Salisbury to Swindon new rail service is running now

One of the cornerstones of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2009 elections was the provision of a usable rail service from Swindon to Melksham and Salisbury - the Trans Wiltshire Line.

Last year Trans Wilts Rail was set up by Wessex Chambers of Commerce with the support of Wiltshire Council and other partners to press the government for improvements to the line between Salisbury and Swindon. TransWilts received public and business support for the proposal and highlighted the much needed alternative to road transport. Visit http://www.transwiltsrail.org.uk/ for more information

Following delays caused by the uncertainties about railway franchises, the new timetable began on December 8th. It's operated by First Great Western with a subsidy provided by the government for the first two years. The total grant of £4.25million will also fund improvements to stations.

The service will run in the first place until December 2016. What happens after that will depend on the franchising process.

Another operator, GO-OP, had also expressed an interest in running trains on the line as part of a regular Westbury to Birmingham service. This now seems unlikely to go ahead. www.go-op.coop

The funding package was approved by WC cabinet on October 22nd - agenda

Here are the weekday timetables. Saturday and Sunday timetables are on the TransWilts site

Picture - Hames on the train