EXTRA carriages are to be provided to relieve the stress on one of the busiest and most packed train services from Severn Tunnel Junction to Bristol, Bath and stations to Portsmouth.
The 07.55am Portsmouth train is notable for being almost impossible to get on. It is Severnside's example of a 'sardine special.'
The extra two carriages will be made available from December 12 on the Bristol Temple Meads, Bath and Portsmouth route.
First Great Western deputy managing director, Andy Mellors said: "This is great news for our customers at Severn Tunnel Junction, and a step forward to helping address the capacity issues created by the popularity of our services both from Cardiff to Bristol, and others across the south west.
"With support from members of parliament, local authorities and other key partners we have been in discussions with the Department for Transport for some time about the need for this capacity, and we are delighted these have come to fruition."
Regular Severn Tunnel Junction commuter Kim Clarke has been helping STAG (Severn Tunnel Action Group) by monitoring use of this train over the past few years.
Speaking to the Review Kim says: 'Recently we have had up to 80 commuters boarding this already full train at Severn Tunnel Junction. The additional carriages will certainly get my working day off to a better start'.
She added that she was really looking forward to getting a seat in future.
David Flint, chairman of STAG expressed his thanks to Kim Clarke as he explained what a long haul it had been in getting this improvement, and how important her statistics had been during negotiations. Dialogue had even gone as far as a meeting with the Rail Minister in London, a meeting brokered by local MP Jessica Mordon some time ago.
David Flint added: "Part of the reason why this train is so busy is that it connects well with a train that leaves Chepstow at 07.29am and Lydney at 07.22am.
"Some of our difficulties are that the trains to Lydney and Chepstow don't connect well with those from Bristol in the evening, the Arriva Cross Country services from Lydney and Chepstow are occasionally cancelled – last Friday's train was cancelled due to driver shortages – and there is no regular clock-face service on the Chepstow line that passengers can depend upon."
With significant additional housing being built at Lydney and Chepstow, demand growing for public transport to Bristol, and a lack of parking at Severn Tunnel Station, STAG said it would continue to work with all stakeholders to find solutions.
•For more details about the Severn Junction Action Group - see their website at: http://www">http://www. saveseverntunnel.co.uk or speak to David Flint at Severn Tunnel Action Group on 01291 423551