Letter to The Citizen, 31 October 2011

 

TO THE EDITOR (letters page) GLOUCESTER CITIZEN

                                                                                                  31 October 2011

The citizens of Gloucester have been let down by the MP, Gloucester County Council and Gloucester City Council by not promoting Gloucester as a tourist destination. Gloucester is the capital city of Gloucestershire with 110,000 population but it is only served as a branch line on a north/south route.

When Virgin Railway decided to abandon Gloucester as a main line station people were forced to extend their journey time, an example being—going north you have to leave Gloucester at 0601hrs to connect with the 0712hrs Cross Country service at Cheltenham. There are many other instances North and South where passengers have a long wait at Cheltenham. First Great Western is the exception with their service from Gloucester to London.

As it is now possible for MPs to debate on an electronic survey, the citizens of Gloucester should be listened to as well.

Our MP, Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucester City Council should take note of the public opinion that there is a demand for a better rail service north/ south for the citizens of this city.

If a rail station was built on the triangle the city would be well served in all directions. Network Rail have pulled the wool over the aforementioned authorities eyes by stating there was insufficient running time to serve passengers when it is a fact that there is allotted recovery time (spare time) at Bristol Temple Meads and Birmingham New Street. Also trains are diverted via Wakefield and Leeds incorporating additional running time.

As ex train drivers with over 85 years' experience in total on the railway it is obvious to us that Gloucester could have a far better train service than it has now.

INCIDENTLY, HAS ANYONE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A SUPERMARKET (IF WE MUST) AND A STATION ON THE TRIANGLE.

Colin Rosser

David Bush

Gloucester