| Re: The future for trains in the South West when nationalised? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:23, 15th October 2026 |     |
Not quite sure where to put this (and it is opposite of cuts as per thread title) so happy for mods to find better thread
A speech at TransCity South 2026 said potential for £14bn growth and 238,000 jobs in South West if Rail is improved
A speech at TransCity South 2026 said potential for £14bn growth and 238,000 jobs in South West if Rail is improved
I have cheated (because I can - I'm an admin
) and amended the heading of this particular topic to make it more neutral, while still reflecting its point.CfN.
| Re: The future for trains in the South West when nationalised? Posted by John D at 15:18, 15th October 2026 | |
Not quite sure where to put this (and it is opposite of cuts as per thread title) so happy for mods to find better thread
A speech at TransCity South 2026 said potential for £14bn growth and 238,000 jobs in South West if Rail is improved
The Great Western Route has the potential to become one of the UK's most powerful drivers of economic growth, according to new findings highlighted by Joanna Grew during her opening keynote address at TransCityRail South 2026.
Drawing on insights from the Growing Places report, Joanna Grew outlined how the railway corridor stretching from London Paddington to Penzance could support thousands of new jobs, stimulate investment and unlock significant economic value across the regions it serves.
The report reveals that the Great Western Route could support as many as 238,000 jobs while generating more than £14 billion in annual economic value. The figures underline the critical role that rail infrastructure can play in connecting communities, attracting investment and supporting long-term regional growth.
Addressing delegates from across the rail industry and supply chain, Joanna Grew explored how development around stations has the potential to drive economic regeneration, create employment opportunities and strengthen local economies. The benefits extend well beyond passenger journeys, with improved connectivity helping businesses access talent, markets and investment opportunities more effectively.
The keynote also highlighted the strategic importance of continued railway investment, particularly at a time when regional growth and levelling up remain key priorities across the UK. By maximising the potential of station-led development and transport connectivity, the Great Western Route could become a cornerstone of future economic prosperity.
Drawing on insights from the Growing Places report, Joanna Grew outlined how the railway corridor stretching from London Paddington to Penzance could support thousands of new jobs, stimulate investment and unlock significant economic value across the regions it serves.
The report reveals that the Great Western Route could support as many as 238,000 jobs while generating more than £14 billion in annual economic value. The figures underline the critical role that rail infrastructure can play in connecting communities, attracting investment and supporting long-term regional growth.
Addressing delegates from across the rail industry and supply chain, Joanna Grew explored how development around stations has the potential to drive economic regeneration, create employment opportunities and strengthen local economies. The benefits extend well beyond passenger journeys, with improved connectivity helping businesses access talent, markets and investment opportunities more effectively.
The keynote also highlighted the strategic importance of continued railway investment, particularly at a time when regional growth and levelling up remain key priorities across the UK. By maximising the potential of station-led development and transport connectivity, the Great Western Route could become a cornerstone of future economic prosperity.
https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/great-western-route-could-unlock-238000-jobs-and-deliver-ps14bn-annual-economic-boost
| Re: The future for trains in the South West when nationalised? Posted by ChrisB at 20:48, 21st June 2026 | |
You seem to be referring to the old BR days.....surprise, surprise.
| Re: The future for trains in the South West when nationalised? Posted by John D at 09:24, 21st June 2026 | |
Even though latest quarterly ORR figures show railway as a whole busier than pre-Covid, SWR are still operating some Covid era cuts eg Hounslow loop just half hourly instead of quarter hourly.
It's true that some commuter routes are less busy during school summer holidays, so as per DfT dictat can pare down some routes. Although using same argument some leisure and beach routes are busier, but don't get enhanced service during summer, so is very one sided argument.
SWR has become a fairly uncomfortable Operator, with a pack them in mentality. They have reduced first class on 444s to 2+2 seats (even though many services operated are 2+ hour, and some early and late ones 3+ hour). On commuter services the 2017 ordered 701s have finally entered service replacing 41-44 year old 455s. 701s have just 556 narrow seats, for many years an 8 car 455 had nearer 640 seats.
After a year of nationalisation doesn't appear to be any order for the diesel routes, even though trains already 34-37 years old.
Nationalisation appears to be generic term for make do and mend and expect worst service and comfort.
| Re: The future for trains in the South West when nationalised? Posted by Mark A at 09:07, 21st June 2026 | |
Hmm. 'Match supply and demand' cuts both ways. Many others see a heavily capacity constrained system with a level of provision that ensures that financial instability is baked in.
Mark
| The future for trains in the South West when nationalised? Posted by grahame at 08:03, 21st June 2026 | |
From the Wiltshire Times
Passengers across Wiltshire and the South West could face fewer train services under Labour’s rail nationalisation plans, according to the head of Great Western Railway’s parent company.
Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, which owns Great Western Railway (GWR), said cuts already being introduced on other parts of the rail network could become more widespread as the Government brings train operators under public ownership.
GWR, which serves Wiltshire, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Herefordshire and South Wales, is due to be nationalised on December 13 as part of the Government’s plans to create Great British Railways.
Mr Sutherland said timetable reductions being introduced by operators including Avanti West Coast and Thameslink were an early indication of how ministers may seek to reduce costs by matching train services more closely to passenger demand.
He said: “There are a lot of services running that really don’t have very much demand for them, so I think over the long term it’s right to begin to match supply and demand.”
Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, which owns Great Western Railway (GWR), said cuts already being introduced on other parts of the rail network could become more widespread as the Government brings train operators under public ownership.
GWR, which serves Wiltshire, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Herefordshire and South Wales, is due to be nationalised on December 13 as part of the Government’s plans to create Great British Railways.
Mr Sutherland said timetable reductions being introduced by operators including Avanti West Coast and Thameslink were an early indication of how ministers may seek to reduce costs by matching train services more closely to passenger demand.
He said: “There are a lot of services running that really don’t have very much demand for them, so I think over the long term it’s right to begin to match supply and demand.”
Sadly, I can't disagree with the risk. Much is unsaid in nationalisation plans - for example there is talk of "a more reliable" service but not of any sort of frequency, and these is talk of a "simplified fare system" without talk of better value / lower fares.
There used to be stats about half the stations generating only 5% of the traffic / income ...
