Next steps - rail demand in Wiltshire

[whole diary]

[grahame]

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10713227._/?

A NEW train station at Royal Wootton Bassett is currently being considered as part of a scheme to open Wiltshire up to a new rail network.

In August 2012 Wiltshire Council commissioned Robert McClean, a transport planning consultant, to undertake a study to identify potential rail demand within Wiltshire.

Too long to quote in full - go on - you KNOW you want to read it 

[ellendune]

I was just reading it.

a list of potential new rail stations were recommended for consideration by Wiltshire Council. They include Royal Wootton Bassett, White Horse and Wilton, which would enable the commissioning of the Trans Wilts service.

Any idea where White Horse is?  There are quite a few in Wiltshire as well as the proper one in the Vale of the White Horse near Uffington.

[grahame]

Any idea where White Horse is?  There are quite a few in Wiltshire as well as the proper one in the Vale of the White Horse near Uffington.

White Horse Business Park, between Trowbridge and Westbury.   There's a considerable number of large employers there, and there's potential for it to be a major commuter destination rather in the same way that Filton Abbey Wood is.

[ellendune]

Ahh that makes sense. Thank you

[grahame]

I was just reading it.

... which would enable the commissioning of the Trans Wilts service.

Just reading that back.   The case for the TransWilts service as planned from 8th December is made without additional stations. However, the operational case work in 2011 evaluated the technical possibility of additional stops (a) at Royal Wootton Bassett and (b) on the single track section between Thingley and Bradford junctions.  It is misleading to say that a handful of stations would enable the commissioning, though they would almost certainly add significant traffic and bring the need for a longer, more frequent and extended (to Salsibury) service into sharp focus very much more quickly.

[bobm]

Agree the article certainly overlooks the fact an improved TransWilts service is going to start in December without these new stations.

I have not been to the site of Royal Wootton Bassett station for six months or so but I do remember some new housing being built on the north side of the line on what was I guess part of the station land in the past.  So I am not sure what sort of parking provision can be provided for the new station.  It is a bit of a walk from the town centre and most of the local bus services.  Certainly these could be re-routed but how much scope there is for a interchange and car-parking I don't know.

As everyone knows, there is a lot more to station re-openings than providing platforms and gaps in timetables.