Write to save Waterloo link

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 4th Jul 2003.

RAILWAY users in west Wiltshire are being urged to put pen to paper to stop a vital train service to London Waterloo being axed.

Councillors in Bradford on Avon are calling for people to bombard the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and the government with letters supporting the service to Waterloo, saying it is a lifeline for commuters and travellers from west Wiltshire.

In April the SRA gave the Waterloo service, which stops in Bradford, Trowbridge and Warminster, a reprieve until May next year.

The service is currently run by Wales and Border Train Operation Company, but the firm's contract ends in May 2004.

Around four train operating companies are in the running to take over the franchise next year but, as yet, it is unclear whether their bids for the franchise will include keeping the London Waterloo service.

Many people use the service to commute to the city or for access to Gatwick, Heathrow and the Eurostar, but it is not included in the SRA's list of services its train operator is under contract to keep up.

Bradford on Avon town councillor Philip Sutton said now is the time for pressure from the public and the people who use the service.

He said: "The SRA seems to think that trains are just for intercity travellers and city commuters, and the government should tell them they aren't."

At a meeting of Bradford on Avon Town Council last week, members voted to write to all the councils along the train's route to encourage them to support the service, but they think public support is key.

Cllr Sutton said: "The thing with writing a letter is that everyone will write a different one, hopefully highlighting a different issue each time.

"There is, it seems, no compulsion on any of the franchisees to continue with the service, and after a very successful petition, there comes a time when you have to do more.

"We have to make waves and get others to make waves, as there are lots of other communities in the same position as us."

West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison uses the Waterloo train for his weekly commute to London, and is keen to raise awareness of the threat to the service with his fellow MPs from Wales where the service starts.

The Wiltshire Times is supporting the campaign to keep the service. We will pass readers' letters to Dr Murrison, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, and the SRA.

Send your letters to Wiltshire Times, 15 Duke Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8EF.

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