Melksham Resident? Commuter? Save yourself 2000 pounds and 100 hours in 2014, and have a better journey!
Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2013-12-20 11:36:23 - Graham EllisSave time, Save money, Save hassle, Save resources in 2014. Does it work for YOU? It won't work for everyone, but our new train services bring big cost, time, quality of life and even environmental gains.
There's extra free parking at Melksham station (for rail users). Twelve extra trains are calling per day. If you currently drive to Chippenham, Bradford-on-Avon or Westbury stations - or if you drive all the way to work in Bristol, Swindon, Salisbury or Reading - take a look at the new options.
* Trains leave Melksham in the morning (Mondays to Fridays) at 06:38, 07:20, 07:48, 09:15, 10:04 and 11:13. They get back at 12:03, 13:13, 14:30, 15:53, 16:31, 18:03, 18:48, 19:17, 19:47 and 20:38. There are as many trains on Saturdays but at different times (service calls from 07:47 to 21:34) and 11 on Sundays (from 10:44 to 20:19). Some services run to Chippenham (10 minutes) and Swindon (about 30 minutes) and others to Trowbridge (10 minutes) and Westbury (about 17 minutes). Take any train and change at Trowbridge or Chippenham for Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, and beyond.* There is free parking at Melksham station - a few spaces right beside the station entrance, and more marked "Temporary Rail Parking" on the station approach, a few yards away. Further, permanent spaces are planned for 2014. There are cycle racks you can freely use, plenty of room to drop off and pick up people, and the footpath under the A350 brings the station safely within walking distance of much of Melksham, including the town centre.
* Driving from Bowerhill (as an example) to Chippenham is 11 miles, takes 25 minutes (according to connecting Wiltshire) and will cost you around 8.80 in car running costs (5.50 if you ignore fixed car costs) (according to the AA). Add in 6.50 for parking, and you're spending 60 pounds per week, versus about 8 pounds for driving costs from Bowerhill to Melksham station. Now - here's a surprise - the Melksham to Swindon season ticket price is just 39.60 per week (and that's the same as the price from Chippenham to Swindon), so by buying and travelling from Melksham you can save 2,000 pounds in 2014 (based on 40 weeks of travel). You save 100 hours (15 minutes each way per day). You save around 3,500 miles driven.
Please try it out. The trains have been running now for 2 weeks in the lead up to Christmas, and a handful of small teething issues have been sorted out. Please see our web site - http://www.twcrp.org.uk - or email us (info@twcrp.org.uk) if you've any specific questions or comments. Timetable leaflets are available at the Melksham TIC. Phone us on our 0845 459 0153 number.
First Great Western are operating more trains on this line following funding by Wiltshire Council through a Department for Transport Local Sustainable Transport Fund grant award.
This information is from the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. The TransWilts Community Rail Partnership is a group of like-minded organisations seeking to improve the TransWilts railway line which connects Swindon to Salisbury via Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury through co-ordinated activity with the railway, local communities and government bodies.
References:
• http://www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/
•http://www.theaa.com/resources/Documents/pdf/motoring-advice/running-costs/petrol2013.pdf
• http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/
• http://www.twcrp.org.uk