21st March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Any initial reaction from TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) seeing as though this is in strike week on the trains and, although not a strike day, likely to see early trains out of position & possibly disrupted?

No initial public reaction - with our secretariat

[grahame]

Any initial reaction from TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) seeing as though this is in strike week on the trains and, although not a strike day, likely to see early trains out of position & possibly disrupted?

No initial public reaction - with our secretariat

"Plan is to go ahead.  Thoughtful not to strike on a TWSW day"
-- Official

[grahame]

Very sadly, another update

TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) received a rather disappointing note from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) which gives early warning that train services on Friday will be significantly affected by the strikes on the days either side with as little as 50% of trains running. This would make it difficult to arrange around train times and expose everyone to the chaos of disrupted journeys and over-crowding.  We have also been told that it is unlikely senior railway people will attend.. We must therefore postpone the general meeting until the Autumn.  This is with great regret (especially as attendances looked to be strong).

[ChrisB]

Now confirmed in a message through Eventbrite (the booking engine)

There may be a webinar on a different topic announced, keep an eye on their Facebook page (it says)

[grahame]

Sadly, I think the right decision (to cancel) has been made.  It would have been somewhere in the impossible / impractical / worrisome / unforecastable / longwinded arena for some delegates to get there, with a significant risk of them having issues getting home later.  It would not be sensible for TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) to encourage people to come in those circumstances, and a dis-service to members to put them in a position where they had to chose between missing the meeting and taking uncomfortable risks to get there and back.

TWSW may run a short(er) online session that day. It would not be a direct replacement for the General Meeting, but the secretarial is mindful that many members have next Friday clear in their diaries and would benefit from a networking session talking around a key topic.  I will follow up with (probably) a separate thread within 48 hours.

[grahame]

A date for your diary - speakers 90% confirmed - subject to such things as rail strikes leaving Taunton hard to reach, new Covid lockdowns, trains withdrawn due to cracked frames, snow drifts, general election the previous day, etc.   TravelWatch SouthWest at The Brew House in Taunton - Friday 21st October 2022.   Primarily a live event - we may have a limited on line feed for part of the day. 

[grahame]

From our secretary / booking via Eventbrite

TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) General Meeting: Your Vision for Getting Around by Public Transport

The TravelWatch SouthWest meetings are back. These sessions provide a unique opportunity for passengers and communities to engage with operators, policy makers, and local transport authorities together.

Remarkable things happen when you get the right mix of people in the room.

This meeting revolves around the need to create a vision and discussing the key questions:
* How will connectivity patterns change in the future and what role will public transport play?
* What support do places/communities need to grow and change?
* What are the community priorities and how can we work together to support them?
* Where is the funding going to come from and how can we deliver more with less?
* How can we collaborate to meet our shared objectives?

Professor Graham Parkhurst (University of West of England and TWSW Director) is setting the socio/economic/environmental scene,

Nigel Blackler (Cornwall Council) will be inspiring the audience around unity of vision and delivering an outcome which improves journey experience quality across the region and supports communities.

Mark Hopwood, (Managing Director, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)) considers the way in which rail operators can address passenger need in light of the emerging social, economic, and environmental themes.

Go South Coast examine the ways in which can adapt to meet the evolving scene and highlights the essentials steps to be taken now.

Further speakers are to be announced.

[grahame]

   

Please not that this meeting has moved to an ONLINE ONLY EVENT.  Please login by Zoom. 

 
Change to plans

Owing to the effect of industrial action on people’s ability to attend the planned live meeting in Taunton, we have decided to hold a series of online meetings instead. 

Mark Hopgood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway is the key speaker in the first meeting which takes place on Friday 21st October on Zoom.  If you have already registered for the meeting, joining instructions will be sent to you. 

If you know anyone planning to attend who has not yet registered, please ask them to use the Eventbrite link to register so they can receive a code.  Please get in touch if you would like help registering.

The second meeting, for which longer notice will be given will have a bus MD as the keynote speaker, the final meeting will seek to draw the threads together focusing on issues like through ticketing and other aspects of public transport integrations and spatial planning

We sincerely apologise for this late change.  A number of TravelWatch Members were keen for us to work around the problems caused by the industrial dispute and reservations about COVID and a strong solution seems offering virtual meetings in a digestible series of three.  Dates for the remaining meetings will be circulated shortly. 

[ChrisB]

Very odd - I spent all day yesterday at the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Stakeholder conference sat next to the Secretary, Briony & Chris Irwin & neither said anything about the change, not even when I said I couldn't attend in person. I can, however, by zoom, so I am one happy bunny.


It was probably one of the best Stakeholder events that GWR have run (Hi BobM!) and no doubt several of you were present using their online platform. I thought the MD of Passenger Services, Peter Wilkinson was very candid about where rail was going in the eyes of his masters.

[grahame]

It was probably one of the best Stakeholder events that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have run (Hi BobM!) and no doubt several of you were present using their online platform. I thought the MD of Passenger Services, Peter Wilkinson was very candid about where rail was going in the eyes of his masters.

Chris, for those of us who were far far away weren't even able to be online, could you share Peter W's main bullet points please.

[grahame]

It was probably one of the best Stakeholder events that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have run (Hi BobM!) and no doubt several of you were present using their online platform. I thought the MD of Passenger Services, Peter Wilkinson was very candid about where rail was going in the eyes of his masters.

Chris, for those of us who were far far away weren't even able to be online, could you share Peter W's main bullet points please.

Thanks for the answer, Chris - so important it's a new thread at http://www.passenger.chat/26800

[grahame]

Does anyone else feel that the title of the event is somewhat ironic now that it has gone purely virtual?   

Your event, TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) General Meeting: Your Vision for Getting Around by Public Transport is happening soon.

[grahame]

TravelWatch AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) / Online - 25th November 2022 - online, from 15:00.   Exceptionally for TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website), this is a members rather than a general meeting, with one representative from each member organisation invited to attend. Posting here because I know that we are read by many folks who are with member organisations. 

[grahame]

The AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) of TravelWatch SouthWest marks the end of my being on the board, as my second three year term comes to an end.  I have enjoyed my time there - a lovely group of fellow directors and some very real friends, but at the same time I have felt like a fish out of water amongst the professionals. Any contributions I have been made have been slim, especially of late, so I have chosen not to stand again rather than seat-block.  I am delighted to hear of one nomination (there may be others) to join the board which, should he be elected (astonished if he is not!) will provide a far greater strength than I ever could.

[grahame]

The AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) of TravelWatch SouthWest marks the end of my being on the board, as my second three year term comes to an end.  I have enjoyed my time there - a lovely group of fellow directors and some very real friends ...

It was really REALLY good to welcome Bryony and Chris to the West Wilts Rail User Group meeting last night and I'm delighted to hear just how well David Northey has settled in on their board and indeed as their new chair.  I was sad to give up my place on the TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) board, but events and my abilities following on prove it was exactly the right course of action for both TWSW and me.