"Everyone was consulted and your views were listened to". The view of a network rail employee on the last train out from Swindon last night.  But, alas, I can see no evidence that the views expressed by users of the TransWilts have had any positive effect what so ever on the new service.   It's as if consultation is seen as the final stage of a process - gathering a dusty report of "this is what the customers want" with no requirement to actually read that report and act on any of the suggestions it contains.

"It's part of my role to .... manage expectations ....". A comment that stuck with me from the presentation by the Government Office (South West) officer at Trowbridge.  In other words, to hear what people want and then to ensure that they accept quietly what they were always going to be given in the first place. The officer failed to tell us of any positive movement he had made in favour of the TransWilts train service ...