NEW trains are to be added to the Melksham rail timetable with a late evening service and an extra Saturday service to Weymouth starting in May.
“There will be some changes to the train timetable at Melksham from 21st May,” said Graham Ellis from the Melksham Transport User Group, “most notably being an additional late evening train to Melksham from Westbury at 21:15, Trowbridge at 21:22, Swindon at 22:30 and Chippenham at 22:45 (slightly different times at the weekend).
“This extra service fills a gap that’s existed for many years, getting people home from an evening out.
“Also new for the summer, there will be a through train from Melksham to Weymouth at 09:10 every Saturday, and a return train from Weymouth arriving in Melksham at 21:34. The fare is £21.50 return (adults), with a third off that price for groups of three or more. Child fare £10.75; under 5s go free.
“There are more trains running from Bristol to Westbury and Salisbury too, which means there will be better connections off and on to the ‘Melksham Flyer’ at Trowbridge, and more through trains from Chippenham to Weston-super-Mare if you fancy a day out there.”
But with the introduction of new trains, there are some trains due to be axed from the timetable. “On the downside, a handful to trains will no longer run, such as the 05:33 to Swindon and the extra round trips on Saturdays,” said Graham. “Whilst I regret the loss of these services, their loss will help GWR provide a reliable service otherwise, and the trains lost are either very quiet, or there’s an alternative available within an hour.
“A leaflet with full timetable details will be available in early May at a community stand at the Coronation event in the park on 6th May and online too with more information also in Melksham News at around that time.”
Pictured – Graham Ellis at Melksham Train Station
