RAIL issues have been a hot topic in the South West over recent months, bringing together the region's political parties, business, industry, environmental groups as well as the tourism sector, education, training and accessibility campaigners. All these groups have a shared concern about the future of the rail services in the South West.

Assembly members have voted unanimously to push the South West case for robust and reliable rail services over the next 10 years.

There is an immediate threat to levels of service over the next decade, particularly and most urgently in connection with the Great Western franchise proposals.

The new proposals, starting in December, represent a cut in services compared to those agreed for December 2004. However, passenger numbers have been growing much faster than the national average in recent years. Historical trend data also indicates that economic growth is likely to continue at above average levels.

These growth levels have been used to shape the emerging Regional Economic Strategy and Regional Spatial Strategy. A diminution of rail services will penalise existing rail customers, and may undermine growth and economic performance in the future as well as make it hard to encourage travellers to use more sustainable modes of transport. At the moment the South West does not have a long term strategy for rail normally set out by the Government so changes to franchises and individual services are being carried out piecemeal, with no overall objective or context in mind. Reductions in service levels across different franchises may seem comparatively unimportant, but they add up to a significant loss to the South West's rail provision as a whole.

Many individual authorities and organisations have responded in detail to the Department for Transport with their concerns, and Assembly members are now keen to ensure that all organisations are fully informed about the proposals and can raise the key issues with their partners and stakeholders.

Assembly members have already written to First Great Western and the Secretary of State with a request for an urgent meeting. The key concerns are:

  • The timetable should be consistent with national objectives and the regional strategies that deliver them. The proposed timetable for December 2006 currently works against these agreed national and regional priorities. In particular, the loss of the semi-fast Paddington to far South West services and the reduction in the number of fast services to Exeter and Plymouth, which will have an impact on places accommodating significant growth and will reduce connectivity within the region and to London and the South East.
  • The planned train capacity is insufficient to meet the need for travel in the region having regard to the levels of growth set out in the RSS and the RES and taking account of growth levels achieved in recent years. This will particularly affect service in the main urban areas of Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter.
  • Reductions in the number of service levels on branch lines and local services and the timings of services on branch lines, which include services to settlements targeted for growth, such as Bristol, will reduce access to jobs, education and services for people and businesses in smaller settlements.

Consequently the South West RDA and Regional Assembly are disappointed that the December 2006 timetable does not seek to improve current service levels.

Although there are some welcome features these are mostly to do with services retained to current standards rather than actual improvements. Changes in some areas will actually represent a reduction in service.

Cllr Ruth Coleman, NWDC

Cllr Ian West, WCC

Cllr Frank Eggleton, National Association of Local Councils, Wiltshire

Cllr Julian Johnson, WCC

Cllr Christopher Humphries, KDC

Cllr John Collier, SDC

Cllr Sarah Content, Leader, WWDC