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What would an appropriate train service on the TransWilts line mean

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2011-12-31 11:44:32 - Graham Ellis

The Department for Transport is currently consulting on the shape of rail services in the South West of England for the next 15 years (2013 to 2028).

There is a very strong case for them to add to the current services of the TransWilts line (see map), which are infrequent and ill-timed for most potential travelers. An improved service would be good for the economy of the area, would pull traffic off the road, and would be sustainable. And after a lead in period of 2 to 3 years it would actually require LESS public funding that the current service, because the trains would be very much more heavily loaded. The case has been made by a number of professional reports, public and business surveys, and even a trial service on summer Sundays.

The professional and technical reports point towards a service of 11 trains each way per day (Monday to Friday) with a couple fewer on Saturdays, and perhaps a couple fewer again on Sundays. But what could that mean? Here are some samples:

Sample departures - Trowbridge to Swindon
(all trains leave Westbury 6 minutes earlier and Melksham 10 minutes later)

Currently, Monday to Friday trains leave Trowbridge for Swindon at 07:08 and 19:39, journey time 35 minutes.

The proposal is (provisional timing) for trains at 06:21, 07:08, 07S39, 09S39, 11S41, 13S55, 14S41, 16S41, 17S30, 19S39 and 21:06
On Saturdays for trains at 07S39, 09S39, 11S41, 13S55, 15S41, 17S30, 19S39 and 21:06
On Sundays for trains at 07:39, 10S39, 12S09, 15S09, 16S39, 18S09 and 19W39

Trains marked "S" start from Salisbury (about 45 minutes before Trowbridge) and also call at Warminster and Dilton Marsh.
The train marked "W" starts from Weymouth at 17:56
Trains marked ":" start at Westbury

Sample departures - Swindon to Melksham, Trowbridge and Westbury
(all trains depart from Chippenham about 15 minutes after they leave Swindon)

Currently services from Swindon to Trowbridge currently leave at 06S12 and 18S45 on Mondays to Fridays.
Journey time 25 minutes to Melksham, 35 minutes to Trowbridge, 42 minutes to Westbury

The proposal is (provisional timing) for trains at 06S12, 07S36, 08S52, 10S35, 12S36, 14S43, 15S27, 17S35, 18:19, 18S52 and 22:07
on Saturdays for trains at 08S30, 10S35, 12S36, 14S43, 17S05, 18:19, 20S35 and 22:07
on Sundays for trains at 08W30, 11S30, 13S00, 16S00, 17S30, 19:00 and 20S35

Trains marked "S" carry on to Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury
The train marked "W" carries on all stations to Weymouth
Trains marked ":" do not run beyond Westbury.



Half of the story of the TransWilts line is about providing good links from Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham to Trowbridge, Salisbury, Melksham Westbury and Warminster. The other half is about providing links from Melksham to and from all sorts of other places. Here are some sample comparisons of what the proposed service would do for Melksham.

London to Melksham ..

Currently, just 17:30 (arr 19:11) Monday to Friday.
Future - 06:30, 07:45, 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:15, 16:30, 17:15, 17:45 and 21:00

Return - currently at 07:20 or 19:47
Future - 06:31, 07:20, 07:50, 09:50, 11:50, 14:05, 14:55, 16:55, 17:40, 19:47 and 21:16

Melksham to Bath or Bristol .. (change at Trowbridge or Chippenham)

Currently, 06:40, 07:20, 19:11 and 19:47
Future - 06:31, 06:51, 07:18, 07:50, 08:10, 09:17, 09:50, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:05, 14:51, 15:11, 15:50, 16:51, 17:40, 18:00, 18:45, 19:11, 19:47, 21:16, 22:30