Severn Tunnel Action Group update

[whole diary]

[John R]

Here, here, and this is an idea which I myself canvassed a month or so back somewhere on this Forum (at least having fast and stoppers between Cardiff and Bristol), so maybe there is more evidence that someone in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) management reads this Forum.

[Lee]

From my point of view, this is a better idea than the RPC report because it envisages the extra service running through to Cardiff, rather than terminating at Bristol. That way, through journey opportunities to Cardiff from stations such as Bradford-on-Avon wouldnt be lost.

It should be noted though, that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are talking about the fast Cardiff-Newport-Bristol-Bath-South Coast service remaining (rather than becoming) an express service, and this suggestion could be being aimed at stations such as STJ^▸ (Severn Tunnel Junction railway station) and Keynsham (for example) that may (and are in the case of STJ) be looking to have stops added to the Portsmouth-Cardiff service in future.

However, I wonder whether "There are no timescales for the suggestion" is a reference to lack of paths up Filton Bank. It could be that either 4-tracking of that section will be required, or that the extra Severn Beach Line services could be removed after their 2-3 year trial period is up. The latter would obviously be strongly opposed, and I would be against such a move.

[TerminalJunkie]

Here, here

Where, where?

[John R]

Here, here

Where, where?

Fair cop, guv! Can't believe I wrote that myself.

[Lee]

Can be found in the link below.
http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/issues.htm

Key quote :

We believe we have about reached the limit of re-instatement of services through direct consultation / engagement with the Train Operating Companies.

Further improvements to services will only come if
1. The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)/ WAG^» (Welsh Assembly Government - about) can be persuaded of the wider Social Economic benefits of having integrated transport services, or
2. Increase the present low off peak usage, ( Severn Tunnel Junction has less than half the off peak usage per head of local catchment area population compared with other stations e.g. Chepstow)
3. The station is developed as a Park and Ride hub for east Monmouthshire.

Also :

Severn Tunnel Action Group this week took their campaign for better services and facilities at Severn Tunnel Junction Station directly to UK^▸ (United Kingdom) Rail Minister Tom Harris.


At the meeting in the Department for Transport organised by Newport East MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Jessica Morden STAG lobbied for better connecting services to be considered as part of future rail franchise agreements.


The Rail Minister also welcomed a presentation by the group on the need for improved services and the long term vision for a park and ride at Severn Tunnel Junction. Tom Harris praised the group for their campaign for better local rail services and for their commitment to developing an integrated transport system through better rail to rail connections.


Commenting on the visit David Flint, chair of STAG, said that the Group was working with three local MPS, the Welsh Assembly, Monmouthshire County Council, Dean Forest Council, the Rail operating companies and others. The aim is not only for a better station at Severn Tunnel, but also for better connections east to Bristol and Bath, and north to Chepstow, Lydney and Cheltenham.


At the end of the meeting STAG welcomed the helpful advice and support provided by the Minister and his advisers.


Jessica Morden MP for Newport East said ^ve been raising questions for STAG in the House of Commons and as a result I^m delighted Tom Harris agreed to meet the group. Although many issues are devolved it was important to be able to press home that on a UK level the Government can do more to promote better connecting services which can only help stations like Severn Tunnel.^


Delegates in the STAG team that met with Tom Harris also included Phil Inskip, Chair of STAG^s Technical Committee, and Jim Jenkins who is also chair of Better Trains for Chepstow.


Following the meeting the team were pleased to briefly meet David Davies, MP for Monmouthshire.

[Lee]

From Severn Tunnel Action Group :

New early morning/early evening bus service to/from Magor and Undy goes ahead on 27 October. Posters promoting this service have been displayed at the library in Caldicot, in the Fish & Chip Shops in Caldicot, and West End (Caldicot), in the newsagents/convenienc store in Undy, at Budgens Supermarket at Magor and in the Post Office in Magor. Ladies in the Post Office were very enthusiasitic and supportive, and the Manager at Budgens thought it so important to local residents that he has displayed it on the exit door to the store! People leaving the store should see it!

Posters have also been displayed at STJ^▸ (Severn Tunnel Junction railway station), and copies provided to Michelle in the booking hall for handing to passengers. Michelle reports she has had quite a few interested pesons take copies.I am currently working with Jessica Morden's publicity people with a view to getting BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) and ITV news teams, along with the rest of the media, and in getting then involved in doing features on the service.

Meeting last week with Network Rail and ARRIVA TW regarding station improvements shortly to go ahead. Phil Inskip, Linda Guppy and I met with the above last week to discuss the GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) 3 report. The good news is that they have listened to Phil (well who would argue with the man?) and have shown us improved designs for the passenger waiting shelters for the platforms... these new designs fully met with Phil's approval!Work on the new shelters, additional CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) for added security, and improved customer information systems (as illustrated in the GRIP 3 report) will all be going ahead in the near future.Concern was expressed at inaccuracies in the report, particularly with regard to Car Parking. The biggest concern is over land identified for additional parking as belonging to Monmouthshire County Council, which isn't! As a result a meeting is now being sought with the County Council.

Response to the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 'Days out' leaflets?

Early indications suggest that commuter traffic to Bristol and Bath has increased. Last Tuesday 77 people boarded the 7.55am, and about 60 persons boarded the 7.25am. This is about a 30% increase on three months ago ... I wonder if it will be sustained particularly as thee have since been regrettable incidents!

For those that don't know we circulated nearly 10,000 of the 'Day's out' leaflets in Portskewett, Caldicott, Caerwent, Undy, Rogeit and Magor + key places elsewhere! Achieved publicity too!As a follow-up Colin is looking at providing FGW with information for the 'destinations' area of their website: see - http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=90 If we can get this established it will encourage people to visit the area by train.

Station adoption!

Phil and Linda are progressing this. It looks likely to go ahead and enhancements to the appearance of the station will hopefully take place as a result.

Extra train to Bristol & Bath

8.55am will be stopping at STJ from December timetable change. This thanks to the excellent work by Phil and Alan.

Forthcoming Meetings

Phil, (Colin or Jim) and I are meeting FGW (John Pocket and Mike Carroll) in Bristol on 3 November to discuss rail integration between Maesteg to Cheltenham service (ARRIVA TW) and Bath/Bristol to Cardiff.

[John R]

Isn't the 0855 stopper the one that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) said they couldn't path? Again, good to see that STAG^▸ (Severn Tunnel Action Group) has managed to persuade the powers that be to introduce the stop. Now all we need is for them to recognise that there needs to be fasts (non stop Newport to Bristol) and stoppers, to cater effectively for both long distance traffic and local needs. But I think that's a much longer term aspiration.

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update from STAG^▸ (Severn Tunnel Action Group), at http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/campaign%20updates.htm

[John R]

All quite positive really when you consider the situation two years ago.

[IanC]

This was in the Weekend's South Wales Argus:-

New Shelters for rail station

New passenger shelters and train departure screens should be installed shortly at Severn Tunnel Junction, says a campaigning group.
Also, after the next timetable change in May, the 20:04 FGW^▸ (First Great Western) service from Bristol (Temple Meads) will also be a stopping service at the station to provide connections with services on the Chepstow Line.

[devon_metro]

Isn't Severn Tunnel Junction about to be given a new station building and car park etc?

[John R]

and a new platform will be brought into use in a blockade over Xmas.

[IanC]

As Jimmy Crockett would say:- "and there's more!"

'An Assembly Member is calling for the Assembly to make Severn Tunnel Junction railway station a parkway where inter-city trains could stop. South Wales East AM and former Liberal Democrat leader Michael German put the idea to First Minister Rhodri Morgan on Tuesday. But Mr Morgan replied that too many parkway stations could slow the route to London down.

More Here

[Btline]

Mr Morgan replied that too many parkway stations could slow the route to London down.

Quite right! The service needs to be sped up, not slowed down by extra parkways here and there!

[welshman]

Yes.  Why would you want to stop and pick up passengers?  Let them waste fuel driving to Newport and trying to park or spend ^5.40 to cross the bridge (or rather cross back) and go to Bristol Parkway where there's already no space at all.