Chances for better train service for Wiltshire depends on you (From Wiltshire Times)

Chances for better train service for Wiltshire depends on you

11:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Wiltshire By Chris Melvin

A rail campaigner is urging west Wiltshire residents to speak up in order to secure a better train service for the next 15 years.

The Department for Transport is consulting on train services for the next franchise in the west, which will run from 2013 to 2028.

The consultation will run until the end of March, and responses from members of the public will be used to help shape what train service provision looks like in the coming years.

Graham Ellis, chairman of the Trans Wilts Community Rail Partnership, is urging people to get involved and have their say.

He wants to see a dramatic increase in service on the line, which runs through west Wiltshire from Swindon to Salisbury, stopping at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury and Warminster.

Only two trains a day are required to run on this route.

Mr Ellis said: “Last time round in 2005 there were very very few inputs (to the consultation) so we need to get the word out there.”

He said demand for trains is growing nationally but there is a severe shortage of carriage capacity, meaning it is important that west Wiltshire is represented strongly in the consultation to avoid the possibility of being given a “sop” service in the franchise.

He said: “Is there a business case, will the service will work on the line? Yes it will. As well as that, you have to prove that people will use it.

“The situation is there to be taken advantage of. It’s all to play for. The key message is please everyone write to your MP, write to the consultation people.”

For details on the consultation, go to http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-36/great-western-franchise-replacement.pdf Responses can be emailed to consultation@dft.gsi. gov.uk or posted to Consultation Co-ordinator, Department for Transport, Zone 2/25, Great Minster House, London SW1P 4DR.