ATOC calls for more electrification in the South West

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has called for a further four hundred miles of railway routes to be electrified as soon as possible, in order to cut carbon emissions, reduce journey times and provide passengers with an improved travelling environment. ATOC supports the electrification of the railway line between Barnt Green and Westerleigh Junction via Gloucester, which would permit the operation of through electric trains linking Bristol with Birmingham, the North West of England (including Liverpool and Manchester) and Central Scotland (including Edinburgh and Glasgow) – ATOC has also recommended the electrification of the railway line between Gloucester and Swindon to permit the provision of through electric trains between Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester and London Paddington.

Gloucester bus drivers could strike

Stagecoach West bus drivers at Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye depots could strike in a dispute over pay – the drivers have been offered a two per cent pay increase, but are demanding parity with Cheltenham depot employees who are due to receive a pay increase of four-and-a half per cent as part of a two year deal agreed in 2008.

Public transport investment creates jobs

UITP, the international public transport association, has published research that shows that investment in public transport creates twenty-five per cent more jobs than the same investment in roads and that for every pound of capital expenditure on public transport, there is a further value creation of four pounds in the wider economy.

Advenza Freight ceasing trading

Advenza, a freight train operator based in Gloucester, has ceased trading, following the approval of a ‘winding-up petition’ brought by HM Revenue and Customs – the company is understood to have substantial debts including eighty thousand pounds to Network Rail for track access charges, sixty thousand pounds to Porterbrook for leasing fees for four class 66 locomotives and twenty thousand pounds for fuel. Advenza had previously undertaken work for First Great Western in the transfer of high speed train power cars and diesel multiple units between the company’s depots and other locations for major refurbishment work.

Nine day rail blockade at Axminster

Network Rail and South West Trains have announced that the railway line between Honiton and Yeovil Junction will be closed for nine days from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December inclusive to permit the commissioning of the new loop at Axminster – buses will operate between Honiton and Yeovil Junction via Axminster and Crewkerne, with trains, supplemented by buses at peak periods, been provided between Exeter St Davids and Honiton.

Select Committee meets in Bristol

The House of Commons South West Regional Select Committee will be holding an oral evidence session at @Bristol on the morning of Monday 26 October as part of the enquiry into ‘Transport in the Region’ – TravelWatch SouthWest is one of the organisations which has been invited to give evidence.

And finally,

Customers boarding First Devon and Cornwall buses in Plymouth today (Monday 19 October) were surprised to be issued with tickets advertising a seven day coach tour to East Sussex commencing on Saturday 26 September!