Great Western Coffee Shop

At the TravelWatch SouthWest / DfT franchise stakeholder briefing meeting in Salisbury earlier this week, it became apparent that a session in / around Exeter would be useful, to cover South West franchise services into Exeter.   The main consultation / inputs are required by early February, but these meetings are briefing opportunities to alert the DfT to upcoming issues, to hear what others are saying, and to help get the drift of what's required.

There were around 40 or 50 people in Salisbury earlier this week - rail and public transport user groups, elected representatives, representatives of the bidders and special interest groups, etc.   ... and it very much shows that the DfT are listeningin that there was a strong suggestion that an Exeter even was needed, and that request has been conceded, with one of the big team giving up a day of his break between Christmas and the New Year to come along.

I have meeting details / invite email I can forward to who would like to attend / would like his/her group to attend.   Capacity reasons, etc, there's only one place per group and it's not a generally open public meeting - however, some groups are small, esoteric ... if you're likely to be putting an input to the consultation, didn't come along to Salisbury, and have an interest to the West of Salisbury, it would be worthwhile being briefed at this meeting.

It would be very interesting to hear what topics were raised at the Exeter meeting. Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere.

It was good that the man from the Ministry agreed to this meeting (although the short notice and timing possibly didn't help!) and to give up a day of his holiday. Well done.

I have a set of verbatim notes I typed during both the consultation meetings - neither in a fit condition to make public.   However, I have sent you a copy by personal message.

Edit to add ... Happy to send copy of my personal rough notes, on request, to other regulars