Ashchurch (for Tewkesbury) Station Needs More Services.

[Envoy]

At present, Ashchuch (for Tewkesbury) station has one service an hour - usually on the Bristol to Worcester route. Rarely, an additional train calls - likely to be on the Nottingham to Cardiff route. On Wednesday 16th July 2025, a new Designer Outlet Shopping Centre opened (see photo 1) and this is just a 7 minute walk from the station. (A pity the path is not signposted - see photo 2). A bus link is also available to neighbouring areas including Tewkesbury.

https://cotswoldsdesigneroutlet.com/

"From tempting eateries to a selection of hand picked brands that guarantee an outstanding shopping experience for all the family."

I contend that an hourly service for this station - which also has an industrial estate nearby - is not sufficient. Yes, I know it is on a very busy fast main line but really do wonder if something can be done to increase services? (On Wednesday, GWR cancelled some trains leading to a 2 hour gap).

Perhaps the TFW Cardiff to Cheltenham service could be extended to terminate at Ashchurch? Photo 3 shows a siding on the north side of the station and photo 4 shows that a crossover that could be used to get such a train over to the southbound platform and then into the siding to clear the mainline. Alternatively, perhaps the TFW trains could be extended to Worcester or even Kidderminster in order to provide better links? Photo 5 shows Ashchurch station - southbound platform looking north. The other train that could possibly call is the Cardiff to Nottingham service - though I guess longer distance passengers would not be happy with another stop.

 

[30907]

I would have thought demand towards the south wouldn't warrant 2tph - Birmingham might have potential, how well do the existing services (5 north, 3 south) do when they actually run?

 

[The Planner]

At present, Ashchuch (for Tewkesbury) station has one service an hour - usually on the Bristol to Worcester route. Rarely, an additional train calls - likely to be on the Nottingham to Cardiff route. On Wednesday 16th July 2025, a new Designer Outlet Shopping Centre opened (see photo 1) and this is just a 7 minute walk from the station. (A pity the path is not signposted - see photo 2). A bus link is also available to neighbouring areas including Tewkesbury.

https://cotswoldsdesigneroutlet.com/


I contend that an hourly service for this station - which also has an industrial estate nearby - is not sufficient. Yes, I know it is on a very busy fast main line but really do wonder if something can be done to increase services? (On Wednesday, GWR cancelled some trains leading to a 2 hour gap).

Perhaps the TFW Cardiff to Cheltenham service could be extended to terminate at Ashchurch? Photo 3 shows a siding on the north side of the station and photo 4 shows that a crossover that could be used to get such a train over to the southbound platform and then into the siding to clear the mainline. Alternatively, perhaps the TFW trains could be extended to Worcester or even Kidderminster in order to provide better links? Photo 5 shows Ashchurch station - southbound platform looking north. The other train that could possibly call is the Cardiff to Nottingham service - though I guess longer distance passengers would not be happy with another stop.

You would have to make alterations to allow that as that is the down goods loop and isn't signaled to do it. I wouldn't expect it to be easy to add it into Cardiff Nottingham services, as whilst you'll probably be ok to New St (providing the 6tph Cross City doesn't come back) north of there will be an issue as you'll clash with the Leicester local. The Nottingham Cardiff is only 5 minutes in front of the Worcester Birmingham, so not ideal. You need 18 minutes to get a TfW clear at Abbotswood from Cheltenham, so you need to be there around xx.45 which would work. Other direction you need to be at Abbotswood around xx.21 to match the southbound path from Cheltenham, that also looks like it works. It still wouldn't give you a well spaced timetable though. Ive not looked around Norton and Worcester.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

Is there a decent walking route to the centre of Tewkesbury from the station?

 

[465fan]

In a previous thread, I said they should tinker with XC.

- Plymouth to Edinburgh, hourly, 8 car.
- Cardiff to York via Doncaster, hourly, 4/5 car.
- Then have the 'slower' service the Bristol to Nottingham, as an XC Intercity route with a 22x. If you assume that would slot in behind the Cardiff to York, that would be the train to stop at Ashchurch and Worcester Parkway for me. That way Ashchurch has two an hour to Cheltenham and Bristol, one an hour to Worcester, Birmingham and Gloucester.

That's the one.

 

[The Planner]

In a previous thread, I said they should tinker with XC.

- Plymouth to Edinburgh, hourly, 8 car.
- Cardiff to York via Doncaster, hourly, 4/5 car.
- Then have the 'slower' service the Bristol to Nottingham, as an XC Intercity route with a 22x. If you assume that would slot in behind the Cardiff to York, that would be the train to stop at Ashchurch and Worcester Parkway for me. That way Ashchurch has two an hour to Cheltenham and Bristol, one an hour to Worcester, Birmingham and Gloucester.

That's the one.

Bristol will always have 2 fast services. Midlands Rail Hub will provide the extra slower Bristol.

 

[MarkyT]

Is there a decent walking route to the centre of Tewkesbury from the station?

According to Google, 2.5 miles, 55 mins, entirely alongside the A438, including crossing the M5 Junction 9 roundabout. Narrow pavements, in places shared as cycle path. Not a pleasant walk on such a busy road I expect.

The Cotswold Designer Outlet next door was a surprise to me on the map. That could be attracting some traffic for the railway if the Bicester one is anything to go by, but probably not London-based foreign tourists to the same extent.

 

[The Planner]

The Cotswold Designer Outlet next door was a surprise to me on the map. That could be attracting some traffic for the railway if the Bicester one is anything to go by, but probably not London-based foreign tourists to the same extent.

Based on the lists of shops, its no Bicester.

 

[JonathanH]

According to Google, 2.5 miles, 55 mins, entirely alongside the A438, including crossing the M5 Junction 9 roundabout. Narrow pavements, in places shared as cycle path. Not a pleasant walk on such a busy road I expect.

Once West of the M5 it is possible to walk along the old railway line into Tewkesbury rather than the A438 so it isn't all bad. Still a fair distance though as you note.

 

[MarkyT]

Once West of the M5 it is possible to walk along the old railway line into Tewkesbury rather than the A438 so it isn't all bad. Still a fair distance though as you note.

An extra 0.2 miles and 4 min according to Google if you're going to the Abbey. Probably shorter that way to most of the High Street, cutting across via Station St.

 

[Zomboid]

Based on the lists of shops, its no Bicester.

That's probably not a fair comparison anyway, isn't Bicester village a top 10 destination for tourists or something?

I'm not sure who the Ashchurch place is attracting, but with a mostly hourly service on a stopping train it's unlikely to be very many rail users. Would it be one of those places that would bring more people in at weekends, and maybe more stops during shopping hours on Saturday and Sunday would be justifiable?

 

[The Planner]

That's probably not a fair comparison anyway, isn't Bicester village a top 10 destination for tourists or something?

I'm not sure who the Ashchurch place is attracting, but with a mostly hourly service on a stopping train it's unlikely to be very many rail users. Would it be one of those places that would bring more people in at weekends, and maybe more stops during shopping hours on Saturday and Sunday would be justifiable?

Possibly, though I would expect the TOCs would wait until they were lobbied by the outlet.

 

[Brubulus]

Bristol will always have 2 fast services. Midlands Rail Hub will provide the extra slower Bristol.

So there's a plan for 3 Birmingham-Bristol trains an hour? If there is a plan for a semi-fast, will it call at Worcester and Gloucester?

 

[The Planner]

So there's a plan for 3 Birmingham-Bristol trains an hour? If there is a plan for a semi-fast, will it call at Worcester and Gloucester?

I think that is the aspiration, hence the tweaks proposed at Stoke Works.

 

[MasterPhillips]

If GWR werent so short of train crew (and IETs) I would suggest extending the Paddington to Cheltenham trains to Worcester as an option. There is one direct service in each direction per day that does this.

 

[MarkyT]

If GWR werent so short of train crew (and IETs) I would suggest extending the Paddington to Cheltenham trains to Worcester as an option. There is one direct service in each direction per day that does this.

When the 175s start in Devon and Cornwall, presumably some IETs will be released. I wonder if London-Worcester via Cheltenham could be a single 5-car detached from a 10-car set at Gloucester, with the return leg recoupled there.

Edit: Looks like the Cheltenham is a single 5-car for the entire run, usually. The early morning run does WOF-CNM in 29m so adding one train to the circuit would work with a reasonable layover at Worcester. I don't think they'd want it sitting in WOF platform #1 for ~30m, so perhaps it could go and wait in the siding at Henbury, with the option of a quick turnround in the platform if arriving late.

Another Edit: My mistake. The morning Worcester train starts at Shrub Hill rather than Foregate St. Not to say a regular extension from Cheltenham couldn't reach WOF.

 

[MasterPhillips]

When the 175s start in Devon and Cornwall, presumably some IETs will be released. I wonder if London-Worcester via Cheltenham could be a single 5-car detached from a 10-car set at Gloucester, with the return leg recoupled there.

Dont think 10 car would ever be needed for the Cheltenhams and certainly would not be a priority, even if extending to Worcester. There is only one London to Cheltenham longer than a 5.

 

[MarkyT]

Dont think 10 car would ever be needed for the Cheltenhams and certainly would not be a priority, even if extending to Worcester. There is only one London to Cheltenham longer than a 5.

Maybe augment to 9 or 10 on major race days?

 

[ABB125]

The service at Ashchurch has only recently (within the last few years) increased to hourly, was every 2 hours before that (plus the seemingly random XC call which I think are pretty much still the same?).
The new shopping park exists as an "easy to access" alternative to, for example, going into Cheltenham. Ie: built entirely for car traffic. Ignoring the significant impact it'll have on M5 J9 and the A46, which is already terrible at peak times.
There's a huge amount of housing planned around Ashchurch, over 10,000 houses, some of which have now been built. I can see justification for 2tph by the end of the decade, an hourly Birmingham service would be very helpful, probably combined with a faster Bristol service? An increase in XC services as part of the Midlands Rail Hub would seem an ideal time

 

[Yorkshire09876]

The service at Ashchurch has only recently (within the last few years) increased to hourly, was every 2 hours before that (plus the seemingly random XC call which I think are pretty much still the same?).
The new shopping park exists as an "easy to access" alternative to, for example, going into Cheltenham. Ie: built entirely for car traffic. Ignoring the significant impact it'll have on M5 J9 and the A46, which is already terrible at peak times.
There's a huge amount of housing planned around Ashchurch, over 10,000 houses, some of which have now been built. I can see justification for 2tph by the end of the decade, an hourly Birmingham service would be very helpful, probably combined with a faster Bristol service? An increase in XC services as part of the Midlands Rail Hub would seem an ideal time

Where do / will the people in these new houses mostly work? Birmingham?

 

[ABB125]

Where do / will the people in these new houses mostly work? Birmingham?

That's a very good question...
"Easy access to the M5" is probably the answer!

 

[Rich McLean]

The local MP (who also happens to be my 1st Cousin) has been fighting for road and rail improvements but no commitments made by ministers, especially through Ashchurch. A new M5 junction with an Ashchurch bypass has been proposed.

 

[Envoy]

The local MP (who also happens to be my 1st Cousin) has been fighting for road and rail improvements but no commitments made by ministers, especially through Ashchurch. A new M5 junction with an Ashchurch bypass has been proposed.

They certainly need an Ashchurch by-pass to get through traffic direct to/from the M5.

 

[Zomboid]

A new M5 junction with an Ashchurch bypass has been proposed

If road design had an equivalent of crayons, that would be a great example

 

[Alfie1014]

Braintree Village (formerly Freeport) which hs been open 20+ years basically has always had an hourly service (though slightly more frequent in weekday peaks).

 

[70014IronDuke]

At present, Ashchuch (for Tewkesbury) station has one service an hour - usually on the Bristol to Worcester route. Rarely, an additional train calls - likely to be on the Nottingham to Cardiff route. On Wednesday 16th July 2025, a new Designer Outlet Shopping Centre opened (see photo 1) and this is just a 7 minute walk from the station. (A pity the path is not signposted - see photo 2). A bus link is also available to neighbouring areas including Tewkesbury.

https://cotswoldsdesigneroutlet.com/


I contend that an hourly service for this station - which also has an industrial estate nearby - is not sufficient. Yes, I know it is on a very busy fast main line but really do wonder if something can be done to increase services? (On Wednesday, GWR cancelled some trains leading to a 2 hour gap).

I think the introduction of the hourly GWR service is close to being as good as it gets for Ashchurch - at least until all these new housese are built.

Stopping the Nottingham - Cardiff XCs would be a nice-to-have, but, pathing issues aside, adding another stop hits the overall timings. Maybe adding stops for two Nottm - Cardiffs, one in the morning (totally absent) and one early afternoon from Birmingham could be justified, but not every hour.