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July 14, 2007
We have another hill to climb
"Long time no Post". It's been mad, mad busy these past few weeks!
Devastating news in that afetr all the hard work, all the ideas, all the draft timetables, First are proposing NOT A SCRAP OF IMPROVEMENT to the serives from December 2007, and are suggesting that we look to December 2008 for any changes.
It's very easy at times like this to question the genuine-ness with which the bodies have been taking to us / negotiating - the term "managing expectations" which one of the civil servants quoted as a part of his job role comes ringing back in my ears, and I wonder if we've been lead on and / or conned. There's certainly strong circumstantial evidence to point that way .... but then I really can't believe that everyone would have put in so much time and effort if there was no intent to do what they could to provide an appropriate service all along.
"The Jury's out" is the best I can write, and to continue to campaign is the best I can advise - in an hour, I'll be gooing up to the "Party in the Park" here in Melksham and helping to man the "Save the Train" and "Melksham Railway Development Group" booth. Is it worth it? Are the groups needed?
The answer is a resounding YES. The Booth is given to us, no charge, by the community who are desparate for proper connections through an appropriate train service. People stop us in the street - complete strangers - and ask how it's going. Often they'll tell us tales of their hardship, and how they would use the service it was half decent. Business leaders - such as the Chanmber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses. Town and Parish councils. Disabled groups. Tourist information. The local press. All on side and united in a rare way to offer their support.
With that groundswell of support. With the clear sanity and need for an appropriate service. We'll carry on pushing. We'll take the "No" as a "Not this way" and continue to press for an appropriate service - offering the powers that be any one of three good options - from this December. I've filed a reply to the current consultatitionand I'm encouraging others to send in their views too.
Posted by gje at July 14, 2007 09:23 AM