:Nailsea & Backwell railway station

File:Nailsea and Backwell railway station 2.jpg and Backwell passes under the station.]]

The station sits atop an embankment about {{Convert|40|ft|m}} high, and spans the main road between the settlements of Backwell and Nailsea, which narrows to a signal-controlled single lane to go under the railway. The station is on the Bristol to Exeter line, {{convert|126|mi|34|chain|km|2}} from London Paddington and {{convert|8|mi|1|chain|km|2}} from {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/m/mln1.shtm|title=Engineers' Line References: MLN1 Paddington to North Road Junction|access-date=11 April 2012|author=Deaves, Phil}}Railways in the United Kingdom are, for historical reasons, measured in miles and chains. There are 80 chains to the mile. It the third station along the line from Bristol.{{cite book|first=S.K.|last=Baker|title=Rail Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland|edition=12th|year=2010|isbn=978-0-86093-632-9|publisher=Ian Allan|pages=8, 28}} Nailsea is a short distance to the north, while the outskirts of Backwell are right against the south side of the station. The two settlements are primarily residential, and are, for large proportions of their residents, dormitory towns for Bristol.{{cite web|url=http://www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk/parish/Nailsea%20Town%20Council%20Baseline%20Review%20Aug%202006.pdf|title=Baseline Review Final report|author=Nailsea Town Council|date=August 2006|access-date=10 June 2012|quote=33% of the working population of the Town remains in Nailsea to work, an equal amount travel to Bristol each day.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416192144/http://www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk/parish/Nailsea%20Town%20Council%20Baseline%20Review%20Aug%202006.pdf|archive-date=16 April 2014|url-status=dead}}

The station has two platforms, separated by two running lines. The line runs on a slight curve through the station, at an angle of roughly 067 degrees,{{cite book|isbn=9780319236277|title=Explorer Map series #154: Bristol West & Portishead, Congresbury & Chew Magna|author=Ordnance Survey|author-link=Ordnance Survey|url=http://www.shop.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/products/paper-maps/paper-maps-ordnance-survey-great-britain/paper-maps-ordnance-survey-great-britain-os-explorer-map/bristol-west-and-portishead/pid-9780319236277}} and has a linespeed of {{convert|100|mph|kph}}. The northern platform, platform 2, is {{convert|121|m|yd}} long and serves eastbound trains; the southern platform, platform 1, is {{convert|122|m|yd}} and serves westbound trains.{{cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/baseline%20capability/track%20and%20route%20mileage,%20permissible%20line%20speeds/table%20a_track_and_route%20miles_linespeed_western%20route.pdf|title=Network Capability — Baseline Declaration: (1) Track and Route mileage: (2) Line-speeds: Western Route|publisher=Network Rail|date=1 April 2009|access-date=11 October 2013|page=55|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014210923/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/baseline%20capability/track%20and%20route%20mileage,%20permissible%20line%20speeds/table%20a_track_and_route%20miles_linespeed_western%20route.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2013|url-status=dead}} Access to the two platforms is by steps from the road on either side. There is a ramp to the eastbound platform, but it has a gradient greater than 1 in 12, and there is no ramp access to trains. There is no ramp access to the westbound platform. Access between the platforms is either by a footbridge, or by walking along the main road under the line. There are metal and glass waiting shelters on both platforms – three on the eastbound platform, one on the westbound. Two ticket machines are situated on the north side of the station, which can also be used to collect pre-bought tickets. These machines are supplemented by a small ticket kiosk on the eastbound platform which is open during the morning peak.{{cite web |url= http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/nls.html |title=Nailsea & Backwell (NLS) |publisher=National Rail |access-date=1 April 2012}} "Next train" dot-matrix displays and an automated public-address system announce approaching services.

To the north of the station is a pay and display car park with 285 car parking spaces, six motorcycle spaces and a number of cycle racks.{{cite news|url=http://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/car_park_extension_completed_1_3641581|title=Car park extension completed|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant|date=16 June 2014|access-date=11 October 2014|author=Angear, Vicky}} Cycle storage is also available. The car park is run by North Somerset Council.{{cite news|url=http://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/nailsea-and-backwell-station-car-park-price-rise-blamed-on-commuters-1-4894310|title=Nailsea and Backwell station car park price rise blamed on commuters|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant Community Media|date=17 February 2017|access-date=11 April 2017}} There is a bus stop adjacent to the car park, with services between Bristol and Nailsea.

File:Nailsea and Backwell - fGWR 166221 arriving from Bristol Parkway.JPG

The station is managed by Great Western Railway, which also operates all rail services from the station. As of the May 2016 timetable, the basic service from Monday to Saturday consists of two trains in each direction per hour. One is the {{rws|Bristol Parkway}} to {{rws|Weston-super-Mare}} service, calling at all stations; the second is the faster {{rws|Cardiff Central}} to {{rws|Taunton}} service, non-stop between Bristol Temple Meads and Nailsea & Backwell. All trains call at {{rws|Yatton}}, the next station westwards. A greater proportion of services continue beyond Weston-super-Mare in the evening, but fewer services continue to Cardiff. There is one evening service to {{rws|Avonmouth}} via the Severn Beach Line.{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/central-4.pdf?la=en|title=Central 4 - Cardiff and Bristol to Weston-super-Mare and Exeter|date=May 2015|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080227/https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/central-4.pdf?la=en|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/central-6.pdf?la=en|title=Central 6 - Bristol to Severn Beach: The Severn Beach Line|date=May 2015|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105552/https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/central-6.pdf?la=en|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}} Sunday sees roughly one train per hour, with services again alternating between Bristol Parkway to Weston-super-Mare and Cardiff to Taunton, with two services to and from the Severn Beach Line: during summer months these terminate at {{rws|Severn Beach}}; the rest of the year only one does, the other terminating at Avonmouth. The typical journey time to Bristol Temple Meads is 11 minutes. The local services described above are formed using {{brc|150}}, {{brc|153|n}}, {{brc|158|n}}, {{brc|165|n}} and {{brc|166|n}} diesel multiple-unit trains.{{cite news |title=LOROL Class 150s all with FGW |author=Miles, Tony |work=Modern Railways |location =London |date= December 2010 |page=90}}{{cite journal | author = Salveson, Paul | editor = Abell, Paul | date = June 2012 | title = Severn Beach: Not your typical branch line! | journal = Today's Railways UK | issue =126 | pages =42–47 | location =Sheffield | publisher =Platform 5 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/taunton_news/15618769.Taunton_bound_passengers_from_Bristol_to_benefit_from_trains_with_more_seats_and_better_WiFi/|title=Taunton-bound passengers from Bristol to benefit from trains with more seats and better WiFi|date=25 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017|work=County Gazette|publisher=Newsquest}}

Services between London Paddington and Weston-super-Mare call at Nailsea & Backwell in the early morning and evening, running non-stop between Bristol Temple Meads and Nailsea & Backwell, also stopping at Yatton, but not always at {{rws|Worle}} or {{rws|Weston Milton}}. From Monday to Friday there are five morning services and one evening service to London, with seven services from London, all in the evening. Saturday sees three services to London, all in the morning, and four services from London, all in the evening. There are seven services to and six from London on Sundays, spread throughout the day. These intercity services are formed of Class 800s, which are longer than the station, so passengers in the front carriage have to move to a different carriage to get out.{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/central-1.pdf?la=en|title=Central 1 - London Paddington to Bristol, Cheltenham Spa and South Wales timetable|date=May 2015|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007192220/https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/central-1.pdf?la=en|archive-date=7 October 2015|url-status=dead}} Passengers are prevented from getting out onto the tracks by a selective door-opening system.{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2007/0702mag.htm|title=February 2007|date=February 2007|access-date=13 May 2012|publisher=Cardiff and Avonside Railway Society|quote=The station platforms [at Worle] are to be extended to accommodate First/GW HST trains from December 2007, with the newly introduced partial door opening system which does see regular daily use at other North Somerset stations at Yatton and Nailsea & Backwell.}} The typical journey time to London is roughly two hours.

In 2008, one morning northbound CrossCountry service would make a stop at Nailsea & Backwell to serve as a morning peak service,{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms9aaqXsqVY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/Ms9aaqXsqVY |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title= Class 220 Arriva Crosscountry (2/09/08) Nailsea & Backwell |publisher=YouTube|date=2 September 2008 }}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2009/0902mag.htm |title= February 2009 |publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society |date=February 2009 |access-date=27 April 2012 |quote=15/12 ... Arriva XC changed its HST diagrams, the 9S53 06:40 Plymouth – Aberdeen (which used to call at Weston-super-Mare, Yatton and Nailsea & Backwell) and the 9V59 09:00 Glasgow – Plymouth were discontinued being replaced by...}} but this operation has ceased. CrossCountry services still pass through the station, but do not stop.{{cite web|url=http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/SiteImages/Assets/3/Scotland_the_North_East_to_the_South_West_and_South_Coast_V2.pdf|title=Timetable: Scotland, the North East to the South West and South Coast; 11 December 2011 to 13 May 2012|publisher=CrossCountry|access-date=5 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511023113/http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/SiteImages/Assets/3/Scotland_the_North_East_to_the_South_West_and_South_Coast_V2.pdf|archive-date=11 May 2012}} Occasional Great Western Railway intercity services between London and Weston-super-Mare or Taunton and Exeter also pass through non-stop.

{{rail start}}

{{rail line two to one three routes|next={{rws|Yatton}}|col={{FGW colour}}

|previous1={{rws|Parson Street}}|route1=Great Western Railway
(Severn Beach – Weston-super-Mare)

|previous2={{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}}|route2=Great Western Railway
(Cardiff Central – Penzance)

|route3=Great Western Railway
(London Paddington – Weston-super-Mare)}}

{{s-end}}

The station has adjacent bus stops, served by the First West of England number X7 bus between Bristol bus station, Nailsea and Clevedon, with an hourly service in each direction.{{cite web |url= https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/plan-journey/timetables?service=X6%2FX7&day=mf |title=X6/X7 bus timetable |publisher=FirstGroup|access-date=25 November 2022}}

File:Nailsea and Backwell Signal Box.jpg

File:C820 departs Nailsea & Backwell.jpg {{brc|101}} DMU departs Nailsea & Backwell with a service for Cardiff.]]

File:Nailsea and Backwell railway station MMB 82.jpg

The first section of the Bristol and Exeter Railway's (B&ER) main line opened on 14 June 1841 between Bristol and {{rws|Bridgwater}}. Opened as "Nailsea", it was for a while the first station on the line west of Bristol, the next being Clevedon Road (which was renamed {{rws|Yatton}} in 1847).{{#tag:ref|{{rws|Flax Bourton}} was constructed in 1860 between Bristol and Nailsea; however, there was an earlier station at {{rws|Long Ashton}}, but sources are inconsistent about whether the station opened with the line in 1841, or later in 1852.{{Quick-Stations|page=64}} There is general agreement among such sources that the station, called "Ashton", closed in 1856; however other sources, e.g. Oakley (2002), do not mention this station at all.|group="Note"|name="ashton"}}{{cite book |last=MacDermot |first=E.T. |title=History of the Great Western Railway, vol. II: 1863–1921 |year=1931 |publisher=Great Western Railway |location=London |oclc=55853736 |pages=133–4, 617 }}{{cite book |last= Cobb |first= M.H. |title=Railways of Great Britain: A Historical Atlas |date= 2007 |isbn=978-0-7110-3236-1|publisher=Ian Allan}} The line, engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was built as {{RailGauge|7ft}} broad-gauge but it had been reconstructed as a mixed-gauge line to accommodate local {{RailGauge|ussg}}-gauge traffic by 1 June 1875. Services were operated by the Great Western Railway (GWR) on behalf of the B&ER until 1 May 1849. The B&ER then took over its own workings until the company was amalgamated into the GWR on 1 January 1876. Broad-gauge trains ceased operation on 20 May 1892.

Due to its being built on an embankment, lightweight building materials were used for the station: the platforms originally rested on timber supports for most of their length. Station buildings, including a goods shed and a combined ticket office and waiting room, were built on the eastbound platform in the 1860s. There was a signal box on the eastbound platform by the 1880s which controlled a crossover between the two tracks; sidings at the west end of the station were controlled by a second signal box, and had a connection to the Nailsea Colliery.{{cite book |last= Cooke |first=R.A. |title= Track Layout Diagrams of the GWR and BR WR, Section 16: West Somerset |publisher=R.A. Cooke |year= 1979 |location= Harwell |isbn=978-1-871674-05-7 |page=11}} A footbridge, built by E. Finch and Co. of Chepstow, was erected in 1907; until then access between the two platforms was by a track-level crossing. This wooden footbridge was replaced by a metal one in the 1950s.{{cite news|title=Roy creates replica of 1930s railway station|page=11|date = 5 October 2016|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant}} The station was renamed "Nailsea and Backwell" on 1 May 1905.{{Butt-Stations |page=20, 166 }}

When the railways were nationalised in 1948, the GWR became the Western Region of British Railways. Goods traffic from the station ceased on 1 June 1964. The main station buildings were demolished in the 1970s, but their foundations can still be seen behind the shelters on the eastbound platform.{{cite book |last= Oakley |first= Mike |title = Somerset Railway Stations |publisher= Redcliffe Press |year =2002 |location= Bristol |isbn = 1-904537-54-5}} The shelter on the westbound platform was still present in 1986.{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-344000-168000/picture/3 |title=Domesday Reloaded: Nailsea/Backwell B.R.Station. |year=1986 |access-date=3 April 2012 |publisher=BBC}} In the 1980s the car park was expanded, and new metal and glass shelters were provided. The station reverted to the name "Nailsea" on 6 May 1974, and was still known by that name at the end of 1994.{{#tag:ref|Oakley's 1983 work Railways in Avon, a short history of their development and decline 1832 – 1982{{Cite book|title=Railways in Avon, a short history of their development and decline 1832 – 1982|publisher=Avon County Planning Department|year=1983|location=Bristol|author=Oakley, Mike|isbn=0-86063-184-2}} does not mention the station being called Nailsea; however, both Butt and Oakley's 2002 book Somerset railway stations make reference to the name change. Butt's directory, published in 1995, is accurate up to the end of 1994, and makes no mention of the station going back to being called Nailsea & Backwell. Oakley's 2002 book does not give a date for when the name switched back, merely saying that it had done so by the time the author visited.|group=Note}}

British Rail was split into business-led sectors in the 1980s, at which time operations at Nailsea & Backwell passed to Regional Railways. Local services were franchised to Wales & West when the railway was privatised in 1997,{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/operators/franchises.shtm|title=UK railway franchises|date=5 May 2015|access-date=6 May 2015|author=Deaves, Phil}} which was in turn succeeded by Wessex Trains, an arm of National Express, in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesandwest.co.uk/|title=Wales and West|publisher=Wales & West|access-date=9 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314050333/http://www.walesandwest.co.uk/|archive-date=14 March 2012}} The Wessex franchise was amalgamated with the Great Western franchise into the Greater Western franchise from 2006, and responsibility passed to First Great Western, a subsidiary company of FirstGroup.{{cite web |url=http://www.theironroad.net/Operator/Train-Operating-Companies-Defu/Wessex-Trains |title=Wessex Trains |work=The Iron Road: Railway Photography by Scott Borthwick |access-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209064342/http://www.theironroad.net/Operator/Train-Operating-Companies-Defu/Wessex-Trains |archive-date=9 December 2012 }}{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4523592.stm |title= FirstGroup wins rail franchises |date=13 December 2005 |access-date=27 April 2012 |work=BBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13351368 |title= First Great Western bids for longer rail franchise deal |work=BBC News |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=27 April 2012}} The franchise was rebranded as Great Western Railway in 2015.{{cite news|url=http://railnews.co.uk/news/2015/09/21-the-great-western-railway-is.html|title=The Great Western Railway is back in business|date=21 September 2015|access-date=21 September 2015|work=Railnews}}

Extra seating was provided in 2006 following action by the Severnside Community Rail Partnership,{{cite web |url=http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/progress%20reports/progress%20report%202006.pdf |title=Progress Report: Autumn 2006 |publisher=Severnside Community Rail Partnership|access-date=6 October 2015|date=Autumn 2006}} and in 2008 overgrown foliage was cleared from the car park to improve sightlines and help with security. The station was repainted at the same time, and decorated with silhouettes of students from Backwell School.{{cite web|url=http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/progress%20reports/progress%20report%202009.pdf|title=Progress Report: January 2009|publisher=Severnside Community Rail Partnership|access-date=28 June 2012|date=January 2009|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322224058/http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/progress%20reports/progress%20report%202009.pdf|url-status=dead}} The embankment suffered subsidence in 2013.

File:Nailsea and Backwell railway station MMB 10.jpg

In 2012, the station had a free car park with 120 spaces, but this was frequently full by 07:30 on weekdays, leading commuters to park on local roads, prompting complaints from Backwell residents.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/North-Somerset-station-car-park-line-extension/story-11250416-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913142555/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/North-Somerset-station-car-park-line-extension/story-11250416-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |title=North Somerset station car park in line for extension |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=27 April 2012 |publisher=Northcliffe Media |work=This is Bristol }} Plans to extend the car park by 200 spaces were drawn up in 2009, with North Somerset Council describing the scheme as "necessary", as the lack of spaces limited the number of people who could feasibly use the station for commuting due to Nailsea being too far from the station to be an easy walk, causing people to drive to the station. That peak passengers filled the car park then meant there are no spaces for offpeak users, limiting leisure travel.{{cite web |url= http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Environment/Planning_policy_and-research/localplanning/Documents/Core%20Strategy/Core%20Strategy%20day%203%20public%20exam/HD20k%20appendix%20Nailsea%20Station%20%28pdf%29.pdf |title= CS10: Transportation and Movement. Scheme: Extend car parking facilities at Nailsea/Backwell Rail Station |access-date= 1 April 2012 |publisher= North Somerset Council |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141017090052/http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Environment/Planning_policy_and-research/localplanning/Documents/Core%20Strategy/Core%20Strategy%20day%203%20public%20exam/HD20k%20appendix%20Nailsea%20Station%20%28pdf%29.pdf |archive-date= 17 October 2014 |url-status= dead }} North Somerset Council approved the construction of the extension on 17 April 2012, and further approved the car park becoming pay and display - all car parks in Nailsea had previously been free.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Commuter-station-set-introduce-parking-charge/story-15908431-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505120420/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Commuter-station-set-introduce-parking-charge/story-15908431-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Commuter station set to introduce parking charge|date=25 April 2012|access-date=27 April 2012|publisher=Northcliffe Media|work=This is Bristol}}{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17749603 |title=Weston-super-Mare parking changes approved |date=17 April 2012 |access-date=27 April 2012 |work=BBC News |quote=Proposals to add a further 180 spaces to Nailsea and Backwell railway station car park and introduce car parking charges were also approved.}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Nailsea-Backwell-station-parking-solution/story-12331671-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914091228/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Nailsea-Backwell-station-parking-solution/story-12331671-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 September 2012 |title=Nailsea and Backwell station parking solution? |work=This Is Somerset |date=8 January 2009 |access-date=1 April 2012 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Station-car-park-set-expand/story-11245477-detail/story.html |title=Station car park set to expand |date=12 January 2009 |access-date=27 April 2012 |publisher=Northcliffe Media |work=This is Bristol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503100230/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Station-car-park-set-expand/story-11245477-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url= http://www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk/ |title=Information about Nailsea and Community |publisher=Nailsea Town Council|access-date=27 April 2012|quote=Nailsea is a thriving and historic Somerset town with a busy town centre, excellent restaurants, cafes and pubs and free parking.}} Work began in January 2014, and was completed in June the same year - 162 additional car parking spaces were created, drainage was improved and CCTV was installed. The scheme, which cost £700,000, came in £50,000 under budget and was paid for using money from the Local Transport Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy.{{cite press release|url=http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/News/Pages/Railway-station-car-park-expands.aspx|title=Railway station car park expands|publisher=North Somerset Council|date=17 December 2013|access-date=11 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017090006/http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/News/Pages/Railway-station-car-park-expands.aspx|archive-date=17 October 2014}} Parking prices were raised in 2017 to equalise the cost with Yatton railway station, and thus dissuade people from driving from Yatton to Nailsea for cheaper parking.

There is no wheelchair access to the southbound platform; the ramp to the northbound platform is steeper than 1 in 12, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users, and there is a large height difference from the train doors to the platform. In 2011, the government announced a £37.5{{nbsp}}million scheme to improve stations under an "Access For All Mid-Tier programme", of which £1{{nbsp}}million was to go towards building new ramps at Nailsea & Backwell.{{cite news |url=http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/ramps_for_nailsea_and_backwell_station_1_1153409 |title=Ramps for Nailsea and Backwell station |author=Richards, Karen |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=1 April 2012 |work=Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227064004/http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/ramps_for_nailsea_and_backwell_station_1_1153409 |archive-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.actionforaccess.org/1783/news/improved-access-to-train-stations.html |title=Improved access to train stations |access-date=1 April 2012 |publisher=Action for Access |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225215818/http://www.actionforaccess.org/1783/news/improved-access-to-train-stations.html |archive-date=25 February 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/access-for-all-mid-tier-funding/successful-bids-2011.pdf |title=Successful bids for Access for All Mid-Tier funding |access-date=1 April 2012 |publisher=Department for Transport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215141221/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/access-for-all-mid-tier-funding/successful-bids-2011.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2012 }} The works were due to start in 2013, but were delayed until 2014 due to a need to repair subsidence on the embankment and wait for works on the car park to be completed.{{cite news|title=Safety fears prompt station repairs|author=Angear, Vicky|date=6 November 2013|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant}} However, due to the delays the funding was withdrawn.{{cite news |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bid-disabled-ramp-Nailsea-Backwell-station-goes/story-21266921-detail/story.html |title=Bid for disabled ramp at Nailsea and Backwell station goes off the rails |work=The Bristol Post |date=20 June 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150722/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bid-disabled-ramp-Nailsea-Backwell-station-goes/story-21266921-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }} Further funding was secured in 2015, but plans for ramps were shelved entirely in 2016 due to fears of further subsidence. Great Western Railway stated in 2016 they are looking at installing lifts instead.{{cite news|url=http://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/lifts-could-be-installed-to-improve-access-at-nailsea-and-backwell-railway-station-1-4792617|title=Lifts could be installed to improve access at Nailsea and Backwell Railway Station|access-date=11 April 2017|date=25 November 2016|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant Community Media}}{{cite news|title=Anger following more delays for railway station improvements|author=Vicky Angear|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant Community Media|date=18 October 2017|page=8}}

{{Historical Rail Start}}

{{rail line|col={{GWR colour}}|rows2=10

|previous= {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}}
or
Ashton

|route= Bristol and Exeter Railway
(1841-52)

|next= {{rws|Yatton}}

}}

{{rail line|col={{GWR colour}}|hide2=yes

|previous= Ashton
Line open, station closed.

|route= Bristol and Exeter Railway
(1852-56)

}}

{{rail line|col={{GWR colour}}|hide2=yes

|previous= {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}}

|route= Bristol and Exeter Railway
(1856-60)

}}

{{rail line|col={{GWR colour}}|rows1=3|hide2=yes

|previous = {{rws|Flax Bourton}}
Line open, station closed.

|route= Bristol and Exeter Railway
(1860-76)

}}

{{rail line|col={{GWR colour}}|hide1=yes|hide2=yes

|route= Great Western Railway
Bristol to Exeter line
(1876-1948)

}}

{{rail line|col={{BR(W) colour}}|hide1=yes|hide2=yes

|route= Western Region of British Railways
Bristol to Exeter line
(1948-63)

}}

{{rail line|col={{BR(W) colour}}|rows1=4|hide2=yes

|previous = {{rws|Parson Street}}

|route= Western Region of British Railways
Bristol to Exeter line
(1963-82)

}}

{{rail line|col=0066BB|hide1=yes|hide2=yes

|route= Regional Railways
Bristol to Exeter line
(1982-97)

}}

{{rail line|col=888888|hide1=yes|hide2=yes

|route= Wales & West
Bristol to Exeter line
(1997-2001)

}}

{{rail line|col=AA3366|hide1=yes|hide2=yes

|route= Wessex Trains
Bristol to Exeter line
(2001-06)

}}

{{s-end}}

Nailsea & Backwell is on the Weston-super-Mare/{{rws|Yate}} corridor, one of the main axes of the Greater Bristol Metro, a rail transport plan which aims to enhance transport capacity in the Bristol area.{{cite web |url=http://www.westofengland.org/media/98508/item%2004%20greater%20bristol%20metro%2013%20march%202009.pdf |title=Item 04: Greater Bristol Metro |first=James |last=White |publisher=West of England Partnership |date=13 March 2009 |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515034151/http://www.westofengland.org/media/98508/item%2004%20greater%20bristol%20metro%2013%20march%202009.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Campaign-trains-Bristol-Temple-Meads-half-hour/story-14446079-detail/story.html |title=Campaign for trains from Bristol Temple Meads every half-hour |work= This is Bristol |publisher=Northcliffe Media |date=17 January 2012 |access-date=19 January 2012}} The group Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways supports the electrification of the line through Nailsea & Backwell,{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Rail-benefits-just-mainline/story-11304651-detail/story.html |title=Benefits of Bristol to London high-speed rail link 'must go beyond just mainline'|date=3 March 2011 |access-date=5 April 2012 |publisher=Northcliffe Media |work=This is Bristol }}{{cite journal |url=http://fosbr.org.uk/files/newsletter/11autumn.pdf |journal=FoSBR Newsletter |title=FoSBR Newsletter |issue=78 |publisher=Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways |date=Autumn 2011 |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204095719/http://www.fosbr.org.uk/files/newsletter/11autumn.pdf |archive-date=4 February 2012 |url-status=dead }} as does MP for Weston-super-Mare John Penrose.{{cite press release |url=http://www.johnpenrose.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258:westons-rail-commuter-services-could-be-cut-warns-towns-mp&catid=48:communities-not-dormitories&Itemid=108 |title=Weston's rail commuter services could be cut, warns town's MP |date=17 July 2009 |access-date=5 April 2012 |publisher=John Penrose MP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103135443/http://www.johnpenrose.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258%3Awestons-rail-commuter-services-could-be-cut-warns-towns-mp&catid=48%3Acommunities-not-dormitories&Itemid=108 |archive-date=3 January 2013 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/MP-takes-drive-better-rail-services/story-13697379-detail/story.html |title=MP takes drive for better rail services to top |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=5 April 2012 |work=This is Bristol |publisher=Northcliffe Media |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016121452/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/MP-takes-drive-better-rail-services/story-13697379-detail/story.html |archive-date=16 October 2013 }} Railfuture in the South West has called for the station to be used to serve Bristol Airport via a bus link.{{cite press release |url=http://www.railfuture-sw.co.uk/severnside%20press.html |publisher=Railfuture Severnside |title=Response to the West of England Partnership Joint Local Transport Plan3 Consultation |quote=Regarding rail access to airports, a link from Nailsea station or from a reopened Flax Bourton station would be more convenient for passengers travelling to Bristol Airport from the west. |author=Bray, Nigel |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=9 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829151728/http://www.railfuture-sw.co.uk/severnside%20press.html |archive-date=29 August 2013 }}

The 2017 West of England Joint Spatial Plan suggested that facilities and access to the station be improved to create a multimodal interchange with the Bristol MetroBus scheme, a link to the A370 Long Ashton Bypass and potentially to the M5 motorway at Clevedon. Parking and accessibility improvements are also suggested.{{cite web|url=https://www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk/gf2.ti/f/845730/31505701.1/PDF/-/West_of_England_Joint_Spatial_Plan__Publication_Document_2017.pdf|title=West of England Joint Spatial Plan Publication Document|pages=35, 39–40|access-date=9 January 2018|date=November 2017}}

File:Nailsea and Backwell railway station MMB 33 143621.jpg

There have been several railway incidents in the Backwell area. On 20 September 2002, the 19:40 First Great Western service from {{rws|Plymouth}} to {{rws|Gloucester}} was delayed at Nailsea & Backwell at around 22:00 after the British Transport Police were called to deal with two men who assaulted a guard following an altercation about smoking in a non-smoking area. Several passengers were treated for the inhalation of CS gas.{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2002/0211mag.htm |title= November 2002 |publisher= Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society |date=November 2002|access-date=27 April 2012 |quote=20/09 ... Around 22.00 at Nailsea & Backwell, the 19.40 Plymouth-Gloucester local service was delayed whilst Transport Police were called to deal with two men who assaulted the Guard following a complaint of smoking in a non-smoking area. CS gas was apparently used prior to making the arrest and some other passengers were treated for gas inhalation.}} Another assault on a guard occurred on 9 October 2009, when three youths verbally abused and spat at the guard after boarding a train at {{rws|Parson Street}} without tickets and refusing to pay for them.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Hunt-Nailsea-train-guard-attackers/story-11269083-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911233410/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Hunt-Nailsea-train-guard-attackers/story-11269083-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2012|title=Hunt for Nailsea train guard attackers|date=11 November 2009|access-date=27 April 2012|publisher=Northcliffe Media|work=This is Bristol}} A 17-year-old from Weston-super-Mare was due in court on 23 December 2009 in connection with the incident, having been identified by the use of DNA swab kits, which are available to all Great Western Railway staff.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Yobs-spit-Bristol-train-staff-tracked-DNA/story-11297159-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912091351/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Yobs-spit-Bristol-train-staff-tracked-DNA/story-11297159-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=Yobs who spit at Bristol train staff will be tracked by their DNA |date=22 December 2009 |access-date=9 May 2012 |publisher=Northcliffe Media|work=This is Bristol }} A more unusual incident occurred on 18 September 2013 when a cow escaped from a nearby field and found its way onto the tracks at the station, causing several hours of delays to services between Bristol and Exeter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cow-rail-tracks-pictures-animal-2285244|title=COW on the tracks delays rail passengers: See the pictures|last=Smith|first=Richard|date=19 September 2013|access-date=31 December 2016|newspaper=Daily Mirror}}{{Cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/19/cow-on-the-tracks-delays-trains-at-nailsea-and-backwell-station-4055712/|title=Runaway cow halts rush hour trains|last=Molloy|first=Mark|date=19 September 2013 |work=Metro|access-date=31 December 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-09-19/cow-on-the-line-strands-passengers-for-two-hours/|title=Cow on the line strands passengers for two hours|work=ITV News|access-date=31 December 2016|date=19 September 2013}}

A serious incident occurred on 17 October 2004, when Wessex Trains {{brc|143}} Pacer DMU number 143613, forming the 20:06 2W63 service from Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare with unit number 143621, caught fire between the site of the former station at {{rws|Flax Bourton}} and Nailsea & Backwell. Fire services took two hours to get the blaze under control. None of the 23 passengers and crew were killed, but three were treated on-site for the effects of smoke inhalation. One carriage was completely burnt out, and the other was badly damaged, causing the train to be written off.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3754902.stm |title= Commuters escape from train blaze |date=19 October 2004 |access-date=20 April 2012 |work=BBC News}} The line through Nailsea was closed until 03:30 the following morning, when the train was hauled to St Philips Marsh Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot for examination.{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2004/0412mag.htm |title=December 2004 magazine |publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society |date=December 2004 |access-date=27 April 2012 |quote=A serious incident just short of Nailsea & Backwell station (alongside the common), saw the 2W63 20.06 Temple Meads-Weston-super-Mare local Wessex Trains service, formed with 143613 + 143621, stopped and evacuated due to a fire which gutted coach 55654 and smoke damaged 55679 (both from set 143613). Fire services took two hours to get the blaze under control, the flames reaching around 20 feet in height, but there were no serious injuries, three persons being treated for smoke inhalation of the 23 passengers and crew travelling on the service. The mainline was closed until 03.30 the following day, the units being dragged back to Bristol and store at St.Phillips Marsh depot for examination. The fire was thought to have started due to a mechanical fault. 19/10 143613 was taken to St Phillips Marsh for an investigation into the fire. The main frame of 55654 was badly buckled and it is beyond repair. The unit was taken by road to Crewe Works later in the week.}} The unit was later taken to Crewe Works, where it was stored,{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2005/0511mag.htm |title=November 2005 |publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society|date=November 2005|access-date=17 June 2012 |quote=Stored: 143613/615 – ZC [Crewe Works]}} then to Cardiff Canton TMD where it was scrapped.{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2006/0609mag.htm |title=September 2006 |publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society|date=September 2006|access-date=17 June 2012 |quote=Disposals: Pullman : 143613 @CF [Cardiff Canton]}} The Rail Safety and Standards Board issued a report into the incident, concluding that the fire was caused by electrical arcing between the live starter motor cable (which had damaged insulation) and the unit's underframe, causing accumulated oily residues to ignite.{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2005/0508mag.htm |title=August 2005 section: "Miscellaneous"|publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society |date=August 2005 |access-date=27 April 2012}}

On 8 January 2018, Andrew Tavener, a Nailsea resident, was struck by a train at the station, then arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife, Claire Tavener, earlier that day. He was taken to hospital with "life changing injuries".{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/murder-probe-woman-27-found-11816869|title=Mum-of-two found dead at home as police launch murder probe|last=Kitching|first=Chris|date=8 January 2018|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=8 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/tributes-paid-mum-two-claire-1033377|title=Tributes paid to mum-of-two Claire Tavener who was 'beautiful inside and out'|access-date=9 January 2018|date=9 January 2019|first=Heather|last=Pickstock|work=Bristol Post|publisher=Local World}}{{cite news|url=http://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/court/nailsea-man-andrew-tavener-pleads-guilty-to-murder-of-wife-claire-tavener-at-bristol-crown-court-1-5426169|title=Nailsea man pleads guilty to murder of wife Claire Tavener|work=North Somerset Times|date=8 March 2018|access-date=8 March 2018|author=Angear, Vicky|publisher=Archant}} He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder.{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/updates-husband-sentenced-stabbing-wife-1437945|title=Everything heard in court when Tavener was sentenced for stabbing his wife to death|access-date=3 May 2019|date=10 April 2018|first=Geoffrey|last=Bennett|work=Bristol Post|publisher=Local World}}

The station creates a height and width restriction on the road below, which in 2020 led to a bus becoming wedged under the station. The road and railway were both closed while the bridge was structurally assessed. There have been several previous incidents of tall vehicles becoming stuck.{{cite web|url=https://www.northsomersettimes.co.uk/news/new-bus-damaged-after-getting-stuck-under-railway-brige-1-6758299|title=New bus damaged after getting stuck under railway bridge|date=22 July 2020|access-date=24 July 2020|work=North Somerset Times|publisher=Archant Community Media|author=Cadogan, Jacqueline}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nailseapeople.com/breaking-news|title=Mind your head on top|work=Nailsea People|access-date=24 July 2020|date=2020}}

{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

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{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Nailsea and Backwell railway station}}

• Nailsea (Transport)

{{Bristol railway stations}}

{{Somerset railway stations}}

Category:Railway stations in North Somerset

Category:Former Great Western Railway stations

Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1841

Category:Railway stations served by Great Western Railway

Category:DfT Category F2 stations

Category:Nailsea