Great Western Coffee Shop

Taunton, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. That's Friday 18th October 2019. Date definite - the TWSW secretary confirms we've been waiting on availably as someone else had first refusal over the venue.

There's a TravelWatch SouthWest board meeting at the end of this month - a few more details ten, I expect, but I know of a couple of people anxious for a final / confirmed date for their diaries.

Thanks - this date looks more hopeful!

I have added a date for March 2020 (1st Saturday in the month) to this thread following yesterday's board meeting.  Groups with transport interests welcome to send a delegate (and encouraged to add an upcoming person for the future) - whether or not they are 'members'. 

TWSW takes a very wide view of the term 'group' and it can at times even be a group of one at the very early stages of something - indeed that's how I first came across them.  I still feel somewhat out of my depth at board meetings - that is the knowledge and wisdom that's there but very much oiling wheels behind the scenes much of the time.  If you are a member of a groups that's not been along to TravelWatch - please send me a personal message here (or contact me another way) and I can help you get in touch / an invite along to Taunton.

Agenda for October?  Will include: Rural isolation and transport provision. Sub Regional Transport Bodies (and getting them co-ordinated across the region). Update on inputs for DA3 and beyond. Looking to the December '19 timetable which will be close by then. We are advised that "Williams" will not have reported by the meeting date though.  Also very much aware of a somewhat uncertain political landscape ahead, and looking to have key principles on transport to hand that politicians can sign up for as a framework.

A further date will be added for the TWSW AGM - should be November.   Not the "big one" as are the general meetings, but the board does make it worthwhile for members to come along.

Good to see Saturdays haven't bern totally abandoned

Current thought is to alternate ... but the next date to set is some 15 months hence so a lot can change in that time. Goodness knows what our relationships with our neighbour will be, who will be prime minister, what party he /she will lead (or will it be a government of national unity?) and whether transport planning will be centralised in Horseferry Road or delegated out to individual bus stop consultative committees to liaise and get a service between them.  From a personal point, I think it's my turn in the cycle for TravelWatch re-election this Autumn and I know I need to stand again for RailFuture re-election - in both cases, of course, with a personal choice whether I wish to continue.

Re this Friday, is refreshment to be taken at the plough in Taunton after the meeting ?
I expect to be at the pub, presuming that anyone else is coming.

I think we have multiple threads running on this one.   Planning to be there!

I expect to be at the Plough from about 15-00, buses permitting.

The 18th October meeting was a great success - both in terms of numbers of people attending, and the very broad range of people attracted.  That very broad range is one of the keys to the success of the day - with transport industry, local government, specialist groups and transport groups all networking in addition to us putting our heads together, and listening to some good speakers.  Moving from our traditional Saturday, there seem to have been very few people amongst our regulars who had to send their apologies - good news.

15th December 2019 - yes, you know it - the great timetable change!  ;D ... and the first Saturday train arriving into Taunton from Westbury moves 25 minutes later - not into Taunton until 10:33.

Considering how valuable time at TWSW is, a combination of the loss of nearly half an hour for many of the attendees coming off the first train from our Hampshire, Dorset, Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch area, as well as central and southern Wiltshire and Frome, it is probable that the meeting will be moved to Friday, 6th March Monday 2nd March (change, 22.11.19 & 16.1.20 - venue availability) and I have updated the calendar here accordingly.  I'm sure this will all be clarified at the TWSW AGM on 22nd November.

The Coffee Shop AGM - Taunton - SATURDAY 4th April 2020 - I am inclined to propose that it remains on that date.  A 10:33 arrival at Taunton Station for an 11:00 welcome in the venue next door seems reasonable; AGM business doesn't require all day and indeed we have already invited a GWR update, and perhaps can do something mid afternoon too. Coffee Shop members come from a wider area too - I'm particularly conscious of peak v off  peak fare differences for those from London and the Home Counties which effect Coffee Shop members from outside TWSW's territory.  I note that TransWilts have just announced an event for 4th April, but as far as I can see little or no overlap - ad I'm sure there will be other competing events that day.

TravelWatch SouthWest AGM yesterday ... the next general meeting is moved to Monday 9th 2nd March 2020; the move necessitated by venue availability.  Dates added for the autumn meeting and 2020 AGM too - 2nd 9th October and 20th November 2020.   Oh - and I have been re-elected as a director for a further 3 years, and delighted with that.  Planning ahead for next spring's AGM season, I'm planning to stand again purely continuing my roles with the Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch and the Coffee Shop.

Congratulations Graham.

Well done, TWSW will continue to benefit from your input, enthusiasm and hard work.

Agenda for Monday includes ...

Connectivity - A framework for moving forward

“It’s time to break the stigma around coach travel and to promote this travel option as the savvy consumer choice” - how the coach passenger experience can be improved so that more customers can discover the benefits of coach travel.

What will the Western Gateway strategy mean for public transport passengers?

Developing best practice: Helping passengers make the link between rail and bus

GWR Update

Speakers include

Matthew Golton, Managing Director, Great Western Railway
Charlotte Ritchie, Head of Public Affairs, National Express
Thomas Ableman, Chief Executive Officer, SNAP (The on-demand operator)
Prof. Graham Parkhurst UWE
James White, West of England Combined Authority
Luke Farley, Great Western Railway

Apart from still getting stuck in traffic, there is the problem for those of us with long legs that we cannot get our legs between the seats.  Worse than modern trains in my experience.