South Western Railway has launched a new timetable on Monday which is completely unacceptable for us in West Dorset.

On Friday, I wrote to South Western Railway alongside several colleagues to make it clear, in the strongest possible terms, that the timetable changes that came into effect this Monday until further notice cuts off Dorset from any direct trains to/from London and slashes the frequency by half anywhere west of Bournemouth and west of Salisbury, including Dorchester, Sherborne, Yeovil Junction, Crewkerne and Axminster.

This forthcoming change, in the fashion this has been introduced and the extent that services are being reduced goes a long way to show the company’s total lack of concern for the needs of local people in Dorset and my colleagues and I are challenging this ‘until further notice’ timetable change’.

South Western Railway has also removed on-board catering from our trains. They have refurbished trains to make them less comfortable. They have totally pulled out of the line from Yeovil to Weymouth, through Maiden Newton and Dorcheser West (the Heart of Wessex line), and now, our county town will not have a train arriving in London before 9.23am. The company’s lack of strategic intent for our area is equally palpable.

It appears to me that South Western Railway has no interest in Dorset. If anything, it is now trying to damage our economy with such drastic measures. I have requested that they urgently review this proposed timetable and that, as an absolute minimum, direct services are restored between London and Weymouth/Exeter and an earlier train will run from Weymouth/Dorchester to London. We have been in touch with the Rail Minister and are anticipating meeting next week where similar views will be shared.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me at hello@chrisloder.co.uk if there is anything I can help you with, and visit my website www.chrisloder.co.uk for updates.