Additional trains for Bath Christmas Market - 29 November 2014

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the First Great Western press release:

Additional trains for Bath Christmas Market

First Great Western is to run 21 additional trains to and from Bath Spa this coming weekend, to help shoppers visit the renowned Christmas market.

Additional services are to be provided between Bath and Swindon and Westbury; and between Bath and Bristol. Over 5,500 extra seats are being provided, but with international rugby also being played at Cardiff^s Millennium Stadium passengers are being warned that services will be in demand.

Christmas shoppers are being advised to allow plenty of time for their journey as a queuing system may be necessary to help passengers board trains in safety.

Bath Spa Station Manager Todd Graham said: ^It^s is great to see the Christmas market back here in Bath, with over 170 traditional wooden chalet stalls, and proving ever popular. While our friendly and approachable staff will be on hand to help keep people moving, I would urge customers to allow time for their journeys, as during the evening peak some passengers may not be able to board their first choice train.^

A large number of services will also have extended dwell times at key locations and  there will be slight alterations to the normal timetable service as a result.

Real-time running information for First Great Western can be found at www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern, or for further information or advice please visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk.

[LiskeardRich]

I'm tempted to go on Friday. From Redruth can I change at westbury or do I have to go via Bristol?

I have a first anytime ticket (complimentary go anywhere nature).

[bobm]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website offers a First Anytime single on the 06:05 from Redruth, change at Westbury and arrive at Bath at 10:34.  So I'd say yes.  (and enjoy the trip - the first anytime single is ^184.50 and a return ^369.00!)

[JayMac]

Here's an extract of the relevant Routeing Guide map for Redruth (Truro Routeing Point) to Bath. Mainline to Taunton then you can either go via Bristol to Bath, or via Westbury and Bradford-on-Avon, or you can even go via Melksham and Chippenham!

[LiskeardRich]

Thanks BNM

[grahame]

Chaos reigns at Bath Spa railway station this morning as train delays and crowd-control barriers hamper visitors^ efforts to reach the popular Bath Christmas Market.

Hundreds of people pouring out of the train station, some from late-running trains, are having their progress blocked by rows of plastic orange barriers.

Read more: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Chaos-Bath-Spa-trains-plastic-barriers-hinder/story-24886314-detail/story.html?

[ChrisB]

I'm sure they're there for a reason....

[TaplowGreen]

....seems a bit of an OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website, or possibly 'over the top', depending on context) reaction, I can think of more dreadful ordeals than having to walk past a few orange barriers? 

[Red Squirrel]

....seems a bit of an OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website, or possibly 'over the top', depending on context) reaction, I can think of more dreadful ordeals than having to walk past a few orange barriers? 

Ah yes, but this Bath we're talking about - they should have used woven willow barriers, or perhaps liveried footmen carrying gilt poles.

[Timmer]

The Bath Christmas market may be popular and indeed it is, especially with the council and hoteliers, but for those who live and work in Bath; most can't wait for it to finish. Causes gridlock on the roads and trains in the area.