Still a quiet little market town?

It is always useful to place the future in the context of the past. Black's Guide to Gloucestershire published in 1875 notes of Thornbury:

'This ancient town is charmingly situated on the eastern bank of the Severn, in the lower part of the fertile vale of Gloucester. It is a quiet little place, of little bustle or trade; but its weekly market brings together a goodly number of farmers and others with the produce of the surrounding country. Its history comprises few facts worth mentioning. Its principal associations are connected with the dukes of Buckingham, proprietors of the manor, of whom one, the builder of the castle was executed for treason.'

By 1897 the railway had arrived and in 1914 Kelly's Directory of Gloucestershire describes the town as:

'... a parish, market and union town, and formerly a municipal borough, and is the terminus of a branch from Yate of the Midland railway, 24 miles south-south-west from Gloucester, 11 north from Bristol, and 118 from London; .........
.... The town is lighted with gas by a company from works in Back Church lane, and is partially supplied with water by the West Gloucestershire Water Company and from local wells; the town is under the control of the Rural District Council.'

The Shell Guide to England published in 1970 describes:

'... a quiet little town with good views across the Severn. It has many interesting houses which witness its earlier importance and a broad street sweeping down to an early 16th-cent. church with an earlier buttressed and parapeted tower. This is a landmark for miles around.'

It is interesting to note the reference to 'little bustle or trade' in 1875 and a century later to a 'quiet little town'. Despite these references to a tranquil environment, the town was not averse to new technology as evidenced in the last years of the 19th century with the coming of the railway and gas lighting. And by 1970 the nuclear power station at Olbury had been commissioned.

So how do we see ourselves now? The Official Town Guide published in 2012 portrays Thornbury as:

'Jewel of the Severn Vale, an old market town off the beaten track, .... a popular home to many who work in the surrounding towns and the many nearby business parks. ..... the town has not lost any of its character or charm which is safeguarded by sensitive and closely monitored conservation, ensuring that it remains a typical English Market Town.'

We can be justifiably proud of our heritage but I can't help wondering whether we might be stretching the truth if we continue to describe ourselves as a market town. The cattle market closed long ago, the Saturday Market consists of a handful of stalls on the Library Car Park, the farmers' market is only on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month and occasionally there is a food fair in Castle Street. However, it is nice to see open recognition that we play a significant role as a dormitory town.

Energy 2: Who suffers to meet Thornbury's energy needs?

Extraction of coal, oil and gas bring high costs in human lives and environmental damage. Whether we like it or not Thornbury folk have a part in causing that damage so long as they drive cars fuelled by petrol or diesel, heat their homes with oil or gas, use washing machines and tumble driers, buy goods manufactured in China … the list is extensive.
What if we consider our total energy consumption? Once we have taken into account the contribution that the power station at Oldbury has been making, how much of the inconvenience falls on other communities?
Oldbury Nuclear Power Station is closing after 43 years of safe operation during which it generated 130 TWh of electricity (source), equivalent to about 700,000 toe per year. Assuming that average annual individual consumption of energy in all forms throughout this period was 3 toe, means that the total energy needs for around 230,000 people were supplied by the station, roughly the population of South Gloucestershire (currently estimated at about 265,000).
Others may have suffered the inconveniences of mining coal, extracting oil and gas, etc. but the people of Thornbury can rest easy at night knowing that over the last 40 years they have taken their full share of the inconveniences associated with producing all the energy that they have consumed. And doubly so because nuclear generation avoids fossil fuel burning, lessening production of CO₂ and easing the pace of global warming.
As Oldbury shuts down, Thornbury loses a good neighbour which has provided employment, boosted the local economy and been a generous benefactor to many local good causes. And for the next 40 years will the people of South Gloucestershire be reliant on others to suffer all the inconveniences created by the energy they consume?
Thornbury is an affluent community so perhaps we could pay others to take all the inconveniences while we enjoy all the benefits. Or perhaps there is a slightly different way to view financial compensation for inconvenience?

Rail 1: Greater Bristol Metro Rail campaign - no Thornbury link

Why has Thornbury missed out on the Greater Bristol Metro Rail campaign to bring improved rail links with Bristol? South Gloucestershire is one of the four councils which have launched the initiative yet Thornbury is conspicuous by its absence from their proposals. Imagine reaching the centre of Bristol reliably in 30 or 40 minutes rather than 60 with a service every 30 minutes! Commuting into Bristol or Yate for employment would be easier and more enjoyable. Thornbury would be able to attract visitors from a far wider area. So why not do it?

Closed to passengers in 1944 and goods around 1966, the Thornbury branch line remains substantially intact and today continues to serve the quarry at Tytherington. A return to passenger traffic would require a comparatively modest capital outlay to improve signalling, upgrade a level crossing and construct a rudimentary station. One only has to look at the phenomenal success of the Severn Beach line to realise what might be achieved.

Are the costs considered too great or are the benefits too small to make the investment worthwhile? Or has South Gloucestershire decided yet again to kowtow to the BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody) tendency in Thornbury and leave the town in glorious isolation?