RAIL campaigners in Westbury have welcomed a ‘major step’ in their campaign to prevent the loss of high speed rail services from London to Westbury, with electrification for the Newbury to Westbury line now proposed. Campaigners hope this will encourage the continuation of high speed services to London.
Electrification plans for the line currently only cover the section from London Paddington to Newbury. However, a Network Rail report proposing electrification of the line from Newbury to Westbury is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State in February.
Fears over the future of the services were raised when the government specification for the re-franchising of the route did not include the continuation of high speed through rail services between Westbury and London. Local campaigners believed that the government’s plan could see diesel trains run from Westbury to Newbury, with passengers then having to change onto new high speed electric trains (post electrification) for the onward journey into London.
Westbury Train Watch and the West Wilts Rail Users Group, who have been campaigning to retain the current level of services to London, say that electrification of the line all the way to Westbury, Bath, and Swindon would encourage operators to continue the same level of London services.
Gordon King, of Westbury Train Watch, said, “If electrification is brought forward to Westbury we will hope that the new train provider will continue to operate the fast train on schedule, exactly the same as now, in the future. The rail minister has asked to look at feasibility, once that report is done, we’re hoping the government will make a recommendation that it can be done.”
Rail campaigners say the continuation of high speed services between Westbury and London is important for the town. Westbury is a significant nodal point on the rail network, where several lines connect making it an important commuter hub. Furthermore, over the years, they say that Fast Train connections from Westbury has encouraged a large migration of people out of London who continue to work there. These people have disposable incomes sufficient to add value to the local economy and underpin house prices.
Westbury Train Watch is running a petition, which now has over 900 signatures. You can sign the petition at www.westburytrainwatch.org.uk
