Yesterday I attended the Forum meeting and AGM of South Wiltshire Agenda 21.  A local group promoting all things sustainable.  Cllr Paul Sample (Leader of Salisbury DC) also attended the meeting.  Transport was seen as a big issue for south Wiltshire but I found it the subject that people could get their head around least.  I introduced to the meeting the STT campaign and put out a plea for support.  I am sure the phone will begin ringing any minute and my inbox will be full of emails.

On a more serious note I am thinking about how appeal can be broadened to attract people to support rail improvements even if they don't necessarily have to use it everyday.

With the unitary decision just around the corner (Cllr Sample was all but convinced the legal appeal would not prevent the abolition in 2009) now is the time to get the soon-to-be-abolished districts on side with our campaign.  The wranglings over the merger sound painful but here is a chance to get local councillors to press home the point that Wiltshire will not work if public transport is not significantly improved.  And I think they would (at the very least) listen.

SW Agenda 21 also have the ear of the council and I feel strongly that the group should support transport improvements as a priority.  With impending unitary status for the council there is also a debate if the group should widen its remit to the whole of the county.  If you are interested, let me know.

Yes it is time to join up all our campaigns and speak with a louder voice.

I have also put forward the Save the Train campaign as one to actively support to the Salisbury Campaign for Better Transport.  They meet today though I am unable to attend but have given representations to an Agenda 21 colleague.