Charfield secures £39.5m boost to rejoin the National Rail Network
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Charfield will see its own railway station built for the first time in over five decades, after receiving £39.5 million in funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. The project, led by South Gloucestershire Council, is part of a regional effort to improve public transport across the West of England through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
Planning permission for the station was granted in 2023. Preliminary works began in early 2025 and are scheduled to complete by the end of July, ahead of main construction works starting in August. The station is expected to open in spring 2027.
Project details and timelines
The new station will be located off Station Road in Charfield, designed to serve approximately 14,500 residents within a three-mile radius. Facilities will include two platforms, a footbridge with lifts, real-time information displays, ticket machines, cycle parking, and bus interchange areas. There will also be parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging points, and improved pedestrian access across the site.
A recent decision by the Combined Authority allocated an additional £2.3 million for early-stage works, such as fencing, signage, and ground preparation. These works are intended to ensure the site is construction-ready by August.
Integration with regional transport strategy
Charfield station is part of the West of England’s 10-year Rail Delivery Plan and aligns with the Joint Local Transport Plan, which covers projects through to 2036. Other recent station openings in the region include Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down, both of which aim to reduce congestion and support more sustainable travel options.
Once operational, Charfield station will offer hourly services in both directions. Estimated journey times include 18 minutes to north Bristol, 22 minutes to Gloucester, and around 32 minutes to Bristol Temple Meads.
The project also forms part of a broader national trend toward improving local rail connectivity, particularly in areas affected by historic service reductions.