Here is the reply from Alison Forster, Managing Director of First Great Western to my letter of concern regarding the decimation of the services provided on the TransWilts line. The reply is dated 17 May 2007. A superb bit of verbal engineering in the second paragraph. And also note that although my concern was for the communication route that links south and north Wiltshire, it is addressed as a Melksham issue (I am Salisbury-based).
Dear Tehmina
Thank you for your email. I appreciate that you are disappointed with the current timetable for Melksham.
The new timetable was based on the one specified in the Greater Western franchise bid. During the bid process and subsequently we made over 200 changes to the original draft proposals many of which came as a direct result of customer feedback in our consultation.
We also looked at all the other proposals from customers, some of which were rejected for commercial reasons, others because of the knock on effect to the rest of the timetable and others due to stock limitations. We must meet the Service Level Commitment set down on the franchise bid. We can also make changes beyond this (subject to approval), and it would not be accurate to suggest that the timetable is fully prescribed and we continue to review and monitor its operation with a view to future changes, but I cannot offer to add the additional service you suggest.
Thank you again for writing. I know that this will be disappointing but we continue to keep the timetable under review and I have noted your comments.
Kind regards
Alison Forster
Managing Director
Don’t you just love these stock letters. Makes you feel so special doesn’t it!