More trains connecting Gloucester to Bristol and the South West …

Rail passengers will be able to get to work easier with more trains connecting Gloucester^[1] to Bristol and the South West.

Following negotiations between the West of England Mayoral Combined Transport Authority Mayor Dan Norris and the Department for Transport and First Group plc, Great Western Railway and Network Rail there will be half-hourly services between Gloucester Railway Station^[2] and Bristol, serving Cam and Dursley station too. There will also be a new hourly train service to Ashchurch for Tewkesbury and Worcester stations.

The changes come into effect this Sunday^[3]. Great Western Railway said it was “the biggest shake-up to railway timetables since the introduction of Intercity Express Trains^[4]” as the operator responds to changes in passenger travel patterns

Rail passenger user groups Railfuture Severnside and South West Transport Network welcomed the announcement.

A spokesman for Railfuture said: “These new train services will improve journeys to work, school, college, hospital shopping and leisure and tourism facilities.”

Following an extensive review to give those travelling the right services at the times they wish to travel, the new timetable will deliver almost a five per cent increase in train services every day across the GWR network.

As part of these improvements, 44 additional train services every day will serve the wider Bristol area and 65 extra trains a week will be provided in South Wales.

The changes will help deliver on long-planned ambitions across the network and will see around 20 per cent of all trains retimed to better suit passenger needs, providing greater value for money for taxpayers and leaner and greener travel options on public transport, GWR said.

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “I am really excited to say that this new timetable provides the biggest shake-up in service levels since the introduction of Intercity Express trains – providing more trains where they are needed most and reflecting changes in travel patterns.

“We will deliver more train services, serve even more stations, and provide greater value for money for taxpayers.”

References

1. ^{^} Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Gloucester Railway Station (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} come into effect this Sunday (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
4. ^{^} biggest shake-up to railway timetables since the introduction of Intercity Express Trains (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
5. ^{^} E-scooters to be banned at Gloucestershire railway stations and trains (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)