Railwatch 068 - July 1996

South West

By Gerard Duddridge

More daft moves Very few connections are required in the draft passenger service requirement for South Wales and West. Most services were specified with one or two fewer trains per day than the present timetable. Of particular concern is that no through trains are required between Devonport Dockyard, Keyham and St Budeaux to Saltash and stations to Penzance while Lostwithiel is only specified to and from Plymouth, not Penzance. The PSR breaks up the Alpha line services into three parts: Penzance to Plymouth, Plymouth/Paignton to Exeter and Exeter to Bristol. Through services to Birmingham and Cardiff are not included at all. For some perverse reason, the last train from Barnstaple can terminate half way at Eggesford!

Cuts fear Unlike the Great Western Trains services, where some trains may be financially self supporting, South Wales and West covers only one third of its costs by fares income. For South Wales and West, train service cuts down to the PSR level are a distinct possibility. The branch has expressed concern over the PSR, particularly as many loss-making services are not specified, a view echoed by local authorities and the rail users consulktative committee.

One up The Cross Country PSR has also been issued with summer Saturday services to Paignton halved and only one train per day working into Cornwall on weekdays. Rail study Cornwall County Council, Groundwork Kerrier, Railtrack and the train operators are to undertake a station study, to establish requirements for regeneration of existing stations and to identify opportunities for promoting tourism. RDS will be invited to provide input to this process.

Okehampton branch Camas Aggregates which now owns the line from the former Coleford Junction to Meldon Quarry says it will co-operate to allow passenger trains on the line, provided it does not interfere with commercial operations at Meldon Quarry.

High speed rail link Pressure is mounting for the inclusion of the Bristol to Penzance line in the Trans-European High Speed rail network, with Robin Teverson, MEP for Cornwall, most local authorities and the local press campaigning for Government support. Eventually, Railtrack has agreed to a feasibility study, partly funded by EC grant.

Wenford Bridge Inquiry The second public inquiry into the restoration of the freight line to Wenford Bridge Clay Dries took place in February. The same inspector that presided over the original inquiry was appointed for the meeting. He previously found against reopening.

St Ives fares According to the Franchising Director, fares on the St Ives branch will resume their high level again this summer. This time, holders of the Cornish Railcard (which is only available to residents in Cornwall) will get higher discounts.

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