Commuters from Severn Tunnel Junction (South Wales) to Bristol and Bath are facing a bleak future if the planned cut in the First Great Western service goes ahead.The expected cut will affect over 150 regular Bristol bound commuters who travel to Severn Tunnel Junction from not only the local towns and villages of Chepstow, Caldicot, Magor, Portskewett and Rogiet, but also from Usk, Monmouth, Raglan, the eastern suburbs of Newport, Lydney, the lower Wye Valley and all the other villages thereabouts.
The reduction means that the current six trains that run before 9.00am, will be cut to just TWO! The Virgin train at 7.27am will be the first train out each morning, but this too faces the prospect of being cut should Virgin loose their franchise next year.
On Wednesday 25th October 2006 over 100 commuters crowded into the council chambers of Caldicot Town Council to hear Andrew Griffiths, Regional Manager of First Great Western, give a presentation to the Town Council.
Being a regular meeting of the Council only ten public questions were permitted by the Mayor, and many commuters went home both angry and frustrated.
After the frustration of the above meeting a small nonpolitical Action Group was formed to campaign and try to change the decisions made by First Great Western to cut the train services at Severn Tunnel Junction. The Group would have it's first meeting at the Haywain Pub, Sandy Lane, Caldicot at 8.00pm on Tuesday 30th October 2006.
Members of the Action Group: David Flint, Paul & Sue Tidmarsh, Simon Marshall, Alan Pitt and Michelle Palmer:
Save Severn Tunnel Junction Services Action Group: First Meeting:
Minutes of Meeting (Main points)
Those Present:
David Flint, Simon Marshall, Alan Pitt, Michelle Palmer, Paul & Sue TidmarshDate of Meeting: Tuesday 30th October 2006
Introduction
This is the first meeting of a small disparate group (Save Severn Tunnel Junction Services Action Group) of non-political individuals concerned at the cutting of services from Severn Tunnel, and determined to fight for their restoration. It results from a meting last Wednesday, and at Caldicot Town Council, when over 100 regular commuters turned up to hear Andrew Griffiths, Regional Manager or First Great Western (FGW), address the Council.
Little time was allowed for public questions and it was clear the travelling public have largely not had replies to their letters/e-mails of concern during the consultative period.
The update on Current situation
Number of tickets sold in a four-week period:
950 for the journey from Severn Tunnel Junction to Bristol Temple Meads
150 for the journey Severn Tunnel Junction to Bath SpaAccording to an e-mail Michelle has had from First Great Western (FGW) it
Seems possible that the 6.56 and 7.56 am trains toward Bristol may be restored,
however the information may be misleading.The Clerk to Magor and Undy Community Council has received an e-mail from Andrew Griffiths, Regional Manager, First Great Western, and dated 27 October, saying that any restored services wouldn't happen until next June.
Local AM's and MP's have been contacted to solicit their help: all who have
Been contacted have responded positively. Several have bee in touch with Andrew Davies AM, Minister for Enterprise Innovation and Networks at the Welsh Assembly.David has also been talking with County Councillor Philip Murphy (Caerwent and Llanfair Discoed). Phil has put him in touch with those responsible for transport policy at County Council level and there seems to be doubt as to whether or not they were ever consulted about the planned changes.
Arriva (or NetWork Rail) are paid by FGW for every train that stops at Severn Tunnel Junction (STJ).
The Website has been up and running since Sunday, and an offer to build a Professional looking Blog site has been received.
New timetable does not allow for direct journey to Bath Spa as now.
Elections in May (The Welsh Assembly)
Action
1. General
AMs and MPs to be contacted by Paul to find out what they've done
Alan to find out what is happening to Jessica Morden's support (MP for Newport East) now that she is on maternity leave.
Alan/Michelle to try and find out a contact at NCP
David will contact Richard Cope at Monmouth County Council
Paul will find out who the stakeholders are.
David will put together a draft letter to Andrew Davies.
2. WebsitePaul - simple note to hand out/put on car windscreens. Michelle (or daughter) to help distribute.
3. Media activityNeed to collect information before we can move forward. A few case studies on the website will help.
Paul will put together names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails for key persons in the Welsh media.
David will find out about general media names, etc.
All to feed names of key contacts to PaulAgreed to use website name for letter headings (Paul to confirm the font), with replies directed to the website.
Save Severn Tunnel Junction Services Action Group: Second Meeting:Minutes of Meeting (Main points)
Those Present:
David Flint, Paul & Sue TidmarshApologies:
Simon Marshall, Alan Pitt, Michelle Palmer,Guests:
Bob Greenland (Chair of the Transport Committee on Monmouth County Council)
Phil Murphy (Chair of the Finance Committee on Monmouth County Council)
Philip Inskip (Retired Railway Engineer and private campaigner for joined-up
transport in SE Wales)Date of Meeting: Tuesday 7th November 2006
Update on Current situation:
Website is up proving an essential and pivotal tool in the campaign. There are currently over 100 persons registered. Leaflets advertising the site have been distributed.Plans for the Public meeting have been going well and we are now in a position to anticipate attendance from First Great Western (FGW), Arriva Wales, First Bus Group, Rail Passenger focus, Bob Greenland (MCC), Assembly Members from all four parties, County Councillors, a representative from local MP Jessica Morden's office in London. Attendance from an executive from the Department of Transport is still being sought, as are a representative from Virgin.
The Hall for the meeting has been officially booked.
The consultative process: Bob Greenland gave the meeting a report on what information he has obtained to date and what he still seeks. This information provided included:
Dave Harris is head of Transport at Monmouthshire County Council
Monmouthshire County Council have no record of involvement in the consultative process. The officer who would have been responsible at that time has since left, however, he has been contacted and has confirmed that he was never approached.Bob confirmed that in the Welsh Assembly there are three Transport Alliances covering three areas of Wales: they all report to the Assembly. Monmouthshire is represented by the S.E. Wales Transport Alliance (SUTA or SUTER!), which covers 10 local authorities, and within which there are three committees of which one covers Bus transport and one Rail transport. Bob Greenland and Dave Harris represent Monmouthshire on this board.
In February of this year SUTA received a consultative document from FGW. The document was not specific/ SUTA replied saying they didn't want any cuts to the service. FGW never replied.
Monmouthshire County Council's aim is to take cars off the road: the cuts in rail service are a considerable blow to their plans, and they want to see rail transport encouraged.
Subsidies for rail travel were devolved by Westminster to the Welsh Assembly, but this does not cover FGW which remained subsidised by the Department of Transport (DOT). Increase of services into Filton Abbey Wood resulting from new timetable is 48% Bob will find out if the subsidies are by route or by station. Also, whether or not there was a legal obligation to consult!
(At this point Robert and Phil left the meeting)
Public Meeting - preparation
Outline agenda agreed, this will be firmed up when Paul and David visit Mike German at his offices at the Assembly on Monday (David to meet Paul by Tippling Philosopher at 9.00am).Seats will be reserved for main guests
Paul will arrange for PA equipment, and to include a roving mike.
David will see if he can arrange a lectern for the speakers
Front desk with visitors books - Sue Tidmarsh, Pauline and Sally Heffernan will man
Roving mike: Suzanne Thomas (and Kim Clarke?)Food - David will find out which guests will need refreshments (to be available between 6.45 & 7.15pm, and only for those speakers travelling some distance to the meeting. DF to confirm numbers to Paul 48 hours in advance. Paul & Sue will arrange food.
Bucket collection at the end of the meeting to be split between Choir (in thanks for the use of the Hall), Church (support for printing they are going to do for us), and a small fighting fund for the team.
Agreed that there is a need for a STJ Users Association. We aim to set this up. Balance of funds will go to this: at any time that the organisation is wound up the balance should go to local charity through the Lions Club of Chepstow and District.
DF to ask all speakers if they want presentation equipment. Paul will obtain.
Paul to advise Police of the meeting
Publicity
It was hoped an item would appear in the Bristol Evening Post tomorrow night
The Caldicot Benefice (Anglican Church) has offered to print 250 leaflets
advertising the meeting. Paul to draw up the leaflet and provide to Linden
Harrison. It is hoped we can persuade Linden to produce 25 A3 posters which David
and Linden will put up around Magor, Caldicot, Rogiet, Chepstow and Lydney
Next Tuesday Paul and David will be at the station between 4.15 and 6.30pm to
hand the leaflets to commuters.Press activity - David to put together (he's getting advice from his publicity machine at work)
Note to travellers - to go up at the Station. David will provide
David will visit the station next week to see travellers on the early morning trains
Next Meeting:
8.00pm on Tuesday 14 November (to finalise meeting arrangements)
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