In this age of e-commerce, global enterprise and hi-tec solutions to every manner of problems (some of which we never thought we had!), bear a thought for the poor old railway.
Once at the cutting edge of technology itself, the railway forged links first across countries and then continents and was instrumental in creating the modern world in which we live. The purpose of the railway remains the same today as it always has done - to transport people and goods efficiently to where they need to go. The railway has always been crucial to commerce which has depended on it to provide materials for manufacture, a route for products to reach market and a means for people to find work. Today, however, it appears that the true value of the rail network is being overlooked - particularly in our neck of the woods. The effect of this is chronic underinvestment in a resource which could provide so many solutions to the problems created by our modern, congested and polluted world - if only the will were there.
Whilst successive governments have spoken proudly of their intentions to upgrade the railway nationally (and in some notable cases have been successful in putting words into action), it seems that Yeovil - a success story when viewed in comparison with the decline of manufacturing industry elsewhere - has been left totally out in the cold. Out in the cold that is without even a cup of tea or coffee from the buffet-service trolley.
Members of the Yeovil Chamber of Commerce Executive, working tirelessly in an attempt to promote the issue of rail travel within the immediate region, have been left chasing their tails. It appears that no one can tell us what is going on, other than confirm many of the more negative rumours we have heard. There would appear to be no planned improvement to the Yeovil/Waterloo lines, and no dualling of the tracks west of Yeovil. Nor is there likely to be any improvement on the Bristol/Weymouth line in terms of the frequency of the service and the modernisation of rolling stock. There is no apparent intention to reinstate the Bristol/Paddington service via Penn Mill (a step which would significantly reduce travel times) or to attract more freight to rail and there would appear to be no appetite to reverse the proposed cancellation of the service after the Axminster loop is installed.
The net result of all these measures will undoubtedly be bad for business as congestion becomes an ever growing issue, thereby making it even more expensive to either locate to, or do business out of, the Yeovil area. If unchallenged, this threatens to lead to a long term stagnation of the Yeovil economy with all that that will entail not just for business, but for the local community as a whole.
Yeovil Chamber of Commerce is therefore urging local individuals and businesses alike to make their voice heard on the state of the railway network in our region and to lobby their local MP/Councillor on an issue which one way or another is relevant to us all.