| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
TransWilts 2009 - There Is A Deal To Be Done Here - 7954/12864 Written by Lee on Friday, 30th January 2009 We now head into a new year, and are contemplating another push to get the devastating cuts of a couple of years ago reversed, and an appropriate passenger rail service introduced on the TransWilts corridor. Speaking personally, it has been a very frustrating process. Each year we have seemingly come so close, only to fall at a "final hurdle" very late on in the day. We do have fears for the future, and we do express them publicly on the forum, along with the obvious negative aspects that the lack of an appropriate service brings. In my opinion, we have a duty to point such things out on behalf of the disenfranchised passengers - past, present and potential - who would use an appropriate TransWilts service if only they could. However, that's only part of the story. If you are a DfT civil servant reading this, you may think that the TransWilts service is inadequate, but feel that you were shafted by a flawed decision made by a Strategic Rail Authority which your department abolished because it wasnt fit for purpose. You may feel that you cant back down, and that to do so might be seen as a sign of weakness, or the act of the defeated. Let me say this - if you approach us with a genuine desire to resolve this issue for the benefit of all concerned, then we will welcome that, with no recriminations. Come and talk to us. Lets sit down and see if we can work something out. There is a deal to be done here. If you are a senior FGW figure reading this, you may also think that the TransWilts service is inadequate, but feel slightly hard done by, given the enormous strides you have made to improve almost every aspect of your operations, including some significant service improvements elsewhere, particularly in Devon & Cornwall. You may feel that despite this, the TransWilts is used as a stick to beat you with, that your reputation will never be fully rehabilitated until the issue is resolved. Your view could well be that it is not a commercial service that can be added to, and you have done all you can to persuade others to intervene instead. Let me say this - we think that we have the makings of a case that could be of significant commercial benefit, and that our data could greatly assist you in facilitating an appropriate rail service on the TransWilts corridor. Come and talk to us. Lets sit down and see if we can work something out. There is a deal to be done here. If you are one of the movers and shakers at Wiltshire County Council, you may think that the TransWilts service is inadequate, but feel that it is not your role to fund rail services, and that you have done all you can to persuade others to intervene instead. You may feel that to provide financial assistance would open the floodgates for others to demand similar treatment, and that funding rail services would be poor value compared to funding other modes of transport. Let me say this - we can help you to make a case that would allay the above fears, be excellent value for the Wiltshire taxpayer at around a third of what another council in the FGW area is paying to subsidise a rail service, and would bring enormous benefits to those living along the TransWilts corridor. Come and talk to us. Lets sit down and see if we can work something out. There is a deal to be done here. Finally, if you are a supporter of our campaign - whether past, present or potential - please consider signing up and registering on the forum or, if you prefer slightly less public involvement, contacting us direct via e-mail. Now more than ever, we really need and would greatly value your input. This applies equally to existing forum members as well - we really do appreciate your continued support. Lets make 2009 the year where everyone concerned joined forces to get that deal done. Re: TransWilts 2009 - There Is A Deal To Be Done Here - 7954/12866 Written by philmcm on Saturday, 31st January 2009 Very well said, Lee *applauds loudly* 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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