All aboard Melksham’s new rail service

Story posted on January 2, 2014

Councillors Simon Gibbons and John Thomson, Graham Ellis of the trans wiltshire rail group and Matthew Goulton of FGW watch the train pull in to Melksham. Driver Simon Gibbons looks out of the cab.

The new train service on the TransWilts line – which increases the number of trains calling at Melksham each day from four to 16 – launched on Sunday 8th December.

First Great Western’s timetable has an additional six trains a day in each direction from Monday to Saturday – meaning there will be one train approximately every two hours, including early morning and evening services in both directions.

There will also be an additional four trains on Sundays throughout the year, with at least one seasonal service connecting with the existing Westbury to Weymouth service in each direction.

The subsidised Trans Wilts Rail Service forms part of Wiltshire Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund project. Funding for the project comes after the council successfully bid for a Department for Transport (DfT) grant of £4.25m which will support the improved service for three years. Further information about the project can be found at www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk.

Graham Ellis from the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership said, “Santa was on the 17:30 from Melksham to Swindon – which First extended to three carriages for the day.  A great time was had by all, in celebration of the new service, which brings the line into the modern railway age. The new Saturday morning services are ideal for shopping trips to Swindon, and there are good onward connections to London and many other places, all at super offpeak fares.”

John Thomson, cabinet member for highways said, “The improved Trans Wilts Rail Service is an important part of the council’s commitment to ensuring local people have better access to public transport.

“The service will bring real social and economic benefits to the people of Wiltshire, but the funding is only for three years so it’s important that people use the service now so it can be sustainable into the future.”

First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood said, “First Great Western has worked hard with Wiltshire Council with the support of the local user group to secure these additional services.

“We are delighted that the agreement to operate has been signed by FGW and Wiltshire, which will enable us to provide an extra six trains a day in each direction. This is great news for passengers, allowing both commuters and leisure travellers a good value alternative to taking the car.”