| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3636 Written by Lee on Thursday, 1st February 2007 From the FGW website : Train services between St Erth and St Ives are being disrupted due to a broken down train. Short notice cancellations can be expected. Road transport is in operation between St Erth and St Ives. If you think thats bad , just have a look at the link below , which details upcoming engineering work closures. http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=433 Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3638 Written by Nick Field on Thursday, 1st February 2007 I like this bit: Julian Crow, First Great Western's Regional Manager, said: "Naturally we regret any difficulties this may cause to our passengers, but this work really is vital to keep the branch lines in excellent condition for many years to come. :) Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3640 Written by Lee on Thursday, 1st February 2007 Nick , if this is the case , then why are the works part of this year's programme of essential annual track maintenance and renewals on West Country branch lines ??? Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3641 Written by aik4on on Thursday, 1st February 2007 Engineering works are down to NR not FGW Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3642 Written by Lee on Thursday, 1st February 2007 [quote author=aik4on link=topic=1279.msg3641#msg3641 date=1170329459]Engineering works are down to NR not FGW[/quote] Correct : [quote author=Lee link=topic=420.msg1266#msg1266 date=1156339021]Here are a couple of quotes from the Network Rail Business Plan 2006 : "The creation of the Greater Western franchise in April 2006 will see the introduction of a simplified train service structure for the route, particularly west of Taunton, from December 2006. This will eradicate some of the current service duplication and better meet existing demand." "Expenditure The age of rail and sleepers on the route is amongst the highest on the national network and varies between 30 and 40 years old and to address this we are implementing a track renewals strategy which matches the traffic usage of the route. This will include the deployment of Network Rail Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3644 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Thursday, 1st February 2007 At lesst Julian's quote of "Many years to come" indicates a commitment to the service for .... err .... many years to come ;D Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3645 Written by Lee on Thursday, 1st February 2007 Lets hope he consulted with Network Rail before saying that (link below.) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/12/take_a_taxi_in_the_country_say.html#more [quote author=Lee link=topic=872.msg2585#msg2585 date=1166809431]A subject that I notice one of Steve's links touches on is the overwhelming political desire of the DfT not to be seen as "modern - day Beechings." The new procedure allows Network Rail , Train Operating Companies , or a rail funding authority (DfT , Scottish Parliament , Welsh Assembly , PTAs or the Mayor of London) to propose a closure. The decision to allow the proposal will be made by the Office of Rail Regulation & not the Secretary Of State. Against a backdrop of previously subsidised franchises now being let on the basis of unsustainable premium payments , the TOC's are likely to come under pressure from both shareholders within & others outside their organisations to swing the axe themselves. They may be willing to do this on "unsensitive" lines , stations & services (Arriva , for example , are already talking of making "cost savings" in South Wales , click on http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=859.msg2559#msg2559) , but could well baulk when it comes to (say) the Cornish Branch Lines or Heart Of Wales. Given little choice financially , Network Rail will be right behind them , ready to push the doomed subject over the edge. Either way , the DfT will be able to say "not us , blame them."[/quote] Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3656 Written by Nick Field on Friday, 2nd February 2007 [quote author=Lee link=topic=1279.msg3640#msg3640 date=1170329086] Nick , if this is the case , then why are the works part of this year's programme of essential annual track maintenance and renewals on West Country branch lines ??? [/quote] My post was slightly tongue in cheek Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3672 Written by monty on Friday, 2nd February 2007 FGW is contracted to run branchline services at the current quantum for at least seven years, and probably ten years - any changes will therefore be introduced in the next franchise period. Re: St Ives Branch Closed (01/02/2007) - 1279/3673 Written by Lee on Friday, 2nd February 2007 Thats the official line. However , the DfT Closure Guidance does allow network modifications (see link below.) http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/F3641215?thread=2441627 There are many posts on this forum that back up the above analysis. For example , the fact that Northern Rail are contracted to provide services to Ardwick , Denton & Reddish South has not stopped Network Rail proposing closure (links below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1009.msg2809#msg2809 http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=975.msg2722#msg2722 link to index of articles |
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Save the Train was the campaign to bring an approriate train service back to and through Melksham. Most big contributors are still around writing at the Coffee shop forum where new members are very welcome. The train has been saved - sort of - we have stepped back up from an unusable service to a poorish one but it's doing very well. We did that through setting up the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. That fulfilled its early objectives; it has been taken over by local and regional government types who are now doing medium and long term work. The team from this forun can also be found at the Melksham Rail User Group (which was the Melksham Rail Development Group at the time these articles were written and we had no users. We mustn't loose sight, though, that the train service remains poor and needs our community support in marketing and campaigning to keep it going in a positive direction ... and all the more so when we're expecting to find a different normallity once we get out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and head for zero carbon via the climate crisis. Yes, it's saved ... it's now a key community facility ... the need for enhancement and the strong and near-universal local support remain, and the rail industry and goverment remain slow to move and provide the enhancements even to level us up with other towns. Please support the Melksham Rail User Group - now very much in partnership rather than protest with the rail industry and local government, including GWR, TransWilts and unitary and town councils. And please use the trains and buses, and cycle and walk when you can. -- Graham Ellis, (webmaster), February 2021 | |||
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