Thank you for coming along to see Father Christmas, who is on the train from Trowbridge and Melksham to Swindon and back today - Sunday, 6th December 2009.
TransWilts Railway line.
The TransWilts line runs from Swindon to Salisbury, via Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury and Warminster ... providing a fast, efficient and user friendly link between the five largest population centres in Wiltshire.
The train only runs twice a day at present, but "Save the Train", the Melksham Railway Development Group, the West Wilts Rail Users Group and other passenger groups are campaiging for improvements. Network Rail, Wiltshire Council, First Great Western (who run the trains) and the Department for Transport have all been looking at the case carefully and have concluded that the line justifies an hourly service, with a good "Benefit Cost Ratio", and the groups are working with all parties to do their best to get improvements, although the mechanisms involved make it very difficult to achieve.
Use the train!
35 minutes from Trowbridge, 25 minutes from Melksham direct into the centre of Swindon. Monday to Friday - commuter service leaves at 07:06 from Trowbridge, and 07:17 from Melksham, returning at 18:45. Saturday - shopper service leaves at 09:06 from Trowbridge, 09:18 from Melksham, returning at 15:20 or 21:08.
Picture - the TransWilts train at Chippenham
At the weekend, the Saturday train service gives you an excellent opportunity to go shopping in Swindon, to visit the Outlet Centre or steam museum, or to carry on for a day in London.
Want to know more about train travel?
Do you want to find out more about travelling by First Great Western - go to their customer site at http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or the passenger's forum at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop
Prepared by the Melksham Railway Development Group, 12.09
Melksham Station News
Wiltshire Council recently purchased land that includes the approach
road to Melksham Station, and various premises to the east comprising
the old good yard and sheds, to safeguard it from sale by its previous
owners for purposes which could have severley restricted access to the
station, and prevented developments such as opening up an access
through to North Melksham to make the station easier to access
(including buses), and providing additional car parking and a taxi rank
which would be needed if services and usage increased to a level
comparable to other Wiltshire stations.
Wiltshire Council have asked for our (community) input as to what we
would like to see done, even in the short term, to improve the area
that they are now responsible for, and perhaps the station itself, in
Melksham. The question was put to the Melksham Railway Development
Group meeting at the end of November, but rather than just consider the
narrow question within the group, we are looking wider at strategic
plans, so that we can ensure that short term work also has community
support and long term gain.
Here's a list of ideas / options to move forward. Which would YOU like
to see?
Can you think of anything you would like so see added?
1. Integrated Transport
2. Signs and Welcome at the Station
3. Footpath through; road through
4. Information point
5. Diner / Coffee Shop
6. Publicity in Press
7. London outing
8. Community Area Partnership
9. Community Rail Partnership
10. Leaflets
11. More trains
12. Ticketing agency in Melksham
13. Better waiting room facilities
14. Groupathon
15. Taxi rank
16. Lighting for signs
17. Interactive touch screen
18. Weekend trains
19. Sign at Market Place
Dates for your diary.
22nd January 2010 - Launch for Community Rail Partnership / Meeting date for Melksham Railway Development Group.
20th March 2010 - London, 30 pound return for an adult, 10 pounds return for a child. 09:06 from Trowbridge, 09:16 from Melksham. Times and pricing provisional, back at 15:45 or 21:42 (Melksham), 15:55 or 21:52 (Trowbridge)
Do you support an improved service?
If so, please add your name to the list of supporters at http://www.transwilts.org.uk
Do you want to find out more about travelling by First Great Western - go to their customer site at http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or the passenger's forum at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop.