A number of stories concerning the apparent axing of plans for FGW to receive 52 extra carriages, of which 12 of those were destined for West services. This is separate from a long term lease secured earlier this year from the Department for Transport for 30 vehicles for the west of England, which will maintain current capacity through to the end of its franchise. FGW state that these are not new vehicles, but will replace vehicles currently on short term lease from Arriva Trains Wales, Northern and other operators. These trains will be returned to those train operators as a result of securing the long term lease.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Plans-ease-crowded-carriages-dropped/article-2274300-detail/article.html

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/cheltenham/Extra-rail-carriages-Great-Western-threat/article-2273353-detail/article.html

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucester/Train-carriages-blow-commuters/article-2273248-detail/article.html

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/politics/Train-carriage-promise-looks-set-broken/article-2273543-detail/article.html