21st March 2025 - TravelWatch SouthWest General meeting

[whole diary]

[infoman]

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-a-public-transport-network-better-for-users-tickets-868166919627?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_term=Making+a+Public+Transport+Network+Better+for+Users&aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&utm_experiment=follow_template.B

[grahame]

I have sent my apologise because I will probably still be travelling.  In the unlikely event of my returning early it would be one not to miss!

[ChrisB]

There doesn't appear to be any (accessible) transport being laid on from the station this time around & it's a 1.1 mile walk (if one is able-bodied)
Neither has any invite been emailed around?

[Red Squirrel]

I have registered

[ChrisB]

There doesn't appear to be any (accessible) transport being laid on from the station this time around & it's a 1.1 mile walk (if one is able-bodied)
Neither has any invite been emailed around?

Edit: Email invite now arrived, thanks!
Contact the secretary if you need accessible last mile transport....

[Chris from Nailsea]

I could attend on Friday, as I'm now retired. 

Red Squirrel, how will you be travelling to Taunton - by train?  I could possibly join you, if you can put up with my company in the relatively confined space of a railway carriage for an hour or so. 

[infoman]

Won't be able to attend the meeting either.

[Red Squirrel]

I could attend on Friday, as I'm now retired. 

Red Squirrel, how will you be travelling to Taunton - by train?  I could possibly join you, if you can put up with my company in the relatively confined space of a railway carriage for an hour or so. 

I only just spotted this, Chris - been a busy couple of days. It would have been good to meet up; sorry to have missed you!

I'm just back; it was a good day with enthusiastic talks from Natalie Edwards of SWR^» (South Western Railway - about), who seems pretty passionate about improving services on the WoE line, and Dan Okey on placemaking and stations. James White, who is now seconded to Western Gateway STB, also did a good piece on what they're up to in terms of the strategic view. Nothing all that new, but good to see how everyone keeps up their enthusiasm despite challenges around funding and direction.

[grahame]

Subject say it all - details to follow - for representatives of public transport and specialist groups and unassociated independent campaigners across the South West

[grahame]

To be held somewhere in Taunton. A diary date for a representative of each of the many user and specialist public transport groups across the South West.

[grahame]

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge with regard to TravelWatch SouthWest in the last six weeks since I wrote "Hold the date", and the water continues to flow.     The TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) date has been in their calendar with several excellent speakers lined up for a while, and is also the date that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have chosen for their central region timetable meeting.   Oops - except that in an example of partnership and innovation, GWR and TWSW have come together to combine the events on that day - 11th October 2024.  Makes utter sense.

Physical meeting to be held in Taunton, and arranged to work well with train times for those arriving and later leaving in all directions.   Venue will be within a very short distance of the station.

If you are on the TWSW list of members or associates you should be hearing over the next 10 days or so.  If you are in any doubt and would like to attend to represent your group or community or specialist interest, please let me know; I am well positioned to officially spring you an invite.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you, grahame - please do count me in on this one! 

I can attend, and I will be delighted to do so - there are so many characters I haven't met for a while. 

CfN.

[ChrisB]

I'd quite like to get train tickets booked for tyhis - do we know a start time? It it running per usual? (1030ish to 1500ish)

[grahame]

I'd quite like to get train tickets booked for tyhis - do we know a start time? It it running per usual? (1030ish to 1500ish)

I believe 10:30 for 11 through to slightly later - should know in the next couple of days. Noting there's s train via Westbury a few minutes after 4 ... not checked it though

[grahame]

Open for booking - Eventbrite ((here)) and on Facebook ((here))

Friday, October 11 · 11am - 3:30pm
Somerset Digital Innovation centre (Firepool Digital Innovation Centre)
Trenchard Way Taunton TA1 1FH

Government changes to transport: find out what's in it for the passenger.

Curious about the latest updates in transport policies and the next best steps your community should be taking to make journeys better? Then join us at the Somerset Digital Innovation centre to learn about the government's changes from the best in the business. Get insights, ask questions, and stay informed so you can be prepared for opportunities and challenges which will arise in this new era for connectivity.

In frank discussion, TravelWatch SouthWest brings together those who have led some of the schemes most celebrated for delivering better passenger experience including Nigel Blackler; Giles Fearnley; Dan Okey; and "Keynote speaker", Melanie Watson. These speakers and panel members will provide incite into the kind of choices decisionmakers will be facing, and consider the value and mechanism for the continuing dialogue with communities in future.

As always, the event provides a unique networking opportuntiy for all those interested in stakeholder views aroung bus, rail and other public transport journey issues, and an opportunity to share best practice.

About TravelWatch SouthWest

TravelWatch SouthWest Community Interest Company (TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) CIC^▸ (Community Interest Company )) promotes the interests of public transport users in the South West of England. Our “South West” comprises the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Somerset and the unitary authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Bristol, North Somerset, Plymouth, Poole, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.

TWSW acts as an advocate for passengers to lobby for the improvement of public transport in the region and works closely with local authorities, business organisations, partnerships and other stakeholder groups – with the dissolution of the former Rail Passengers Committee for Western England in July 2005, TWSW is the representative body for public transport users throughout the South West of England.

If you are with a "Stakeholder Group" or indeed an individual stakeholder, TWSW would love to see you in Taunton in just under two weeks. If you have any doubt as to how relevant it is for you / whether you quality, please ask me and I can help / advise.