A Warminster veteran has criticised Network Rail after engineering works are set to disrupt rail services from the town over Remembrance weekend.
Richard Golay, a Royal Navy veteran, says the planned works affecting Warminster will make it difficult for veterans to attend Remembrance events, despite free rail travel being offered to serving personnel and veterans that weekend to help them take part in national commemorations.
Network Rail will close the line between Warminster and Salisbury on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, with replacement buses running for this section. Work on another part of the line means services to London Waterloo will also be reduced over the weekend.
Richard’s wife, Francesca, said, “These long-planned engineering works taking Warminster train station offline on Remembrance weekend make a mockery of their offer for free rail travel on that weekend. It doesn’t take much effort to work out when Remembrance Sunday is.
“This ‘free rail travel on Remembrance weekend’ is supposed to be about giving back to our veterans. It seems Warminster has been missed off that list this year. Perhaps Network Rail aren’t aware that our town houses not only serving military personnel, but a significant number of veterans from all branches of our military live here too.”
The couple are planning to travel to London for the Remembrance parade, but Richard said the disruption will make it difficult to get there.
“Now, to ensure we get there and back without significant delays or problems, we have to drive and catch the tube from the outskirts of London,” said Richard, who served as a Royal Navy Clearance Diver. “I just want to point out how difficult Network Rail is making it for anyone wishing to travel up to London for the Remembrance parade from Warminster. The buses are unlikely to be disabled friendly, so that would prevent those people from travelling.”
Francesca added, “I think this is an affront to both our veterans and serving personnel. This is a military garrison town. It will make it very hard to access for many if there aren’t enough buses. Their buses are often basic and don’t offer toilets or refreshments like the trains do.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said, “Network Rail engineers will be replacing over 1,300m of track between Salisbury and Warminster. These works will ensure passengers travelling on the line benefit from smoother and more reliable journeys. While there is never a good time to close the railway, weekends tend to see fewer passengers travelling on our network. We apologise for the inconvenience this disruption will cause.”
A Great Western Railway spokesperson added, “Customers travelling from Warminster for the Remembrance service in London on Sunday 9th November should travel the day before, changing at Westbury for direct services to Paddington.
“Trains will run to a normal Sunday timetable to allow customers to attend local Remembrance services, including at Bath, Bristol and Swindon. Rail replacement services will be in operation between Warminster and Salisbury as Network Rail carries out essential engineering works. Veterans and serving military personnel will be eligible for free travel on all services.”
Pictured: Francesca with Richard in his Royal Navy Clearance Diver Association uniform
