Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
House of Commons Early Day Motion - FGW Train Service Cuts - 702/2091 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 28th November 2006
Details contained in the link below. http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/11/house_of_commons_early_day_mot_1.html#more
Here is the text :
"That this House notes with concern that from 11th December 2006 users of First Great Western train services in the Bristol and West of England area will suffer the loss of their early morning train service from Cardiff to Bristol, early morning services and late evening services between Bristol and Gloucester, irregular intervals between trains from Bristol to Weston-super-Mare and Taunton, reduced capacity on short platform stations to Weston, such as Worle, loss of connectivity on trains to and from London and extensive reductions in train services to local stations in the Bristol area; further notes that First Great Western plans to reduce the amount of rolling stock used on train services in the Bristol area, including cutting Cardiff-Portsmouth trains from three to two coaches, an overall reduction of 1,839 seats, equating to a 20 per cent. cut in train seat availability, and a reduction in the number of trains from 69 to 57, equating to an 18 per cent. cut in trains; calls on the Government to urge First Great Western urgently to reconsider the reductions in levels of rolling stock on these key services, the consequences for overcrowding and forcing passengers onto the already heavily congested road network, with all the outcomes for increased carbon emissions, pollution and road traffic accidents that these train service cuts will lead to; and further calls on the Government to ensure that capacity and train service frequency in the Bristol and West of England area are maintained and improved."
Re: House of Commons Early Day Motion - FGW Train Service Cuts - 702/2112 Written by Lee on Thursday, 30th November 2006
A similiar Early Day Motion has been put forward regarding Severn Tunnel Junction :
Jessica Morden MP Paul Flynn MP Nia Griffith MP
That this House expresses regret that First Great Western has reduced the number of services stopping at Severn Tunnel Junction during peak times; notes that these services are a vital link for hundreds of commuters travelling to Cardiff and Bristol for work; further notes with concern that the average person travelling by rail generates around half the carbon dioxide emissions of the average person travelling by car and that this reduction in service will force people into their cars for these journeys and undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions; further notes that First Great Western has pledged to reintroduce the services from May onwards but that this will severely disrupt the lives and working patterns of many people; believes that the flaws and inaccuracy in the consultation process prevented this matter being rectified sooner; and calls on the Government to urge First Great Western and Network Rail to provide a timetable that includes these vital services for commuters by reintroducing the peak time stops at Severn Tunnel Junction from 11th December.
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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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