Stephen Hammond to visit Corsham (and Melksham Station), 27.3.2014

[whole diary]

[grahame]

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/corshamheadlines/11087616._/?

A Government visit to Corsham^s former station has been warmly welcomed by campaigners seeking to reopen the town^s rail link.

Transport minister Stephen Hammond, who has responsibility for railways, will visit the town next Thursday with prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate Michelle Donelan.

Former councillor Peter Davis campaigned extensively to re-open the station, which was closed in 1965.

He said: ^I would welcome this with open arms; we have been fighting for over 30 years to get Corsham Station reopened, to relieve the great pressure on our local roads in and out of Bath.

^With more and more properties being built and more people having to travel to work we must have an alternative means of transport to highways, and local rail services are the answer.

^I will be very keen to hear what the minister has to say.^

The minster will first visit Melksham Station to see how council investment has helped develop its facilities, before joining a round-table discussion on proposals to re-open Corsham station.

Media opportunities at Melksham on the arrival of the TransWilts service at 11:13, and at 12:30 in Corsham. The minister will be arriving in the area from London via Chippenham, and leaving from Bradford-on-Avon

You will note that the minister is accompanied by the parliamentary candidate for the conservative party, and it is good to see her following the cross party support for logical, viable rail improvements in Wiltshire.  As the press and publicity person for the Community Rail Partnership, I'll be taking any opportunity I get during the visit to stress how much has been achieved so far with us all pulling in the same direction - with our current MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) very actively, positively and pivotally taking part.   And that rising above the politics seems to be an excellent way to carry on. 

[grahame]

For the TransWilts / Melksham end ...

Briefing overview:
http://www.wellho.net/melkshamstationprogress.pdf

Draft press release:
http://atrebatia.info/pressrelease_2014_03_27.pdf

[Lee]

They have just swapped one 153 unit for another at Westbury for the 0948 service to Swindon, if you regard these things as significant.

[Phil]

Mr Hammond arrived (and departed) Melksham by chauffeur-driven* car.

*may have been a PA^▸ (Public Address) rather than a full-time chauffer

[grahame]

They have just swapped one 153 unit for another at Westbury for the 0948 service to Swindon, if you regard these things as significant.

Multiple conductors too when it called at Melksham ...

Mr Hammond arrived (and departed) Melksham by chauffeur-driven* car.

*may have been a PA^▸ (Public Address) rather than a full-time chauffer

Probably the car that was already planned for Melksham -> Corsham -> Onwards

I had the opportunity to speak to Mr Hammond for a couple of minutes to brief him on the promising early passenger numbers we have, and he could see for himself work going on with the new shelter under construction.  He was very positive about the growth, and in the forecasts we talked about.   The Sion, Nick, John Thomson and others showed him around.  Then there were photos ..


Left to right - Nick Reid, First Great Western Station / Area Manager. Stephen Hammond, Parliamentary under secretary for transport.  Michelle Donelan, Conservative Candidate for Chippenham.  Sion Bretton, Chair of TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. Rob Mullen, Regional Manager, First Great Western.


Sion talks with Stephen Hammond while reports hang on every word.

[bobm]

I had the opportunity to speak to Mr Hammond for a couple of minutes to brief him on the promising early passenger numbers we have, and he could see for himself work going on with the new shelter under construction.  He was very positive about the growth, and in the forecasts we talked about.   The Sion, Nick, John Thomson and others showed him around.  Then there were photos ..

..you did indeed...

[bobm]

They have just swapped one 153 unit for another at Westbury for the 0948 service to Swindon, if you regard these things as significant.

Multiple conductors too when it called at Melksham ...

The majority of conductors on board were there for training.  However despite the increased number of them, my ticket wasn't checked in either direction!  I think they were concentrating on learning the operation of the doors and making announcements at the right moment, which is probably more important.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald:

Missed train makes railways minister late for Melksham station visit


Railways minister Stephen Hammond

The railways minister was 20 minutes late for an appointment in Melksham today because he missed his train.

Stephen Hammond MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) was visiting Melksham station with prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate Michelle Donelan and Wiltshire Council^s deputy leader John Thomson to discuss recent improvements to the town^s rail connections with local residents and rail campaigners.

They then travelled to Corsham, where they discussed proposals to reopen the town^s abandoned railway station.

[bobm]

The minister was overheard saying he was delayed due to dealing with his red boxes.  Bearing in mind the announcement made overnight on Crossrail one can imagine what might have been in his ministerial in tray....

[grahame]

Follow up article in the local press ...

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/11124872.On_the_right_track__says_minister_at_Melksham/

On the right track, says minister at Melksham

The Goverment^s railway minister made tracks for Melksham last Thursday as he stopped by to see how the town^s station is being improved.

Stephen Hammond MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) was shown details of the new timetables with Conservative Parliamentary candidate Michelle Donelan, and heard about the effect it was having on the town.

He said: ^Melksham is growing and seeing new residential development, and this is exactly the sort of thing you need to have here for people, and to encourage new jobs.^

The station has benefited from recent improvements to the TransWilts rail line. Eight trains pass through a day.

The TransWilts Community Rail Partnership has worked to enhance the station, including a new shelter to help with increased demand.

I'll add personal comment in a separate post ...

[grahame]

On the right track, says minister at Melksham
He [Stephen Hammond] said: ^Melksham is growing and seeing new residential development, and this is exactly the sort of thing you need to have here for people, and to encourage new jobs.^

100% agreed

The station has benefited from recent improvements to the TransWilts rail line. Eight trains pass through a day.

Err ... I make it sixteen not eight trains a day calling (and there are other train passing nonstop - mostly freight!)
0638   Gloucester to Southampton Central   
0719   Westbury to Cheltenham Spa
0747   Westbury to Swindon
0915   Swindon to Westbury
1003   Westbury to Swindon
1113   Swindon to Westbury
1202   Westbury to Swindon
1313   Swindon to Westbury
1429   Westbury to Swindon
1552   Swindon to Westbury
1630   Westbury to Swindon
1803   Swindon to Westbury
1847   Westbury to Swindon
1916   Cheltenham Spa to Southampton Central   
1946   Westbury to Cheltenham Spa   
2038   Swindon to Westbury

The TransWilts Community Rail Partnership has worked to enhance the station, including a new shelter to help with increased demand.

Nice of them to say that, but it's Wiltshire Council and First Great Western who have done the work that's enhanced the station.   I will admit to the CRP^▸ (Community Rail Partnership) being their very supportive cheerleaders, though!

[ChrisB]

Typical shorthand by the press - 8 trains a day each way would be nearer the mark!