Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Campaign for Tavistock reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363288/804/28] Posted by trainbuff at 22:50, 17th July 2025 |      |
I believe the plan is at Tavistock junction near the Marsh Mills end, though of course this will do little to alleviate traffic on Plymouth Road. Many commuters from Chaddlewood and the wider catchment of Plympton wont benefit much from it there methinks. But it cannot go on Hemerdon Bank and the old site is not suitable. Next available place is the old Hemerdon loops but this is too far out of Plympton at present, though would not be too far from Langage Industrial estate
| Re: School trip coach involved in a collision, Wheddon Cross, Somerset 17/07/2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363287/30461/5] Posted by Timmer at 22:43, 17th July 2025 Already liked by trainbuff | |
Very sad news indeed. Thoughts and condolences to the family who lost a child this evening and to all those affected.
| Re: School trip coach involved in a collision, Wheddon Cross, Somerset 17/07/2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363286/30461/5] Posted by JayMac at 21:13, 17th July 2025 Already liked by trainbuff | |
Avon & Somerset Police have just held a press conference.
One child has died. Several other passengers, including two children, have received serious injuries.
My thoughts and condolences go to all affected by this tragic incident.
| Re: School trip coach involved in a collision, Wheddon Cross, Somerset 17/07/2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363285/30461/5] Posted by grahame at 20:09, 17th July 2025 | |
Further updates from the BBC
What we know so far - published at 18:53
A bus carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School left the road at about 15:00 BST close to the village of Wheddon Cross on Exmoor on Thursday
Around 60 to 70 people were on board and police say a number of casualties have been taken to hospital
Most passengers were taken to a rest centre set up at a pub in Wheddon Cross
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is receiving regular updates on the incident
A bus carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School left the road at about 15:00 BST close to the village of Wheddon Cross on Exmoor on Thursday
Around 60 to 70 people were on board and police say a number of casualties have been taken to hospital
Most passengers were taken to a rest centre set up at a pub in Wheddon Cross
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is receiving regular updates on the incident
and at 20:02
Beacon Education MAT, which Minehead Middle School is part of, has released a statement following the bus crash.
“We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon to support our pupils, families, and staff at this very difficult time," it says.
“We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon to support our pupils, families, and staff at this very difficult time," it says.
We will update our school community further as soon as more information becomes available, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and sensitivity.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [363284/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:55, 17th July 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or terminated at and started back from Reading. Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford will not be served. Disruption is expected until 20:30 17/07.
| School trip coach involved in a collision, Wheddon Cross, Somerset 17/07/2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363283/30461/5] Posted by JayMac at 18:41, 17th July 2025 | |
BREAKING NEWS.
A coach returning to Minehead Middle School after a day trip, with approximately 60-70 people aboard, has been involved in a road traffic collision at around 3pm on the A396 near Wheddon Cross, Somerset. Several road ambulances and an air ambulance have been at the scene. A rest centre has been set up at a nearby pub.
Ridlers, a coach hire company from Dulverton, have said one of their vehicles was involved.
The A396 is closed as I type with emergency services still at the scene.
The above details from a BBC Points West report this evening.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance In "London to the West" [363282/489/12] Posted by a-driver at 18:29, 17th July 2025 | |
Would the sleeper fit (including the inwards loco)?
Platform 3 at Reading is 125m, how long is the sleeper nowadays?Depends on what they use to assist it after it’s failed!!!
| Re: Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363281/30458/5] Posted by Oxonhutch at 17:42, 17th July 2025 | |
... I don't think it's possible to walk into some of the Heathrow terminals - those in the central area - and longer, is it?
You can walk to Hatton Cross tube station and get the train for free to any of the terminals.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [363280/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 17:35, 17th July 2025 | |
Later (17:30):
16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:17/07/2025 16:22
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:17/07/2025 16:22
| Re: Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363279/30458/5] Posted by grahame at 14:41, 17th July 2025 | |
as yet you can still arrive at this airport on foot and without a fee for doing so
............you shouldn't have said that !!
I did wonder before I posted. I don't think it's possible to walk into some of the Heathrow terminals - those in the central area - and longer, is it?
| Re: Witchcraft can't help with these ;-) In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363277/30456/31] Posted by Clan Line at 14:19, 17th July 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
Won't be much of a "quid itch" to them !
| Re: Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363276/30458/5] Posted by Clan Line at 14:12, 17th July 2025 | |
as yet you can still arrive at this airport on foot and without a fee for doing so
............you shouldn't have said that !!
| Re: Campaign for Tavistock reopening In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [363274/804/28] Posted by froome at 12:56, 17th July 2025 | |
Is the campaign for a new station at Plympton a new campaign? As a non local who does travel down to Plymouth fairly often, it has always seemed to me to be a place where a new station is needed. Is there an obvious location for it?
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363273/18719/26] Posted by froome at 12:50, 17th July 2025 Already liked by Bob_Blakey | |
An additional premium on top of the premium already offered for working days has been agreed from Monday 27th July for a year for drivers.
With the same premium applied to Sunday’s as well
While I don't have a problem with drivers being paid an extra premium, I might make an exception for those who put an apostrophe in a plural.
| Re: Senior Railcard - ongoing issues, merged posts In "Fare's Fair" [363272/26533/4] Posted by froome at 12:47, 17th July 2025 | |
As I'm approaching my birthday (early August) my senior railcard is coming up for renewal again. I will be renewing it at the ticket office, as part of my commitment to ensuring they stay open and because I find it much easier than online, and don't mind paying the bit extra for the cost of a 1 year ticket rather than a 3 year one (it certainly gives me value for money).
Last year about this time of year I received a letter from the Railcard Team telling me that my senior railcard was due to expire on July 25th and this year I again have received the same letter. However, my current railcard actually has the date 11 August as its expiry date and last year it had a similar date, and as far as I know, none of my senior railcards have ever had an expiry date of 25 July (I'm pretty sure that the first one I got had an expiry date of my actual birthday, which is earlier in August). So why do the Railcard team think my card is due to expire on July 25th? The only reason I can think of is that perhaps my first application was made on that date (but I think it was later).
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363271/18719/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:43, 17th July 2025 | |
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363269/18719/26] Posted by a-driver at 12:01, 17th July 2025 | |
An additional premium on top of the premium already offered for working days has been agreed from Monday 27th July for a year for drivers.
With the same premium applied to Sunday’s as well
| Re: trainee drivers will be allowed to drive trains from age 18 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363268/30247/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:02, 17th July 2025 Already liked by matth1j | |
From the BBC:
Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election
Around 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election, under government plans to lower the voting age.
Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali tells the BBC the "seismic" change will ensure young people's voices are heard.
She confirms the pledge will be part of a raft of measures introduced through a new Elections Bill.
Around 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election, under government plans to lower the voting age.
Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali tells the BBC the "seismic" change will ensure young people's voices are heard.
She confirms the pledge will be part of a raft of measures introduced through a new Elections Bill.
Next thing we know, they'll also be driving trains.
| Flash flooding sweeps through New York City subways - July 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363267/30459/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:49, 17th July 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Subway passengers in New York City were left stranded inside carriages after torrential rain caused flood waters to gush onto platforms.
Video footage from the platform of 28th Street Station showed passengers watching from inside the train as water poured into the station.
Other videos showed passengers kneeling on their seats to avoid the water seeping into the train.
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as flash floods submerged cars and closed roads.
Video footage from the platform of 28th Street Station showed passengers watching from inside the train as water poured into the station.
Other videos showed passengers kneeling on their seats to avoid the water seeping into the train.
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as flash floods submerged cars and closed roads.
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363266/5138/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:10, 17th July 2025 | |
From the BBC:
HS2 tenants reveal problems over rent and repairs
When Rob Taylor first moved into his HS2-owned barn conversion in the Warwickshire hamlet of Gilson, it was his "little piece of heaven".
Ten years later, the area is surrounded by the High Speed Two works, with road closures, dust and noise now part and parcel of everyday life.
Despite the surroundings, he has had two large rent increases in quick succession - £250 a month last year and £400 a month this year. "It's crazy, I don't know who could afford it," My Taylor said.
HS2 said it carries out rent reviews in line with tenancy agreements, and that several properties, including Gilson, were historically let below market value to account for their proximity to major construction activity.
But the heating engineer said he cannot see how Carter Jonas, the company that manages the properties on behalf of HS2, can justify the rise. "We're in the middle of a 360 building site and it gets more and more intense."
He also accuses the company of failing to address several maintenance issues, including his garden decking which he says still hasn't been replaced three years after it was removed.
"It doesn't matter how much I complain, nothing happens." He added it was sad to see the house "rolling into poor condition", with threadbare carpets, loose brickwork on an external wall and leaks all being ignored.
HS2 bought up hundreds of homes along the high-speed rail route, letting out those it didn't demolish and said it had to balance tenant circumstances with its responsibility to deliver value for public money.
Mr Taylor is among a number of tenants in Gilson who have contacted the local MP, Rachel Taylor, who represents North Warwickshire and Bedworth.
She has written a letter to HS2 demanding answers, and also raised it in a meeting with them recently. "There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how they can put the rent up by so much and not carry out essential repairs," she said.
In a statement, HS2 said they were increasing the rent in line with market conditions but she argued there should be an element of compensation for people living with the High Speed Two works on their doorstep.
She is also critical of Carter Jonas and the way it has treated people and said it was "failing" in its role as managing agent.
When Rob Taylor first moved into his HS2-owned barn conversion in the Warwickshire hamlet of Gilson, it was his "little piece of heaven".
Ten years later, the area is surrounded by the High Speed Two works, with road closures, dust and noise now part and parcel of everyday life.
Despite the surroundings, he has had two large rent increases in quick succession - £250 a month last year and £400 a month this year. "It's crazy, I don't know who could afford it," My Taylor said.
HS2 said it carries out rent reviews in line with tenancy agreements, and that several properties, including Gilson, were historically let below market value to account for their proximity to major construction activity.
But the heating engineer said he cannot see how Carter Jonas, the company that manages the properties on behalf of HS2, can justify the rise. "We're in the middle of a 360 building site and it gets more and more intense."
He also accuses the company of failing to address several maintenance issues, including his garden decking which he says still hasn't been replaced three years after it was removed.
"It doesn't matter how much I complain, nothing happens." He added it was sad to see the house "rolling into poor condition", with threadbare carpets, loose brickwork on an external wall and leaks all being ignored.
HS2 bought up hundreds of homes along the high-speed rail route, letting out those it didn't demolish and said it had to balance tenant circumstances with its responsibility to deliver value for public money.
Mr Taylor is among a number of tenants in Gilson who have contacted the local MP, Rachel Taylor, who represents North Warwickshire and Bedworth.
She has written a letter to HS2 demanding answers, and also raised it in a meeting with them recently. "There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how they can put the rent up by so much and not carry out essential repairs," she said.
In a statement, HS2 said they were increasing the rent in line with market conditions but she argued there should be an element of compensation for people living with the High Speed Two works on their doorstep.
She is also critical of Carter Jonas and the way it has treated people and said it was "failing" in its role as managing agent.
(article continues)
| Re: Westbury - use like Malton, not done at Pilning. Robustness issues. In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363265/30457/20] Posted by Witham Bobby at 09:47, 17th July 2025 | |
At Malton in Yorkshire, there is single platform at one side of a double track (is it still like that?) with trains headed for Scarborough calling on their normal track but trains headed for York crossing over before and after the platform. But at what cost in terms of robustness and limiting service operations and enhancement?
It's not ideal. Firstly there is the capital cost of installing a crossover at each end of the single platform, and associated new signals. Then there's ongoing maintenance costs for all this new kit.
Operationally, it would be a bit of a nightmare on busy routes, or on quieter lines where the signals might be many miles apart. I used to reckon (in the days of sharp railway operating) that to cross a train over added four minutes compared to running by at full speed. So you'd have that twice, plus the station stop. It's easy to see the "wrong" road being tied-up for ten minutes
| Re: Search facility, document and post archives on the Coffee Shop forum In "News, Help and Assistance" [363263/25544/29] Posted by grahame at 07:27, 17th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Just hit a couple of milestones - the 1300th archived and indexed document, and the 200th "whitelisted" so that it's public accessible as well. A co-incidence that the two milestones were hit with the same document MTUG an MTUG / Melksham Transport update for Melksham Town Council reps to MTUG
The "Deep Search" box and hourglass on our front pages help you find what you want in this resource, and include many documents which are no longer otherwise online
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363262/18719/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:03, 17th July 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
An additional premium on top of the premium already offered for working days has been agreed from Monday 27th July for a year for drivers.
Where can I apply?
Turn left at the magic money tree.
| Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363261/30458/5] Posted by grahame at 06:22, 17th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
From The BBC
More than half of Britain's busiest airports have raised "kiss-and-fly" fees for cars dropping off passengers close to terminals, according to research from the RAC.
The motoring group found 11 out of 20 UK airports had put up prices since last July, with Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton joining Stansted in charging the top rate of £7 to park for a matter of minutes.
In contrast, at nine of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union there are no drop-off fees.
Airports UK, which represents the industry, said all hubs offer free drop-off options further from the terminals, such as "park and ride" facilities where people can leave their car and take a bus to the airport.
London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool all raised their prices by £1 to £6 for between 10 and 20 minutes.
The RAC also found that Cardiff airport had introduced a fee for the first time, asking £3 for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, London Luton and Manchester airports are the most expensive on a cost-per-minute basis, the research showed, with drivers paying £5 to stop for five minutes.
Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said: "Drivers are a captive audience and that's why we think airports are so keen on these sorts of fees. But honestly, £7 for a stop that could be no more than 10 minutes does seem a little steep.
"And the fact that these costs keep going up year after year I think is going to be a huge source of frustration for anyone dropping off a friend or loved one this summer."
The motoring group found 11 out of 20 UK airports had put up prices since last July, with Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton joining Stansted in charging the top rate of £7 to park for a matter of minutes.
In contrast, at nine of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union there are no drop-off fees.
Airports UK, which represents the industry, said all hubs offer free drop-off options further from the terminals, such as "park and ride" facilities where people can leave their car and take a bus to the airport.
London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool all raised their prices by £1 to £6 for between 10 and 20 minutes.
The RAC also found that Cardiff airport had introduced a fee for the first time, asking £3 for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, London Luton and Manchester airports are the most expensive on a cost-per-minute basis, the research showed, with drivers paying £5 to stop for five minutes.
Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said: "Drivers are a captive audience and that's why we think airports are so keen on these sorts of fees. But honestly, £7 for a stop that could be no more than 10 minutes does seem a little steep.
"And the fact that these costs keep going up year after year I think is going to be a huge source of frustration for anyone dropping off a friend or loved one this summer."
For Bristol Airport, set out of town on the Weston road, I advise passengers from Melksham to take the 271/2/3 Bath Bus and change onto the A4 at Bath (Dorchester Street). To save airport fees, get the bus as far as the Airport Tavern and walk in - as yet you can still arrive at this airport on foot and without a fee for doing so, and there is no charge for doing your "kiss and ride" in Melksham Market Place!
| Westbury - use like Malton, not done at Pilning. Robustness issues. In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [363260/30457/20] Posted by grahame at 06:17, 17th July 2025 | |
"A new platform at Westbury" (my highlighting)
I assume this actually means reinstating the old Platform 1. An article in Rail magazine in 2015 quoted a cost of £10.5 million to do this at that time. How much nowadays ? I suppose we could claim that we are getting our own Wiltshire version of HS2.............at least as far as costings go !
At Malton in Yorkshire, there is single platform at one side of a double track (is it still like that?) with trains headed for Scarborough calling on their normal track but trains headed for York crossing over before and after the platform.
It struck me the other evening that this modus operandi is in use at Westbury at times too; the other evening on the 19:29 from Portsmouth and Southsea to Trowbridge we came to a halt between Dilton Marsh and Westbury, waited for a train headed for Portsmouth to complete station duties at platform 1, and then crossed over to Platform 1 ourselves once it had passed us. There were two trains waiting in platform 2 - a Salisbury train AND a Swindon train, and I don't know what was in platform 3 at the time. Both Cardiff and Portsmouth trains often run from Platform 1 at Westbury - this use of a single platform in both directions on what is a double track line is common here. But at what cost in terms of robustness and limiting service operations and enhancement?
Edit note: Minor typos corrected, in the interest of clarity. CfN.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [363259/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:59, 17th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
That 21:16 is the train that I would expect to be the quietest of the day. However - Lisa and I returned on it on Monday evening (14.7.2025) from Trowbridge into Melksham. With Lisa's mobility issues and my 40lb pack, I was more concerned at getting us on and off the train than counting passengers, but 8 people got off at Melksham. On the normal ratios I would expect that a couple of people got on as well, and that for every 1 who got on/off at Melksham there were 2 through passengers - so that's an educated guess of 30 passenger in total - [30,10].
I was very concerned as we travelled up from Portsmouth that the train manager checking our tickets when I said we would be changing at Westbury advised us to carry on to Bath Spa and change there because the service "is poor from Westbury but every half hour from Bath". But we were actually on the train from Portsmouth that has a good (5 minute) connection at Westbury up to Chippenham and Swindon, and with staff advice to avoid the TransWilts train even on a weekday when it's supposedly running, it's a wonder that numbers are not floundering far more than they are.
Had we taken train manager advice, we would have had to change trains in Bath Spa, arriving there at 21:34, taking two awkward lifts with a mobility scooter to catch the 22:12 London train and arriving into Chippenham at 22:25 ... whereas with the change at Westbury or Trowbridge, the arrival was at 21:40 - three quarters of an hour earlier. (I have checked how they ran on Real Time Trains). The service from Bath Spa to Chippenham is every half hour during the day but every hour in the evening, so even if we were both able bodied to make a quick connect at Bath we would have been stuck there for quite a while in the evening when all we wanted to do was to get home.
I was puzzled by the advice to go to Bath ... realised why it was practical when I remember that we had Chippenham to Portsmouth period returns as we went out from Bath and were coming back to Melksham and these were tickets valid to/from either actually used stations. Still poor advice indeed ...
Once I recalled the ticket was a Chippenham one, I did explain to our train manager - who was a trainee with a supervisor watching and then helping - that we were headed for Melksham - "in which case change at Westbury". And a further question from me "why Westbury which will involve a change with 2 lifts and a subway with a mobility device when it's same platform at Trowbridge?". The train manager and supervisor agreed that Trowbridge made sense - "we advised Westbury because there are staff there who can help if the Swindon train is not running but you clearly know what you are doing ..."
Worked like a treat - saw others dashing through to the stairs at Westbury and the Swindon train waiting on the other island platform, but we just dropped back at Trowbridge - easy!
