TfW proposed services into Bristol

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

I can see why GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) would object to TfW^▸ (Transport for Wales) making a bid to run services into Bristol but it's a bit naughty that they state they already provide three trains an hour on that axis as that's not the case when I've returned that way from Cardiff or Newport of an evening, when the service is hourly (and, as I've twice, recently, unluckily hit a short-notice cancellation which has turned things into a one and three quarter hour wait followed by a change at Bristol and a half hour wait there too.)

That aside, perhaps TfW's proposal wouldn't sort services during the thinner parts of the day too. I'd also be well in favour of either GWR, or GBR^▸ (Great British Railways), or TfW, strengthening provision on the Bristol - Hereford - Shrewsbury - Chester axis. When Regional Railways put just a few services into that, in terms of passenger loadings, between Bristol and Hereford in particular, they promptly started to run hot.

Mark

[Noggin]

I wonder if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) might have been more agreeable if the Welsh Assembly pushed for and contributed to electrification of Filton Bank into Temple Meads?

I think you are a little optimistic about the prospect for traffic for Bristol beyond Gt Malvern, but is there perhaps an argument that Cheltenham Spa to Newport should be run by GWR rather than TfW^▸ (Transport for Wales) as it runs Gloucestershire for the majority of it's length?

In fact, if Gloucestershire were to join WECA^» (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority - about), might there be a business case for reopening the line through the city and extending Newport services to a new Cheltenham North Parkway station and the racecourse as some kind of "Gloucestershire Metro"?

[Mark A]

I wonder if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) might have been more agreeable if the Welsh Assembly pushed for and contributed to electrification of Filton Bank into Temple Meads?

I think you are a little optimistic about the prospect for traffic for Bristol beyond Gt Malvern **snip**

Ah, I was thinking Bristol - Hereford - Shrewsbury - Chester via the Maindee curve before Newport.  Not a great distance. Suboptimal road connections. Hopefully the Maindee curve being singled hasn't screwed its capacity too much - before it was singled, didn't some Regional Railways services provide just that?

Mark

[a-driver]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have to object.  It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

[TaplowGreen]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have to object.  It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?

[a-driver]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have to object.  It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?

They still have to adhere to their contract.

You have to remember First are paid a flat fee to manage GWR. Loss of revenue has no impact on FirstGroup.