Lee
I've drafted a few bits and pieces re my earlier posts but at the moment getting them into a reasoned argument is very tricky. I agree with you that Bradford/Avoncliff/Freshford residents might be a bit miffed, but I'm with the original authors of the RPC report, and of basing the timings of any 'Main line' service on using the SSCT argument.
It's viewing the corridor as a 'main line' which has to be brought out, not necessarily the other factors which might weigh against a fast service along the route.
Not sure Filton could afford to lose services if passenger growth figures are anything to go by.
04/05 377,552
05/06 401,325
and growing.
STJ▸ 118k and 119k repspectively.
I think, given the people/groups involved at Bradford/Avoncliff/Freshford, "a bit miffed" might be an understatement
It is also worth noting that
STAG▸ are attempting to turn the argument regarding the RPC report on its head :
Stakeholder Consultation
Letter sent 5th December by Mike German AM to Anthony Smith Chief Executive of Passenger Focus pointing out the "Mainline they Shouldn't Ignore" Rail Passenger Committee report recommended the service pattern that withdrew the Portsmouth services. Suggested the report overlooked some of the serious implications and suggested a review was needed. Response received from Passenger Focus.
The STAG call for a review of the RPC report doesnt bode well for you when you consider that they have total cross party support from Assembly Members and Members of Parliament plus the backing of SEWTA, not to mention
FGW▸ calling them the most effective campaign they have come across and proposing extra STJ stops to Network Rail on their behalf.
I think the problem you will have is in framing your proposals so they dont look like they are taking things away from others. For example,
WWRUG» fought for a regular stop at Bradford-on-Avon in the Portsmouth-Cardiff service for many years, and are likely to strongly oppose it suddenly being removed.
Personally, I think that the time to implement the RPC report would have been when it was first published. Had that happened, it would have been seen (largely) as a big step forward.
Since then, of course, things have changed somewhat, which was the point I was making with the quote below :
NO NO NO NO NO, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Not another stop! Shall we start stopping Portsmouth - Cardiff trains at Avoncliff?
Take the Filton stop out of them. Personally, I think we should go back to when it was either STJ or FIT.....
For one I agree with you but the rail groups would only moan
Believe it or not, you can actually blame the
DfT» for the fact that this topic exists.
Both STAG and Saltash Rail Users Group were set up in the wake of the December 2006 timetable fiasco. Both groups managed to acheive their objectives (reversal of planned service cuts) by getting stops inserted into services that could be classed as "fast." Having done so, its no surprise that they should want to build on that success.
Ironically, had the DfT specified the new franchise service levels along the same lines as the old franchise levels, it is quite possible that neither group would exist today. The London Paddington services probably wouldnt call at Saltash and the Portsmouth-Cardiff stops at STJ would probably be as Jim stated earlier.
It is also quite likely that Save The Train (and thus the First Great Western Coffee Shop forum) wouldnt exist either, as Melksham/TransWilts would still have 5 round trips per day.
vacman took one of the issues out of this as follows :
It's not too much of a problem stopping at Saltash due to the exceptionlly low line speed (15MPH) so it doesn't have too much of an effect, but STJ is on a piece of high speed line is it not?
STAG have also countered this kind of argument :
SUBJECT- Cardiff to Portsmouth Service at Severn Tunnel Junction
Effect on Journey times of removing Severn Tunnel Junction stop:
The removal of the stop at Severn Tunnel Junction has resulted in no reduction in journey times for the Portsmouth service.
The Departure times at Newport and Arrival times at Bristol are the same irrespective of whether the trains call or do not call at Severn Tunnel Junction.
The reason is the Portsmouth service leaves Cardiff five minutes after the up London service. It follows this train to Newport where it again leaves five minutes after the London service. As there is a seven-minute headway through the Severn Tunnel, those that do not stop have to 'hang back' to avoid receiving a restrictive aspect on the tunnel approach. Leaving the eastern portal of the tunnel there is a theoretical difference of thirty seconds in the timings of trains that have and have not called at the Junction.
In the reverse direction the times vary but on average the journey times of those that do not stop are now three minutes longer than they were in previous years when the trains used to call.
It is worth noting that I dont actually disagree with what vacman is saying regarding Saltash. Ironically, the problem is often the
perception of greater journey times that extra stops at places such as STJ and Saltash create rather than them actually causing any significant journey time increase.
My prediction would be that off-peak STJ stops would be in addition to Filton ones, rather than in place of them, so as not to upset the folks there, as infuriating as this will undoubtably be to some forum members.
Nevertheless, I await your proposals with genuine great interest, and the offer to help with them is still there.
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