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Topic: Under Pressure! [[Bristol Parkway]] (Read 3020 times)
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Michelle Last
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I like the cheesie theme and maybe mine's a little tenuous...
I noted a dialogue conerning the the Westbury and Cheltenham service - since the the timetable changes in December I am no longer able to get from Bradford-on-Avon to Bristol Parkway - it stops at Patchway instead! Not helpful.
Desperate to hear from anyone with a similar dilemma to reinstate what was clearly not a popular enough service in FGWT's eyes!
[Edit by moderator ... Michelle, I've split the topic as it deserves its own thread. Others - this was originally unerd "anothe one bites the dust" if you wonder at Michelle's first line]
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« Last Edit: January 15, 2007, 09:35:23 PM by Graham Ellis »
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Graham Ellis
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Michelle - welcome to the board. Am I right in saying the the North to East curve at Bristol no longer has a rush hour train service - it's "via Temple Meads" for everyone? Not quite my area.
All over the region, journeys like yours, and my customers, have been slashed. If my customers want to arrive in Melksham at 09:00, they could leave at 07:45 until December. Now they must leave on the last train before and sleep at Swindon before catching the 06:19 onward, which is cancelled more often than it runs. In fact, of 12 major travel opportunities / flows that were previously catered for, NOT ONE is catered for now.
I've not come across the Patchway v Parkway issue before - and I guess now that the old service is gone and the people are disipated, it would be hard to find them. If you want to be active about it, you could hand flyers out to people who leave Patchway station in the morning off the effected trains, or visit the offices in the Parkway area. Try HTV and the BBC, go to the meeting in Bath tomorrow night and ask around there. Just a few thoughts ...
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Graz
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Hey Michelle, as a former passenger using these direct trains I can sympathise. I used to travel from Cheltenham Spa to Oldfield Park, a direct train left there at 17:01- the Worcester Shrub Hill to Frome service. I can't emphasise enough how convenientand comfortable this service was to me, as it was a nice easy journey home from University. (and normally a comfortable 2-3 car 158 as well.) I must have taken this train hundreds of times. Many travellers from Yate travelled direct to Bath and beyond, and the train was full by Bristol Parkway. I remember an elderly couple enquiring on how to get to Castle Cary from Cheltenham, and the station manager told them to get that train and change at Westbury- to which they were surprised and very pleased a direct train took them so far. I noticed these trains had disappeared from the draft timetables- and protested at the draft stage. But they were cut all the same, and I'm sure it displaced many direct travellers such as yourself. When I occasionally travel to Cheltenham again I won't be able to get this train, even if changing at Bristol Temple Meads as it arrives 2 minutes after the Westbury train has departed Bristol. So I'd have to get the packed Virgin Voyager service. Now that I think of it, I will suggest to FGW that we have direct trains between Cheltenham and Westbury/Frome again via Bristol. Not too many, just one at peak like before (northbound AM southbound PM). They were so convenient for many passengers like me and you, and it's a real shame to have seen them gone.  |
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Graz
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I'm afraid I'm going to be deviating off topic Lee! But I hadn't seen that, and I applaud you and Chris for the proposal. Although to make me even happier, start the Yeovil/Weymouth service from Cheltenham Spa  I'm honestly not sure what I'd prefer: Severn Beach - Yeovil services, or Cheltenham Spa - Yeovil. I think Severn Beach - Yeovil may be a better option, but, a peak time service from Frome/Yeovil - Cheltenham AM and back PM definitely wouldn't hurt. Anyway, I'll definitely add the suggestion to First when I finish writing the email. |
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Chris Street
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Not too many, just one at peak like before (northbound AM southbound PM). They were so convenient for many passengers like me and you, and it's a real shame to have seen them gone. I note that there were northbound and southbound trains in the AM and PM... I am pretty sure there was a southbound train in the AM from Cheltenham to Westbury... Then a train arriving at Cheltenham from Westbury at around 0845.. In the afternoon, as you mention the 1701 Cheltenham - Frome service (starts from Worcester Shrub Hill)... And then a northbound service in the late evening from Southampton Central - Gloucester, arriving at 0002. I remember seeing somewhere else on the forum someone who used this late night Southampton - Gloucester service as it was so useful to them, but I can't remember where... |
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martyjon
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Should be relieved in the short term with the construction of a third platform at this (Bristol Parkway) station well underway.
MG
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Graz
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Not too many, just one at peak like before (northbound AM southbound PM). They were so convenient for many passengers like me and you, and it's a real shame to have seen them gone. I note that there were northbound and southbound trains in the AM and PM... I am pretty sure there was a southbound train in the AM from Cheltenham to Westbury... Then a train arriving at Cheltenham from Westbury at around 0845.. In the afternoon, as you mention the 1701 Cheltenham - Frome service (starts from Worcester Shrub Hill)... And then a northbound service in the late evening from Southampton Central - Gloucester, arriving at 0002. I remember seeing somewhere else on the forum someone who used this late night Southampton - Gloucester service as it was so useful to them, but I can't remember where... Many people got on the morning service too, but I didn't get that one quite so often as it was normally packed full by the time it got to Oldfield Park (and it arrived a little late at Cheltenham quite often- 9:45, I think...). Although, under Wessex it was very often 4 cars in length, 2 of which detatching at Gloucester. Both trains were very well used. I wouldn't be lying if I said FGW have made a mistake there. Just out of interest, who would use that late-night Gloucester service? Last train of the evening...arrived past midnight, I think! Should be relieved in the short term with the construction of a third platform at this (Bristol Parkway) station well underway.
MG Very good point. More capacity- less likely this train will hold up already late Voyagers, or get severely delayed going down to Frome in the evening having to wait for free platforms. |
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