From Saltash Rail Users Group :
It is very important to get as many individual responses as possible to the timetable consultation ^ your input will count. Letters need to reach Arriva by Fri 23rd Nov
This is the consultation for the 2009 timetable ^ it may seem a long way away but this is our best chance to lobby for stops here before the timetable gets frozen.
E-mail:
Info@crosscountrytrains.co.ukPostal: External Relations, CrossCountry Mobilisation Team
5th Floor, 43 Temple Row, Birmingham, B2 5LS
Also write to our
MP▸ Colin Breed MP, House of Commons, Westminster, S1 0AA or
colinbreed@blueyonder.co.uk or online at
www.writetothem.com . Ask him to push for connections from Saltash to Bristol, Birmingham and points North. Other smaller towns (Lostwithiel, Hayle) in Cornwall are favoured with stops in the Arriva timetable.
It would be helpful for reference if you could copy emails to
SRUG▸ info@srug.org.uk These notes are to help you with ideas of what to write and points to raise, but the most important thing is the impact on YOU ^ what train services do you need, what services would encourage you to use the train more.
Background
Arriva are taking over the Virgin Franchise. Historically we have never had Virgin trains making scheduled stops here, but we believe that there is significant potential demand.
Saltash has a population of over 15,000, with a catchment area for train services extending up to Callington and beyond. For many people in SE Cornwall it would be a lot more convenient to catch a train from Saltash than have to battle with traffic on the Tamar Bridge and in Plymouth. Saltash is the gateway to Cornwall and makes an ideal entrance point for tourism including cycling and walking. There is also significant demand for longer distance outbound trains as shown by the increasing numbers using the direct London services.
Environmental
Congestion on the road bridge. Congestion on A38/A30 in summer. Pollution caused by extra road traffic. Need to reduce carbon emissions. Parking in Plymouth being discouraged.
Social
Current connections through Plymouth to cross country services are poor. As well as potential long distance travel there is also demand for commuting into Plymouth from Saltash and trips down into Cornwall. ^ stress your own particular use (or potential use) of the train. The train service is also a vital part of our connection to the rest of the county.
If we don^t ask for these trains to stop then they certainly will not. If we can get some of them stopping here it will significantly improve our service both locally and long distance.
Arriva trains that are passing through Saltash in the draft timetable:
Penzance 0628 ^ (Saltash c0810) Plymouth 0822 ^ Edinburgh 1713
Penzance 0830 ^ (Saltash c1005) Plymouth 1018 ^ Aberdeen 2143
Penzance 0948 ^ (Saltash c1135) Plymouth 1148 ^ Manchester 1659
Penzance 2120 ^ (Saltash c 2305) Plymouth 2318
Plymouth 0630 (Saltash c0640) ^ Penzance 0822
Aberdeen 0730 - Plymouth 1850 (Saltash c 1900) ^ Penzance 2049
Glasgow 1010 - Plymouth 2000 ^ (Saltash c2010) Penzance 2156
Edinburgh 1205 - Plymouth 2047 (Saltash c2100) ^ Penzance 2241