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January 17, 2006
Winners and losers in the Devizes constituency
There are three stations in the Devizes constituency of Michael Ancram and all of them look like they have a major change in service level or pattern under the new Greater Western franchise for which timetable changes come in to effect at the end of this year (December 2006).
Through trains from London to Bedwyn are extended to Westbury (and one per day on to Frome). The extended service continues to run every hour, but published suggested timing show that only alternate trains will call at Bedwyn - that's a 50% cut in London services.
The extended through trains will call at Pewsey - I don't know calling pattern details but the extra trains and stops will lead to the creation of new local travel possibilities such as Pewsey to Hungerford, and a vastly increased service to Reading, London and also to Westbury.
All long distance trains through Melksham are to be withdrawn. A "rump" local service is to be provided on Monday to Friday, with one journey only to Swindon in the morning and back in the evening, and a single extra train at some other (as yet unconfirmed) time in the day. In summary, this is a 68% cut in services.
I live in Melksham, so of course I'm a bit biased ... but I note that the Bedwyn cuts mean that people have to wait there for up to an hour for the next train, I note that the Melksham cuts will mean most train users will have to find alternative routes that will start them off on a bus and be much slower, and I note that our MP lives in Pewsey.
Links - Current case for Melksham.
The most effective way to get a sensible service for the future is to let the decision makers know what would be used and be profitable for them. Write to WILTS COUNTY COUNCIL to ask them to act - write to FIRST GREAT WESTERN to ask for more appropriate services - write to OUR MP to ask him to make representations - write to DEREK TWIGG, the minister with responsibility for rail services at the Department for Transport
Posted by gje at January 17, 2006 04:56 AM