About this Event
TravelWatch SouthWest Autumn General Meeting 2026
Date: Friday, 9th October 11:00 - 15:15 (10:30 arrival)
Location: Firepool Digital Innovation Centre, Taunton
About the Event:
Welcome drinks and registration 10:30 - 11:00.
Are we set up to cover the journeys we need?
How can rail, bus, and infrastructure in the South West better serve aging populations, rural communities, and accessibility needs? We’ll explore how socially necessary services are delivered and how grassroots voices can shape them.
How can the DfT and transport operators better listen to - and act on - community feedback?
We will explore these themes and questions at Autumn's general meeting and across the 2026/27 period.
Agenda
- 11:00 Welcome: Chair & Secretary, TWSW
- 11:10 Keynote
- 11:25 What could public transport do for us? Chair of the Interim Growth Board for Marlcombe
- 11:55 Getting around better: what infrastructure and commercial approach will deliver this? Strategy & Business Development Director, SWR
- 12:20 Operator Panel Conversation
- 12:40 Lunch
- 13:20 Welcome Back
- 13:25 Did you know? (AKA Just a Minute)
- 13:35 Managing Director reviews the way XC is meeting passenger needs: Managing Director, Cross Country
- 14:10 Socially necessary local services, Swindon Working Group
- 14:50 Open-floor discussion
- 15:15 Close
Free Coach travel will be provided along three routes. Stops/timings may be changed due to demand and final information will be sent to those that have requested coach travel.
Swindon Route:
08:30 Fleming Way Stand N1/2, Swindon
10:45 Firepool Centre, Taunton
15:15 Return journey
Bournemouth Route:
07:15 Bournemouth Train Station
08:15 Wareham Train Station
09:15 Sherborne Train Station
09:35 Yeovil Penn Mill Train Station
10:45 Firepool Centre, Taunton
15:15 Return journey
Cornwall/Devon Route:
07:00 Truro Train Station
07:30 St Austell Train Station
08:30 Saltash Fore Street
08:50 Plymouth Argyle Park and Ride
10:30 Firepool Centre, Taunton
15:15 Return journey
Event venue & nearby stays
Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation, Trenchard Way, Taunton, United Kingdom
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