The Bristol Railway Archive

From BBC News website:

Train company consults over plans

Train operator First Great Western is to launch a consultation into timetable changes planned for later this year.

The operator is due to expand its services when it begins running the Greater Western franchise in April.

The company will continue to run its own high speed and Link services and will take over Wessex Trains' routes.

About 1,000 organisations and individuals will be asked to comment on the plans for the company's 1,500 daily services between London and the West.

Timetable approval

First Great Western's Managing Director, Alison Forster, said: "Now that the confidential bidding process is over, we want to be absolutely open and transparent about the draft plans we have in place for the December timetable.

"This is a real opportunity for the communities we serve to view the detail of the timetable at the earliest possible stage and to have their say."

The company says the comments it receives will be analysed before the timetable is sent to the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation for approval.

If approved, the new timetable would start in December 2006.

Draft timetable available at http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/franchise/en/Timetable.php

Mike

Purposed changes for Bristol and surrounding counties from Dec '06: (warning: very long!):

Bristol Parkway

• Most Swansea to Paddington trains will not call at Didcot. All Cardiff to Paddington trains will call at Didcot instead.
• 0703 Bristol Temple Meads to Swansea (departs Bristol Parkway 0719) withdrawn.
• 1515 Paddington to Swansea calls additionally at Didcot, terminates at Cardiff and arrives Bristol Parkway 5 minutes later.
• 1715 Paddington to Swansea does not call Swindon and is 7 minutes faster as a result.
• 1815 Paddington to Swansea calls additionally at Reading and does not call Swindon.
• 0443MX/0500MO Bristol Parkway to Paddington withdrawn.
• 0530 Swansea to Paddington (depart Bristol Parkway 0701) calls additionally at Swindon and Didcot and is 6 minutes slower as a result.
• 0630 Swansea to Paddington (depart Bristol Parkway 0801) calls additionally at Reading and is 10 minutes slower as a result.
• Additional 0710 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington train, calling Bristol Parkway (0720), Swindon, Didcot, Reading, arriving Paddington 0850. This train does not run in July and August.
• Additional 1930 Swansea to Paddington train (depart Bristol Parkway 2101), filling a two-hour gap in the current service.

Bristol Temple Meads, Bath and Chippenham

• 0543 Paddington to Cardiff (via Bristol Temple Meads) departs at 0530, runs earlier and is extended to Swansea.
• 0703 Bristol Temple Meads to Swansea withdrawn.
• Most xx00 Paddington departures call at Didcot.
• Most xx30 Paddington departures do not call at Didcot.
• Most xx00 departures from Bristol moved to xx07.
• Most xx30 departures from Bristol moved to xx33.
• The same number of trains run to/from Weston-super-Mare, but many are at different times. In particular, two afternoon Paddington to Bristol trains will run through to Weston to provide more capacity in the Bristol evening peak.
• The Paignton (via Bristol) train departs earlier at 1000, instead of 1030.
• 1800 Paddington to Bristol calls additionally at Reading, does not call at Didcot.
• 2045 Paddington to Bristol departs at 2100 and runs later throughout.
• 2145 Paddington to Exeter (via Bristol Temple Meads) departs at 2200 and runs later throughout.
• 2215 Paddington to Bristol departs at 2230 and runs later throughout.
• 2335 Paddington to Bristol departs at 2330 and runs earlier throughout.

Pewsey, Westbury and Castle Cary

• Paddington/Exeter semi-fast services (introduced in December 2004) withdrawn off-peak. As a result, apart from during the peaks, there are no through trains from Pewsey to/from stations west of Westbury.
• Most off-peak Castle Cary/London trains run non-stop between Castle Cary and Reading.
• Westbury gains an hourly service during most of the day by extensions of the Paddington/Bedwyn trains.
• The DfT specified a considerable reduction in West of England trains calling at Westbury. However, some calls have been re-instated in the latest timetable.
• Two additional early morning services are provided from Westbury and Pewsey to London, by starting two Bedwyn trains from Westbury.
• Two additional evening peak services are provided to Pewsey and Westbury by extending two Paddington/Newbury/Bedwyn trains to Westbury.
• Last train from London leaves 15 minutes earlier.
• Westbury is also served by half-hourly trains to/from Cardiff. Every two hours, one of these trains is a Weymouth/Cardiff service (also serving Castle Cary).
• 2010 Castle Cary to Cardiff starts from Westbury.
• 1823 Filton Abbey Wood to Castle Cary departs at 1748 and runs earlier, terminating at Frome.

Taunton

• All London/West of England trains now call at Taunton, providing an hourly all-day service.
• Paddington/Exeter semi-fast services (introduced in December 2004) withdrawn off-peak.
• Some journey times are faster, due to the removal of more intermediate calls.
• Last train from London departs later at 2200, instead of 2145.
• Fast morning train to London runs earlier, arriving 0849, instead of 0900.
• More through trains to/from Cornwall.
• Additional morning train to London (via Bristol) departing 0910.
• Overnight London/West of England sleeper service retained.

Gloucester and Cheltenham

• Regular two-hourly off-peak pattern of London/Cheltenham services, with many journey times reduced by up to 11 minutes.
• Swindon/Cheltenham connecting services provided on the alternate hours, with all except first and last trains running north of Gloucester.
• Combined, these give Cheltenham and Gloucester an hourly all-day service to/from Swindon and London (alternate services requiring a change at Swindon), filling the current 2-hour gaps.
• First through train from London departs one hour later (although connection is available at Swindon).
• Last through train to London departs earlier at 1835, instead of 2058 (although a later connection is available at Swindon).
• Taunton/Bristol/Gloucester/Cheltenham services run at regular hourly intervals, with extensions to/from Worcester every two hours.
• First Gloucester to Bristol service runs later at 0615, instead of 0525.
• First Bristol to Gloucester service runs later at 0744, instead of 0710.
• Last Cheltenham to Bristol service runs earlier at 2101, instead of 2237.
• Last Bristol to Gloucester service runs earlier at 2200, instead of 2244.

Portsmouth and stations to Southampton

• Hourly Portsmouth/Cardiff service maintained, with most trains running to/from Cardiff Airport (also calling at Barry). Some minor re-timings.
• All trains call at Filton Abbey Wood (currently only alternate trains call).
• 0650 Portsmouth to Cardiff departs at 0724, runs on pattern and is accelerated.
• Additional 2024 Portsmouth to Cardiff train.
• 0440 Cardiff to Portsmouth starts from Bristol Temple Meads at 0610 runs later throughout.
• 2102 Cardiff to Portsmouth starts from Cardiff Airport (at 1950), departs Cardiff at 2030, runs on pattern and is accelerated.
• Note that Eastleigh and Southampton Airport Parkway are not served by any Great Western trains.
• Portsmouth/Penzance through train withdrawn.

Brighton and stations to Southampton

• 1240 Bristol to Brighton starts back from Cardiff at 1200 and is re-timed.
• 0857 and 1657 Brighton to Bristol trains are extended to Cardiff and re-timed.

Romsey, Dunbridge, Dean

• Romsey continues to be served by the Portsmouth/Cardiff services (see above), Brighton/Cardiff trains and Southampton/Cardiff locals.
• Southampton to Westbury locals reduced from 9 to 3 (as specified by DfT).
• Westbury to Southampton locals reduced from 8 to 3 (as specified by DfT).
• Most remaining Southampton/Bristol trains are extended to/from Cardiff.
• Dunbridge and Dean reduced to 3 trains from Southampton and 2 trains from Westbury (as specified by DfT).

Salisbury, Warminster, Dilton Marsh

• Salisbury and Warminster continue to be served by the Portsmouth/Cardiff services (see Portsmouth to Southampton above), Brighton/Cardiff trains and Southampton/Cardiff locals.
• Southampton to Westbury locals reduced from 9 to 3 (as specified by DfT).
• Westbury to Southampton locals reduced from 8 to 3 (as specified by DfT).
• Most remaining Southampton/Bristol trains are extended to/from Cardiff.
• Dilton Marsh: Trains to Westbury reduced from 13 to 7. Trains from Westbury reduced from 11 to 9.

Weymouth and stations to Yeovil Pen Mill

• Route re-cast to provide a near regular-interval two-hourly service, with all but early and late trains running to/from Cardiff.
• First train arrives in Weymouth at 0913, instead of 0805.
• All trains now call at all stations.

Bruton and Frome

• Bristol/Weymouth route re-cast to provide a near regular-interval two-hourly service, with all but early and late trains running to/from Cardiff.
• Additional Frome to Paddington morning peak service, returning in the evening peak.
• 2010 Castle Cary to Cardiff starts from Westbury, no longer serving Bruton and Frome.
• 1823 Filton Abbey Wood to Castle Cary departs at 1748 and runs earlier, terminating at Frome.

Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon

• Trowbridge has 2tph û hourly Portsmouth/Cardiff plus hourly Westbury/Cardiff.
• Bradford is served by the hourly Westbury/Cardiff trains.
• Each station has two additional morning peak trains into Bristol, returning in the evening peak.
• This is comparable with current services.

Avoncliff and Freshford

• Hourly service at both stations all day û except for two 2-hour gaps (when the Brighton/Cardiff services run). Most trains run to/from Cardiff.
• Each station has two additional morning peak trains into Bristol, returning in the evening peak.
• This is comparable with current service level, but an increase as compared with the DfT specification of trains every two hours.

Oldfield Park and Keynsham

• Hourly service at both stations all day û except for two 2-hour gaps (when the Brighton/Cardiff services run). Most trains run to/from Cardiff.
• Each station has two additional morning peak trains into Bristol, returning in the evening peak.
• This is comparable with current services.

Bedminster, Parson Street, Weston Milton

• Hourly services all day, with Bristol/Weston-super-Mare trains calling at all stations south of Bristol Temple Meads and extended to/from Filton Abbey Wood.
• Weston Milton has 1 more service arriving in Bristol before 0900.
• Parson Street has 3 services arriving in Bristol before 0900 (as now).
• Bedminster has 3 services arriving in Bristol before 0900 (1 less).
• Weston Milton has 4 services departing Bristol between 1630 and 1830 (1 less).
• Parson Street has 4 services departing Bristol between 1630 and 1900 (as now).
• Bedminster has 4 services departing Bristol between 1630 and 1900 (1 less).
• No regular through services to/from Cardiff.

Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle

• Two trains each hour all day, plus additional trains at Nailsea and Worle when through London trains operate.
• Generally 3tph in the peaks.
• Weston-super-Mare/Bristol stopping services extended to/from Filton Abbey Wood all day.
• Apart from early and late services, Taunton/Bristol services run to/from Cheltenham and/or Worcester.
• No regular through services to/from Cardiff.
• Additional late evening through train to London departing Yatton 2214 and Nailsea 2219.

Weston-super-Mare

• Weston-super-Mare/Bristol stopping services extended to/from Filton Abbey Wood all day.
• Apart from early and late services, Taunton/Bristol services run to/from Cheltenham and/or Worcester.
• No regular through services to/from Cardiff.
• The same number of trains run between London and Weston-super-Mare, but many are at different times. In particular, two afternoon Paddington to Bristol trains will run through to Weston to provide more capacity in the Bristol evening peak.
• Generally 3tph in the peaks.
• Additional late evening through train to London departing 2205.

Highbridge and Bridgwater

• All day hourly service between Taunton and Cheltenham, with trains extended 2-hourly to/from Worcester.
• 2tph in the peaks.
• Additional evening through train from London.
• Additional morning through train from Highbridge (depart 0740) to London.
• Additional late evening through train to London departing Bridgwater 2145 and Highbridge 2152.

Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road

• Served by all Avonmouth/Severn Beach trains, as now.
• Additional morning peak train to Cardiff.
• Additional morning peak train from Lawrence Hill to Filton Abbey Wood.
• Three additional morning peak trains from Stapleton Road to Filton Abbey Wood.
• Evening peak train to Filton Abbey Wood (Lawrence Hill 1735, Stapleton Road 1737) withdrawn.
• Three morning peak trains into Bristol Temple Meads withdrawn.
• 1000 and 1400 departures from Cardiff do not call at these stations.
• 1823 Filton Abbey Wood to Castle Cary departs at 1748 and runs earlier, terminating at Frome.
• Additional evening peak train from Stapleton Road to Weston-super-Mare.

Severn Beach branch

• Same number of services as now, but one more train each way is replaced by a bus between Avonmouth and Severn Beach.
• First train from Bristol runs later at 0602, instead of 0534.
• First train from Severn Beach runs later at 0638, instead of 0611.

Melksham

• 3 trains each way withdrawn, with remaining 2 running north of Westbury only (as specified by DfT).
• Morning train to arrives into Swindon earlier at 0803, instead of 0818.
• Evening train from Swindon runs later at 1812, instead of 1738.

Filton Abbey Wood

• Increased number of trains calling.
• Weston-super-Mare/Bristol trains extended to/from Filton Abbey Wood all day.
• All trains between Bristol and Cardiff call.
• All local trains between Bristol and Gloucester call.
• Enhanced peak services retained, with some re-timings.

Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction

• Patchway service as now û hourly.
• Severn Tunnel Junction service reduced to hourly all day (as specified by DfT), with extra peak trains as now.
• Although this document details changes on Mondays to Fridays, note that the DfT has specified no trains calling at Patchway on Sundays.

Yate and Cam & Dursley

• Hourly all-day service at both stations û served by Taunton/Cheltenham/Worcester trains (Cam currently only has trains every two hours).
• First train arrives in Bristol later at 0702, instead of 0619.
• First train from Bristol runs later at 0744, instead of 0710.
• Last train arrives in Bristol earlier at 2202, instead of 2338.
• Last train from Bristol runs earlier at 2200, instead of 2244.

Regards,
Mike

Lots of very interesting stuff, especially for me, living near Filton Abbey Wood.

This however:

TheLastMinute wrote:
Severn Beach branch

• Same number of services as now, but one more train each way is replaced by a bus between Avonmouth and Severn Beach.
• First train from Bristol runs later at 0602, instead of 0534.
• First train from Severn Beach runs later at 0638, instead of 0611.

is particularly nasty. More buses and the first train out of the place runs a lot later. I mean, that really sounds like the begining of the end to me.

The Severn Beach services are of more convenient times for those commuting home from Bristol. I.e. 1620(ok if you finish at 4, might possibly be a tad too early for some though), 1720(ok if you finish at 5, again might be a tad too early for some), and 1835(ok if you finish at 6). Where currently its something like 1631(ok if you finish at 4), 1754(too late if you finish at 5 and too early if you finish at 6!), and 1902(too late if you finish at 6!). So that's some improvement at least.

However, the timetable going into Bristol doesn't look all that convenient for commuters. Arrival times into Temple Meads of 0713, 0813, and 0913. Very similar to the current timetable.

They ought to have a half hourly service at peak morning and evening times, and make full use of the passing points at Clifton Down and Avonmouth. It's what campaigners have been fighting for for years now. As well as a Sunday service. It's disappointing they(FGW) haven't done anything about it. Doesn't make any difference to me personally as I don't need to use this service, but those of you who need to use the Severn Beach line should make your thoughts known to First Great Western.

Marc T wrote:They ought to have a half hourly service at peak morning and evening times, and make full use of the passing points at Clifton Down and Avonmouth. It's what campaigners have been fighting for for years now. As well as a Sunday service.

Personally I beleive the campaigners have got it all wrong. For most of the day a bus between Avonmouth & SB is adequate for the amount of people who want to use it. (a minibus at that). I don't see the point in throwing money at a service that the people of SB just don't want to use.

What they should be -heavily- campaigning for is the re-instatement of services along the Henbury loop. With the building of the third platform at Parkway there will be the required capacity at that end of the line for a Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Parkway via Avonmouth and Henbury service that could be timed to meet up with the new regular services through Gloucester - Filton Abbey Wood - Temple Meads.

One of the current (unspeaken) bugbears of the SB line as far as railtrack are concerned are the two crossings at Avonmouth and Avonmouth Docks. (Gloucester Rd and St Andrews Junction) which are costly to maintain and hold up road traffic when the barriers are down. By introducing a regular passenger service along the Henbury loop these two crossings would see regular traffic which would make their maintenance costs worthwhile.

A few thoughts...

The fact that there is one 2 hour gap of services in Oldfield Park/Keynsham is a major disappointment, (The BTM-Brighton service no longer calls at these places in the new timetable) especially seeing I was promised by the Transport Minister that we'd see an hourly service to both these stations. I've written to First about this.

The Worcester SH-Frome service is withdrawn! I get this one most days on my trip from Cheltenham Spa-Oldfield Park, and as it's now going to Taunton instead, I'll have to change at BTM. If only it was, say 4 coaches and divide at BTM this would be much better....

Looks like the Taunton services aren't going as far as Great Malvern either, which is a shame. I'll have to plan my trip there this summer!

I'm worried about the reduction of services to Southampton ctl. They're crowded enough as it is now, and even the local trains get quite busy. Unless First are using HSTs for the Portsmouth-Cardiff services we will see severe overcrowding on this route.

The Portsmouth-Cardiff trains now go on to Rhoose Cardiff intl airport, and this is very interesting to say the least. So is the increase of trains to FAW. Both of these were good decisions on First's part.