Our current activities and ongoing campaigns are:
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Campaigning for better train services and connections at Newbury - we are currently fighting the 80% reduction in our direct Paddington trains from May 2022. These changes are cost saving measures, by the Department for Transport and put our off-peak service as a diesel shuttle to Newbury and our return evening service as only three direct trains.
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Work in close partnership with GWR (and indirectly the Department for Transport) and local Councils. We lobby politicians, liaise with a variety of stakeholders, and devise and share workable solutions to complex scheduling problems, within GWR's budget and resource restraints, to satisfy the needs of all stakeholders. GWR don't have the resources to do the level of scheduling work required to serve the needs of Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn. We are happy to fill the void and submit workable solutions to GWR.
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Campaigning to get Westbury to Reading (including Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury and Newbury) included in the 'Minimum service levels for passenger rail' during strikes. The DfT have overlooked us.
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Campaigning to have an additional electronic information board added at Newbury station (on Platform 1 at the entrances to the footbridge). This will enable passengers to watch for platform alterations and be in the right spot to quickly change platforms.
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Campaigning for an improved Delay / Repay claims system.
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Promotion of our service in and around the Bedwyn and Marlborough area.
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To have short notice cancellations properly announced at the station.
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To have GWR staff available when there are bus replacement services. The buses are contracted out and the drivers do not have the knowledge to create a smooth service.
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Improved punctuality and reliability.
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Improved holding of trains at Newbury/Reading, or additional services from Newbury, if the incoming London connection is delayed. In particular campaigning for the Control staff (who can order a hold) to be automatically alerted if a connection will be missed.
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Supporting the opening of a Devizes Gateway station.
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The provision of a commuter and leisure service west, preferably direct to Exeter or Bristol, to serve Reading, Theale, Thatcham, Newbury, Kintbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn and Pewsey.
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Taking up complaints, on passengers behalves, with GWR.
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Giving advice to passengers.
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Requesting fare easements
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Sending out newsletters to passengers
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Station improvements and additional parking
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Watching the press for news which will affect Bedwyn, Hungerford or Kintbury.
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Watching out for published passenger number statistics relating to Bedwyn.
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Timetable planning: (i) fixes to existing timetables to give us better connections at Newbury and (ii) proposals to give us an hourly westbound service on a Paddington to Westbury service.
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Checking the online journey planners three months before each timetable change for changes affecting Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn.
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An hourly Sunday service with earlier start times.
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Discussing becoming part of a Community Rail Partnership and talking to TransWilts (who have instigated this). The passenger group would remain autonomous.
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Attend Travelwatch meetings.
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Attend meetings with GWR, including the regular GWR East timetable planning meetings and various other stakeholder meetings.
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Attending meetings with Wiltshire Council and our MPs
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Continue to request a later return train from Paddington to allow for theatre trips.
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Improving connecting bus services to/from Marlborough