Great Western Coffee Shop

Why do things take so long and cost so much in the UK?   I was asked about this in my local council terms yesterday and replied and blogged - but it struck me that the rail network has some good examples of things that are gold plated in the UK and as a result very expensive - a comparison with pictures taken in the last 24 hours shows things that see to be accepted where I am today in the Czech Republic, but would fill the UK health and safety people with horrors.   See what you think - http://grahamellis.uk/blog1143.html

I have also (scroll down on the above, or visit http://grahamellis.uk/blog1142.html ) explained how local councils work in the UK and filled people in on some of the aspects of hours.   Very interestingly, that post has been denied a place on the Melksham Community Group page as it provides difficult reading for some.

Are we in the situation in the UK where we have become used to the state and system taking care of us rather than trusting us to take care of ourselves, and so there is no going back to letting people use common sense?  Or is there an unacceptably high cost in accidents in Czech which I don't know about? 

Compensation claims, innit? ::)

Dunno. You tell me.

Dysfunctional TC there - whose practices have been around unquestioned/unreviewed for decades & desperately needs review & updating! Good luck....

In the UK we have a long history of Laws being made to protect people from "industry" and making the work place safe, someone should return from work in the same health condition aw when they arrived.

Its often people that do not understand what safety and Health is that over apply it

Do we want to go backwards?

Equally, it could be asked how far "foward" do we want to go - in many cases, to protect people from their own stupidity. Darwin rules !

Not adding my own comment as to what is forward, backward and sideways, but 4 more from today which could be entitled "you wouldn't see that it Weymouth"

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/uwstiw_1.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/uwstiw_2.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/uwstiw_3.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/uwstiw_4.jpg)

Edit to add fifth picture:

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/uwstiw_5.jpg)

I feel that some safety rules applied to UK railways are OTT.
In particular the strict rules on fencing railways. I am not convinced that a train is inherently much more dangerous than a bus or an HGV, yet we do not require most roads to be fenced.
A railway with a speed limit of say 30 MPH that is enforced by data recorders and other means is arguably lower risk than a road with little enforcement of a 60 MPH limit.
A railway with a dozen trains a day is arguably lower risk than a road with dozens of vehicles an hour.

Fences along railway lines are not to keep the trains in ! they are to keep children and animals out, therefore the owners of the children or animals should pay for them.

Last time I was in Sydney,guards are allowed to stand up by the open in swinging door observing the train out of the platform

Always concerned me if the train braked suddenly the in swinging door would push the guard out of the train

Rules MIGHT have been changed by now.

I know in the U.K. we use have mark 1 BSK type coaches which had an in swinging guard door,but guards would always close them first

and then observe the platform from the window.

One of the safety failings I think we have in the U.K. is that in some regions dispatch staff don't wear hi-vis jackets.
I thought it was a case if a TOC supplies safety equipment you have to use it?

However the majority of people struck by trains are adults taking their own lives and trespassers taking a short cut.   An obstacle eg a fence is known to prevent suicides because the option is no longer easy.

 

The main purpose of Hi-vis vests for train dispatch staff is at busy stations to aid the other dispatch staff and train drive to identify the dispatch staff in the crowds of passengers.  My understanding is there is no personal safety reason for dispatch staff to ware Hi-vis

And even in the litigation mad USA this ran until very recently.
Arguably the last of the "proper" American interurbans, with street running in urban areas AND longer distances on a dedicated right of way through the countryside from one town to another.
Usually standard gauge, and electrified at 1,500 volts DC. Primarily for passengers but some carried light freight including mail, newspapers, and perishable foodstuffs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FfvQcGsS-Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FfvQcGsS-Y)

First post from a very long time lurker.

The main advantages of using České Dráhy.

I don't get warned about the lack of tactile paving or sloping platforms.

I don't get warned about the dangers of facing to stand behind the yellow line.

I don't get continually told to keep an eye on my luggage.

I don't get continually told to report suspicious activity.

At most minor stations you need to cross the track to get to the station exit.

I can easily get used to this....