Here are links to the changes announced by First between the publication of the original Draft Timetable & the Final Timetable.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=302
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=359
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=378

The changes detailed up to the 15th June are included in the Greater Western Franchise Agreement. Interestingly , the Ivybridge & Gunnislake alterations were agreed on 6 June 2006 but not announced until 15 June 2006.



Changes to SLC2 or "Franchise Services" (if you prefer) can be made either on the direction of the Secretary Of State (as long as the request is not overly unreasonable to First) or by agreement with First. First can even propose a change to the "Franchise Services" , although the Secretary Of State is under no obligation to implement it. Examples of an agreed change after the agreement was finalised include the extra Looe & St Ives (both subject to review & the latter subject to confirmation) services.

This provision will need to be used to implement the Cardiff Airport extension of the Portsmouth - Cardiff service priced option (click on http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=357.msg1078#msg1078). This link explains why I believe that this priced option has been called by the DfT , but that they are waiting for the "right time" to propose a change in order to implement a timetable , because it will require an extra unit from elsewhere.

This is also the mechanism by which , even at this late stage , a 2-hourly Swindon - Westbury service could be inserted into the December 2006 timetable.

Alternatively , First could apply to the ORR to run it on a commercial basis , and the regulator will then decide whether to allocate the necessary train paths , based on a capacity assessment (this would also apply to another operator under the Open Access provisions.) However , we may well have run out of time regarding this option.

Two things stand out from the Freedom Of Information answers (click on http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=464.msg1354#msg1354).

1) The FOI SLC2 document sent by the DfT (current at 31st August 2006) is identical to the one obtained by both Graham & myself previously via the DfT's public registry. This version formed the basis of the original Draft Timetable. Also , the Greater Western Franchise Agreement states that some of the "extra" services announced in press releases are NOT OBLIGATED to be run by First.

Here is a list :

"Thames Valley Branches retimed to call at all stations en route and also provide a connection with the mainline."

"Wargrave & Shiplake retimed to increase the service level at these stations."

"Severn Beach retimed along the branch to provide trains to meet the local requirements."

"Local college traffic between Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Farnborough North will be accommodated."

"Saltash and St Germans - Additional calls will be inserted in other services to increase the number of services to 9 each way and provide a later evening service."

"The first service to Exeter from Barnstaple will be retimed 30 minutes later and the last train from Exeter to Barnstaple retimed 20 minutes later.The Franchisee and Secretary of State will monitor passenger reaction and may reconsider if appropriate. Change intermediate calling pattern (Yeoford, Copplestone and Umberleigh)."

"Exmouth Branch - Re-timing to better meet local needs, including later last train."

"Weymouth – Bristol service will be retimed away from a standard two hour pattern, providing the same quantum of service, but at times better suited to the leisure and commuter market requirements. This will include provision of a morning commuter service from Frome to Bristol. Through introducing the new service pattern connections at Castle Cary for the West of England will be improved."

"Calling pattern at stations between Didcot and Oxford is amended to provide service levels similar to the current December 2005 timetable. The pattern has also been retimed to provide services at times commensurate with local requirements."

"Times of trains on the Falmouth Branch to be optimised to local requirements (in discussion with council and Partnership)."

"The Franchisee to investigate reducing the service gap from 1103 to 1830 westwards from Hayle, and commits to introduce at least one additional stop in an existing service to Penzance."

2) It is clear from the Jacobs report that they were given instructions to reduce the subsidy based on usage figures that we now know to be flawed.

Here are some quotes from a January 2006 Christian Wolmar article on the new DfT Closure Guidance (link below.)
http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/independent/jan29,06.shtml

"Dozens of branch lines and secondary routes could shut, in what would be the biggest rethink of the network since the Beeching report in the 1960s, which led to the closure of 4,000 miles of railway and nearly half the nation's stations. Loss-making services would be transferred on to buses, as a means of reducing the £6bn-a-year subsidy."

"An army of consultants will decide whether lines should stay open or close. A law passed last year has reduced the right of passengers to object to closures."

"The 83-page consultation paper uses a new kind of cost-benefit analysis, which, experts say, will highlight the economically fragile state of the network. Such analysis often penalises trains because it fails to take into account that they are environmentally friendly. As one senior rail industry figure put it last night: "The trouble with consultants is they will do exactly what ministers want them to do."

In summary , SLC2 or "Franchise Services" can be changed by the following means :

1) The DfT , First or Network Rail can propose a closure under the new DfT Closure Guidance. The ORR will then decide whether to approve it , based on the consultant's report.

2) Changes to SLC2 or "Franchise Services" can be made either on the direction of the Secretary Of State (as long as the request is not overly unreasonable to First) or by agreement between the DfT & First.

3) First can simply withdraw certain services.

These factors , the rail - replacement Melksham & Newquay bus services plus the Network Rail Business Plan 2006 projections , explain why I have fears for the future of the passenger rail network , both in the South West & beyond.