Great Western Coffee Shop

An improved rail service between Portsmouth Harbour and Cardiff was announced last week proving yet another coup for the Severn Tunnel Action Group.

The 5.23pm from Portsmouth Harbour (Monday to Friday) will no longer be terminating at Bristol and as a result the train departing from Bath Spa at 7.36pm and Bristol Temple Meads at 7.54pm will now stop at Severn Tunnel Junction at 8.16pm. The service had previously only operated past Bristol on a Friday meaning passengers had to change trains at Bristol to continue to South Wales.

The improved service was revealed when rail timetables were published last week.

The new timetables for First Great Western, CrossCountry Trains and Arriva Trains Wales are now available at Severn Tunnel Junction and Chepstow railway stations as well as Caldicot Library; the Tourist Information Office, Chepstow; and the Station Cafe, Chepstow.

The improvements STAG have achieved in recent times did not go unnoticed by members of the South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) when they met in Pontypool recently.

Monmouthshire County Councillor Bryan Jones told other board members how the lobbying done by STAG and the Chepstow Group 'Better Trains for Chepstow' was making a real difference to rail users in the Lower Wye and Severnside area. He also spoke of the growing success of the Grass Routes Scheme at Severn Tunnel Junction adding: "At just ^2.75 per adult for a return journey it represents superb value."

Details of the Grass Routes scheme is available in the Ticket office at Severn Tunnel Junction or telephone 0800 085 8015.