SussexSpotter
Member
Does anyone know what the current situation is with regard to this, as the 2013 franchise consulations have suggested the possible removal of these services which would just be insane if they did?
Quote - DFT Great Western Franchise Consultation document:
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''Question 18: Are the services that extend eastwards from Portsmouth to Brighton the best use of Great Western diesel rolling stock, in view of the fact that there are frequent electric services provided by Southern on this route, or could this rolling stock could usefully be redeployed elsewhere?''
__________________________________________________
There are 2 Brighton services per day from Brighton and 4 on Sundays, which are very well used, especcially for trips between Brighton and Bristol/Bath. It links the key cities of Chichester and Brighton to the Great Western network, so therefore why axe a service that is well used and leave cities isolated all for the sake of reploying a few DMU's elsewhere?
Something they should be considering is to strengthen the current Brighton service to 1 train per hour and give a faster or additonal service between Brighton and Portsmouth. At least it would have toilets unlike the current 313's.
They could run the following hourly service pattern:
_______________________
Cardiff Central
Newport (South Wales)
Filton Abbey Wood
Bristol Temple Meads
Bath Spa
Bradford-on-Avon
Trowbridge
Westbury
Warminster
Sailsbury
Romsey
Southampton Central
Fareham
Cosham
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Havant
Chichester
Barnham
Worthing
Shoreham-By-Sea
Hove
Brighton
_______________________
Brighton
Hove
Shoreham-By-Sea
Worthing
Barnham
Chichester
Havant
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Cosham
Fareham
Southampton Central
Romsey
Sailsbury
Warminster
Westbury
Trowbridge
Bradford-on-Avon
Bath Spa
Bristol Temple Meads
Filton Abbey Wood
Newport (South Wales)
Cardiff Central
_______________________
They should axe the current Brighton - Southampton Southern service which is terrible anyway, and is only compensation for the loss of the Brighton - Reading SWT service in December 2007, either that or axe the Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour service with the 3 coach 313 with no air con and toilets. Both of these services are slow, overcrowded, considerably unnattractive and 1 would be better off being replaced by a fast DMU calling at the main stations along the West Coastway, and giving a better link for passengers between key cities.
If these Great Western services are removed in the new franchise Brighton will become considerably isolated of its long distance direct links. The Brighton - Basingstoke/Reading/Exeter/Paignton services were axed in 2007, the Brighton - Birmingham/Manchester services were axed in 2008 along with the Brighton - Watford Junction Southern service. Leaving Brighton clinging onto it's last long distance services to Bristol, Worcester and Cardiff Central.....which are also now under threat.
It is beggers belief that Brighton which is a major city and tourist destination in the South seems to have become nothing more than a London Commuter station and for slow local services. Brighton Council have recently increased parking charges by a huge ammount to encourage people to use Public transport instead of the car.......ok......so where are the long distance links to get to Brighton station then that are more favourable than using the car? Are the elderly, disabled as well as parents with children expected to travel via the London Underground and/or change trains?......the DFT seem to think so!!!! :roll:
Quote - DFT Great Western Franchise Consultation document:
__________________________________________________
''Question 18: Are the services that extend eastwards from Portsmouth to Brighton the best use of Great Western diesel rolling stock, in view of the fact that there are frequent electric services provided by Southern on this route, or could this rolling stock could usefully be redeployed elsewhere?''
__________________________________________________
There are 2 Brighton services per day from Brighton and 4 on Sundays, which are very well used, especcially for trips between Brighton and Bristol/Bath. It links the key cities of Chichester and Brighton to the Great Western network, so therefore why axe a service that is well used and leave cities isolated all for the sake of reploying a few DMU's elsewhere?
Something they should be considering is to strengthen the current Brighton service to 1 train per hour and give a faster or additonal service between Brighton and Portsmouth. At least it would have toilets unlike the current 313's.
They could run the following hourly service pattern:
_______________________
Cardiff Central
Newport (South Wales)
Filton Abbey Wood
Bristol Temple Meads
Bath Spa
Bradford-on-Avon
Trowbridge
Westbury
Warminster
Sailsbury
Romsey
Southampton Central
Fareham
Cosham
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Havant
Chichester
Barnham
Worthing
Shoreham-By-Sea
Hove
Brighton
_______________________
Brighton
Hove
Shoreham-By-Sea
Worthing
Barnham
Chichester
Havant
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Cosham
Fareham
Southampton Central
Romsey
Sailsbury
Warminster
Westbury
Trowbridge
Bradford-on-Avon
Bath Spa
Bristol Temple Meads
Filton Abbey Wood
Newport (South Wales)
Cardiff Central
_______________________
They should axe the current Brighton - Southampton Southern service which is terrible anyway, and is only compensation for the loss of the Brighton - Reading SWT service in December 2007, either that or axe the Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour service with the 3 coach 313 with no air con and toilets. Both of these services are slow, overcrowded, considerably unnattractive and 1 would be better off being replaced by a fast DMU calling at the main stations along the West Coastway, and giving a better link for passengers between key cities.
If these Great Western services are removed in the new franchise Brighton will become considerably isolated of its long distance direct links. The Brighton - Basingstoke/Reading/Exeter/Paignton services were axed in 2007, the Brighton - Birmingham/Manchester services were axed in 2008 along with the Brighton - Watford Junction Southern service. Leaving Brighton clinging onto it's last long distance services to Bristol, Worcester and Cardiff Central.....which are also now under threat.
It is beggers belief that Brighton which is a major city and tourist destination in the South seems to have become nothing more than a London Commuter station and for slow local services. Brighton Council have recently increased parking charges by a huge ammount to encourage people to use Public transport instead of the car.......ok......so where are the long distance links to get to Brighton station then that are more favourable than using the car? Are the elderly, disabled as well as parents with children expected to travel via the London Underground and/or change trains?......the DFT seem to think so!!!! :roll:
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