RAIL campaigners are celebrating the news that high speed through rail services from Westbury to London are to be maintained, while pledging to keep up the pressure to ensure the long-term future of the service.
The London services were threatened when the government’s specification for the re-franchising of the route did not include the continuation of high speed through rail services between Westbury and London.
However, the government has now decided to cancel the franchising competition and will instead extend the current contract – which includes the Westbury to London services, with First Great Western. Furthermore, negotiations for an additional two-year contract with the operator are to be made, with long-term proposals to be set out in the spring.
Rail campaigners have welcomed the announcement, given the importance of good rail services to the vitality of the town.
Horace Prickett, committee member of the West Wilts Rail Users Group said, “This really does remove the immediate threat to users of the Westbury rail hub but also gives us breathing space to promote better services, especially on the direct London service and the South Wales to Portsmouth and the south coast trains. Both of these were under severe threat from the proposed Invitation To Tender (ITT) documents previously issued last year and now withdrawn.
“However, it does not remove the threat entirely, which could easily be brought back in the next ITT. Our local rail users groups still need to watch very carefully any proposals that appear.”
David Jenkins, of Westbury Train Watch said, “Certainly it’s good news from the point of view that yes, our trains are safe, which is good – it’s what we’ve been aiming for. It’s not an excuse to stand back and wait – far from it.”
Gordon King, of Westbury Train Watch added, “The status quo will be maintained for the current period. We are going to continue with our campaign during the time to try and influence government, so that the new invitation to tender will be including services which are needed from Westbury through to London.”
Another piece of good news for Westbury has been the proposal to continue electrification from London to Westbury. Current plans only cover the section from London to Newbury, but a Network Rail report proposes electrification all the way to Westbury. Campaigners hope that this would encourage the continuation of high speed services to London.
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.
