RAIL campaigners celebrated the first anniversary of the TransWilts train line on Sunday, with the service doubling the predicted number of journeys made by passengers in its inaugural year.

The service between Westbury and Swindon, which is subsidised by Wiltshire Council, was estimated to make 45,000 journeys in the first 12 months but has been used more than 100,000 times by passengers since launching in December 2013.

For the past year there have been trains running every two hours on weekdays, including early morning and evening services in both directions, as well as an additional four trains on Sundays.

The number of passengers making the 100,000 journeys is around 20,000 people, with the service travelling between Westbury and Swindon, stopping at Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham.

Horace Prickett, portfolio holder for transport at Wiltshire Council, said: “The first year of the TransWilts improved service has been a resounding success. We are delighted that it has proven to be so popular.

"The hope now is that the improved service can be extended all the way to Salisbury, which would link the two main Wiltshire communities of Salisbury and Swindon."

The TransWilts service is run by First Great Western, with funding from the council and the government for the first three years, and celebrations held at Westbury station on Sunday included a birthday cake.

The cake cutting preceded an anniversary journey from Westbury to Swindon and there were also two Santa Special trains, as well as a 'folk music' train in the evening.

Among those who attended were Wiltshire Council members, volunteers of the Trans Wilts Community Partnership, local MPs Andrew Murrison and Duncan Hames.

Graham Ellis, of the TransWilts Community Partnership, a volunteer group, said: “Our first year has been a great success, with the service proving very popular.”

For more information about the TransWilts line, including timetables and fares, visit www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk