SAVE OUR TRAIN: THE Wiltshire Times has been inundated with letters in support of the train service from Bradford on Avon to London Waterloo, following our call for commuters to write to the Government to try and save it.

The service, which stops at Trowbridge and Warminster before going on direct to London Waterloo, could be axed in May next year because the Strategic Rail Authority has not put it on a list of services that must be run by a new franchise operator.

The Wiltshire Times is supporting a campaign from Bradford on Avon Town Council to put pressure on the SRA and the Government to keep the train.

Long-time rail campaigner Cllr Janet Repton has collected

thousands of signatures in the past in support of the service.

She said: "Just in this last fortnight the train has been packed for Wimble-don and people heading for the Eurostar for their holidays. It shows how popular it is."

Three trains a day run from west Wiltshire and Waterloo, and with fares around £16, the service is much cheaper than trains to Paddington.

Cllr Repton said: "I cannot see how they could make a loss with this service, and I know people would not mind if the price of tickets went up a few pounds to keep the service going."

The service is used by tourists, commuters, and people heading for Heathrow and Gatwick, including local MP Andrew Murrison.

He said: "My views are very clear, a large number of my constituents would suffer if the service was axed, and it would be sorely missed.

"This service is so popular that there is sometimes standing room only, so any argument that it is not used enough just falls on its face."

The SRA is planning to announce the new franchisee by the end of this month, so the clock is ticking to get your views across. We will pass letters to Dr Murrison, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, and the SRA.

Send your letters to Wiltshire Times, 15 Duke Street, Trow-bridge, BA14 8EF