Latest commitments from First Great Western

Wed 8 Oct 2008, 13:16

Re Chris Bates' update on the doubling situation, the Cotswold Line Promotion Group understood originally that, if approved by the Department for Transport/Secretary of State, work could start as early as January 2009. If it did, and related to Ascott-Charlbury, then it is possible that this section could be completed by May 2009. The CLPG understood that the Moreton-Evesham section would be done in summer 2009 (August was mentioned) and would almost certainly involve closure of that section during the work. However, the timescale appears to be slipping. The CLPG understood that the announcement was due to be made today (8th October), but Chris Bates has other information which puts it back some 3 weeks.

The Cotswolds and Malverns Transport Partnership (of which the CLPG and First Great Western are members) has ambitions for an hourly interval service during the off peak period. Anything more than this would put a strain even on the enhanced infrastructure.

A disappointing feature in the December 2008 timetable is the long gap which has been created between the 0835 and 1008 departures from Charlbury to London. Currently this is 0833 and 0938. The new times also mean that connections will be missed at Reading for both Gatwick Airport and Bournemouth.

Unfortunately, the retarding of the 0938 to 1008 has been caused by the need to get the 0821 Paddington to Hereford through the single line section - it will call at Charlbury at 0938 instead. This retiming from 0851 from Paddington has been done to free up line space between Worcester and Hereford to allow London Midland to operate an hourly interval service between Birmingham and Hereford (and vice-versa). Currently it has to omit those hours when FGW is running to Hereford. What will probably disappoint Charlbury users will undoubtedly delight those at Great Malvern, who gain a through train to London as a result of these enforced changes. At present Great Malvern has no through train to London between 0715 and 1106.
It is an ill wind, so to speak!