Parliamentary drop-in report from our MP

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From our MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context)'s newsletter. Brian Mathew MP. No. 30, just received

Rail — Pushing for Better Services

It was a pleasure to welcome local rail campaigners from Bradford on Avon, Devizes and Melksham, alongside colleagues from Wiltshire Council, to a parliamentary drop-in last week with industry specialists from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and Network Rail.
 
I took the opportunity to raise the Devizes Gateway station project directly with Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director for the Western Route, ensuring it remains firmly on the agenda of senior rail leaders.
 
A key part of this is capacity at Westbury, which is crucial to delivering a potential Westbury to Paddington service that could include a stop at Devizes. I was encouraged to hear that recent technical work confirms both the feasibility and strong strategic case for reinstating the disused platform there.
 
While the Department for Transport is not currently supporting the scheme, Network Rail indicated they would be open to exploring the use of underspend from other regional projects to help progress these improvements.
 
Wiltshire Council will also play a vital role in developing the business case, and I will continue working closely with them to help move the project forward.
 
We also discussed services through Melksham, where even modest timetable changes could significantly improve connectivity  particularly by strengthening links at Chippenham and Trowbridge. Looking further ahead, more substantial upgrades such as line-speed improvements and a passing loop could transform both the frequency and reliability of services.
 
A huge thank you to our local campaigners and transport experts for their tireless work. I will continue supporting them as we push for the better rail services our communities deserve.

The desire for appropriate public transport improvements across the constituency is "a-political"; the local campaigners have worked with all parties.   The definition of "appropriate" and where the time and effort is prioritised IS both a political and personal decision. I am delighted that Brian and his team are seeing improvements as being important enough, and as a part of wider pictures too, to give such time and effort to help oil wheels where they can - over and above the call of duty