Westbury’s recently improved TransWilts train service to Swindon is under threat after the Department for Transport started a consultation which suggests a reduced service.
The service, which also stops at Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham, was increased in December and since then, passenger numbers have increased by 700%.
However, the Department for Transport is currently consulting on the next train franchise across the Great Western area and this includes the TransWilts line. They are working out who is to run the line from the end of next year and with how many trains. In the consultation document it suggests a two-hourly service, which is a reduction on the current service from Westbury which also has extra peak hour trains. The reduction would see a 25% decrease in trains for the 2015-2020 franchise.
Graham Ellis, from the TransWilts campaign group, is urging people to write to the Department for Transport, saying that could help move services forward in a positive way.
He said, “It would be crazy to withdraw these trains. The improved service is carrying twice the number of passengers that was expected at this stage and is making a very real difference for many people. It’s allowing them to take new jobs, move home, make business trips, save money on travel, and even sell a car! And it’s providing new travel opportunities for those who cannot drive.
“But once again, there’s a threat of a change to services with a lot less trains in the future. At the same time, there’s an opportunity for services to be efficiently enhanced when the main line in Wiltshire is electrified.
“I encourage everyone to write a letter to the DfT to ask for the services to move positively forward. I have every confidence that with a significant number of requests, we’ll be able to move forward positively.
“We live in different times to 2005 when the lack of responses meant that TransWilts train services lost most of its trains, but never the less as a community we really need to make lots of inputs.”
In spring 2005, just eight people responded to a request for suggestions from the Department for Transport on future TransWilts train services. That was seen as disinterest, and services were slashed the following year. Graham Ellis added, “I would encourage everyone who wants to see the service go from strength to strength to write in. We’ve provided a web page at www.railcustomer.info where you can find more information and add your support.”
