Melksham rail passengers are facing an autumn and winter of disruption.
Network Rail will be carrying out essential engineering works on the main line between Reading and Westbury which will mean high-speed trains from London to the West of England will be re-routed through Melksham’s single-track line with almost all of the trains that normally call at Melksham being replaced by buses.
The changes are scheduled from 17th to 19th September, 11th to 14th November and 10th to 12th December.
“The railway through Melksham only survived into this century because of its use as a diversionary route,” said Graham Ellis from the Melksham Transport User Group, “so I have some sympathy with the line returning to its former use.
“Nevertheless, I am very disappointed that Great Western have declined our request to stop some trains that will be passing through Melksham in order to provide a service to their customers here.
“They tell us that the modern trains are not programmed to allow them to stop here.”
The news comes after a summer where Melksham’s weekend train services have been less reliable than hoped, said Graham. “There are a number of reasons for this with the unavailability of staff to work voluntary overtime accounting for the lion’s share of cancellations.
“The new government brings new policies and may result in significant changes over the next two years – right across the South West and not just here in Melksham.
“The framework is being changed but we are still learning what will happen within that framework. At the operational and junior and middle management level, we will be working with the same excellent staff from recent years, and I look forward to the opportunities to help from within the community encouraging a better and more reliable service every day in the future”
Pictured: an Intercity Express Train (IET) passes through Melksham on diversion on its way from Plymouth to London
