Hi,

My name's Howard, I used to use the service every Mon-Fri from 04/2004 to 04/2005 between Chippenham and Trowbridge.  It was only because of the line and service that made it possible for me to move to Chip (from the north) yet work in Trow.  The office was always going to move to Chip eventually (which it did in April).  I don't think I've used it since April though.

It wasn't exactly the most convenient service - I had to catch the 6:50am and get the 4:50pm back which meant for a fairly long day but I live near the station in Chip and worked 100 yards away in Trow so it was ideal - 30 minutes door-to-door.

The only times the service was properly busy were during Glastonbury, when the London-Westbury service was closed or when some squaddies were due in or out (such fun that was!).  Other than that there was often just the 5 or 6 of us from Chip and another 4 or 5 got on at Melksham.  The journey back was full of fare dodging private school kids.

I can't say it comes as a surprise that its time is almost nigh but the sad fact remains that I work with people who've lived in and around Chippenham for x amount of years yet who knew nothing of a southbound service from Chippenham.  I did my fair share of evangelising but wish you all the best in keeping it running.

I never knew there was a service to Oxford - this would have been helpful last week instead of a 2 hour journey with three trains!

All the best,
HC