| News Roundup - a LOT is happening This is an overdue update and I don't know where to start! Gordon Dodge, such a big supporter and so much more, passed away in April. He's left some shoes that will be very hard to fill; I have posted a tribute on the "Save the Train" web site. And his passing has made me, and others, all the more determined to push for an appropriate train service from West and South Wiltshire up to the North of the country and Swindon, incorporating a service fit for use in Melksham, where the station has the lowest ridership per head of population in the county. That's partly down to the infrequent, badly timed and unreliable trains, and partly due to issues to do with the station's accessability. I've started with Gordon, and the issues. And, incredibly, I see the tide starting to turn. Much of the following news comes from the AGM of the Melksham Railway Development Group last night, and as such is in the public domain. 1. After the Save the Train meeting in March, the County Council has agreed to set up an 'experts / professionals' group to push the service provision issue ahead, and this will be chaired by Fleur de Rhe Philipe. I also have a positive letter from Dr Keith Robinson, the chief executive, who I met in person recently. 2. The Department for Transport are now looking very seriously at improving the service - I spent well over an hour on the phone with one of the top civil servants, and I understand that he and several colleagues have had further long meetings with the local transport authority. The answer that *I* got (and the concensus) is no longer to tell me that the current service is appropriate, but to acknowledge that it's not working and needs major positive amendment. 3. At the AGM of the Melksham Rail Development Group (yesterday evening), Andrew Griffiths of First Great Western told that FGW have no extra resources to make available from this December, BUT they have worked up a draft timetable that would take out 3 duplicated trains south of Salisbury (the Southampton stoppers that would, if they remained, double up on the new SWT local service) and use those trains instead to run from Salisbury up to Swindon and back. I've not seen details, but I understand it looks excellent for the morning, and unravels a bit later in the day. Andrew confirmed crew shortages - that even if they hired another train, they would not have the drivers, who it takes a year to train. Andrew also confirmed that extra freight is using the line via Melksham, and that this could start to limit available paths for passenger trains [[Aside - I applaud First in pushing this timetable forward, the DfT in their new and serious look, and the County for their actions and help too. All acknowledge this as being a step in the right direction rather than a final solution - perhaps that will come at December 2008?]] 4. There have been discussions between the officers of the Melksham Railway Development Group and the Save the Train campaign, as the activities of the two could be seen to be converging. We're working in close co-operation (I have taken on the role of Vice Chairman at MRDG, confirmed at the AGM), and of course Peter Blackburn - chair of MRDG - is vice of Save the Train. The groups are, though, and will remain distinct. "Save the Train" is very much concerned with train service across Wiltshire and Mendip whereas the MRDG, as the name implies, is very much Melksham based and extends from the service to the envoirs of the station too. 5. The Melksham Railway Development Group has submitted a bid for lottery funding to complete the road from Spencer's Gate to the station in Melksham. This would provide a circular route via the station over land already reserved for the purpose and allow bus services such as Melksham' s town bus to connect with trains. It would also easier access to the station from North Melksham, and bring a restraurant and conveninence store within a short walk for traveller's use. The bid is via "The People's Millions" - an ITV show where the shortlisted bidders are showcased and the winner is selected by public vote. 6. Asda have announced that they plan to open a new store in Melksham, at West Country Farmers (that shop will remain, though). This offers a good opportunity to work with the store to provide rail access and facilities for the mutual benefit of their customers and railway users, and I understand that the company has a good reputation for being a community player. 7. A suggestion that we run a seaside special this summer from Swindon / Chippenham / Melksham to Weymouth - perhaps by extending the first Sunday train from Westbury - has been declared a non-starter by First who have no capacity for specials, even at the weekend. We are currently investingating whether we can arrange a coach for a part yo join that train at Westbury, leaving from melksham station and returning to there by train at the end of the day. 8. There is every intention of running a Santa special this December; although advised to plan well ahead and use the current service, we don't feel its practical on the limited trains available (21:38 is too late to get the kids back to Melksham, and what WOULD they do through the early evening?). So this will probably be a last minute planning job. 9. MRDG now has a website - www.mrdg.org.uk - and a subcommittee will be working on content and publicity. Key subjects will be the lottery bid, the station's history and other Melksham Specific issues. 10. I have JUST (in the last couple of hours!) booked a table for the two campaigns at Melksham's "Party in the Park" on 14th July. We'll have a 5m x 3m pitch ("a lot of space") to put the case; I'm happy to be on the stand all day (open from 2 p.m. to "fireworks") and would be delighted to have any other VOLUNTEERS - please - along ;-). Excellent chance for publicity. Other events are fastmoving at the moment; we'll see if we're selling seats to Weymouth, congratulating the decision makers and publicising the new services to come, or handing people postcards to lobby with! 11. Sion has agreed (I think - you did agree, didn't you Sion?) to join the committee of the West Wilts Rail Users Group in order that they have a continuing voice / input from Melksham. I was delighted to see their new Chairman, John Ingram, along at yesterday's meeting - we're all pushing very much in the same direction. 12. Wiltshire County Council have provided extra subsidy / support to Stagecoach for the X49 bus service (Trowbridge to Swindon) which last year carried roughly the same number of passengers as used the train (WCC press release figures for bus, FGW's for train). It is good to see the county's acknowledgement of the importance and growth of this corridor. The bus takes 95 minutes and serves neither Melksham nor Chippenham; the train takes just 35 minutes. I applaud the County's decision - it should make a decision to support the train too into a no-brainer. Although the support for a train seat is said to cost three times what it costs to support a bus seat, the train is 3 times faster so that makes it a level playing field, doesn't it? 13. Some fares (including Melksham - Chippenham and Melksham - Swindon) have recently been LOWERED. This means that a Chippenham to Melksham single is now just 2.80. The lowest return fare offered to London if you book on the day / train remains 105.00. For booking ahead, the FGW site lists 20 different single fares - most of them "book ahead" and with very limited availability. These tickets must be posted (extra charge) or collected ahead of time from a ticket machine at Chippenham (or other more distant) station. 14. Melksham's Tourist Information Centre has put in a lottery bid to become a transport hub - allowing it to sell a wide variety of travel tickets (rail tickets too - PLEASE - including the "book ahead" ones I have just mentioned. CONCLUSION? There's a lot happening! I would like to thank all the officers / officials / politicians / Rail Industry people involved in all the thread above, and I'll be circulating this to them as a courtesy copy, and to show them just how the community is behind this - to regain AND RETAIN an APPROPRIATE service. Feedback / comments / information welcome. You'll find more on much of this on the "Save the Train" website at http://www.savethetrain.org.uk and in due course I'm sure the Melksham elements will also appear on http://www.mrdg.org.uk. And THANK YOU for your support / continuing help Graham Written 2007-06-09 18:51:47 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 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 Welcome for Michael Ancram and Chris Grayling 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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