| Welcome for Michael Ancram and Chris Grayling Looks like tomorrow will be a big day, with our MP and the Shadow Transport spokeman in town. There will be some press there, a representative of First, a representative of Wilts County Council, a representative of the South West Regional assembly and many more. I don't know whether we'll have anyone from Government Offices South West, or from the Department for Transport, but I would very much hope so. As I'm not really used to organising these things, I don't know exactly what to expect; I'll have a couple of possible agendas to hand to be able to make the visti effective whatever the metrics turn out to be, and I've even started to write myself some notes / possible 10 minute intro so I don't have to "wing" it too much and leave something out. ALL welcome. If you can let me know, so much the better. If not, just turn up. If I find myself talking, perhaps this is what I might say: 1. Welcome a) I'm Graham Ellis - I run computer training courses here in Melksham. Many of our customers arrive and leave by train from their homes all over the country, and me and my family use the train and other public transport whenever we can for business and personal trips. b) Welcome to Chris Grayling, shadow Transport Minister, and Michael Ancram who represents the Devizes constituency, which includes Melksham, in Parliament. 2. History and current service. a) Melksham's train service comprises 5 trains each way Monday through Friday on the Swindon to Southampton service, with 4 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday. b) Ticket sales for journeys to and from Melksham rose from about 3,000 in 2000/2001 to over 27,000 five years later, with around 109,000 journeys made on the stopping service through the station annually. That works out at an average of 32 passengers per train. Some trains are considerably busier, and some are quieter. One of the features of the traffic flow is that passenger numbers on the same train, same day of the week can vary dramatically from week to week. b) Tickets to and from Melksham are bought to and from Swindon, Bristol, and Salisbury in significant numbers (over 5% of sales each). There is also around 25% of long distance traffic; I have spoken with travellers to and from Neath, Exmouth, London, Bolton, Edinburgh, Cornwall, Bognor Regis, Southampton and York amongst others all within a few days. c) The single track section of the line through Melksham is frequently used for diversion of express trains. For example, for 9 days at the end of September the line will be used for express trains from Chippenham to London which will pass through Melksham nonstop, and the local service will be replaced by buses from Westbury to Swindon. The service operator has explained to me that they cannot stop their expresses at Melksham. d) Engineering works frequently close the line for all or part of the weekend. We have had only a handful of "regular service" weekend in the past 9 months. e) Replacement buses are much slower (journey times doubled or worse) and unpopular; they convey perhaps a quarter of the passengers that would ride the equivalent train. Tickets have rarely been collected on the buses in the past, and in many cases no-one is provided to collect fares at either end of the journey either. This means that bus users are often riding free of charge and are NOT include in the usage statistics. f) The weekday service has a fearsome cancellation record, and publicity and information is almost non-existent even at Swindon and Chippenham. g) The station site in Melksham is unattractively positioned in the back of an industrial estate. Land has been earmarked to provide improved access via the new Spencer's Gate housing area, and the shops and restaurants close by. This land also provides for a relocated station a few hundred yards to the North of the present one. h) The line is maintained to a high standard and has a generous loading gauge making it ideal for freight trains, which are seen from time to time. I understand from people who live within earshot of the railway that it can be pretty busy at night. i) In spite of the negative factors described, traffic has grown over the years to the extent that I've travelled on trains - and NOT the peak trains either - where I've not been able to get a seat. 3. Threats and case a) The Strategic Rail Authority specified the complete withdrawal of the Swindon to Southampton service in their request for bids for the new Great Western franchise that was awarded to the First group last December. b) An alternative service of 2 per day in each direction is to be provided, with a specification that one train arrives in Swindon in the morning peak and another leaves in the evening peak. c) All bidders were invited to put additional cases in their bids to the Department for Transport, and there have been stakeholder consultations and some service modifications through the area covered by the new franchise since then. d) The latest draft timetable shows trains leaving Swindon for Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge and Westbury only at 06:20 and 18:32, arriving back there at 07:44 and 20:10. Only the 06:20 train runs within 30 minutes of an existing service. e) Trains from Swindon at 08:43, 14:23, 17:42 and 22:11 are withdrawn. Trains arriving back there at 06:20, 08:18, 14:01, 17:21 and 22:01 are withdrawn. f) If the proposed new service replaces the current one, it will no longer be possible to travel by train from London to Melksham except leaving London at 17:00 or 17:33. g) If the proposed service changes go ahead, it will no longer be practical for commuters and business people to travel from Swindon and Chippenham to Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster or Salisbury to work, nor for them to return by train at the end of the day. h) Commuters from Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham to Chippenham and Swindon face a much longer day - they will arrive in Swindon 34 minutes earlier than at present, and not be able to leave again until 42 minutes later than at present. The morning service from Frome will no longer be direct. i) Train users who work part time or evenings will not have any suitable train service available. j) Most of the weekend travel opportunities, including the option to work / spend the day in Swindon, will be removed under the draft weekend timetables. These have not been circulated as widely as the weekday drafts. k) The First 234 bus service, which also serves Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham does NOT serve the station in Chippenham, even though there's a new road / rail interchange there, and First have promoted this as a part of their franchise publicity. Requests for the 234 bus to serve the station in Chippenham have been politely rejected on cost grounds. l) New legislation (consultation was last April) relating to the complete closure of stations and services that do not meet certain economic criteria is likely to catch the much reduced Melksham service in its net. A service that continued to grow as the current service has done would most likely be safeguarded. m) The British Rail Board Residual Body is planning to sell by auction on 31st October 2006 land which has been safeguarded for improved station access, and for the new station site. n) Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge and Westbury all continue to grow, and are forecast to have some of the highest rates of growth anywhere in the UK. The road link between the (A350) is mostly single carriageway and has significant bottlenecks at Westbury, near Melksham Station, and at Beanacre. Road access into Swindon is congested and slow at peak times, and parking there is expensive. o) Current train travel per head of population in Melksham is less than one twentieth of that of neighbouring towns such as Bradford on Avon and Chippenham, both of which have (and will retain) much more frequent services. p) When asked to look at / review their decision, the Department for Transport quotes an SRA survey taken over a period of just over a week in Spring of 2005. Usage of the trains in that week was significantly lower than the averages revealed by section 2(b). Taking a short sample of traffic on a railway service that has significant peaks and troughs, and extending it to a complete year, is statistically flawed, and the evidence gathered is of little scientific and commercial use. 4. Discussion a) With services cut back as proposed, I foresee a rapid drop in the number of passengers using the service. b) If the current service was retained, I would see continued growth at the sort of levels we've seen averaged over the past few years. Such growth would be stimulated by a more reliable service (promised by First throughout the Franchise area), improved station facilities (also promised by First), and by better information and marketing. c) If the current service was replaced by a regular interval (2 hourly) service leaving Westbury at 05:45, 07:45, 09:45 and 11:45, then 14:45, 16:45, 18:45 and 20:45, returning from Swindon 1 hour later, traffic levels would increase dramatically. This service could be provided by a single type "153" coach and could be run as an extension of the Southampton to Westbury service through 2007, perhaps being taken over by the new operator of the South West franchise at that point. d) The economic case (best financial balance sheet) of these three cases is in favour of the regular interval service. This option also provides the best solution for passenger convenience and for the economics of the towns served, and encourages their continued prosperity. 4. Where from here a) We strongly encourage the Department for Transport and the First group to provide an appropriate train service from this December. As a minimum, this service should be at the current level, but the better case, economically and socially, is for a train every 2 hours. b) We request that the more detailed timetable review re-times the morning train into Swindon to arrive shortly after 8 a.m. and to leave on its return shortly before 6 p.m. so that it retains its utility as a commuter service. c) We request that the land safeguarded for station access / improvements at Melksham remains safeguarded. 5. Conclusion a) I would like to thank everyone who has supported the "TransWilts" train service and the case for its retention; they are too numerous to mention, but I would especially like to thank to Michael Ancram and to Chris Grayling, for all their efforts on our behalf so far. They are truely appreciated. b) We must continue to press the case for the TransWilts train. Although things may look bleak today, I'm reminded of the railway line to Looe that was within 2 weeks of complete closure in the time of Dr Beeching, but was reprived at the last minute. Today, trains are so busy in the summer that the conductor can't even get around to everyone during the journey. It CAN be done, even at this 11th hour. Written 2006-07-06 10:05:27 Available entries ... Spring 2009 Campaign update Preserved Railways - a look forward Campaign update - news for December 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 ... One long journey ends and another begins Road - busy ... railway - no trains, so no users Population growth, but congested roads Loss of train - loss of job Terminal 5 - a portent for the Olympics? Senseless service - could become sensible Not a Swiss clock railway this morning The heart says "public transport", the head forces car Meeting Season Milk producers An unusual journey for me - some observations Want to comment? You're welcome on the forum Where has our train gone? Comparing a different part of the country Fare Strike Day On truthfully advertising the case Another slap in the face from First Great Western Asda - an opportunity that can be used or squandered How have trains being doing in the last 48 hours? Happy Christmas everyone! Trains to and from Melksham - Timetable from Dec07 to May08 TransWilts trains ceased a year ago. Lets look forward Santa Claus spotted at Swindon Station A pile of 160 train tickets for tomorrow First Great Western's Melksham service branded "a disgrace" Cancellations, Changes and Crass Christmas Rail user groups do NOT represent rail users? Staffing-go-round - but the campaigners carry on 30 late, and a bus not a train .... Campaigning Mantra - Philosophy behind the case Commutes are longer, and in the west we may know why Comparing a Wiltshire town with a Norfolk one And the week ends with two more cancellations! Does the new man want to play hard? A First to Stagecoach comparison Comment on December timetables Front page update Frustrated but not depairing FSB - North and West Wilts Commitee - Federation of Small Businesses How to fill platforms, and railway company coffers too! The Ghost Train, Purton A Comparison - travel in the USA by train Weymouth, Poor Provisional, and Sunday Radio - tomorrow morning? We have another hill to climb New faces - mayors and chairs. Diary notes News Roundup - a LOT is happening Update being updated! A roundup from a MELKSHAM perspective The way forward - improved service and improved station An update Gordon Dodge, Rest in Peace Helsinki and Heathrow to Melksham - Saturday Asking for the political and part views Government pressure to shut up. But let us look forward. Petition Response - detail, opinion, context Reply to Petition What is happening? Report - Monday night's meeting - press brief The traveller, not the train! A fast-moving story? Passengers or Customers? IMPROVED PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS ACROSS WILTSHIRE? Invite letter - 5th March 2007 meeting Save the Train v More Train, Less Strain End game? Keeping the diary rolling Key players PLEASE LOBBY - First, Dft, County Council, your MP Welcome to 2007 Christmas, 2006 "Told you so" New service - first impressions They're gone ... but ... Fizzle Last Week - Press Release Coming to a course in Melksham Fading away? 2 weeks to go Current and future summary End of term - don't care Returning from their UK course Is this fare? Behind the new timetable Passenger or lemmings More cancellations Taunton meeting From Ystrad Mynach Consultant's reports recommended a modest INCREASE A difficult choice for voters 20% service cut = 40% traffic cut? If its working well, change it so it doesnt. Is this train used? Bus connections to Melksham from Chippenham A year on - an empty bank holiday One year on Has our publicity reached the right people? Flowers for Melksham. Flowers at Melksham. A desire for honesty Open Access case strengthened Press Release - Open Access operator negotiations In praise of estate agents Bad news coming? Pivotal decison - to grow or to strangle? Rail future - the First Alternative Friday, 7th July - Melksham Visit by Chris Grayling and Michael Ancram Important but not refreshing meeting Letter from Derek Twigg Selling off any possibility of improvement Internet connection issues How to catch the 18:48 from Chippenham - the DfT suggests Political pressure - press release ... is part of a planned war Our battle .... Lies, damned lies and statistics Put yourself in their shoes Home soon. Carrying fresh air around? Bus service costs 25 pounds per passenger to run? Every so often, stop and look It gets worse Friday meeting - invite and details First way to get rid of customers? RailFuture meeting - some gems RailFuture meeting today Waverley Diary Date - 12th May First back down or buses too. Parliamentary Debate, 25th April Meeting, 21st - notes What SWPTUF says Friday's meeting Meeting, tonight Celebrating a closure Meeting, Friday 21st Friday, 21st, Trowbridge Southampton to Westbury RESTORED Constituency Changes First - transforming travel An update - BAD, BAD news for Melksham ... UPDATE - new timetables High emotion Someone can't wait! Real time train monitoring The Waiting Game Service failure looses more customers Not just the TransWilts and Melksham ... On supporting other campaigns ... New pages and information Ploughing back OUR money, not theirs. A whole pile of responses Meetings and Consultation Responses INPUTS NEEDED by 8th March Safer current trains - the 06:56, 07:45 and 18:09 Roger Jones answers 5 months later! A week is a long time Three and a half answers out of 4 Draft timetables (continued) Background and opinion On the 05:52 this morning Out with the old users, in with the new Draft Timetable is here Today or tomorrow Meeting with a local MP Waiting, with baited breath Timetable consultation coming up From my postbag ... Recent Correspondence Keep watching - coming to the boil! Further threats Current status ... Were they purchasing votes? Repeat - PLEASE write in with your aspirations First want to hear your aspirations Winners and losers in the Devizes constituency Railway statistics and Melksham comparisons - how do we stand? What does First pay the government for Greater Western? Wilts County Council could save the Melksham / Transwilts train Reply from MD of First Great Western The Meeting Season New Sign Bustitution - buses for trains on Saturdays and Sundays New year, 2006 Update Christmas service - unrequired, or just unprovided? A comparison across the world Even new stations don't always survive No final decision yet New fares from 2nd January 2006 Every journey has a story Upside Down Melksham rail traffic up 33% in 3 months Should badgers be culled? Virtually no service - or excellent service. Request the latter. First specific Melksham rumour ... First Group - First answer on Melksham Greater Western Franchise awarded Train service fading away too? Santa Claus at Melksham Station A Quandry From the rumour mill Melksham and TransWilts train service - closure by stealth? At Temple Meads today Latest official answer Driving customers away? Don't drink and drive - drink and train. Keeping the campaign tail up STILL worth writing. To MP, To Dft, to bidders. A bustle before the 17:02 Plus a footnote - Melksham to London Timetable - Melksham to Reading and London What does it cost to run a train? A THOUSAND visitors Forum Archives available Busy train at Melksham Monday morning, Melksham Station Some scenes at Melksham Station A disappointing letter The storm's eye? Warminster Bus Running Day, 2005 The system is overcomplex - no wonder some odd things happen A case of the tail wagging the dog?? Kiss and Ride report Ready for Tuesday Bump from Glasgow New stats prove it - the service IS used Tracking codes for TransWilts stations Try the train on 18th October And more train users ... Six NEW factors why the TransWilts train that serves Melksham should be enhanced and not cut Tuesday, 18th October - Kiss and Ride day Quotes from Government Would this government close a station completely? An easy timetable - Melksham to Chippenham and Swindon Didn't you read page 52 of web document? Core meeting Regularity, Reliability, Realistic connections Swindon to Trowbridge 35% Growth in one year - Melksham ticket statistics Great meeting but just a start. Meeting! Old pictures. Not to be repeated event Don't believe everything you hear Excursion! Official (Government) view ... and I agree Encouraging traffic not just warm words Meeting, 20th September - getting nervous Don't let this become history! Looking slightly wider The story so far Welcome to News and Views Welcome to News and Views |
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