Update from 20 July release: ‘missing link’ replaced

The joint Cotswold Line Promotion Group and Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway bus link, between Evesham and Toddington stations, starts Saturday and runs every Saturday throughout August. This is an exciting new initiative that replaces – albeit temporarily – the rail link that ran along the former Honeybourne Line (and may do so again one day).  The bus service links First Great Western train services calling at Evesham with GWR train services between Toddington and Cheltenham. Call either Ian Crowder (GWR) or Phil Ralls (Cotswold Line Promotion Group) – contact numbers at end of story – for more information or for an interview.

Full story follows:

YOU WAIT 48 YEARS – THEN YOU CAN TRAVEL FROM
EVESHAM TO CHELTENHAM ONCE AGAIN!

By bus and steam train to Cheltenham Racecourse on all August Saturdays

Every Saturday during August, it will be possible to buy a ticket to travel from Evesham station on the Cotswold line to Toddington, Winchcombe and Cheltenham Racecourse stations on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

But that’s not because the ‘missing link’ between the GWR and the Cotswold Line has been reinstated – yet.  It’s because a special bus service will link First Great Western trains at Evesham with GWR trains at Toddington.

This is the first time since 1960 that such a journey has been possible. That year, passenger services were withdrawn from stations between Cheltenham and Honeybourne, including trains that ran from Evesham to Cheltenham via Honeybourne.

“This is a fantastic initiative between the GWR and the Cotswold Line Promotion Group. Whether you’re looking for a family day out or if you are interested in railways, it’s a chance to compare the High Speed Trains to today with the steam traction of the 60’s,” says Garry Owen, chairman of Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc.

“You’ll be able to travel by train from London and Oxford; and Hereford and Worcester to the GWR on the five Saturdays in August, changing at Evesham for a convenient bus link that runs between Evesham and Toddington stations, via Broadway.”

Buses will leave Evesham Station at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 and from Toddington Station at 11:00, 13:05, 15:00 and 17:00.  The journey time is approximately 25 minutes. The return fare for this bus service is £5 adult, £4 seniors and £2.50 children, and all users of this link will receive a £1 reduction off GWR fares on that date.

Ends/more

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Cotswold Line Promotion Group is a voluntary group formed with the aim of safeguarding and promoting improvements to rail and bus feeder services along the Oxford to Worcester line. www.clpg.co.uk

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is an entirely volunteer-run heritage railway operating steam and heritage diesel train services over the former Cheltenham-Stratford line (the Honeybourne Line). The GWR is currently extending the line northwards towards Broadway. Its aspiration is to reopen as much as possible of this former main line, on which local train services ceased in 1960 and closed completely in 1979.

First Great Western is promoting this special bus service on www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk click on the “travelling with us” link.

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the smooth running of this link, neither CLPG nor GWSR can be held responsible for any delays caused by circumstances beyond our control such as late trains.

Media contacts: Ian Crowder 07775 566 555 or Phil Ralls 07968 499 186