Demand for rail travel into and around Bristol is on the rise and it is estimated that in less than a decade, it will increase by half its current volume.

In order to deal with the new demands, Network Rail has announced a project to double the railway lines between the west-coast city's two main stations - Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway.

This means that there will be four lines instead of two through Stepleton Road and Lawrence Hill. This should lead to an improvement in train services and journey times for passengers, as well as an increase in freight services so businesses can move goods more efficiently.

The project is part of Network Rail's Great Western Route Modernisation Programme, which is set to transform the main line between London Paddington and Swansea. In addition, a fleet of new and more energy-efficient trains is due to be launched by December 2017.

According to Andrew Haynes, Network Rail's project director for the west of England, "All of this will help us to meet an increasing demand for rail travel and to continue to drive economic growth in the region."

The Bristol works will be undertaken by Taylor Woodrow and are set to begin in December 2014.