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A positive progress behind the scenes

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2013-10-14 21:36:30 - Graham Ellis

"To a degree, there's someting of lull before the strorm in public visibility of TransWilts improvements. The new FGW franchise only came into force a couple of days ago, and having that franchise running as a whole is something of a necessary pre-requisite to having First group run additional TransWilts trains. And already - since that start - papers have been submitted into the Wiltshire Cabinet / approval system. The detail of this was explained to Phil and me (from the CRP) and to First's representative, at a very useful discussion on Monday, and I now feel far better informed on the timing. It was also a very useful opportunity to look past the public lull towards the next stage, or indeed stages; it's really heartening to have positive plans being made by all parties, in co-operation, and looking well ahead. For so long, the goal posts have been perceived to be to get a service improvement. The real goal is to get and sustain a practical, useful and used, economic service into the foreseeable future, and the work of doing that was very much at the heart of the LSTF bid at the start and, for the most part on the train service element itself, and on much more too, it's there. The meeting may have been short due to other committments of the various attendees, (and to the fire drill in the middle of it!) but it was long on optimism, understanding, information and positive short, medium and long term advancement."

You may note that the above text says virtually nothing of substance, but casts a positive light. Good - that's what I intend it to do ;-) Things really are moving forward - and I got a great positive glow. Looking well beyond just a 'start of service' point too, I'm delighted to say - working together, each to our own best, for years to come.