Phil Inskip: Report: 17th November 2008

THE CUTS
The Severn Tunnel Action Group (STAG) was formed in the winter of 2006 in response to the intended cuts in rail services including the majority of the morning commuter services to Bristol and Bath.

The DfT (Department for Transport) was letting new Rail Franchises to the TOCs (Train Operating Companies) concentrating on value for money to the Exchequer and on safety rather than on service, performance and reliability.

These involved cuts in the number of services and allocation of rolling stock in order to reduce payments to the TOCs. When the timetable was first seen the first five trains of the morning 05:12, 06:24, 06:54, 07:26 & 07:54 were not included giving the first arrival at Bristol more than 3¼ hours later at 08:52, at Bath more than 2 hours later at 09:22.

The first three connecting services to London were withdrawn with no service arriving before 09:00. Half the return commuting services from Bristol were also not shown.

The franchise specification was based on withdrawing all the Portsmouth line services from stopping at Severn Tunnel Junction, leaving the Cardiff to Weymouth line (later to become Cardiff to Taunton) stopping services and the Arriva Trains Wales Cardiff to Gloucester line services.

Unfortunately it is only the Portsmouth line services that connect in each direction with the Gloucester line trains, without them there is a fifty minute wait for any onward connections. Examination of the proposed new Cross Country Franchise showed that the then existing Central and Virgin commuter services were also at risk of being lost.

STATION CLOSURE
Monmouthshire County Council were investigating the option of closing Severn Tunnel Junction and replacing it by a Two Platform Halt on the "Relief" or "Slow" lines at Magor as an alternative to the investment and improvement in the facilities at Severn Tunnel Junction.

The cutting of the longer distance Inter-Urban trains leaving only the "local" or "stopping" services made this option potentially more feasible.

PROGRESS
Not all the successes are due to the actions of STAG, there have been others involved and there has been wide support and help from elected representatives of all the four major political parties in Wales, without which a lot of the progress would not have been made.

IMPROVED TRAIN SERVICES
The following twelve weekday Portsmouth line services are now again calling at Severn Tunnel Junction. The 06:55, 07:55, 16:55, 17:55 & 18:54 from Cardiff towards Bristol and the 06:15, 07:14, 17;14, 18:14, 19;14, 22:16 & 23:16 from Bristol towards Cardiff.

Having worked with First Great Western to identify and resolve timetable confliction issues the 08:55 service towards Bristol should be in the next timetable change in December.

Arriva Trains Wales have extended their thirteen trains a day to Cheltenham giving a better connection to Birmingham and the North.

From December the last train off Cheltenham will leave quarter of an hour later at 23:00 providing a connection off the 17:05 from Edinburgh which also allows an hour later departure from Birmingham at 22:16.

Arriva Cross Country has confirmed they will retain their three existing services 07:25 Cardiff to Edinburgh (Becomes Cardiff to Manchester after December 2008), 07:40 Birmingham to Cardiff. As the 19:49 arrival of the existing Newcastle to Cardiff service will be an hour later (as a Manchester to Cardiff train), it will swop with First Great Western who will be providing a service departing Bristol around 19:20 and the Cross Country service will cover the existing 20:21 First Great Western Bristol departure.

In addition from December 2008 there will be three more Arriva Cross Country services. The 07:05 Cardiff to Nottingham providing a direct service arriving in Birmingham at around 08:45. The other two are a 06:56 to Cardiff and a stop on the Cardiff 21:00 to Nottingham at around 21:25.

All times are approximate and may vary by a few minutes as the timetable details are finalised.

While there is no agreement at the moment, the Draft Regional Transport Plan is proposing to fill the two hour gaps in the Cardiff to Cheltenham services in 2010.

If this gets agreement and support by the Welsh Assembly Government it would mean the addition of an 08:38, 11:38, 14:38, 19;38 and possibly 22:38 to Cheltenham and 10:38, 13:38, 16:38 & 21:38 to Cardiff.

STAG is continuing to press for relief of the overcrowding on the First Great Western commuting services and integration between the Bristol and Gloucester services.

STATION DEVELOPMENT
The decision has been taken to improve the facilities at Severn Tunnel Junction. The alignment of the "Fast Lines" towards the tunnel are being straightened as part of the present re-signalling.

This will bring back into use the disused Platform 4 within the next year.

Funding has been agreed for "Minor" improvements which should see the replacement and provision of more waiting shelters and seats, improved Customer Information Systems (Train Departure Indicators), signage and improved CCTV security systems across the whole of the station within the next year.

Funding has also been agreed for the provision of a disabled access footbridge with both steps and ramps to be provided within the next four years.

Full plans and costs have been prepared by Network Rail for a new Booking Office (Of the type used at Cwmbran), waiting area and Toilet facilities along with extension to make a 350 space Car Park, Bike storage for 20 bikes, Motorbike storage, Bus Stop with associated shelter and full bus turning and passing area, Car turning area, provision for Drop Off and Pick Up and also taxi rank.

The development of the station is proposed in the Ten Year Capital Programme for 2010 in the Draft Regional Transport Plan.

Progression is subject to agreement of its priority and subsequent funding via the Welsh Assembly Government.

From our meeting with the Deputy First Minister it is clear that if it is a high priority of the County Council and hence high in priority in the Transport Plan he would support the development of the station.

The provision of improved road access to the station off the B4245 and M48 will be dependent on, and linked to, any decision to proceed with building of the new M4 south of Newport.

The Station Car Park having been tarmaced and lined allows the introduction of bus services to link with the key commuting trains.

If it is a success STAG will press the Council for a similar service from Caldicot and Caerwent.