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- Bristol News by HANA - Edition 26
Bristol News by HANA - Edition 26
Bristol Bites: Swifter trains to link tech hubs - but Bristol beef about buses
Louis Inglis
March 14, 2025
Bristol News by HANA - Edition 26
Bristol Bites: Swifter trains to link tech hubs - but Bristol beef about buses
It’s quite bizarre that there isn’t already a direct service between the two great cities of Oxford and Bristol. But then again, there’s a freight load of mystifying elements in our current railway system.
We have some of the world's oldest yet most expensive rail infrastructure. The majority of train companies in the UK—as is the case with Arriva, Abellio, and the Gatwick Express—are foreign-owned, and many are owned by foreign governments. The RMT Union has claimed for years that British passenger fares are being used to subsidise German rail tickets. I would be angry, but fair play. Ultimately, it’s the failings of our own government that allowed this to happen.
I don’t mean to derail your Friday afternoon. Of course, I most definitely welcome the re-opening of the service between Oxford and Bristol, which closed in 2003. On a completely unrelated note (promise), I flew to Spain a few weeks ago for £23 each way. Keep on chugging on.
Louis Inglis | Bristol Editor
Bristol Temple Meads station
Databox
Bristol’s biggest bugbear - traffic congestion
Active travel is on the rise, but still below pre-pandemic levels – 35% of people in Bristol now walk or cycle to work, up 3% from a 2022/23 survey.
Bus use is stable but low – 13% of residents take the bus to work, unchanged from the previous year.
Satisfaction with buses is improving but remains low overall – Only 41% of people are satisfied with the local bus service, but this is an improvement from 38% in 2022/23 year.
Traffic congestion remains a persistent problem - 74% of Bristol residents say it is a problem in their local area, the same as the previous year.
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…
Pero’s Bridge and Bristol Harbourside
Hyper-local news articles
Hourly train could connect Bristol and Oxford from 2026 A proposed hourly train service connecting Bristol to Oxford could launch next year if the government approves it, enhancing travel by stopping at Bath Spa, Chippenham, and Swindon without requiring changes at Didcot Parkway. Backed by England's Economic Heartland and regional councils, the initiative aims to stimulate economic growth by linking universities and businesses in high-tech sectors, with funding needs estimated in the low millions and operational costs covered by passenger fares. |
Teenager jailed for stabbing 19-year-old sister to death The Standard - March 10, 2025 Mali Bennett-Smith, a 17-year-old from Bristol, has been sentenced to a minimum of 10 years and five months for the murder of his older sister, Luka, whom he fatally stabbed after expressing deep-seated frustration. The court highlighted the tragedy of sibling violence, while the defence pointed to Bennett-Smith's struggles with dyslexia and social isolation as factors in the incident. |
Spiking: What is being done to combat Bristol’s newest epidemic? The Tab - March 13, 2025 In 2023, 2.2% of UK adults reported being spiked, with Bristol's nightlife community particularly impacted, prompting some clubs to adopt safety measures like drink covers and testing kits. Amid rising concerns, including reports of needle spiking, local organisations are advocating for increased vigilance and safer nightlife choices to protect partygoers. |
Bristol in Pictures: Shakespeare, Lent and World Book Day BBC News - March 9, 2025 Bristol is buzzing with cultural activities, from Shakespearean plays and creative World Book Day celebrations in schools to Ash Wednesday services at the cathedral marking the Lenten season. The weekend excitement is heightened with home games for both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football teams, making it a lively time in the city! |
Bristol researchers receive funding to help make quantum internet a reality University of Bristol - March 12, 2025 Innovate UK has announced winners of the Quantum Missions pilot competition, including projects from the University of Bristol to establish an advanced quantum network by 2035. Notable initiatives include scalable quantum-PIC development for secure networking and a new quantum computer prototype, underscoring the UK's leadership in quantum technology innovation. |
New study names Bristol the third best UK city for independent coffee shops The Tab - March 13, 2025 Bristol shines as the third city in the UK for independent coffee shops, with 347 establishments making up 86.3% of its coffee scene, according to a Reviva Coffee study. This growth reflects a national trend towards supporting small businesses, as seen in Leeds and Edinburgh, which lead with 584 and 560 independent coffee shops, respectively. |
Time Out names Bristol in top five UK for food - affordability a key factor Time Out magazine has unveiled a ranking of the top 11 cities in the UK for food, with Bristol impressively landing in fifth place, showcasing the city’s vibrant culinary scene and diverse dining experiences. This recognition highlights the increasing appreciation of local cuisine and serves as an essential guide for food enthusiasts seeking new culinary adventures across the UK. |
Hoverflies: City hopes to become 'pollinator capital' BBC News - March 12, 2025 Join the Avon Wildlife Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society in their Pollinator Pathways Project to create a vital 43-mile "bee-line" from Chew Valley to South Gloucestershire, enhancing habitats for hoverflies and other pollinators. Local residents are encouraged to plant flowers and build hoverfly lagoons, helping to boost biodiversity and food security in Bristol and Bath. |
Sport
Bristol City City secured a valuable point away to Championship table toppers Sheffield United on Tuesday night. The Blades were 1-0 ahead before the Robins snatched a 90th minute equaliser, thanks to midfielder Mark Sykes. City’s next opponents are Norwich City at Ashton Gate tonight (kick off: 8pm). The Robins lie in seventh place (54 points) – a tantalising two points off the play-off positions. Bristol Rovers Rovers pulled off a remarkable 3-2 victory on Tuesday night against play-off placed Bolton Wanderers in an enthralling League One encounter at the Memorial Stadium. The Pirates were level with the Trotters until Connor Taylor headed in an 88th minute winner. Rovers are now nine points ahead of the relegation zone. Next up, Lincoln away (Saturday 15 March. Kick off 3pm). Bristol Bears Bears favourite Ellis Genge retains his place at loose-head prop for England’s 6N clash against Wales in Cardiff (Saturday 15 March. Kick off 4.45pm). Genge is the sole Bristol member of the 23-man England squad. The combative forward is set to win his 69th cap for his country. |
Property news
The ubiquitous spire of the Wills Memorial Building
Bristol house prices increase by thousands in just a year Yahoo News - February 23, 2025 House prices in Bristol have increased by 1.9% over the past year, reaching an average of £356,000, while South Gloucestershire saw a significant 5.3% rise to £339,000—outpacing the national average of 4.6%. Notably, Bristol's price growth reflects a broader trend, with some UK areas experiencing even steeper increases, including a staggering 13.1% in one locality. |
Best cities for commercial property investment revealed Property118 - March 13, 2025 Commercial property investment in the UK saw a remarkable 28% year-on-year increase in Q4 2024, driven by a reduction in bank rates. Leicester topped the investment rankings for 2025 with strong retail performance and low business closures, while Blackpool and Birmingham faced significant challenges, including high business closure rates and declining property values. |
Bristol leads the charge as 26,000 new homes hit the market in 2025 Landlord Knowledge - Landlord News, Information, Guides & Forum - January 8, 2025 The UK property market has kicked off 2025 with a significant increase in housing listings, particularly in Bristol, signalling a shift towards suburban areas and presenting strategic opportunities for landlords and investors. Yopa CEO Verona Frankish emphasises the importance of timing as sellers are urged to act quickly amidst rising stock and potential changes in pricing dynamics. Read more at Landlord Knowledge - Landlord News, Information, Guides & Forum (3 mins) |
What’s on in Bristol this weekend?
An alleyway in Bristol’s city centre
All photos are credited to Louis Inglis unless otherwise specified.
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