station will be a lifeline for residents who do not have their own transport.

"It will allow our young people to attend UWE or Filton College, and open up employment prospects, allowing them to commute to Bristol or Gloucester."

South Gloucestershire Council project sponsor Bethan Coleman told the meeting: "There’s currently high car ownership and car use in Charfield, as the public transport alternatives are neither attractive nor convenient for most journeys.

"Passenger services are already running through Charfield but are not stopping.

"This represents a once-in-ageneration opportunity to finally deliver this much needed and transformative scheme.

"The benefits are clear, providing local people with improved access to jobs and education, helping to broaden opportunities for residents, and helping to boost the local and regional economy."

Now planning permission has been secured further work will be done on detailed designs for the station and improvements to nearby roads.

Once these are complete a full business case and a request for funding will be submitted to the West of England Combined Authority.

Meeting report by Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service