RESIDENTS in Frome have been highlighting the difficulties and uncertainty of travelling by train and the disruption to services caused by strike action, which began in June 2022.
A local resident said, “The trains seem to be in drastic decline. Lately, I have had services stop at Frome cancel, up until the mark with no notice, as well as countless delays. The bus replacement services don’t seem to be much help either.
“On my last journey out of Frome, a bus replacement service was supplied to Westbury. I asked the ticket office when the bus would be scheduled to arrive in Frome for pickup and they had no idea it was even coming. I had no choice but to wait in sub-zero temperatures for a bus that might never have come. You simply cannot rely on the trains especially as a method of travel for work.”
A member of the Frome and Village User Bus Group said, “We’re all creatures of habit when it comes to travel, whether that’s for work, to go to the shops, or for a day trip. We’ve had intermittent rail strikes for nearly two years and, while there’s always plenty of notice given, strikes disrupt our travel habits.
“Strikes cause people to consider alternative options to taking the train. That usually means going by car. We urge the government to get around the table with the rail unions and resolve these strikes. That’s in the best interests of rail passengers, rail workers and the rail companies too.”
Frome’s mayor, cllr Philip Campagna said, “The ability for Frome residents to use reliable train travel is crucial for their jobs. Many travel to work in nearby towns and cities by train and strike disruption is a major worry for them.”
Last year, Frome Town Council installed fingerpost signs around the town following receipt of a grant from Great Western Railway as part of their community outreach work. “The signs were intended to encourage people to use the train by making it easier to navigate around the town without driving and also by investing in the community,” says a spokesperson for Frome Town Council.
Cllr Philip Campagna said, “Many visitors who come to Frome choose to travel by train and visit our town because of amenities such as the Cheese & Grain, restaurants and hospitality, theatres and art scene, Frome Festival and many more. Signage helps get people to and from the station and I am campaigning hard to secure a bus service to the train station, which we currently do not have.
“However, the unions have been forced into this situation and the sooner constructive talks are held, the sooner this issue can be resolved.”
Industrial action by transport sector and train drivers’ unions – The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Aslef – was called in 2022 over pay, working conditions (including the removal of guards from trains) and job security.
Last November, the RMT Union decided on a pay deal with the government outside of London; this included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 as well as job security guarantees. Members of the train drivers’ union, Aslef, have remained in dispute and voted to continue striking until spring this year.
