Melksham on the right track for better rail service

Rail services through Melksham look set to keep improving under new plans announced by First Great Western this week. 

First have revealed plans to provide more frequent trains, more seats, and higher quality trains as part of their fleet upgrade and network improvements over the next four years.

The plans have been welcomed by the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership (CRP), who have been campaigning to improve the service for years.

Community Rail Officer Graham Ellis said, “This is excellent news. When it was announced on Monday we thought about planning a celebration; that’s how big it is!

“The current trial involving improved services at Melksham station has been very successful, and the CRP want to make sure passenger numbers keep increasing and the services keep getting better for years to come.

“It’s great news that our TransWilts 2020 plan appears to be pointing in the same direction as the railway franchise.

“These things don’t just happen – there is a lot of research, work and jumping through hurdles to try and get what’s in everyone’s best interests, and the CRP have been working very closely with rail companies to make sure we do just that.

“First Great Western’s announcement lines up well with our TransWilts 2020 vision and is significant in that it takes us forward beyond the 2016 trial service. It was a real ‘wow’ moment when we found out, and it’s exciting to be part of the fastest growing railway in the country.”

Passenger numbers on the Swindon to Westbury route have rocketed by more than 700% during a three-year trial that sees trains stop more frequently in Melksham.

The TransWilts CRP launched their 2020 vision  last weekend, which they hope will continue to help make Wiltshire’s services more appropriate in timing, frequency, and ticket pricing.

Just two days later, First Great Western published a list of ways in which Melksham can expect to benefit from their new initiatives by 2019. They have pledged the following:

• More seats as part of a programme to deliver three million additional seats across the network by December 2018.

• More frequent stopping services.

• More modern, local trains on local services.

• Free on-train wifi.

• Eligibility to bid for £2.2 million of community improvement funding.

• A range of initiatives to help the long term unemployed, including discounted rail tickets for jobseekers, establishing a ‘Get into Railways’ mentoring programme with the Prince’s Trust.

• A suite of energy efficiency improvements to help reduce energy use.

To find out more about the CRP’s work, go to www.twcrp.org.uk.