PASSENGER journeys to and from Melksham, served by TransWilts trains, have doubled for the second successive year, making it one of the fastest growing stations in the country.

In the two years since the TransWilts train service was initiated, figures released by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) show that the station is ranked seventh in the UK out of 2,540 stations based on their estimated entries and exit numbers.

The TransWilts rail service, which links Swindon and Westbury via Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge eight times each way per day, launched in December 2013.

“This service makes a very real difference to people,” said Peter Blackburn, president of the TransWilts Community Interest Company.

“Before the service improvements, the occasional trains that ran only carried a few passengers - but now the trains are bustling.

“With Great Western Railway, Wiltshire Council and the local communities all working together to raise awareness of the new services, we exceeded our third year target of 120,000 journeys per annum - up from 18,000 on the old service - within the first year, and passenger counts just before Christmas indicate a current run rate of around 230,000 journeys a year.”

The numbers were up 27,000 passengers from the previous year – an increase of 117 per cent which is anticipated to increase further as the service enters its third and final year of its improvement trial.

Graham Ellis, from TransWilts added: “It is absolutely superb news and it is not an unexpected figure because we knew there had been an increase.

“Next year is the final year of the trial but having said that it is actually included in the next franchise agreement so I think the TransWilts service is safe for the next few years.

“When the service was put into place, I knew these numbers were achievable. We knew it was achievable because we would be working together with the railway company and local council but I am delighted how well everyone has welcomed the service and these are the results expected to see because of it.”

A journey from Trowbridge to Chippenham takes just 19 minutes on the train via Melksham, and costs just £6.20 day return - £5.20 off peak, compared to a journey time of around 45 minutes with a change of trains via Bath.

The first train of the day leaves Trowbridge for Chippenham and Swindon at 7.10am on Mondays to Fridays, with services about every two hours.

The final return train from Swindon is at 8.12pm on Mondays to Fridays, 9.08pm on Saturdays and 7.55p, on Sundays.

Around 5,000 pocket timetables have been printed for passengers using the service which are available at Tourist Information Centres, libraries and stations along the line.

For more information, visit www.transwilts.org.