Here is the response to my letter of concern regarding the decimation of services on the TransWilts line from a representative of Wiltshire County Council, dated 15 May 2007. At least two other campaigners received the same reply (word for word) though from different people in the council.
Dear Tehmina
George Batten has asked me to reply to your e-mail below.
Wiltshire County Council is in agreement with your assessment of the value of the rail service at Melksham. However the Council has no powers to direct the rail industry. Decisions about what service to provide are made by First Great Western (FGW) acting under its franchise contract with the Department for Transport.
The Council seeks to persuade and influence the decision makers in order to protect and improve rail services in the County. Council officers are currently working with FGW to improve understanding of the potential business available from a better service on the Swindon - Melksham - Westbury corridor by making available County Council data and analysis. Council officers have recently met with both FGW and DfT to progress this work.
Eric Egar
Passenger Transport Unit
Wiltshire County Council