Tenbury people have chance to comment on rail links

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Ludlow Advertiser:

Tenbury people have chance to comment on rail links

People in Tenbury have a chance to take part in a consultation about improved rail links.

Although Tenbury no longer has a railway station it would mean faster links between Malvern and London.

West Worcestershire MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Harriett Baldwin, whose constituency includes Tenbury, has welcomed proposals to invest in local train services.

Proposals issued by First Great Western will see train times between Malvern and London improved. The long-awaited timetable improvements will offer two extra train services to Oxford and two routes to London expected to take no more than two hours and seven minutes.

The changes, which have been put out for public consultation, will see 20 minutes shaved off the current journey time. It will form part of the new First Great Western franchise which is due for renewal.

The Government has already pledged ^13 billion to improve rail services into London and made a commitment to delivering HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) which will bring huge economic benefits to the Midlands.

Harriett Baldwin claims that his investment is the highest spend on railways since the Victorian era and the First Great Western pledge is an important part of the commitment to rail users in the 21st century. ^I am delighted that First Great Western share my aspiration to deliver a faster, more reliable and more frequent rail service from Worcestershire to London on the Cotswold Line,^ she said. ^With electrification of the London-Oxford line and new rolling stock, it^s clear we have a long term economic plan to improve Worcestershire^s economy and its public transport. This news follows the Prime Minister^s intervention to ask for additional funding to complete the dual tracking of the Cotswold Line to Oxford. It is important, however, that people do make sure that they have their say and tell First Great Western that these are much needed improvements to the service.^

The consultation details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/309926/gw-consultation-document.pdf

[Richard Fairhurst]

That seems slightly confused - the story is presumably about planned improvements to the Cotswold Line service, for which I believe a consultation is imminent, but the link is for the wider GW^▸ (Great Western) franchise consultation.

[stebbo]

Could take 10 mins off the Malvern to Paddington journey by cutting out a few stops. OK I'll stand back and wait for the usual abuse............. 

[eightf48544]

i thought Kemble is the railhead for Tetbury! Could they also be refering to any speed up due to Swidon Kemble redoubling?

What's the station on the Cotswold line?

[grahame]

i thought Kemble is the railhead for Tetbury! Could they also be refering to any speed up due to Swidon Kemble redoubling?

What's the station on the Cotswold line?

Tenbury v Tetbury?

[ChrisB]

That seems slightly confused - the story is presumably about planned improvements to the Cotswold Line service, for which I believe a consultation is imminent, but the link is for the wider GW^▸ (Great Western) franchise consultation.

It is confused - partly because the Cotswold Line consultation - already underway & finishes shortly - is a targeted consultation and the paper hasn't appeared on any website. From that write up, it isn't clear that the paper has seen it either - and is just going on what Harriet Baldwin has briefed (either by written release to the paper or verbally to their journalist)

[Btline]

Shaving 20 minutes off the journey time?
Ok, that's most of the padding and takes us back to where we were 10-20 years ago. How about an actual reduction in journey time?

Cutting stops, raising line speeds and guaranteeing 125 mph stock so London - Oxford is not timed at 90 mph in case a Turbo turns up.

[ChrisB]

A turbo won't be showing up in a few timetables time....

[Btline]

A turbo won't be showing up in a few timetables time....

I'll believe that when I see it! 

(not that I use/ live near the line anymore  )

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Ludlow Advertiser:

Tenbury MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) calls for better rail links

Tenbury MP Harriett Baldwin thinks it is important that people living in Tenbury and the Teme Valley should find it easier to get to London by train.

Although Tenbury lost its railway station half a century ago the MP whose West Worcestershire constituency includes Tenbury believes it is important that there are links to be capital from nearby towns and cities.

The MP has met with Rail Minister Claire Perry as well as representatives of the train operating companies to discuss progress on the planned improvement of rail services for local commuters and on the County plan for a new Parkway station.

First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood updated her on the progress towards delivering an improved service along the Cotswold Line.

"It was useful to meet with the Minister and hear the rail companies' plans for delivering a better service for local commuters,^ said Mrs Baldwin. "It is also important to see that both operators - London Midland and First Great Western - are working together and they have all got the message that we are resolute in our desire for improvement.^

[phile]

Tenbury Wells, to be exact, was on a line that ran from the Marches at Woofferton to Kidderminster prior to 60s closure.  It was known as the Wyre Forest line.    The stretch from the former junction at Bewdley to Kidderminster is now part of the Severn Valley Railway.

[Btline]

This is my part of the world (well, sort of), and I can confirm that there is zero demand to London in the Tenbury area.
This is just a desperate attempt by the MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) to get a journey time saving.

Frankly, the existence of Hereford and Worcester is enough to get the journey time down - but we have had those arguments plenty of times before, so I won't re-open that can. 

Trying to suggest there are hundreds of would be commuters living in Tenbury (~45 mins drive from Malvern link!!!) is crazy!

And don't get me started on Worcester Parkway.