Backwell
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Backwell-full.jpg
Backwell is a suburban village in North Somerset, United Kingdom; the population is 4500. It is approximately 7 miles southwest of Bristol on the A370 to Weston-Super-Mare.
The village has a long history, appearing in the Domesday Book in 1086 with the name 'Bacoile' meaning 'The Well back on the Hill'. The Well is still in existence.
Nearby places include Nailsea, Flax Bourton, Yatton, Brockley and Barrow Gurney.
Education
The largest primary school is Backwell Church of England Junior School. A private primary school, Fairfield, is also located in the village.
Backwell School consistently features high in the league tables [1] (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/cgi-bin/performancetables/dfe1x1_02.pl?Code=&Mode=Z&School=8024129) for GCSE results, and is recognised as one of the best state schools in North Somerset. Pupils travel to the school from surrounding areas such as Bristol and Yatton by public transport or school coach. There are 1641 pupils in attendance. The school used to be a Secondary Modern until the abolition of the Tripartite System.
Richard Ottaway, member of Parliament for Croydon South, attended Backwell School.
Transport
Many residents of Backwell commute daily to Bristol by car and public transport — the First Group operates the local buses. Backwell is close to the M5 motorway. Nailsea and Backwell railway station is managed by Wessex Trains. Over the decades its name has alternated between its current name and simply 'Nailsea', even though it is in Backwell. The station is only staffed during rush hour. The journey time to Bristol Temple Meads is 11 minutes, London Paddington takes two hours without changes.
On Monday 10 October 2004 a commuter train, operated by Wessex Trains caught fire and was forced to stop near Nailsea and Backwell Station. Passengers were forced to jump from the train onto the tracks, and an investigation is currently under way. One coach was destroyed and another badly damaged.
Bristol International Airport at Lulsgate is less than three miles away and easy to reach by car or taxi. It is much more difficult to get to by public transport. Bristol is one of easyJet's hub airports, it serves both domestic and international routes.
External links
- Backwell School (http://www.backwellschool.net)
- Nailsea and Backwell Railway Station (http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/nailsea.php)
- Goblin Combe Environment Centre (http://www.goblincombe.org.uk/community/backwell.asp)
- BBC News Online - Commuters escape from train blaze (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3754902.stm)