Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury, said he was delighted by Great Western Railway’s confirmation this week that new bi-mode trains, capable of running on both diesel and electricity, will mean that direct services will continue to operate to Hungerford, Kintbury and Bedwyn from 2018.
With electrification of the main line extending as far as Newbury there were fears that stations on the line to Bedwyn would lose a direct service. However, these new trains will ensure that passengers will not have to change trains at Newbury.
Richard said, ‘I have been pushing for an uninterrupted service to the west of Newbury ever since the Government made the decision to electrify this line. Places like Kintbury and Hungerford will have a better service on better trains. This decision means everyone is a winner.’
The new services will require a small extension of the sidings at Bedwyn station to be able to operate.