John Penrose

Conservative Party | Weston-super-Mare

Worle Joins Weston on Fast Track Commuter Train Service

A two-year campaign by Weston-super-Mare MPJohn Penrose to improve fast-track commuter train services between Weston, Worle and Bristol has paid off.

The MP has succeeded in his drive to get higher capacity, more reliable High Speed Trains (HSTs) to call more regularly at Weston in the rush hour and, for the first time, make peak-hour HST commuter stops, both morning and evening, at the smaller, neighbouring, Worle station.

John Penrose has long called for Worle train station to be developed as a local transport commuter ‘hub’, with a fast link to Bristol, to help alleviate gridlock on local roads. An estimated 20,000 local people travel to work outside the MP’s constituency each week day.

First Great Western this week announced the new Weston-Worle-Bristol HST rush hour commuter link, along with a new evening pattern of hourly HSTs from Paddington and Bristol, calling at both Weston and Worle stations, when the train operator’s new 2007-2008 timetable comes into effect on December 9.

These are in addition to local train services between Weston and Bristol and local stations in between – including Weston Milton and commuter traffic pinch-point Worle – which will run on a half hourly ‘clockface’ pattern from that date. 

Says John Penrose: “This is great news and a big step forward for commuters across the Weston area. Taking the fast train can now be a far more viable option, with Worle station also in the loop. Car drivers will have a real alternative to battling queues on to the M5 and its nearby ‘malfunction junction’ - a nightmare roundabout, bang on the doorstep of Worle, a traffic pinch point in its own right.

“These rail service improvements should also mean a welcome reduction in overcrowding on all train services, in and out of Weston. A great result.”

Says First Great Western Regional Manager, Andrew Griffiths: “We have worked with John Penrose and through him listened to the needs of Weston and its surrounding villages.

“Thanks to the £110 million upgrade of our HST fleet and an £11 million upgrade of our local trains fleet now underway, our customers will be seeing a much improved rail service in the region. A major benefit will be High Speed Trains calling at Worle. Together with all the other timetable enhancements in December, this really should reduce the strain on Weston area train travellers.”