PRESS RELEASE

OUTRAGE OVER MISSING ENTRANCE GATE AT PILNING STATION

Local residents are furious over the recent theft of the entrance gate at Pilning station—a crime that underscores the neglect and vulnerability of the station in its current state. Once again, the lack of essential facilities and services at Pilning has created an environment where criminal acts go unchecked.

Pilning Station Group Chair Olga Taylor said,

“If Pilning station were treated as a fully functioning station—with proper CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele-Vision) surveillance, regular stopping services, a safe and accessible footbridge, and a steady stream of passengers— such blatant vandalism or theft would be far less likely to occur. Instead, the station remains forgotten and undervalued, leaving it open to these disgraceful incidents.”

“Pilning deserves better. It is high time for investment and revitalization, not just to deter criminal activities but to serve as a proper transportation hub for the community.”

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have been approached for comment.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

a) Pilning is located on the South Wales Main Line and is the last station in England before the Severn Tunnel. Its service suffered progressive rundown and was reduced in 2006 to one train each way on Saturdays only. Trains can only call during daylight hours as the station lighting has been removed.

b) Despite stiff local opposition, the station’s footbridge was controversially demolished in 2016 to make way for electrification wires, cutting off access to the westbound platform altogether and rendering the service “one direction only” (towards Bristol). To return, passengers have to go through the Severn Tunnel into Wales, change at Severn Tunnel Junction and return the way they have just come, extending a 20-minute journey to one-hour-plus.

Further information and background: see www.pilningstation.uk

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