Lee,

I now know where I'm standing - I got a bit confused at first, but now have done Graham's part and posted that on his side of the proposals.

As for the Bicester - Bristol timetable, I take it we are still using the same 4 units we were using before (2x158 freed from London pattern and 2x158 swapped from 2x166 going into storage)?
And also when you say for example if extra Oxford - Banbury services can be included feel free to add them in do you mean Bicester or actually Banbury?
Also, would the Bicester - Bristol timetable extend anywhere else southward, or would that be it?

OK, will give it a go over the weekend, and will post when I have some rough ideas. 

Quote from Andrew Griffiths :

“From the outside, railway timetabling may appear simple, but in reality it is a complex jigsaw."

I would agree with that. Although I am sure that Andrew was not referring to our efforts , I feel that a detailed breakdown of how our proposals have been shaped would be appropriate.

LONDON - BRISTOL / CHELTENHAM SPA / WALES

1) Timetable follows established train paths.

2) Timetable has been checked to ensure that more than one train never occupies the Swindon - Kemble single - track section.

3) Increasing the frequency of the London - Cheltenham Spa service to hourly was recommended by Jacobs Consultancy (pages 61 & 62 of the link below.)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_612538.pdf

PORTSMOUTH - CARDIFF AIRPORT

1) Timetable follows established train paths with one exception - the 1512 Portsmouth Harbour departure.

If a 1512 departure time turns out not to be feasible , then it would be moved forward to 1522. The Dean and Mottisfont & Dunbridge stops would then be removed and replaced by stops in the SWT services. SWT have already confirmed to us that they plan to serve Dean and Mottisfont & Dunbridge from December 2007 , so this should not be a problem.

2) Where stops have been added (Keynsham & Oldfield Park being obvious examples) the following principles have been strictly adhered to :

- No conflicting train paths.

- No adverse potential effect on performance.

Unless the above criteria has been met , the stop has not been allowed.

WEYMOUTH - SEVERN BEACH

1) Timetable follows established train paths.

2) All single - track sections / passing loops taken into account and checked for pathing conflicts.

3) Timetable does not conflict with "Inter - City" trains on the Castle Cary - Westbury section.

GREATER BRISTOL METRO

As this timetable involves some re - casting , the following precautions have been taken :

1) Timetable is clearly marked as "draft."

2) The widest possible range of potentially interested parties have been consulted for their views. Where this has resulted in timetable changes , we have been open about this , and explained them fully.

3) Steve Webb MP (Northavon) has agreed to help move the GBM proposals forward. As you can see from the link below , he has a proven track record when dealing with organisations such as Network Rail (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6204058.stm

4) All single - track sections / passing loops taken into account and checked for pathing conflicts.

5) Freight train services have been taken into account , and paths found for them.

6) Timetable does not conflict at key junctions (e.g Filton.)

To conclude , everything possible has been done to ensure that our proposals stand up to scrutiny , and that our timetables are "robust."