Transport groups lobby for improved train service through Melksham

Local transport groups have joined forces with MP Brian Mathew to lobby for improved reliability of train services through Melksham.

Members of the West Wiltshire Rail User Group (WWRUG) and Melksham Transport User Group (MTUG) met with MP Brian Mathew and representatives from Great Western Railway recently, calling for Melksham’s train services to be levelled up so they are in line with services at other local stations.

Chair of MTUG, Graham Ellis, said, “Our station is misleadingly small and this was an opportunity to remind GWR managers that this little station serves the third largest town in Wiltshire.”

The group, with the support of MP Brian Mathew, is calling for GWR to address crew rostering and route knowledge limitations; increase spare train capacity to improve fleet resilience and carry out better preventative maintenance; provide more proactive support to passengers affected by cancellations by signposting free bus or taxi transfers when trains are cancelled; and ensure passengers are not financially penalised by cancellations by continuing to offer cheaper ‘via Melksham’ fares for journeys between Trowbridge and Chippenham.

As part of the campaign, MP Brian Mathew has submitted an urgent letter to Parliament calling for the reliability of trains stopping at Melksham station to be improved.

In his letter to Parliament Brian said, “During the past 12 weeks, between 11% and 33% of scheduled services stopping at Melksham have been cancelled on the day, well above the regional average of 4%. I am sure you will agree such cancellation rates are wholly unacceptable and warrant urgent action to restore the community’s faith in rail service.

“Melksham and its surrounding area have a population of around 25,000. Many residents rely on rail for essential travel, particularly those who cannot or choose not to drive. The current unreliability of services is impacting on economic opportunity and quality of life of residents as well as commuters to Melksham.”

Graham said that Melksham is served by six different bus, train and coach companies and that this year MTUG is bringing back a combined timetable booklet signed off by all six companies. The booklet covers services from 16th December through to next spring.

Pictured: L- R Graham Ellis, Richard Cowell, John Baxter, Ruth Vincent and MP Brian Mathew ready for the meeting with GWR in Swindon