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| What's the basis for the decision? The SRA hasn't published its figures The SRA has not provided any figures to justify its decision. My own (annecdotal) evidence is that the station / train seems to be getting busier rather than quieter, and that doesn't seem to tally with statement that traffic levels can no longer justify the service. The SRA's figures may include August 2004 - an exceptional month In August, 2004 a collision between a car and a train near Reading closed the line from Reading to Westbury for a period of several weeks. The railway line through Melksham was used a diversionary route throughout this period, and all trains except the 05:56 to Swindon and the return service were cancelled by Wessex Trains on the demand of Network Rail. During this period, First Great Western trains were passing through the station regularly but not stopping. I spoke to First Great Western about this and asked them if they could stop some of their trains - we had customers booked on the cancelled train - but after due consideration they told me that they could not do so for operation reasons.  The 08:30 First Great Western train passes through Melksham on 21st August ... the main line was closed again. It's going quite slowly because of the sharp curves at both ends of the station, but it doesn't stop ...It seems ironic that we're threatened with a train service cut based on figures including a period during which the service was withdrawn without notice. OF COURSE no one could use the train during that period. I note that the SRA is also asking a service which includes the withdrawl of the semi-fast Paddington to Exeter service. This service was also cancelled for several weeks in the aftermath of the August 2004 collision. Can this be a co-incidence? It strikes me as circumstantial evidence that the SRA are using the low travel figures during the aftermath of an accident on which to base future provision. Links ... Summary of reasons why Melksham needs its train service Forward to next reason Back to previous reason |
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