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January 19, 2006
First want to hear your aspirations
Source - Stakeholder meeting held by First Great Western in Bristol on Monday, 16th January:
The timetable from December 2006 (known as "SLC2") based on the reduced service via Melksham in the franchise Invitation to Tender (known as "SLC1") is currently in progress and could be improved BASED ON A SOLID BUSINESS CASE. First Great Western and the Department for Transport are currently COLLECTING AND COLLATING DETAILS OF ASPIRATIONS and the contacts are:
Lesley Coleman
First Great Western
Milford House
1, Milford Street
Swindon SN1 1HL
Peter West
Great Western Franchise Manager
Zone 31 Floor 3
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
I've put forward my case ( link - on line copy) to First and DfT but NOT to these names; I'll do so at the weekend with an intro letter tying it back to the Stakeholder meeting.
My case is for a service every 2 hours (that's 8 trains a day each way) which makes, I believe, the strongest and most appropriate business case. I have NOT simply asked for "as is" retention as I believe that the best forward case for the next 7 to 10 years is not identical to what we've previously had - by correcting some issues with the old service (and with one or two difficult desisions especially on ticket prices) I know it can be profitable.
Please write to the people named above too, saying what you think.. I'll be flattered if you choose to use some of my words, and equalyy delighted if you submit something that's a little different / from your own perspective.
You might also write to other possible funders and supporters such as Wilts County Council and the South West Regional Assembly, encouraging them to contact Lesley and Peter. Both WCC and the SWRA can help with integrating transport to encourage higher traffic levels, and also in funding of infrastructure; extra help in these areas would make the service more attractive and up passenger numbers further.
Posted by gje at January 19, 2006 08:13 AM