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Newsletter 318: 01/05/2025
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Wiltshire Rail Investment Programme
Andrew Robinson, Network Rail's Senior Strategic Planner – Western region, has given us an update on Network Rail's long-term plans for Wiltshire – this includes putting Kintbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn and Pewsey on an hourly Paddington to Westbury service. This project requires the creation of Platform 0 at Westbury. Andrew states:
Since we completed the strategic study last autumn, our internal design team have carried out work to review and refine the preferred track and signalling layout for Platform 0 at Westbury, giving us a good understanding of how this could look. Western Gateway have proposed to fund a follow-on piece of work looking at the building and civils work associated with bringing the platform back into use, and we are in the process of agreeing the contract for that, with the intention to start work imminently. We are hoping to secure some funding for a further phase of timetabling work as well; with that in mind, we are engaging with train and freight operating colleagues to agree the scope of this work, building upon which was done for the strategic study. This will include testing options for retaining semi-fast calls at Pewsey in peak hours, as discussed previously.
Once these above pieces of work are complete, we will require an economic appraisal (for which funding is needed) to develop a full Strategic Outline Business Case for the package of investment we are proposing. Developing a sound understanding through this work now should put us in a strong position as and when funding becomes available at a local level through local government devolution. We’ll keep you informed of outcomes as this work progresses. It remains the case that a strong and united voice will be needed to encourage the necessary investment in Wiltshire and we hope you will lend your support to that.
Although the passenger group supports this proposal, realistically, it will not happen this decade. In the meantime, we continue to campaign for the full reinstatement of our hourly direct services to Paddington.
Parking at Bedwyn Station
Users of Bedwyn station will note that we have lost a net of five car parking spaces to form a bus stop. Wiltshire Council initiated this project without consultation with the passenger group or the Parish Council. Ironically, the bus still has to park on the road. The lost five car parking spaces are for bus passengers to wait and queue.
A Freedom of Information Act request to Wiltshire Council shows that only three rail passengers use the bus per day. We have worked with the Parish Council, and they have submitted a letter of complaint to Wiltshire Council asking for five new car parking spaces.
In the past, the passenger group has worked hard with Wiltshire Council and GWR to encourage rail users to use the bus. However, we are too affluent an area for a modal shift from the car to the bus. Therefore, despite our past efforts, bus usage to the station has remained minimal. To have this project thrust upon us, without consultation, is disappointing.
Getting to Heathrow
Using the train, either 1) Travel to Paddington and catch the Heathrow Express, 2) Travel to Reading and catch the RailAir coach link, or 3) Change at Reading for Slough and catch the local bus to Heathrow. As many people from Slough work at the airport, the buses are frequent.
Getting to Gatwick
Travel to Reading and catch the direct train to Gatwick.
Engineering Works
Friday May 2nd
The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on an alternative earlier or later service.
Saturday May 3rd to Friday 9th May 2025
From approximately 2300 Saturday until 1000 Sunday - Buses will replace trains between Reading and Newbury. The 0751 & 0850 (departing 0831) London Paddington to Penzance will be diverted via an alternative route between Reading and Westbury.
Tuesday to Friday The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on an alternative earlier or later service.
Saturday 10th May to Friday 16th May 2025
Saturday until approximately 0700 - Trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn will be revised. Some trains will be replaced by buses for all or part of their journey, departing EARLIER than usual.
Sunday - The 2333 Newbury to Reading will be replaced by a bus.
Saturday 17th May to Friday 23rd May 2025
Sunday - The 0806 Reading to Newbury will be replaced by a bus (departing EARLIER) and the 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will start from Newbury. The 0804 (departing 0753) London Paddington to Penzance will not call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0834) London Paddington to Penzance will call additionally at Pewsey.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on an alternative earlier or later service
Saturday 24th May to Friday 30th May 2025
From approximately 2145 until end of service Monday to Thursday - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn.
Thursday - The 0600 Bedwyn to London Paddington will run slightly later from Newbury onwards and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 7th June to Friday 13th June 2025
Sunday - The 2323 Newbury to Reading will not run and will be replaced by a bus.
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2130 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn. A few other trains will either not run, or will be retimed, in some cases, EARLIER than usual.
Monday to Friday - Due to engineering work taking place elsewhere on the network, some trains from London Paddington to Newbury will run slightly later than usual.
Tuesday to Friday - 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