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Newsletter 317: 19/03/2025
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
GWR WhatsApp
Due to staff shortages GWR's WhatsApp team currently has core hours of 0700-1900. Messages sent outside this time are not acknowledged. The team are migrating to a new system in the coming months which means they will have the ability to let customers know if the service is unavailable.
Thames Valley Meeting
On March 3rd Bill Wells and I attended GWR's online London Thames Valley & North Downs Local Transport Forum. Points to note that affect us:
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There are ongoing discussions with unions regarding Sunday working. In the short term, there are some Sunday timetable reduction to help out. Nothing directly affecting us.
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There are some improvements to the North Downs Line, improving the Reading to Gatwick service.
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GWR continue to improve rail replacements. This is something we've pushed for. They appear to be rolling out our suggestions elsewhere e.g. signage, co-ordinators on the ground, tracking linked to CIS, better information to bus drivers (including route videos to accompany notes).
Meeting with MPs and GWR
On February 28th Bill Wells and I had a productive meeting with Tom Lydon (GWR's head of public affairs), Lee Dillon MP, Danny Kruger MP and members of their office staff. The main point of discussion was the return of IET trains to reinstate the direct off-peak Bedwyn to Paddington service.
Tom explained that the newly leased Class 175 trains are delayed in being put into service due to driver training and setting up maintenance depots. Once in service, these Class 175s will allow our three IETs, redeployed post-Covid, to be returned to Paddington. We raised the concern that GWR may use these IETs to bolster the fleet, instead of returning them to operating the direct Bedwyn to Paddington off-peak service. Tom confirmed that, although GWR's ambition is to return our direct services, this is a possibility. We therefore asked Lee and Danny to take this up with the DfT – who ultimately make the decision.
Tom also explained that alternative options, such as Network Rail's proposal to extend the Bedwyn service to Westbury (involving additional rolling stock), further electrification or battery-operated trains, are not short-term options. Tom acknowledged how our line is operated is not ideal but there isn’t the money to sort it out. At present GWR is constrained by tight governance from the DfT, all fare revenue goes directly to the treasury. It is also likely that GWR will be nationalised next year.
We also raised the issue that when the crossing at Kintbury fails passengers can be left stranded, unable to reach their cars. Tom explained that safety is always the main concern. As any solution would require a change to infrastructure, Lee Dillon agreed to take this up with Network Rail.
We also discussed our request to have Westbury to Reading (including Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury and Newbury) included in the 'Minimum service levels for passenger rail' during strikes. Tom explained that the Labour government has repealed this legislation, therefore there is now no minimum service level during strike action.
Engineering Works
Wednesday 19th March to Thursday 20th March
From 2135 until 0200 the following morning - Services between Reading and Newbury/Bedwyn will be amended with buses replacing trains for all or part of the journey.
Thursday March 20th to Friday 21st March
The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Customers should please use the next train
Saturday March 22nd
All day, due to engineering work taking place elsewhere on the network, most direct trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should change trains at Reading.
Tuesday March 25th to Friday 28st March
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should use an alternative earlier or later service.
Saturday March 29th
All day, due to engineering work taking place elsewhere on the network, most direct trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should change trains at Reading.
Saturday April 5th
Until approximately 0700 - Trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn will be revised. Buses will replace trains for some journeys, running EARLIER than usual.
Sunday April 6th
The 2333 Newbury to Reading will be replaced by a bus.
Tuesday April 8th to Friday April 11th
The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on an alternative earlier or later service.
Monday 14th to Thursday 17th
From approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn.
Friday 18th April
A number of trains servicing Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury will not run on this day. Please check online.
Sunday 20th April
The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run. The 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will call additionally at Reading West, Aldermaston and Midgham and run slightly later to Bedwyn.
Friday 25th April
A number of trains servicing Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury will not run on this day. Please check online.
Monday 28th April to Thursday May 1st
From approximately 2130 until end of service - Trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn will be revised. A few trains will run EARLIER than usual or will not run at all. Replacement buses will run between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
Tuesday April 29th to Friday May 2nd
The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on an alternative earlier or later service.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group