| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1445 Written by Lee on Friday, 15th September 2006 Transport 2000 today launched the first in a series of `Growing the Railways` campaigns calling on the Government to plan for a growing railway network across the regions as it prepares to produce its new 30-year strategy on the future of rail in 2007 (link below.) http://www.transport2000.org.uk/news/maintainNewsArticles.asp?NewsArticleID=324 I am hopeful this this will bring dividends , as Transport 2000 have a good record of achieving their aims regarding other modes of transport (links below.) http://www.transport2000.org.uk/goodpractice/maintainGoodPractice.asp?GoodPracticeID=34 http://www.transport2000.org.uk/goodpractice/maintainGoodPractice.asp?GoodPracticeID=8 http://www.transport2000.org.uk/goodpractice/maintainGoodPractice.asp?GoodPracticeID=9 Also , a renewed , focused , push on this should avoid the tendancy of ministers to only hear what they want to hear on transport issues (links below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_611647.hcsp http://www.aslef.org.uk/C2B/PressOffice/display.asp?ID=420&Type=2 http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/divisionhomepage/039481.hcsp http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/page/dft_freight_610669.hcsp Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1449 Written by Lee on Friday, 15th September 2006 Here is one of the aims of the "Growing the Railways" campaign : "Extra lines, links and platforms at Bristol Templemeads − a key transport centre for the South West, is urgently crying out for extra capacity." The link below highlights the task ahead for Transport 2000 and their supporters. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/F?thread=3372345 The re - shaping of Bristol Suburban rail services is , in fact , an extension of the DfT concept known as "demand management." This concept is explained by the following recent parliamentary written answer : Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage the use of public transport by bus. Gillian Merron: Within the context of delivering our long-term strategy for improving bus services across the country, the most recent steps taken by the Government include: Providing local authorities in England with the resources to support their Local Transport Plan strategies, a large part of which are related to improving bus-related infrastructure (some Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1506 Written by Lee on Saturday, 23rd September 2006 Here are three Third Party Promoted Schemes listed on page 32 of the Cross Country Franchise Consultation Document (link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611834.pdf Worcester Parkway. Worcestershire County Council has undertaken studies in 2002 and 2004 to assess the feasibility of a new park and ride station in Worcester to provide access to national long distance rail services. Further business case development work is required. Worle Strategic Interchange. North Somerset Council, together with a consortium of partners, has an aspiration to improve Worle station to facilitate calls by inter-city services, provide improved park and ride facilities and allow for better interchange with the M5. Further feasibility and business case development work is required. Gloucestershire Parkway station. Gloucestershire County Council have an objective to deliver a park and ride new station near Gloucester and are currently undertaking detailed timetabling and feasibility work. Earlier studies indicated a potentially viable business case. Should funding be secured Gloucestershire County Council anticipate completion of the station by 2011 with an integrated bus, park and ride and railway station. First , have a look at a map and note the surrounding areas of each of the above proposed stations plus Bristol Parkway. Then imagine the likely stopping pattern of the new Cross Country Franchise trains , proposed to be 2 per hour between Birmingham & Bristol and 1 per hour continuing south of Bristol. The proposed service frequencies of the new franchise can be found on page 24 of the Consultation Document and a map can be found on page 37. Then note this proposal from "Growing the Railways." "Provide a decent station at Bromsgrove − this would have the potential to double or even treble patronage in the short term." You can see why I am concerned. Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1520 Written by Lee on Monday, 25th September 2006 Quote from Worcester MP Mike Foster (link below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/5375408.stm "If Virgin include a stop at a Worcester Parkway station they will have my support. If they don't, they won't. It really is that simple." Here is a link detailing Mr Foster's recent meeting with everyone's favourite ex - Transport Minister. http://www.michaelfoster.co.uk/detail.asp?articleid=472 Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1533 Written by Graz on Tuesday, 26th September 2006 I remember reading somewhere that Virgin Trains were against further stops on their CrossCountry service south of Birmingham NS - so much that if asked to stop at Gloucester Parkway, they'd stop services to Cheltenham Spa completely, either that or do an hourly service to both stations rather than half-hourly. Therefore, I think that stops at Worcester, and especially Cam & Dursley, Yate, Filton AW and Worle would be very unlikely, much as I think it would be a good idea. Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1535 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 27th September 2006 Remember , though Graz , that : 1) Worcester Parkway , Worle Strategic Interchange & Gloucestershire Parkway station have made the magic Third Party Promoted Schemes list. Check out the list of aspirations contained in the new stations and major station changes section of the Great Western Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy for an indication of just how difficult a feat this is to acheive (Pages 83 - 88 of the link below.) http://www.sra.gov.uk/pubs2/stratpolplan/GWMLRUS/GWRUS.pdf All 3 of the schemes listed above were given a relatively positive write - up by the SRA , in stark contrast to almost all the other schemes listed. 2) Virgin (or whoever wins the Cross Country Franchise) is very unlikely to have a say in the matter. If the DfT want , then they will change the specification to get. My proposals would turn this strategy on its head by compelling the Cross Country TOC to provide extra stops as detailed below. [quote author=Lee link=topic=410.msg1517#msg1517 date=1159108926]CROSS COUNTRY FRANCHISE SERVICES (see link below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=491.msg1506#msg1506 "RER 3" Plymouth - Ivybridge - Totnes - Newton Abbot - Exeter St Davids - Tiverton Parkway - Taunton - Bridgwater - Highbridge & Burnham - Worle - Bristol Temple Meads - Filton Abbey Wood - Bristol Parkway - Yate - Cam & Dursley - Gloucester Parkway - Cheltenham Spa - Ashchurch for Tewkesbury - Worcester Parkway and beyond (Hourly) Service would be "RER" branded between Bridgwater - Cam & Dursley. The hourly Bristol - Birmingham and beyond Cross - Country service would also call at Filton Abbey Wood , Bristol Parkway , Yate and Cam & Dursley , thus providing a half - hourly "RER" service between these points. Although a slower Cross - Country service would be a disbenefit , this would be outweighed by the undoubted potential environmental , social and passenger revenue benefits.[/quote] Unless this is done , the Greater Bristol Area is likely to end up with a "railhead" fast inter - urban rail service & the closure of almost all of its suburban stations. This process of running down the Suburban Bristol rail services will begin in December 2006 with the transfer of 7 Class 143 units to Exeter depot to operate services on the Exmouth, Paignton and Barnstaple lines. These are likely to be replaced by the 7 remaining Class 153 units (not including the Southampton - Westbury shuttle ,which will run for 1 year only) , thus bringing a reduction in seating capacity from 104 seats per vehicle to 75 seats per vehicle. This will increase overcrowding , make revenue collection at peak times almost impossible , and force many passengers off the trains. This will also have a knock - on effect for the Exmouth , Paignton and Barnstaple lines. Class 143 units were occasionally used on rural branch lines but this was generally avoided where possible due to problems with wheel wear and the noise on sharp corners. The transfer of these units from Bristol to Exeter is apparently at the request of the Department for Transport , and no indication has been given as to how the problems with sharp corners will be overcome. This is likely to lead to breakdowns , cancellations and "revisions" (click on http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/138_Lies_damned_lies_and_statistics.html) . In turn , this will badly affect usage figures. The above is compounded by the fact that the Class 143 units currently being deployed on the Severn Beach line are close to expiry & collapse (link below.) http://www.fosbr.org.uk/Smoking%20train.htm Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1552 Written by Lee on Monday, 2nd October 2006 "Growing The Railways" is about to face its first major challenge (links below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/5398068.stm http://www.transport2000.org.uk/news/maintainNewsArticles.asp?NewsArticleID=327 "Re-open the Leamside line ─ to complement both passenger and freight services on the East Coast Main Line and as a diversion route during its closure for engineering and maintenance work." Network Rail wants to remove all track from the Leamside Line , which runs from Gateshead to the East Coast Main Line at Ferryhill , near Durham. The line has not been used since 1991 , when a freight terminal at Washington , near Sunderland , closed. But the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) said the line had "huge potential for growth". There are also hopes the line could be used to transport coal imported into Tyneside to power stations in Yorkshire. Now PTA bosses and officials from Nexus , which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro , are appealing to Network Rail to halt the plans. Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1590 Written by Lee on Monday, 9th October 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=491.msg1449#msg1449 date=1158340383]Both Liverpool & Sheffield are part of an area of the North that is extremely important from a railfreight perspective , as is Bristol from a South West railfreight perspective. Network Rail consider capacity between Yate & Weston - super - Mare to be a major issue. A railfreight terminal has been approved for Exeter , and sites for other such terminals have been proposed in or at Cornwall , Plymouth , Weston - super - Mare , Severn Beach and Yate (Westerleigh.) In addition to this , freight traffic from Avonmouth & Portbury (on the Portishead line , click on the link below) is likely to increase. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=455.msg1327#msg1327 All of the above will require train paths on the same lines as are used by the services contained in the quote below. [quote author=Lee link=topic=476.msg1411#msg1411 date=1157816374]Graham , I think that you would disagree with the quote below. "During off-peak periods, regional and local services carry predominantly leisure traffic and flows tend to be light with most trains formed of 2 cars and average load factors generally under 30%." Of course , as we know only too well , the SRA applied this false logic to the Swindon - Southampton service (link below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/138_Lies_damned_lies_and_statistics.html [quote author=Lee link=topic=253.msg1165#msg1165 date=1155307451]It should also be remembered that Keynsham & Oldfield Park lie on the approved Bristol - Bath A4 Showcase Bus Route. (links below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4747277.stm http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=291.msg789#msg789 Here is some information on Worle station : 1) 180 car parking spaces available. 2) Lies on the approved Bristol - Weston - Super - Mare Showcase Bus Route. 3) Is next to Junction 21 of the M5. 4) Is next to the main Weston - Super - Mare approach road. 5) Is situated just before the point where the Weston - Super - Mare line branches off the Bristol - Taunton line. Here is some of the land listed by BRB (Residuary.) on their website. http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Pilning http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Patchway http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Melksham http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Frome http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Yatton http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Severn+Beach http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Weston+Super[/quote] [quote author=Lee link=topic=253.msg1167#msg1167 date=1155373577]The former sidings at Weston - Super - Mare are on the Bristol - Exeter line and are up for sale with the following restriction : "ONLY AVAILABLE FOR RAIL FREIGHT USE" Here are some more examples of BRB (Residuary) website listings with similiar resrictions. http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Aldermaston http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Alloa http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Blaenau+Ffestiniog http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Carlisle+Cumbria http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Great+Yarmouth http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Greenford http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Irvine http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Iver+Berkshire http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Langley+Mill http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Market+Harborough http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Newhaven http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Plymouth http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Sunderland http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Theale http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Toton http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Mossend http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Westbury http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Law+South+Lanarkshire There is even a brochure (link below.) http://www.rfg.org.uk/news/?pid=3158&lsid=3159&edname=21022.htm&ped=21022 Here is a quote from the Weston - Super - Mare section of the brochure. "The site is on the up side of the Bristol to Exeter line. There are no rail connections and early consultation with Network Rail to determine connectivity and the availability of train paths is recommended." A further example from the brochure can be found at Westerleigh , near Yate (link below.) http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Westerleigh Yate also lies on an approved Bristol Showcase Bus Route.[/quote] Aspiration - Worle station development. Current position - Local authority is promoting development of Worle station as a multi-modal interchange serving the Weston Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1936 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 14th November 2006 Transport 2000 is launching Growing the Railways Southwest on 19th January 2007 (link below.) http://www.transport2000.org.uk/news/maintainNewsArticles.asp?NewsArticleID=333 It will launched at 10:30 - 11:30 in Bristol (location to be confirmed.) Keynote address by Jenny Agutter apparently. Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/1939 Written by Sion Bretton on Tuesday, 14th November 2006 Graham or Lee are you planning to go? Re: Calls Stepped Up Demanding Improved Railways In The Regions - 491/2228 Written by Lee on Thursday, 7th December 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=491.msg1552#msg1552 date=1159781518]"Growing The Railways" is about to face its first major challenge (links below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/5398068.stm http://www.transport2000.org.uk/news/maintainNewsArticles.asp?NewsArticleID=327 "Re-open the Leamside line ─ to complement both passenger and freight services on the East Coast Main Line and as a diversion route during its closure for engineering and maintenance work." Network Rail wants to remove all track from the Leamside Line , which runs from Gateshead to the East Coast Main Line at Ferryhill , near Durham. The line has not been used since 1991 , when a freight terminal at Washington , near Sunderland , closed. But the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) said the line had "huge potential for growth". There are also hopes the line could be used to transport coal imported into Tyneside to power stations in Yorkshire. Now PTA bosses and officials from Nexus , which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro , are appealing to Network Rail to halt the plans.[/quote] According to the link below , the track will still be lifted , but the land wont be sold. http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/12/hopes_raised_that_rail_line_wi.html#more 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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