Train Service & Landore Depot Visit - 21st Aug, 2007

Sian James MP has welcomed First Great Western's announcement on train services to Swansea and spoke about her visit the FGW Landore Depot.

Under the new December 2007 timetable, it was the intention to call Swansea services at Didcot Parkway. Journey times could have been extended by up to 5-10mins, with a potential for missed connections for people transferring to local Arriva Trains Wales services.

Sian James MP met and wrote to First Great Western Trains to express concerns about the proposals and asked for a rethink.

First Great Western has now confirmed that the original plan to call trains at Didcot Parkway will not go ahead.

Sian James MP said:-

"I very much welcome the announcement by First Great Western trains will not be calling Swansea services at Didcot Parkway. Had this plan gone ahead there would have been extended journey times to Swansea and vital local Arriva connections would have been met.

"Swansea is a key railway city and the connection gateway to West Wales. People in Swansea deserve a fast efficient service not lengthy journeys and missed connections.

"I am pleased the timetable will be maintained and I look forward in the near future to the reinstallation of the 1515 London Paddington - Swansea service."

Sian James also recently visited the important First Great Western service facility in the Swansea East constituency, at Landore.

Sian James MP said following the visit:-

"I was impressed by the service operations at Landore. The maintenance at the depot helps deliver reliability and punctuality, this was fully demonstrated to me during the visit. It was clear that the managers and staff are dedicated to their work.

"I am sure that the public in Swansea are unaware of how important this facility is, both as a local employer and to the First Great Western franchise."

-Picture - Office of Sian James MP-