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February 11, 2006
Meeting with a local MP
Yesterday, I spent 20 minutes with Dr Andrew Murrison who's the MP for Westbury - covering Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh and Warminster stations on the "TransWilts". A part of the discussion related to the various threats / changes on other lines in his constituency - he's particularly concerned about the Bristol to Waterloo through service at the moment which is in a far earlier stage of consultation, but the discussions ranged much more widely too, especially looking at footfall statistics, ticket sales stats, and what they do (and don't) show.
I left behind a whole load of information for his researcher, who has a rail background, to look into further. in going through the highlights, one of the things that especially interested Andrew was the dramatic ticket increases for Melksham - and he was surpised to find that these were industry official figures rather than something we had come up with. Andrew has asked for a meeting with Derek Twigg at the Department for Transport - main topic on his agenda is "The Wateloo" but "The TransWilts" and services through Melksham should now come up too.
Main threats to train services in the Westbury constituency at present.
1. TransWilts service - Swindon to Salisbury and Southampton (red)
All through trains withdrawn. Just 2 local trains per day retained northwards from Westbury.
2. Bristol to Waterloo service (yellow)
Through services may not be retained in re-franchise operation.
3. Express services to London (blue)
Largely withdrawn; replaced by an extension of the local train from Bedwyn.
4. Services to the West of England (orange)
Only 2 main line trains heading West per day to stop.
Posted by gje at February 11, 2006 09:10 AM