Commuting Bristol to Wales - costs/tips for advice?

cheekyfunkster

Hi all

I am about to accept a 4 day role in Wales, but don't really know Newport and have heard it isn't the nicest place to live so thinking of living in Bristol. I hear the latter has very bad traffic issues and that most people cycle to get from A to B but that isn't an option for me as I have had knee surgery, equally not an experienced driver so think train is better option.

Has anyone got any tips on areas to live in Bristol that would make the commute to Newport easier? I suppose BTM is best but whats the area near Bristol Parkway? I hear the area near Filton/Bradley Stoke is a bit soulless and I am not sure if it is safe to walk back at night? I was hoping for a 1 bedroomed place or Sunday - Wednesday evening let bit am not sure if living near Redland, Montpelier is do-able as I don't know if the train is regular?

Any tips? Has anyone done the Bristol to Wales commute?

Thanks!

Savvy_Sue

cheekyfunkster wrote: »

Any tips? Has anyone done the Bristol to Wales commute?

Not personally, but one of my colleagues used to! They were using bike and train, but that's less feasible for commuting these days because there are restrictions on carrying non-folding bikes on trains at peak times. I only mention that in case it's helpful to other people, because I note you said you wouldn't cycle.

This weekend there's a lot of engineering work going on with the Severn Tunnel, and I don't know what your timescale is like but be aware of this:

September to October

Severn Tunnel

From 12 September to 21 October, the railway between Bristol Parkway, Severn Tunnel Junction and Filton Abbey Wood will be closed while Network Rail carry out preparation work for the electrification of the Patchway and Severn tunnels.

During this time, there will be an amended timetable and buses will replace trains on some routes.
Visit the Severn Tunnel improvement page for more information

I can tell you a bit about the Severn Beach line which serves Redland and Montpelier - it's a heck of a lot more reliable than it used to be, but it remains a '3 trains every two hours' service during the week. So if your train to / from BTM connects nicely, it's great. Otherwise that 20 minutes extra on the local train can add an hour to your journey. However there are buses, or it's potentially walkable.


The other slightly annoying thing about the Severn Beach line is that once you get to evening rush hour, the frequency drops: the gaps become 50 minutes and then an hour.



And on Sundays it's hourly, doesn't start very early and finishes extremely early.



I don't know the area around Parkway at all, and I don't know Newport either. I should imagine there are good and not-so-good parts there!