| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1488 Written by Lee on Friday, 22nd September 2006 Stagecoach has been awarded a fresh contract to run services on its South West Trains franchise (link below.) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/09/stagecoach_wins_swt_railway_fr.html#more The government said the group would pay Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1494 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Friday, 22nd September 2006 Congratulations to Stagecoach; I've got a very busy day and will look at details later but my first thought is that I'm relieved that the franchise hasn't been won by any company operating a neighbouring area. And that's not saying anything against First (FGW) or Govia (Southern Trains). Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1500 Written by Lee on Friday, 22nd September 2006 Stagecoach press release link. http://www.stagecoach.com/scg/media/press/pr2006/2006-09-22/ Below is the quote that worries me. "The new franchise incorporates a multi-million-pound investment programme and will generate Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1502 Written by Lee on Friday, 22nd September 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1500#msg1500 date=1158921589]Stagecoach press release link. http://www.stagecoach.com/scg/media/press/pr2006/2006-09-22/ Below is the quote that worries me. "The new franchise incorporates a multi-million-pound investment programme and will generate Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1523 Written by Lee on Monday, 25th September 2006 The former chief of the UK rail arm of troubled transport group Sea Containers has warned that the UK's rail franchising system is heading for collapse (link below.) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/09/former_sea_containers_rail_chi.html#more Chris Garnett, who resigned as chief executive of Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) last month, said franchises will 'self-destruct' under the weight of agreements to make huge premium payments to the British government. Garnett also accused the Department for Transport (DfT) of abandoning investment in rail in order to meet Treasury cost-cutting targets. 'The one thing this lot won't do is spend any money on the railways,' Garnett said in an interview with industry magazine Rail. Garnett said the DfT and the Treasury now have too much control of the rail industry and are putting cost before investment and strategic vision. 'The department puts out a specification and that is going to be the minimum it thinks it can get away with and cost the least,' Garnett said. 'And so anything that might add capacity or anything that might take the railways forward, has to be absolutely dragged out of the DfT. So no bidder puts anything in a bid that enhances the railway if it isn't self-funding because they'll lose. 'If we were running a decent railway, that's what we would be doing.' Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1536 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 27th September 2006 The former chief executive of GNER, the struggling British train operation, has warned that the market for rail franchises will "self-destruct" because bids are getting too high (link below.) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/09/railways_heading_for_spectacul.html#more Mr Garnett said the franchise market was unsustainable because the winning bids have low margins, reflecting the pressure to win highly competitive franchise contests. Last week Stagecoach renewed the south-west franchise, which includes the UK's busiest commuter routes, with a Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1540 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Wednesday, 27th September 2006 The payment of large premiums by operators for contracts to run train services is, in essence, a tax on train travel with the operators each having to vie against each other to see who can apply the highest rate of tax and still have a viable business. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1554 Written by Lee on Monday, 2nd October 2006 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=510.msg1540#msg1540 date=1159376989]I wondered ... what does the 200m that the treasury has not received under this new system actually cosy in other terms? Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1555 Written by Lee on Monday, 2nd October 2006 Worle station development has now made the Third Party Promoted Schemes list contained within the Cross Country Franchise Consultation Document (see below.) [quote author=Lee link=topic=491.msg1506#msg1506 date=1159006731]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.[/quote] [quote author=Lee link=topic=491.msg1535#msg1535 date=1159351599]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[/quote] Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1556 Written by Lee on Monday, 2nd October 2006 South West Trains is installing extra handholds and creating Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1558 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Tuesday, 3rd October 2006 Yep, SWT aren't getting much good publicity out of this one. I'm not a commuter into Waterloo so I have no first hand comment, but I do sense again a squeeze on the rolling stock. I was speaking to the SWT stakeholder liaison director (I hope I have the right job title there) on Saturday and cleraly they do not have spare stock ... just like First are being cut back. How much of the stock cuts are due to government edict / wanting to send trains to provide extra services in places such as Ebbw Vale and Aberystwyth, and how much is due to the punitive cost of a train leased from the ROSCOs, I'm not sure. I do know that a startling amount of evidence is being gathered of short formation trains and cancellations due to lack of available stock, with a possible competition review of the whole business in the offing. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1562 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 3rd October 2006 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=510.msg1558#msg1558 date=1159854430]How much of the stock cuts are due to government edict / wanting to send trains to provide extra services in places such as Ebbw Vale and Aberystwyth, and how much is due to the punitive cost of a train leased from the ROSCOs, I'm not sure. I do know that a startling amount of evidence is being gathered of short formation trains and cancellations due to lack of available stock, with a possible competition review of the whole business in the offing.[/quote] Note the following quotes from the link below. http://archive.southwalesargus.co.uk/2006/2/1/79998.html "A report by expert consulants proposes a Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1580 Written by Lee on Friday, 6th October 2006 From the Ivybridge Rail Users Group website (link below.) http://www.irug.ik.com/ "A recent announcement by the DfT has declared that SWT has won the franchise to operate trains in the south of England. Also the proposed loss of services west of Exeter expected soon after the the new franchise begins will now not take place until 2010 whilst improvements to the line and track dualling east of Honiton are under way. These improvements are not expected to be completed until 2009 at the earliest. This is good news for Ivybridge and other stations west of Exeter as it means the SWT services will continue to serve Ivybridge for at least another 3 years." This DfT press release does appear to confirm this (link below.) http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=228996&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False Quotes from the above link : "* Services will run west of Exeter (to Plymouth and Paignton) as today, to be reviewed when the hourly Waterloo - Exeter service commences." "9. Priced Options: DfT will buy the following priced options in addition to the base case. These are: * Bristol - Waterloo services will be retained throughout the franchise, operating as today * A new hourly Waterloo - Exeter service will be operated on completion of a Network Rail funded infrastructure project * Further increase in station security such that 95% of passengers across the franchise area will be travelling through stations with Secure Stations Accreditation." It would appear that the Bristol - Waterloo service has been SAVED. "* A new hourly service linking Salisbury, Romsey, Southampton and Southampton Airport Parkway (also serving Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford) in December 2007" A couple of questions : How many services will call at Chandlers Ford? Dean & Dunbridge are not mentioned. How many services will call at each? It would also appear that "Growing The Railways" has had its first success. [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=504.msg1474#msg1474 date=1158750387]Have a look at a railway map of Great Britain, and you may feel there's something of a concentration of passenger railway stations and a network of lines in Labour held areas, whereas yellow and blue areas have a thin train service. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1582 Written by Lee on Saturday, 7th October 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1580#msg1580 date=1160150079]From the Ivybridge Rail Users Group website (link below.) http://www.irug.ik.com/ "A recent announcement by the DfT has declared that SWT has won the franchise to operate trains in the south of England. Also the proposed loss of services west of Exeter expected soon after the the new franchise begins will now not take place until 2010 whilst improvements to the line and track dualling east of Honiton are under way. These improvements are not expected to be completed until 2009 at the earliest. This is good news for Ivybridge and other stations west of Exeter as it means the SWT services will continue to serve Ivybridge for at least another 3 years." This DfT press release does appear to confirm this (link below.) http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=228996&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False Quotes from the above link : "* Services will run west of Exeter (to Plymouth and Paignton) as today, to be reviewed when the hourly Waterloo - Exeter service commences."[/quote] Ivybridge can lay a reasonable claim to being the most successful of all the campaigns against service cuts. Originally , they were to lose ALL BUT SIX of their current 24 services per weekday , but have managed to SAVE (at least for now) ALL BUT SIX services. Another impressive acheivement of the Ivybridge campaign is the fact that they have managed (at least for now) to save the key peak commuter / student services , which , unlike in many other areas , will actually run at times that passengers will want to use them. There will also be a reasonable , if not perfect , spread of Ivybridge off - peak services (see link below.) http://www.irug.ik.com/pub/CustomerSites/communitykit/son-041201201430.nsf/0/39663E0C689F1CF98025718B00414360?OpenDocument The circumstances surrounding the granting of the "extra" services for Ivybridge were interesting to say the least (link below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=295.msg796#msg796 It is also true that Labour support in both Plymouth constituencies dropped dramatically at the last general election (links below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/458.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/457.stm However , the main reason behind the campaign's success is undoubtably the enormous efforts of the Ivybridge Rail Users Group , who are also strong supporters of Save The Train and others. In my view , a well - deserved early victory in the "wider war." Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1605 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 11th October 2006 National Rail Enquiries is showing 6 trains each way serving Ivybridge on Saturdays from December 2006 but JUST ONE train each way on Sundays. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1607 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Wednesday, 11th October 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1605#msg1605 date=1160573421] National Rail Enquiries is showing 6 trains each way serving Ivybridge on Saturdays from December 2006 but JUST ONE train each way on Sundays. [/quote] We've had a long and heavy consultation on weekday trains which for some people has resulted in substantive corrections of absurdities. On the weekends, there hasn't been any consultation that I've seen - I saw a draft supplied officially in April to someone who had a printed copy at a meeting and I took brief notes, but I didn't get a copy even though I asked. It seems that, sadly, there has been no correction to some things that look patently absurd to me. It would be interesting to hear First's reasoning behind the timings. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1616 Written by Lee on Friday, 13th October 2006 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=510.msg1607#msg1607 date=1160591280]It would be interesting to hear First's reasoning behind the timings.[/quote] On that note , the times for all services from December 2006 across the First Great Western network are available to anyone who clicks on the link below. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ So how come First have STILL not published the "final" timetable on their website? (link below.) http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=378 Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1703 Written by Lee on Monday, 23rd October 2006 Upcoming PWQ : Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much public money is allocated to the new South Western Trains franchise in each year of its operation. Mystic Graham? - 510/1710 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 24th October 2006 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=510.msg1540#msg1540 date=1159376989]The payment of large premiums by operators for contracts to run train services is, in essence, a tax on train travel with the operators each having to vie against each other to see who can apply the highest rate of tax and still have a viable business. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1786 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 31st October 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1703#msg1703 date=1161603990]Upcoming PWQ : Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much public money is allocated to the new South Western Trains franchise in each year of its operation.[/quote] Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public money has been allocated to the new South Western Trains franchise for each year of its operation. Mr. Tom Harris: A subsidy is to be paid to SWT for the first three financial years of the franchise: 2006-07: Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1788 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 31st October 2006 Upcoming PWQ's Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent on building new roads in each year since 1979. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the (a) total premiums to be paid by train operating companies (TOCs) in each of the next 10 years and (b) total requirement for subsidy to those TOCs which do not pay a premium. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether revenue generated by the premiums paid by the franchised rail companies is included in his Department's future spending plans. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether revenue generated by Rail Franchise premiums is hypothecated for use by his Department (a) for any use and (b) on rail projects. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any existing or planned projects or workstreams will be terminated in order to reallocate funds to the Transport Innovation Fund. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government's contribution to Crossrail will be funded from ther Transport Innovation Fund. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the level of subsidy to be given to the rail industry during the next control period. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated construction cost is of the (a) M25 and (b) M1 widening Design Build Finance and Operate contract; what the expected total cost of each contract is to public funds; and by what year all such costs are expected to have been paid in each case. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the the total construction cost was of each Design Build Finance and Operate road; what the expected total cost of each contract is to public funds; and by what year all such costs are expected to have been paid in each case. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which projects valued at more than Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1799 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 1st November 2006 Here is a link that shows the payment profiles for the South Western , Southeastern , First Greater Western and First Capital Connect franchises. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_613534.hcsp 2 important points to note : 1) All of the franchises listed will require NO subsidy to be paid by the end of the franchise period. 2) The South Western & First Greater Western franchises move out of subsidy & into premium at around the same time as the next rail industry funding control period begins. Here is a quote from the Jacobs Greater Western Franchise Replacement Outline Business Case Report section regarding Melksham. "This option may have a slightly positive impact on operational performance, since low speed (75mph) rolling stock operation on the mainline between Thingley Junction and Swindon will be reduced." Here are links to both the current Swindon - Chippenham main line timetable & the proposed December 2006 Swindon - Chippenham main line timetable. http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%201.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Rev%20Dec%20TTs/SX%20-%20London%20to%20Cheltenham%20-%20Swansea%20-%20Bristol.pdf In both timetables , the Class 153 "Melksham train" units only take 1 minute longer to travel from Swindon - Chippenham than the London - Bristol HST's do. In other words , it doesnt matter , performance - wise , whether you use "low speed (75mph) rolling stock" on this section or not. The only reason that you would want to remove the Melksham line services is if you needed the train paths for something else. For example , the line between Swindon & Wooton Bassett Junction is projected to acheive high - level tonnage growth to 2015 , and up to 20 extra freight trains per day are planned to run on it. The factor that worries me most about the new DfT Closure Guidance is that both TOC's and Network Rail can propose a closure. The TOC's are likely to consider this if they find themselves having difficulty paying the franchise premiums (as GNER have) , and the cost savings of service withdrawal are seen as the only way out. The Jacobs Greater Western Franchise Replacement Outline Business Case Report offers a blueprint for potential closure cost / benefit analysis. Network Rail are likely to consider this if they come under pressure to free up capacity for extra freight trains. Even if in future , the DfT wanted to veto a closure , they would not be able to as the decision would rest with the ORR and not the Secretary Of State. However , in both of the above scenarios , Ministers will be able to say "not our fault , blame them." An example of this attitude can be found in recent PWQ answers , which show that , apparently , it is always "department officials" , and never ministers , that meet the likes of GNER and the South Hampshire Rail Users Group. Interestingly though , Tom Harris DID find time to meet members of Dronfield station action group , whose station shares many characteristics with Melksham. In reality , of course , the Secretary of State & Ministers meet special interest groups all the time. Here are some links that show details of such meetings. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_611296.pdf http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_612209.pdf http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_612494.pdf http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_612493.pdf Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1854 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 7th November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1788#msg1788 date=1162294211]Upcoming PWQ's Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent on building new roads in each year since 1979. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the (a) total premiums to be paid by train operating companies (TOCs) in each of the next 10 years and (b) total requirement for subsidy to those TOCs which do not pay a premium. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether revenue generated by the premiums paid by the franchised rail companies is included in his Department's future spending plans. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether revenue generated by Rail Franchise premiums is hypothecated for use by his Department (a) for any use and (b) on rail projects. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any existing or planned projects or workstreams will be terminated in order to reallocate funds to the Transport Innovation Fund. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government's contribution to Crossrail will be funded from ther Transport Innovation Fund. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the level of subsidy to be given to the rail industry during the next control period. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated construction cost is of the (a) M25 and (b) M1 widening Design Build Finance and Operate contract; what the expected total cost of each contract is to public funds; and by what year all such costs are expected to have been paid in each case. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the the total construction cost was of each Design Build Finance and Operate road; what the expected total cost of each contract is to public funds; and by what year all such costs are expected to have been paid in each case. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which projects valued at more than Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1952 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 15th November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1580#msg1580 date=1160150079]"* A new hourly service linking Salisbury, Romsey, Southampton and Southampton Airport Parkway (also serving Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford) in December 2007" A couple of questions : How many services will call at Chandlers Ford? Dean & Dunbridge are not mentioned. How many services will call at each?[/quote] I have received this from SWT Customer Services : "The Salisbury - Southampton - Romsey service will replace the existing Totton to Romsey service in December 2007. Calls will be made at Dean and Dunbridge at certain times of the day as specified by the Department for Transport, these will be mainly from start of service until 0900, 1200, 1500, 1700 until 1900 and 2200 from Salisbury, and until 0900, 1100, 1400, 1700 until 1900, 2100 and 2400 towards Salisbury. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1953 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Wednesday, 15th November 2006 I confess that I like teh type of reply offered by Stagecoach and (without being knowledgable on the stations in the area) I think the service looks fair. Do I recall that the number of passenger journeys to and from Dean when added to the number of passenger journeys to and from Dunbridge is still less that the number of passenger journeys to and from Melksham. What's gone wrong when the Melksham service from December 2006 would have read: "We willl be stopping a train at 06:30 and one at 19:30 towards Westbury, and one at 07:30 and one at 20:30 towards Swindon. Obviously subject to change ....". With such an honest answer a year ago, we might have had a better scope for working with everyone concerned to produce a sensible outcome. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1957 Written by Lee on Thursday, 16th November 2006 Further clarification from SWT Customer Services : "I would assume we are looking at that figure (13 - 15 trains per weekday - Lee) but obviously this is yet to be decided. Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1964 Written by Lee on Friday, 17th November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1788#msg1788 date=1162294211]Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the the total construction cost was of each Design Build Finance and Operate road; what the expected total cost of each contract is to public funds; and by what year all such costs are expected to have been paid in each case. Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which projects valued at more than Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/1988 Written by Lee on Sunday, 19th November 2006 Believe it or not , "Design Buld Finance Operate" was proposed for the A350 (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960704/debtext/60704-23.htm However , that was back in 1996 , when the A46-A36 was favoured as the trunk road (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960704/debtext/60704-24.htm As the link below shows , a lot has changed since then. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=495.msg1456#msg1456 Re: Stagecoach Win South Western Franchise - 510/2073 Written by Lee on Monday, 27th November 2006 Christian Wolmar mentions Design , Build , Finance , Operate in his latest article (link below.) http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/house/nov,06.shtml Re: Mystic Graham? - 510/2207 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 6th December 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=510.msg1710#msg1710 date=1161683136]Christian Wolmar is also known by his nickname "Mystic Wolmar." I would suggest that he now has a serious challenger ;D [/quote] [quote author=Lee link=topic=610.msg1837#msg1837 date=1162731794] The UK's rail franchising system is a complex , fragmented and "costly muddle", for which passengers will end up paying the price , MPs have warned (link below.) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/11/mps_raise_railfranchising_fear_1.html#more[/quote] Here is the view from the man himself , along with a link to another CW article , a quote from which I found very interesting indeed (link below.) http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/rail/553.shtml http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/rail/554.shtml "Not surprisingly, a little noticed part of the report reveals there is still overspending on the West Coast Main Line upgrade. Network Rail will, apparently, spend 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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