Somerset rail service criticised for long journey times

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 06:44 · Archive

South Western Railway's West of England mainline, serving Somerset stations, has been branded poor by a transport campaigner citing four-hour journeys to London.

South Western Railway's West of England line, which runs between London Waterloo and Exeter St David's and serves the Somerset stations of Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction and Templecombe, has been criticised for poor performance. David Redgewell from the South West Transport Network called the service 'a disgrace', citing long journey times. He said trains are taking four hours to travel from Somerset to London Waterloo on what should be an express line.

Redgewell, who raised his concerns at a virtual meeting of Somerset Council's bus advisory board, argued that the poor rail service will undermine efforts to connect bus and rail services. He warned it will lead to the south west missing out on crucial investment. He said: 'We can provide all the connectivity and rail-bus lines, but if the rail service is as poor as this, we really need to understand why it's as poor as this.'

Somerset Council said it will continue to lobby for improvements on the line. South Western Railway stated it was exploring numerous 'clever' enhancements which could be delivered either in-house or as part of new housing developments. The line has been subject to 'historical underinvestment', with communities west of Salisbury relying on ageing diesel rolling stock rather than more electric trains.

How it is being reported

• Somerset rail service branded 'a disgrace' by transport campaigner'We really need to understand why it's as poor as this'SomersetLive · 5 Nov, 05:59
• Somerset rail service branded 'a disgrace' by transport campaignerSouth Western Railway has been criticised for the numerous issues plaguing the West of England mainline, which serves several Somerset stationsSomerset County Gazette · 4 Nov, 05:00

In this story: South Western Railway · David Redgewell · South West Transport Network · Somerset Council · Yeovil Junction · Templecombe · London Waterloo

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