Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with South Western Railway on the planned withdrawal of their Bristol to Salisbury train service.

The Department tasked South Western Railway with finding timetable efficiencies which could be actioned for the December 2021 timetable change. South Western Railway identified Bristol to Salisbury services, which are also provided by Great Western Railway. As a consequence of this, the Department agreed to the removal of these direct South Western Railway Bristol to Salisbury services on the basis that there is sufficient capacity provided by Great Western Railway.