Save the Melksham Train
STOP PRESS - we have heard from First Great Western in the last few days, as follows:

"We had hoped that we could organise an additional service through Wiltshire serving Melksham in particular. We looked very carefully at all the options, but whilst the plan received good support, and remains something we want to do, the cost of the new service is considerable. It will not be covered by the revenue that the service will generate, and as a commercial organisation we can only therefore proceed if we can find some joint funding to offset the costs. Despite our efforts this has to not proved possible to date, and we will not be able to offer any extra services in the next timetable due out in December.

"We will continue to discuss the plans with stakeholders and will keep looking for a partner to help finance the service, but this will not be possible before the December 2009 timetable (at the earliest)."

See who has signed up to pledge support, more details of the validated service that has just had the plug pulled and some personal comment
Forum archive ... Blog archive

Franchise map


This map is copyright Barry Doe, www.barrydoe.co.uk, and reproduced here with his kind permission.Complete map (on Barry's site)






The train service through Melksham is currently operated by Wessex Trains - part of the National Express Group, but their franchise expires in April 2006. At the same time, the franchises for First Great Western (who operate services from London to the South West and South Wales) expires, as does the Franchise for First Great Western Link, who run suburban trains out of Paddington as far as Bedwyn.

All three franchises are being combined into a new "Greater Western" franchise that will run from April 2006, with train services from December 2006 to levels specified by the now defunct SRA in the current bidding process. Bidders are the First Group, National Express, and Stagecoach who currently run South West trains.

Link - other maps
This site is hosted by Well House Consultants Ltd. (http://www.wellho.net)
Contact Information
 

Further Information:
 Home
 Current Summary
 Daily update
 User forum
 Consultation
 Service now
 Service future
 Future Analysis
 Recent Statistics
 Recent letters
 Letter to DfT
 Save the train
 Presentation
 Support us
 Other Maps
 Station facilities
 Station approach
 Pictures
 Trains diverted
 History
 About Melksham
 Site Map
 About this site