I did a radio interview for the local radio station in Swindon a couple of weeks ago, talking about trains to West Wiltshire and Salisbury ... and wouldn't you know my luck that the interviewer decided to concentrate on journey time to Salisbury (which, heck, isn't one of the figures I remember).   "With a direct train service is should just over an hour" I suggested, "but with change at Bath it could take up to twice that.  And Swindon and Salisbury are the largest two urban areas in Wiltshire".

I could sense that the interviewer didn't believe me but we went on talking about Swindon wo West Wilts services - the dreadful timing and other things 'm afmiliar with.   Then at the end of the live interview, I was brought back to Swindon- Salisbury.  "While we were talking, I've been checking on line" says my interviewer.   And do you know ... if I go to the Station here in Swindon now it'll take me two hours and three minutes to get to Salisbury ....".

Unbelievable but true.  06:26 from Swindon, change at Bath, 08:29 into Salisbury.   Or 07:26 from Swindon, same route, 09:29 into Salisbury.   It's just 42 miles by road according to the AA.  The Wilts and Dorset bus (route 5, 6 or x19) also takes about 2 hours.   "Is it any wonder thatg people use their cars" concludes the interviewer ...

Footnote.  If you catch the 06:19 from Swindon you can get to Salisbury for 07:37 and you don't even have to change trains. The 06:19 terminates at Westbury at 07:02, then forms the 07:05 to Southampton.   Of course, they're not allowed to advertise this as a through service at it would be contrary to the SLC agreement, and it won't show as a connection on the web sites because 3 minutes isn't enough time to change trains at Westbury ... but if you happen to know