Rail users left at platform (From Gazette Series)

Rail users left at platform

RAIL users at Cam and Dursley station are missing out on a wider range of services because of the remoteness of the station from a built-up area.

Wessex Trains business manager David Pinkney told the Gazette that as many commuters had to drive or take a bus to the station it was just as easy to make connections at Yate or Gloucester.

Mr Pinkney was explaining why trains on the Bristol-Cheltenham line that proceeded to Worcester did not stop at Cam and Dursley.

The service, which began in June, is an improvement on the previous timetable but is only accessible to passengers in this area from Yate or Gloucester. Mr Pinkney said: "It is a very busy route, a mainline route that continues to the north of England and Scotland.

"There is not room in the timetable for the more local trains to stop without holding up the others."

He went on to explain that Cam and Dursley had been selected to miss out because the station was not in the town.

Mr Pinkney added: "The station is generally used by car drivers and bus users. It is perhaps just as easy for them to drive to Yate or even Gloucester to connect to those extra services."

However, he did point out that extra services had been provided on Sundays to allow tourists to connect to various attractions around the South West. He concluded: "We are trying to increase our services and I think that at the moment we are meeting demand."

IN A separate development, Liberal Democrat councillors in the county have criticised Government plans to reduce access to the Great Western Mainline for trains to the capital from Gloucestershire.

Cllr John Cordwell (Lib Dem, Wotton-under-Edge) said: "This is another potential disaster for train travel in the county.

"At risk is an hourly service from Gloucestershire to the capital. Journey times will increase because trains from the county will no longer be able to use fast lines into the capital.

"While the six year construction project is underway there are likely to be cancellations of weekday services, potentially this could reduce the viability of the proposed Gloucester Parkway station.

"I am urging the new Conservative administration to support the lobbying efforts currently underway by the South West Regional Assembly and the Regional Development Agency.

"Both these organisations are jointly leading the attempt to protect the economy of the South West."