Great Western Coffee Shop

From FOSBR (Joe Patrick) :

As from the 1508 Bristol TM - Severn Beach and the 1522 Severn Beach - Bristol TM TODAY (Sat 3rd Feb) there will be no trains for the rest of the day - trains replaced by buses.

I've just found this on National Rail Enquiries and had no idea this was happenning. There were no posters at stations I use (to my knowledge) & it was very badly publicised. I hope nobody gets caught out, the bus from Severn Beach takes a whopping 1h 5m!

Update from FGW website :

14:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 15:00
This train will be cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable due to sickness.

Road replacement transport has been arranged.

14:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 14:45
This train will be cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable due to sickness.

Road replacement transport has been arranged.

13:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 13:45
This train will be cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable due to sickness.

Road replacement transport has been arranged.

Curiously this was reported elsewhere, and on Network Rail's site as Engineering Work related. Perhaps someone at FGW is getting a little too used to typing certain phrases on their service issue reports!

From the FGW website :

05/02/2007 :

09:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:30
This train will be started from Avonmouth. It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.

06/02/2007 :

09:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:30
This train will be started from Avonmouth. It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road. This is due to a delay on a previous journey.

Passengers will be forwarded by road transport from Severn Beach.

RMT Bristol Rail Branch now have a section of their website dedicated to defending Severn Beach Line services (link below.)
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=3&search=severn+beach

From FOSBR :

"0725 SVB - BRI Cancelled this morning
 
I asked at Temple Meads why this train had been cancelled (when I finally got there, too late for my normal connection).

I was told that there was "a problem with the lighting circuits and the lights were flashing on and off". This has to be the most pasthetic excuse I have ever heard for cancelling a train that carries 200+ people every morning. After all, we could have managed without lights - we are all used to being "kept in the dark" by FGW!

There was, of course, no thought of even using an alternative unit. If FGW do things like this, how does it look to BCC who will be paying the new subsidy come December?

And only last week I was beginning to think they were starting to do rather well. Sadly, my opinion has reverted."

"Just to let you know that the curse of 'Worst group' have come to the SBL, in that the fares are set to rise by up to 114% for a 7day ticket between Stapleton Road/Lawrence Hill and Temple Meads

For a 'Day Return' between Clifton Down/Redland and BTM the increase will be 53% Stapleton Road/Lawrence Hill and BTM the increase will be 122% how will this inflation busting increase help to help increase the usage.

F.O.S.B.R have campaigned for years for a half hourly service and with Bristol council support the move is afoot to improve the service - but it seems the passengers are paying for the 'improvements'

Within the 'development plan' is the sentance "The advantages of rail - particularly speed - mean that it should command a premium price compared to the bus."

These fares are due to be implemented in May 2007"

Lighting problem, are you sure that it was only interior lights, as if Tail/Headlights were not working, then the train will be cancelled

Bear in mind that the Pacers are said to fail once in every 3200 miles (I stand corrected from "every 2000 miles" which I mis-quoted recently) ... work our mileage on the Severn Beach line and I think you'll find that you should expect an incident most weeks.    By contrast, the new HST power car engines are said to fail just once every 44000 miles (or was it - even better - once every 44000 hours!)

Assuming the new Power Cars don't go up in flames first!

No - I think the statistic includes "going up in flames" as a failure  ;D

First Buses are even more expensive than First Trains.  It's ^6 return from Bath to Bristol (at any time), but off-peak it's cheaper on the train.

It's also cheaper from Melksham to Chippenham by train ... perhaps that's why First seem to prefer to run buses, or have us drive to Chippenham, cause traffic jams there, and park there ...

From FOSBR :

Known Cancellations

14/03/07 16.35

19/03/07 06.45

27/03/07 06.45

31/03/07 09.08

04/04/07 14.35

05/04/07 06.45

10/04/07 11.35

25 / 04/ 07 07.23 The train turned back at Avonmouth this morning.

From FOSBR :

Saturday, 05 May 2007
Saturday Engineering work on Severn Beach line
Buses replace trains all day. For replacement bus timetable see
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/FGW%20-%20214.pdf

Monday, 07 May 2007
Bank Holiday Monday Engineering work on Severn Beach line
Buses replace trains all day. For replacement bus timetable see
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/FGW%20-%20214.pdf

From FOSBR :

USE YOUR LOCAL STATION

Travel the Severn Beach Line for ^1 per day.

From the 16 April 2007 to the 19 May 2007 First Great Western in association with Severnside Community Rail Partnership, are offering passengers the opportunity to travel on the Severn Beach Line using a Day Ranger* ticket costing just ^1.

The Day Ranger ticket is valid after 9 am, Monday to Friday and offers unlimited travel on the day of purchase. So whether you are a regular traveller on the Severn Beach Line or tempted to become one make the most of this opportunity.

*Terms and Conditions apply - please check when purchasing your ticket.

Sarah Collins, Partnership Officer, Severnside Community Rail Partnership has requested that FOSBR help publicise the above special offer.

This clarification has been given

" The offer does not apply on a Saturday and after investigation there does not seem to be any other terms and conditions that apply to this offer."

(Isnt it strange that Saturdays are not included , when this is the ONLY day that St Andrews Road and Severn Beach stations have an all - day train service - Lee)

There has been some reaction to this :

"I assume that Day Ranger ticket is valid on Monday May 7th when a special bus service replaces trains on the line.

For replacement bus timetable see
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/FGW%20-%20214.pdf

Seems strange to finish on Saturday 19 May if "offer does not apply on a Saturday" !"

"I'm sure we'd be happy to publicise it, but the other parties aren't!

Severnside CRP's website has no mention of any offer, and I can't find anything on FGW's site."

"Complete farce as far as I can see. Half way through the offer period and no publicity at all. Definitely no poster on Sea Mills station, for example. Not being promoted by guards on the Saturday train, possibly because it does not apply on Saturdays, and I have not heard of it through any press or flier route.

It would not have been too difficult to get an article in the Evening Post, free of charge.

My daughter was offered it when buying a ticket at Temple Meads, but this is hardly promotion."

We are a cultured bunch at the Coffee Shop , so here is a poem for you (link below.)
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/strand.htm

Very good there!

Couldnt agree more , Jim.

An idea for a Severn Beach day trip can be found in the link below.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1889.msg4692#msg4692

I took the train to Clifton down today, and when on the train the conductor was giving ^1 tickets to everyone who joined from Lawrence Hill onwards...I hadn't heard a thing about it, no posters at Temple Meads, or from the ticket office at Oldfield Park. The people who were buying the tickets seemed pleasantly surprised - like a family on the way back with a youngster who loved trains. "That's not bad at all, is it?" But if I'd known I could have saved some money first. Wish I'd have checked here!

And it should be valid on Saturdays, I see no reason why not. I'd go this weekend with the family if it was...

On 25 January 2007 , as a result of FOSBR pressure , Bristol City Council decided to reinstate the subsidy for the Severn Beach Line , with the money to be spent on providing a more regular train service between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

The next step would surely be for Bristol City Council , First Great Western & Severnside Community Rail Partnership to shout it from the rooftops that the train service is about to be transformed beyond recognition.

So why arent they?

Here are the Severn Beach Line Development Plan (click on http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Severn%20Beach%20Line%20Development%20Plan.pdf) proposals that they DONT want you to notice :

All passenger facilities at Severn Beach station are to be moved to the roadside. The land next to the station has been released for housing development , which would leave just a completely bare platform in a small gap surrounded by houses. Coincidentally , the land that could be sold as a result of closure is a factor in the new DfT Closure Guidance....(click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/F3641215?thread=2441627)

The logic of providing an all - day Saturday train service to Severn Beach is questioned , as is the cost of leaving the rail infrastructure idle while the rail - replacement bus service runs. It is suggested that Avonmouth - Severn Beach bustitution could be extended to include Saturdays. There are also plans to extend the bus link to Pilning , which has recently had its train service cut from daily to weekly.....

Interestingly , it is also suggested that this could become a conventional bus link. A similiar situation exists at Norton Bridge , Barlaston and Wedgwood stations on the Stafford - Stone line , which will continue to be served by bus services operating under contract to 2009. A review of bus and rail options to serve these stations will be undertaken with interested parties and the franchisee during 2007-8.

Norton Bridge station has no means of access since the footbridge leading to it was removed in 2004. It doesnt take a genius to work which of the above "options" is more likely to be adopted.

This leads me neatly on to Lee's quiz question - Whats the only means of access to St Andrews Road station? Answers on a postcard please....

The plan also focuses on the urgent need for a Clifton Down turnback signal to :

"In times of disruption terminate late running Avonmouth / Severn Beach services and restart the inward working from there, eliminating inconvenience to the large majority of passengers."

"Enable a more frequent service pattern on the Temple Meads to Clifton section, which is the most heavily used and has the potential for maximum growth in patronage."

By an uncannily strange coincidence , there has been a big rise in the number of services turned round at Avonmouth instead of running to Severn Beach recently , which is likely to lead to a drop in passenger numbers. There also appears to have been a weird reluctance on the part of guards recently to check & collect fares on the section between Severn Beach & Clifton Down , which means that several passenger journeys will not appear in the figures. The Severn Beach Line Ranger ^1 ticket is good idea , but why so little publicity , and why is it not valid on Saturdays , the ONLY day that Severn Beach & St Andrews Road have an all-day train service?....

By the way , did you know that , as a result of the development plan exploiting the DfT decision to lift the cap on regulated fare rises on Community Rail Lines , Severn Beach Line (as it is known now , the plan envisages changing the name) tickets are due to rise by up to 215%? You do now...

A cynic would suggest that the Line Development Plan is no more than the finished "project package" recommended by Jacobs as part of their scheme to truncate the line at Clifton Down (subject to signalling alterations , see pages 195 & 196 of the following link http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2006/september06/swindonwestburytrainsservice/greaterwesternoutlinebusines1103) due to "low usage" on the western section. The LDP notes that usage has declined at stations west of Clifton Down in recent years but fails to mention that this unexplained drop occured from 2004 , when the Jacobs / SRA study was written...

So , will the cynics be proved correct? That largely depends on what FOSBR does next.

FOSBR's greatest strength is its ability to galvanise public opinion. A clear example of this is the fact that 99% of responses to the recent Bristol City Council budget consultation were yellow postcards calling for a more regular train service between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

I would like to see this strength utilised by getting as many people on to the new Severn Beach line trains , and packing them to the rafters over the next 3 years. This would send a clear signal to the less than benign DfT , FGW , BCC and the complacent . dangerously naive Severnside CRP that they want to keep the WHOLE of their line.

With the recently released South West RPA looking ahead & seeing a half - hourly BTM - Clifton Down service , and buses for Lawrence Hill , Bristol - Bedminster & Bristol - Bath , the future of the entire Bristol Suburban rail network could depend on them succeeding.

From FOSBR :

Thursday 17 May 2007 05:51:22 Bristol Temple Meads 05:51 05:53 First
Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 06:29:22 Severn Beach 06:29 06:38 First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 07:03:22 Bristol Temple Meads 07:03 07:12 First
Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 07:41:21 Avonmouth 07:41 07:43 First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 08:23:22 Bristol Temple Meads 08:23 08:35 First
Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 08:40:22 Avonmouth 08:40 On time First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 09:23:22 Bristol Temple Meads 09:23 No report
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 10:10:21 Avonmouth 10:10 No report First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 10:53:23 Bristol Temple Meads 10:53 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 11:10:22 Avonmouth 11:10 Cancelled First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 11:53:22 Bristol Temple Meads 11:53 On time
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 12:10:21 Avonmouth 12:10 12:12 First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 12:53:21 Bristol Temple Meads 12:53 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 13:10:22 Avonmouth 13:10 Cancelled First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 13:53:22 Bristol Temple Meads 13:53 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 14:10:21 Avonmouth 14:10 Cancelled First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 14:53:21 Bristol Temple Meads 14:53 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 15:10:21 Avonmouth 15:10 Cancelled First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 15:53:22 Bristol Temple Meads 15:53 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 16:10:21 Avonmouth 16:10 Cancelled First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 16:53:21 Bristol Temple Meads 16:53 On time
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 17:10:23 Avonmouth 17:10 On time First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 17:53:22 Bristol Temple Meads 17:53 On time
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 18:38:21 Severn Beach 18:38 On time First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 19:20:21 Bristol Temple Meads 19:20 19:22 First
Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 20:03:22 Severn Beach 20:03 On time First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 20:30:22 Bristol Temple Meads 20:30 On time
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 21:08:22 Severn Beach 21:08 On time First Great
Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 21:35:22 Bristol Temple Meads 21:35 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Thursday 17 May 2007 22:14:22 Severn Beach 22:14 Cancelled First
Great Western

Good to give us the full picture there! The reason they were cancelled was due to cable theft in the Shirehapton area, so I was told

I gave "right of reply" to the authors of the Severn Beach Line Development Plan , Andrew Griffiths (FGW) and Keith Burton (Severnside Community Rail Partnership) via a set of related questions. Keith has yet to reply , but I have heard back from Andrew who has responded as follows :

Q1 - All passenger facilities at Severn Beach station are to be moved to the roadside. The land next to the station has been released for housing development , which would leave just a completely bare platform in a small gap hemmed in by houses , thus effectively reducing the station to a glorified bus stop / pull - in / information point. Is this really the right way forward?

AG - The present situation of an old bus-type shelter situated 100m down a draughty and desolate platform does not, I suggest, do much for personal security, and the location will hardly feel 'hemmed in' even if high-rise flats are built!  The logic is that of a small interchange.

(The next question led to somewhat of a misunderstanding. AG thought that I was questioning the logic of providing an all - day Saturday train service to Severn Beach & the cost of leaving the rail infrastructure idle , when in fact I was pointing out that HIS OWN PLAN QUESTIONS IT. Still , it made his answer rather interesting.....)

Q2 - The logic of providing an all - day Saturday train service to Severn Beach is questioned , as is the cost of leaving the rail infrastructure idle while the rail - replacement bus service runs. It is suggested that Avonmouth - Severn Beach bustitution could be extended to include Saturdays. There are also plans to extend the bus link to Pilning , which has recently had its train service cut from daily to weekly. Surely the LDP could be more positive regarding rail - based solutions for these locations?

AG - Not sure how your concern for upgrading Severn Beach fits in with removing the train on Saturdays - most users regard the weekdays bus connection as a pain.  There is no additional cost in leaving the rail infrastructure idle, indeed it probably produces a minuscule maintenance benefit.

Q3 - Interestingly , it is also suggested that this could become a conventional bus link. A similar situation exists at Norton Bridge , Barlaston and Wedgwood stations on the Stafford - Stone line , which will continue to be served by bus services operating under contract to 2009. A review of bus and rail options to serve these stations will be undertaken with interested parties and the franchisee during 2007-8.Norton Bridge station has no means of access since the footbridge leading to it was removed in 2004 , and I note with interest that this is also the only means of access to St Andrews Road station. Would it not make more sense for the service to remain "rail - branded" , whilst looking forward to the time that an all - day train service returns?

AG - The 'virtual branchline' concept adopted in Cornwall (Eden, Bodmin, Padstow) is fine, so long as the bus does link with the train times and the bus operators and LA paymasters are happy to co-operate.

Q4 - Would a review of the simplified fare structure not be appropriate? While the concept of simplicity is to be welcomed , the fare increases that go hand in hand with this are not. On a similar note , the Severn Beach Line Ranger ^1 ticket is a good idea , but why so little publicity , and why is it not valid on Saturdays , the ONLY day that Severn Beach & St Andrews Road have an all-day train service?

AG - We will be reviewing the fare structure, but the notion that any increase is bad I find strange.  The train is still much cheaper than the bus, and with a line single costing less than a cup of coffee, and a weekly season less than a tenner I fail to see how this is not incredibly good value.  A couple of days ago I had to take a taxi for a trip of just over a mile - it cost over ^5.  Plus as any marketeer will tell you, you can price too cheap.  On the St Ives branch, 4 miles long, the flat fare return is ^4 - more than twice the cost per mile of Severn Beach.  When introduced it represented a much steeper increase than on the Beach (where some fares have come down, of course) and the result was a 20% increase in journeys.  The ^1 offer was a closely targeted campaign aimed at raising awareness among residents and students, and limited to SX to keep the message simple.

Q5 - The plan also focuses on the urgent need for a Clifton Down turnback signal to :

"In times of disruption terminate late running Avonmouth / Severn Beach services and restart the inward working from there, eliminating inconvenience to the large majority of passengers."

"Enable a more frequent service pattern on the Temple Meads to Clifton section, which is the most heavily used and has the potential for maximum growth in patronage."

By coincidence , there has been a big rise in the number of services turned round at Avonmouth instead of running to Severn Beach recently , which is likely to lead to a drop in passenger numbers.

AG - Really?  If 95% of passengers get a more punctual service due to turning back at Avonmouth then surely you would expect numbers to go up.  Our Performance Manager is taking a special interest in the line, and there has been (until yesterday signal cable theft) been a significant increase in punctuality and decrease in cancellations.

Q6 - There also appears to have been a reluctance on the part of guards recently to check & collect fares on the section between Severn Beach & Clifton Down , which means that several passenger journeys will not appear in the figures.

AG - Again, it is where trains are full that causes the most problem for revenue collection, and so if any section is under-reporting I'd expect it to be Clifton inwards.

Q7 - A cynic would suggest that the Line Development Plan is no more than the finished "project package" recommended by Jacobs as part of their scheme to truncate the line at Clifton Down (subject to signalling alterations , see pages 195 & 196 of the following link http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2006/september06/swindonwestburytrainsservice/greaterwesternoutlinebusines1103) due to "low usage" on the western section. The LDP notes that usage has declined at stations west of Clifton Down in recent years but fails to mention that this unexplained drop occurred from 2004 , when the Jacobs / SRA study was written.

AG - There is no plan to truncate at Clifton - we are required to run the Beach for the duration of our franchise.

Q8 - Surely the LDP could address this by committing itself to developing the WHOLE of the line , rather than just the section between Bristol Temple Meads & Clifton Down , as the tone of both the LDP and the recently - published DfT South West Regional Planning Assessment For The Railway implies will be the case?

AG - It is about the whole of the line, but no amount of wishful thinking will change the reality of where the demand is.

Q9 - Finally , could you expand upon your reasoning for dropping the much - loved & almost universally - used "brand name" Severn Beach Line. I would argue for its retention , given that the line runs from Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Beach , and thus the current name is most appropriate.

AG - I would wager that a large proportion of passengers have never been to Severn Beach or have any real idea where it is (but at least it sounds exotic!).  Calling a branchline by its terminus is only logical if that's where most of the traffic goes.  The name 'City-Severn' as used in Avon days appeals as it describes better the nature of the route - but the idea is to put it to a democratic vote after other suggestions have been aired in the local paper.

I then resubmitted Q2 as follows :

The logic of providing an all - day Saturday train service to Severn Beach is questioned IN THE LDP , as is the cost of leaving the rail infrastructure idle while the rail - replacement bus service runs. It is suggested (IN THE LDP) that Avonmouth - Severn Beach bustitution could be extended to include Saturdays.There are also plans (IN THE LDP) to extend the bus link to Pilning , which has recently had its train service cut from daily to weekly. Surely the LDP could be more positive regarding rail - based solutions for these locations?

AG - Yes, the LDP was questioning why the SLC2 requirement is for 16 trains to Severn Beach on Saturday but only 8 (+7 bus) on weekdays.  As for being more positive, the plan is about what can be delivered in three years - and the answer is a lot!  Wider aspirations are fine - and certainly could be included if there is any sign of someone stepping up to the plate to fund them.  For this reason only passing mention is made of the Henbury loop, or other schemes which in the first instance require political lobbying.

The ORR have just released the Station Usage Figures for 2005/2006 (link below.)
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529

Stations west of Clifton Down :

Big rises for Severn Beach , St Andrews Road & Avonmouth , smaller rises for Sea Mills & Shirehampton.

Surely this calls the findings of both the LDP & the Regional Planning Assessment into question?

From FOSBR :

Vandals have covered part of Montpelier railway station in ugly graffiti tags just weeks after it was given a makeover.Police believe up to five people went on a spraying spree on Monday night,vandalising a wall recently painted with a large mural.

Artists only recently covered graffiti which had blighted the unmanned station for years and First Great Western, which looks after the platforms, is now offering a ^500 reward for information.

The mural was painted on ground floor walls of the station, which is on the Severn Beach Line, and the walls at the front of the main station building were cleaned. The artwork was part of a massive overhaul planned for the station, which has long been targeted by graffiti artists.

Schools and businesses helped with the revamp, in which all areas of the station were painted and a new station garden put in.

The theory behind covering over graffiti with a mural was that so-called street artists would not want to deface a well-designed and credible piece of work. However, it appears not to have worked.

A clean-up team was sent to the station to remove the vandals' work.

First Great Western now plans to install CCTV cameras to monitor the station and record any vandal activity.

Spokesman Adrian Booth said: "We are appalled that this has taken place. We've recently done a lot of work to tidy up the station and are very disappointing to see that this has happened.

"If anyone can come forward to the police with any information which later leads to a conviction then we are prepared to pay a ^500 reward."

Detective Constable Colin Saysell, of the British Transport Police, said: "It was only two weekends ago that professional artists covered up all the tags with neutral colours. That work has been trashed with graffiti. All of the murals have been defaced.

"We believe it is the work of as many as five people, counting the number of individual tags which they have scrawled over everything. We are now appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to get in touch."

From FOSBR :

"Today, Sat 26 May, with my wife, I enjoyed a pleasant days cycling on the levels. We returned from Yatton station on the 1622. The ticket machine on the Bristol side was not working. The threatening notice did not contain any useful information about the location of other ticket machines, but glimpsing the top of a machine on the other side, and having allowed 20 minutes we were able to obtain tickets. Although the type 158 train operating this service is not well adapted to this type of service, particularly in respect of accommodation for push chairs, luggage and cycles, I would like to compliment the guard on his efficient response to customer needs.

At Temple Meads we were pleasantly surprised to see that the 1708 was up on the board for departure from the same platform, and that the connection was comfortable but not excessively long. After waiting fifteen minutes the screen changed to "cancelled". After a wait of a further several minutes and after a loudspeaker announcement warning that the train arriving on platform 6 was not scheduled to stop here there was a loudspeaker announcement that the 1708 was cancelled. We were surprised to note that the train arriving on platform 6 was the incoming Severn Beach train, apparently in perfect running order, but obviously relocated to avoid confusion, or perhaps for fear of seizure by the waiting passengers.

There appeared to be no one on platform 5 to provide any information. On enquiring on platform 3 we learned that taxis were being arranged at the station entrance. Outside the station there was a group of about 30 people around the official responsible for taxis, but no sign of taxis, although he had started the process of a passenger destination census and was attempting to establish the arrival time of taxis that had been ordered. Further investigation revealed that this was part of a series of cancellations of Severn Beach trains that afternoon, believed to be due to lack of staff, and that this situation was regarded as common.

It appears that the cancellation of the 1708 had been known well before it was actually announced.

The official being unable to locate a taxi suitable for two bicycles, we cycled back to Sea Mills, in the rain Had the cancellation been announced as soon as it was known at least this last problem would have been avoided. In view of the possibility of further as yet undetected problems, we decided to ignore the assurance that the 1808 would run. I now note from Traintracker that this later service ran 19 minutes late. I further note that at 1825, when it was due at Sea Mills, Traintracker was reporting it as "On time". It appears that 17 minutes after its nominal departure time, no information concerning its late running had been fed into the Traintracker system.

It appears that FGW are both failing to provide the manning levels necessary to run this service, for which we understand that they have a contractual arrangement with the government, and that they are failing to manage the problems that result. I was unable to locate senior FGW management at the station."

29/05/2007 :

"3 observations:

1) Bank holiday: usual;ly holiday service on the line is a Saturday service. Yesterday it was a normal Monday service (at least time wise) so i presume buses to SB from Amth. (i missed a train to BTM with the family because of this change - are holiday services advertised?)

2) i noticed that the first train yesterday to SB ran straight through Shire (late) so presumably there was no one to catch the train...however,

3) this morning Tuesday, i saw the first train to BTM run through the station at speed (late) and at least 3 passengers left on the platform who then left. is this the latest cynical way to deter passenger numbers and footfall at Shire? The train ran but no one got on at Shire...not surprising as it passed through at 30 mph! I am deeply concerned to see that the Severnside Partnership support the closure of Shire and open at the P&R. I still think a P&R station is a very good idea But Shire needs to get a decent service too. (how about light rail from P&R to SB until the loop to Henbury is re opened?)

FGW won the Wessex franchise presumably because they put a bid which claimed to run the services better...at least Wessex were not putting our local services in league 2 because of the premiership services to London (with leather seats for 1st class - who cares about that? or even CCTV?). FGW need to pull their socks up. Can we not have a Sunday service to Amth/SB? Why only to CD? How about services to Bath direct at peak times?

Sorry to moan, but seeing the train run through Shire leaving passengers standing is inexcusable."

"More cancellations

11:03 Avonmouth to Bristol Temple Meads due 11:30

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Road transport will be provided.

10:35 Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth due 11:00

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Road transport will be provided."

"The 0611 from Severn Beach did not run thismorning and was cancelled.

As a result, drove into work."

"It isn't FGW's day today - the 9am from BTM to PAD was also cancelled. Had the 9.30 not finally got me in 15 minutes later than timetabled (totalling 45 mins late) I'd be wondering if FGW are running any services today ...

I haven't been recording cancellations/rerouting/late London services but I have noticed an increase of issues on the 8.30/9.00 BTM departure services over the past couple of months compared with the preceeding year. It looks like FGW is struggling to keep their profitable high speed routes going so it is no wonder they can't manage our local services."

02/06/2007 :

"Current Service Alterations

Vandalism between Shirehampton and Severn Beach

Time Reported: 05:57
Route Affected: Bristol Temple Meads, Lawrence Hill, Montpelier, Clifton Downs, Shirehampton, Avonmouth, St Andrews Road & Severn Beach
TOC/s Affected: First Great Western
Description: Train services are currently suspended between Shirehampton and Severn Beach due to vandalism

Replacement road transport is in operation for today (Saturday) between Shirehampton and Severn Beach calling at Avonmouth and St Andrews Road

A normal train service is not expected to resume until start of service Monday 4 June. "

"Theft of signalling cables (for the copper) between Shirehampton and Dock Junction at Avonmouth (3rd incident in 3 weeks apparently).

This kind of extremely selfish act, which endangers passengers, staff (and the theives themselves) and causes an excess of totally needless disruption, is an increasing problem across the whole network.

Just how the thieves reconcile the few quid they might receive for the copper against the cost in man hours, materials and economic disruption to restore signalling and the service , amazes me. It *ought* to be a very heavily punishable crime.

They are the lowest of the low and also very dumb, as on many occassions they have unknowingly stolen fibre-optic cable - that has no scrap value whatsoever!"

From FOSBR :

: Saturday 28 April 2007 08:25:19 Bristol Temple Meads 08:25 Cancelled
First Great Western --
: Saturday 28 April 2007 09:41:19 Severn Beach 09:41 Cancelled First
Great Western --
: Saturday 28 April 2007 19:25:19 Bristol Temple Meads 19:25 Cancelled
First Great Western --
: Saturday 28 April 2007 20:41:19 Severn Beach 20:41 Cancelled First
Great Western

:Saturday 5 May: Line closed by Network Rail

:Saturday 12 May: No cancellations.

: Saturday 19 May 2007 20:25:22 Bristol Temple Meads 20:25 Cancelled
First Great Western
: Saturday 19 May 2007 21:41:21 Severn Beach 21:41 Cancelled First
Great Western

: Saturday 26 May 2007 14:25:23 Bristol Temple Meads 14:25 Cancelled
First Great Western
: Saturday 26 May 2007 15:41:23 Severn Beach 15:41 Cancelled First
Great Western
: Saturday 26 May 2007 16:25:23 Bristol Temple Meads 16:25 Cancelled
First Great Western
: Saturday 26 May 2007 17:25:24 Bristol Temple Meads 17:25 Cancelled
First Great Western
: Saturday 26 May 2007 17:41:24 Severn Beach 17:41 Cancelled First
Great Western
: Saturday 26 May 2007 19:25:23 Bristol Temple Meads 19:25 Cancelled
First Great Western
: Saturday 26 May 2007 20:41:23 Severn Beach 20:41 Cancelled First
Great Western

I posed a further question regarding this :

I would like to refer you to sections 2.6.7 - 2.6.9 of the LDP (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Severn%20Beach%20Line%20Development%20Plan.pdf

Your footfall data for 2005 - 2006 is as follows :

Lawrence Hill - 46551
Stapleton Road - 74257
Montpelier - 65347
Redland - 50258
Clifton Down - 142329
Sea Mills - 34129
Shirehampton - 29651
Avonmouth - 28717
St Andrews Road - 4996
Severn Beach - 26690

However , the ORR station usage data for 2005 - 2006 is as follows (link below.) :
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529

Lawrence Hill - 55865
Stapleton Road - 86997
Montpelier - 73573
Redland - 55529
Clifton Down - 153027
Sea Mills - 36411
Shirehampton - 31539
Avonmouth - 43365
St Andrews Road - 8008
Severn Beach - 37008

With big rises in passenger numbers registered at Avonmouth & Severn Beach , and a smaller , but still significant rise registered at Shirehampton , please could I request that the following section of the LDP be altered to reflect this? :

"2.6.9 Over time usage patterns are surprisingly erratic, and there must be a slight question mark about the data as the overall totals do not appear to be consistent. With this caveat, no station has grown every year, although St Andrews Road and Redland have become substantially more busy, and Shirehampton, Avonmouth and Severn Beach substantially less busy (but the latest - November 2006 - local authority count shows an increase in usage at Shirehampton)"

AG - Report data is in fact RSP 2005 year and so should have been listed as 2004-05, not 05-06.  Our data and ORR data is the same - comes from ticket sales.  The 06-07 data should now be available, I will chase this up.

From FOSBR :

Two cancellations yesterday.

And some very ragged timekeeping from the end of the afternoon onwards.

: Monday 4 June 2007 11:53:25 Bristol Temple Meads 11:53 Cancelled
First Great Western

: Monday 4 June 2007 12:10:25 Avonmouth 12:10 Cancelled First Great
Western

According to FOSBR , at least 4 trains were cancelled and the late afternoon and evening trains got increasingly late too.

It is also reported that there were Network Rail vans at Shirehampton all day.

Yet MORE cable theft!

Flooding at Clifton Down today

Or was it? From FOSBR :

No it wasn't. FGW appeared to go into meltdown tonight, with trains running 65+ late from Salisbury, delays and cancellations to South Wales resulting in "hundreds" of people queueing for taxis to Wales outside Temple Meads and as usual, the first and easiest casualty being the Beach line.

The cubicle staff at TM had run out of taxi forms when I arrived, 1 hr 20 mins late, only to find the 20:11 Beach train cancelled.

I think we need to hold this up as an example of the incompetence and "shoestring" nature of their operation, in that FGW has NO contingency planning whatsoever. They failed to operate a single train between Westbury/Trowbridge/Bradford and Bristol between 17:30 and 19:15, just when people need to go home, DESPITE having more than enough units hanging around Westbury and no doubt available crews too. This would not have occurred in BR days, as shock horror, they would have run an "unscheduled extra" with whatever was available. Not possible on todays railway. Witness the fact that your train is, when seriosuly delayed, always 59 minutes late, rather than 60. I wonder why that is, cynical stats watchers. Tonight they begrudgingly and eventually admitted to 65 minutes.

Flooding in the Clifton Down area? B******s, I'm afraid. The only thing that was flooded tonight was FGW's operations team ... with complaints. Cancellation of the Beach line service was just an excuse, probably as scarce crews were transferred to other duties.

Makes me think, with the record of cancellations FGW has on the Beach line, maybe they don't want this route? If so, should we consider forming our own company and applying to ORR for an Open Access licence, in conjunction with another operator? If this is what they do trying to run a less than hourly service, God knows how much they will screw up when they are expected to run it every 40 mintues?

Tonight was a veritable meltdown, blamed on a few showers and it makes me ashamed to be associated with railway promotion. The only shower we suffered from tonight was the privatised railway industry.

All comments about tonights disaster welcomed. Let's disect it and really take it somewhere this time. It's just not good enough. The only thing I have time left to do this evening is write this. Thanks FGW! Brilliant, truly, bloody brilliant!

At least 4 cancellations according to FOSBR.

There are reports that the Clifton Down turnback signal proposal has now been shelved.

From FOSBR :

07:50 from Montpelier a few minutes late this morning, struggled into TM on one engine only. Noticed the return Avonmouth journey was cancelled, as the unit would have just gone on losing time .....

It is also reported that a survey took place on the line yesterday (28/06/2007)

Saw blokes with Clipboaards out at Trowbridge, Bradford and Avoncliff last night as well

I went up to them at Trowbridge, and very nicley said as they wrote down how late my train left "It is operated by First Great Western, so it is late" I got quite a reply, "there not all late" so I told him to check his clipboard. "Blimey, the last 2 hours worth of services have been more than 4 minutes down" ;D

From FOSBR :

Severn Beach Line Disruption Figures 2007

^The Severn Beach service is great when it^s running on time.  It provides us with an easy connection to the centre of Bristol, and for someone who works in Clifton and commutes from Severn Beach it only costs ^6.40 for a week^s unlimited travel (written before May fare increases). Using a car for this run costs me nearly ^20 per week on petrol and parking is a nightmare^, writes regular passenger Matt Wilson.  But unreliability is so bad that he recorded problems in April below & on a spread sheet.

All weekday trains from the 06.45 to the 17.35 from Temple Meads monitored for the period 1st - 30th April.  11 trains were cancelled (5%), equivalent to 3 cancelled trains every 5 days.

04/04/07 14.35
05/04/07 06.45 (SB only)
10/04/07 11.35
12/04/07 14.35
16/04/07 13.35
17/04/07 14.35, 15.35
20/04/07 06.45 (SB only), 08.05(SB only), 15.35
25/04/07 06.45 (SB only)

14% were late, by an average of 9 minutes.

Altogether 19% of trains were either late or cancelled.

The most unreliable train (and most important for commuters) was the 06.45 from TM. This train is scheduled to leave Severn Beach at 07.23. 18% of theses trains were cancelled over the 6 week period 19th March to 30th April. The majority of these cancellations only affect Severn Beach passengers because the train operator, First Great Western, decide to cut short the service at Avonmouth when the train is running late. This means that the train can commence its journey back to TM on time, but leaves passengers between Avonmouth and Severn Beach stranded.  Severn Beach passengers haven^t got it easy coming home either. The 16.35 and the 17.35 from TM are the most delayed trains on the route by far. Both trains are late one third of the time by an average of 13 minutes.

Matt Wilson has reported these delays and cancellations to the managing director of First Great Western, Alison Forster (Alison.Forster@firstgroup.com) and at times has asked for compensation.  John Hall has also sent details of delays effecting passengers boarding at Sea Mills Station.

Saturdays
Observations from Bernard Lane, Shirehampton sent on 28/05/2007
1) Bank holiday: usually holiday service on the SB line is a Saturday service. On 28 May it was advertised as a weekday service but the bus operator at SB had not been told. 28 April saw the 06.11 ex SB running through station, hooting its horn with great gusto! at least 3 passengers left on the platform. Is this the latest cynical way to deter passenger numbers and footfall at Shire? I am deeply concerned to see that the Severnside Partnership support the closure of Shirehampton Stn and open at the P&R. I still think a P&R station is a very good idea but Shire needs a decent service too.

2) FGW won the Wessex franchise presumably because they put a bid which claimed to run the services better...at least Wessex were not putting our local services in league 2 because of the premiership services to London (with leather seats for 1st class - who cares about that? or even CCTV?). .

WE 23 June 07 At least seven cancellations, very ragged.   (JH)

On Saturday 16 June the last train - 22.15 from Temple Meads to Severn Beach was indicated as "on-time at platform 1^ but train arrived on Platform 12 & there was darkness on Platform 1..  Staff misinformed but they attempted to find info from Swindon  Help point on platform 3 was specially reopened to authorise individual Taxis to their stations for those remaining passengers who would otherwise have been abandoned at Temple Meads. Reported by Terry Miller

Information co-ordinated by Julie Boston for FOSBR   03 July 2007

The Summer Passenger count on June 28th , organised by Severnside Community Rail Partnership with the help of FOSBR , showed an increase of 12% in use since last year (link below.)
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/news.php?newsid=0000000116

Here is a futher article on this (link below.)
http://www.westpress.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=146238&command=displayContent&sourceNode=146064&contentPK=17765403&folderPk=100268&pNodeId=145795#continueNews

FOSBR report 11 cancellations on the above date.

Severn Beach cancellations  - 09/07/2007

There may have been more today but I note ;-

21:46 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 22:22
This train has been cancelled.

22:26 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 23:04
This train has been cancelled.

are showing on FGW Service Incidents tonight.

My thanks to Insider for providing the following answers (link below.)
http://indefenceoffirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com/2007/08/well-my-post-about-ticketless-travel.html

"The latest Severn Beach usage figures have not yet been obtained, nor has the Severn Beach Line Development Plan been updated. This is work in progress."

"There is no immediate prospect of a Clifton Down turnback service due to lack of funding from Bristol City Council as they are focusing on Avonmouth. The problem from our end lies in the fact that the services they have elected to focus on will be at a lesser frequency than if we could run some services only as far as Clifton. Therefore, at present, the proposal for a Clifton Down turnback signal has been dropped and can only proceed if Bristol City Council wish to fund it."

"Finally, the new fare structure was discussed with the Severn Beach Line Working Group at two seperate LWG mettings several months apart and both times received universal support."

"I personally think that the Avonmouth service is do-able, although not the best use of resources. Pathing may be an issue later but for now, sufficient afre available to make it worthwhile."

"I would think that the 40 minute frequency service will indeed be the case from December. I also think that it may well call for the line enhancement you mention. Personally, I would like to see every section of mainline with 4 tracks. True branch lines maybe not so much but I don't see a case for not enhancing the line, especially if more services all along Severn Beach are implemented as well as the enhanced Avonmouth service."

There are also more views on Penalty Fares / Ticketless Travel in the link above.

Severn Beach Cancellations  -  11/08/2007

From FGW website ;-

21:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 22:00
This train will be cancelled.


20:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 20:45
This train will be cancelled.


19:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 20:00
This train will be cancelled.


18:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 18:45
This train will be cancelled.

Boy am I glad I was on the 1908 Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Beach & 2022 Severn Beach return journey.....

14/08/2007
From the FGW website ;-

Severn Beach line services up the swanny again, must be this mornings rain on those shiny rails ;-

09:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:30
This train will be started from Avonmouth. It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road. This is due to a delay on a previous journey.

09:05 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 09:40
This train will be terminated at Avonmouth. It will no longer call at: St Andrews Road and Severn Beach. This is due to a delay on a previous journey.


Again no road replacement transport indicated as operating.

06/09/2007.

From one of the FGW morning e-mail bulletins.

07:23 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads will be started from Avonmouth due to a train fault.

Morning commuters into Bristol Temple Meads and stations thereto from Severn Beach hit. Note mention of road replacement transport being provided.

Sorry I'm late boss, the train misbehaved this morning.

Severn Beach & St Andrews Road passengers hit again (07/09/2007.) From the FGW website :

09:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:30

This train will be started from Avonmouth. It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road. This is due to a delay on a previous journey.

07/09/2007

And again tonight travellers on the Severn Beach line are hit with cancellations ;-

20:50 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 21:28
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a train fault.


20:11 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 20:47
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a train fault.

Initial reports out of an FGW board meeting held on 06/09/2007 , suggest that the promised improved Severn Beach line service will NOT be in the December 2007 timetable. See link below for the background on this.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=41.msg60#msg60

Will be an interesting Passenger Focus meeting on Tuesday 11/09/2007 if this is true.

More cancellations today (08/09/2007) and elsewhere in the Greater Bristol area. From the FGW website :

22:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 23:30
This train has been cancelled.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

22:15 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 22:50
This train has been cancelled.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

21:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 22:00
This train has been cancelled.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

20:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 20:45
This train has been cancelled.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

18:02 Cheltenham Spa to Taunton due 20:30
This train will be started from Bristol Temple Meads. It will no longer call at: Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway and Filton Abbey Wood.

15:38 Taunton to Cheltenham Spa due 17:48
This train will be terminated at Bristol Temple Meads. It will no longer call at: Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway, Yate, Cam & Dursley, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa.

14:09 Great Malvern to Taunton due 17:30
This train will be terminated at Gloucester and restarted from Bristol Temple Meads at 16:28. It will no longer call at: Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway and Filton Abbey Wood.

This is due to Resourcing difficulties.

Monday - Friday December 2007 Timetable :

Trains leave Bristol Temple Meads for Avonmouth at 0531 (SB) , 0609 , 0645 (SB) , 0809 (SB) , 0849 (SB) , 0949 , 1049 , 1149 , 1249 , 1349 , 1449 , 1549 , 1649 , 1749 (SB) , 1918 (SB) & 2145 (SB). Services from 1049 - 1649 have bus connection to Severn Beach.

Trains leave Avonmouth for Bristol Temple Meads at 0619 (SB) , 0646 , 0733 (SB) , 0818 , 0917 (SB) , 0946 (SB) , 1018 , 1118 , 1218 , 1318 , 1418 , 1518 , 1618 , 1718 , 1846 (SB) , 2145 (SB). The 0818 and services from 1118 - 1718 have bus connection from Severn Beach.

SB = Trains starts from / continues to Severn Beach.

No 40 minute frequency service.

From my inbox :

You may be interested to note that the Severn Beach line is listed twice as an agenda item for tomorrow's Bristol City Council meeting. Charlie Bolton (Green, Southville) and Barbara Lewis (Conservative, Brislington East) are asking questions titled "Severn Beach Line" and "Severn Beach Line - 40 minute service". Also Cllr Dennis Brown is to ask Cllr Mark Bradshaw about "unconventional transport"!

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/item/committeecontent.html?ref=ta&code=ta000&year=2007&month=09&day=11&hour=18&minute=00

Report from the Bristol City Council meeting :

"Only partially improved service from December. FGW having rolling stock and staffing issues - 40 min service on Severn Beach line starting May 2008.

Station upgrades to take place before then."

Bristol City Council Press Release :

++ Improved Severn Beach Line service from May 2008 ++

A new and improved train service will operate on the Severn Beach Line from May next year, thanks to a partnership between Bristol City Council and First Great Western.

This will provide travellers with three trains every two hours on weekdays and Saturdays - an improvement on the current hourly service.

For the first time, there will also be an hourly service on Sundays too.

The new timetable will run from May 2008, when the additional trains needed to run the improved timetable become available to First Great Western.

As well as the improved service beginning in the spring, a major investment programme to transform stations along the route will take place.  Bristol City Council and First Great Western have together committed over ^100,000 to the improvements, which include improved passenger security, information and ticket facilities.

Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Executive Member for Access and Environment, said:

^The new, more frequent train service will greatly benefit passengers travelling to and from Bristol from surrounding areas. This service improvement will be complemented by the upgrading of stations along the route, making the whole travelling experience much more pleasant.

^This committed investment in service improvement, passenger information and station upgrading is vital if we are to make better use of our local rail infrastructure and to persuade more people to leave the car at home. The council will keep up the pressure for the full range of service improvements to be in place from next May.

^The council is disappointed that the new service won't be in operation from December 2007 as originally hoped, but we will keep pressing First Great Western to ensure they secure the additional rolling stock.  We look forward to the new, improved Severn Beach Line service operating from May 2008.^

Andrew Griffiths, Regional Manager, First Great Western said: ^When we sat down with our community partners last year and drew up a Development Plan for the line, we never dreamed that the improvements contained in it could be delivered so soon. 

^It's really great that the council share our vision for the line, and have made this substantial financial commitment to its upgrade. 

^With the much more frequent train service and safer, more pleasant stations the Severn Beach Line will make a major impact on transport in the city, and be something the citizens of Bristol can truly be proud of."

BBC article (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6990899.stm

Response from Jon Rogers , Ashley Ward Lib Dem Councillor ;

"How can we believe the promise of an improved service from May 2008, when we were promised an improved service from December 2007 and haven't got it?  We should be pushing for some sort of guarantee and more transparency."

I would make the following observations :

1) I think we need a written guarantee that the 40 min service will start from May 2008 , otherwise it will be wriggled out of again. I am sure that the longer it is not in place , the more the tempation will be to spend the BCC money allocated instead on a Clifton Down turnback signal.

2) BCC , Alison Forster and Keith Walton still have questions to answer as to why they continued to insist that 40 min service was likely to take effect from December 2007 , when all the evidence suggested otherwise. If I were Andrew Griffiths , I would be somewhat annoyed that , having told the truth at the Working Group meeting , everyone with a vested interest contradicted him. Mind you , judging by his press release comments , he doesnt seem that bothered.....

3) What about the Bedminster & Parson Street frequency reductions?

Other points to note :

1) In the Physical Environment Scrutiny Commission Severn Beach Line Update , written by Colin Knight , and presented on the 3 April 2007 , it is clearly stated that "Agreement has been reached , in principle , with First Great Western (FGW) to provide an additional train unit to increase service frequency on the Severn Beach Line from the December 2007 timetable change."

The "What has been agreed so far?" section of the same document states "To introduce the higher frequency with the December 2007 timetable change."

If it was done and dusted that far back , how come it isnt included in the December 2007 timetable?

2) The Bristol City Council press release states :

"The new timetable will run from May 2008, when the additional trains needed to run the improved timetable become available to First Great Western."

The only additional trains that are due to become available to First Great Western are 12 Class 142 units. Quote from Alison Forster at the Passenger Focus meeting :

"142s will be used in Devon "NOT Bristol or on Cardiff to Portsmouth"

In other words , the additional train required for the 40 min frequency service will not be allocated to the Bristol area , and will therefore be unavailable for use on the Severn Beach Line.

Alison goes on to say :

"150s will replace 142s from June 2010 - coming from WM franchise"

They wont be much use either , because thats when the BCC funding allocated for the extra train runs out.

3) Andrew Griffiths told Bristol City Council on the 14/12/2006 that "An amended timetable (without infrastructure issues) could in theory be implemented for December 2007 , but we would need to bid for paths by January. In practice December 2008 is more likely."

The exact date that FGW needed to bid for paths by was 18 January 2007.

Quote from David Bishop on 19/01/2007 in his briefing to Barbara Janke , then Bristol City Council leader :

"Possible easier alternative "wins" would be for the council to support running additional Sunday services , or providing capital support for ticketing/CCTV at stations."

On 21/02/2007 , Dennis Brown (then in charge of transport) stated :

"I would also hope that we can make progress on actual station refurbishment , especially in terms of ticketing (shops and machines on the station) , signage and CCTV. I feel these are important aspects of enhancing the service before we introduce the new trains , ie most should be in place before we start. Perhaps this is the point that may take the longest time to deliver and may be one reason why we cannot initiate an enhanced service until 2008."

Councillor Brown adds :

"Clearly we need to manage the PR aspects of this work. I think FOSBR have understood the timescale for initiation , but I suspect they will want to make claims at all stages that it was only their pressure that acheived the result (see their most recent newsletter). Our joint working with FGW needs to be given due credit and requires us to make information public as soon as it is appropriate."

Quotes from the Bristol City Council press release :

"For the first time, there will also be an hourly service on Sundays too."

"As well as the improved service beginning in the spring, a major investment programme to transform stations along the route will take place.  Bristol City Council and First Great Western have together committed over ^100,000 to the improvements, which include improved passenger security, information and ticket facilities."

Quote from Mark Bradshaw (currently in charge of transport) in the same press release :

^This committed investment in service improvement, passenger information and station upgrading is vital if we are to make better use of our local rail infrastructure and to persuade more people to leave the car at home. The council will keep up the pressure for the full range of service improvements to be in place from next May."

It is hard to escape the conclusion that Mark Bradshaw is implementing the "PR management" plan devised by Dennis Brown in February 2007.

I further conclude that , on the basis of the evidence , there was never any intention to implement a 40 min frequency service on the Severn Beach Line from December 2007 , and there has to be considerable doubt on whether it will be introduced at all.

Campaigners fighting for an improved service on Bristol's Severn Beach railway say they feel betrayed by a six-month delay in plans to provide more regular trains (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=18379012&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

Julie Boston , spokeswoman for pressure group the Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways , said: "We are very, very angry that there is this delay but we will accept May as a starting time because it seems there is no other option. There's no question that it's First Great Western which is stalling."

"We had an enormous campaign with more than 500 people writing to the budget consultation."

"Now for another six months, peak services will continue to be insufficient and people will continue to be under stress and strain because of the lack of trains."

"I think they have betrayed us and the people of Bristol and we urge the council to stand strong and get these trains running by December."

I cant recall any mention of the Severn Beach line being mentioned at the Passenger Focus meeting but I will say this.

In her presentation Alison Forster did state that 35 additional guards and 24 trainee drivers had been recruited and in the next 6 - 12 months 25 further guards and 50 drivers would be through training and into service and additional qualified drivers are being recruited, and she emphasised the point with the words, "Yes, we are recruiting qualified drivers from other companies"

As regards stock, the only stock available seemed to be the 12 pacers which were stated to be destined for the Devon branches and no further stock would be available until 2010.

Now look at the situation, May 2008 is when there begins the build up for the 2008 holiday season and with the pacers replacing the 150's in Devon, AF did indicate that at peak times there would be a doubling up of units to cater for the peak hour loadings this might also extend to the need to run 2 pacer sets coupled on the Exmouth - Paignton services permanently to avoid the punters wroth on overcrowding as a pacer has less seating capacity that a 150.

Given that, in my opinion, the provision of the 40 minute service on the Severn Beach line from May 2008 could still be balanced on the proverbial "knife edge" due to stock issues. 

The situation looked at from different angles (links below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=18397580&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

http://www.fosbr.org.uk/Delay.htm

http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=26832

21/09/2007

07:23 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 08:00
This train has been cancelled. This is due to resourcing difficulties.

Replacement road transport will be provided.


Presumably the outward working to Severn beach was also cancelled for the same reason.

From an FOSBR member :

The 0722 Severn Beach to Temple Meads was CANCELLED yesterday.

I couldn't believe it, as this one's never been cancelled, given it's always so busy.

The info point at Redland was saying "The time is 0740. This station is Redland. From the station forecourt." And then cut off.

I texted Traintracker (25p!) which said the train was cancelled, so told people on the platform. About 30 or so people walked off looking angry, some going home, some towards where the number 8/9 bus stops. A taxi minibus pulled up at about 0755 beeping it's horn, and about 10 or so people gathered round the front door and got on. I am assuming this was the replacement service.

Letter to Bristol City Council from an FOSBR member :

Dear Cllr

I live in Henleaze and am a daily commuter between Redland and Temple Meads, and was very much looking forward to the improved service between Avonmouth & Temple Meads from December 2007. It is therefore extremely dissapointing that we have heard this is to be further delayed until May.

Since the council budgeted for this from the start of the year, why did it not enter into discussions with First Great Western earlier? At the Passenger Focus meeting in Bristol earlier this month, Alison Forster claimed they were to get 12 new train units from December, and they'd already recruited new employees.

Why must long suffering passengers wait over a year since the money was first announced?

I would also be interested to know what station improvements that are planned over the next year, will the Council apply to the DfT for Access for All funding to get information screens and automatic announcements on local stations like authorities in the former West Midlands county did?

From FOSBR (24/09/2007) :

The 0645 was 23 minutes late today , and turned round at Avonmouth rather than serving Severn Beach.

Quotes from Andrew Haines (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144936&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144919&contentPK=18457761&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

"My understanding is that there's now general agreement that it can't be done for December."

"I don't think there was ever a commitment for it - we said we would look at it."

See the Bristol City Council document contained in the link below.
http://www.treeleaf.co.uk/bcc1.pdf

It is dated 3 April 2007 , and clearly states that agreement had been reached , in principle , with FGW to provide an additional train unit to increase service frequency on the Severn Beach Line from the December 2007 timetable change.
 
This is also listed in the 'What has been agreed so far?' section of the same document.

I am going to remain mindful of the Coffee Shop rules and state that this is only a well - informed rumour (as told to me) :

"It seems that Cllr Brown, (Lib Dem Exec. Transport until May 1) might have been blown off course by the May Election.

On April 11 or 17, (FOSBR has a copy of the document) Colin Knight completed the negotiations with First. Cllr Brown, possibly on the election trail, was too tired to sign it off."

If true then this is one of the reasons that the 40 min frequency service will not operate from December 2007.

We at the Coffee Shop believe in following these matters up , so read on :

Yesterday (28/09/2007) I joined FOSBR in delivering flowers , chocolate and 'get well soon' cards to First Great Western Station Manager Mike Holmes at Bristol Temple Meads (Mike , to his great credit , happily chatted away and posed with us for photographs.)

I then gave a short talk which emcompassed the lack of the promised improved service on the Severn Beach line from December 2007 , Gateway To The Future (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=357.msg1034#msg1034) and ended by mentioning other FGW issues (including Melksham / TransWilts) and what I felt needed to be changed.

We then met with Bristol City Council's executive councillor , for transport , Mark Bradshaw. Mark was one of those (like Andrew Haines) who claimed that there was never an agreement to provide the 40 minute frequency Severn Beach Line service from December 2007.

I put the Physical Environment Scrutiny Commission Severn Beach Line Update , written by Colin Knight , presented on the 3 April 2007 , and contained in the link below , to him.
http://www.treeleaf.co.uk/bcc1.pdf

In it , it is clearly stated that "Agreement has been reached , in principle , with First Great Western (FGW) to provide an additional train unit to increase service frequency on the Severn Beach Line from the December 2007 timetable change." The "What has been agreed so far?" section of the same document states "To introduce the higher frequency with the December 2007 timetable change."

Mark was a member of the Physical Environment Scrutiny Commission at the time , and thus would have read the above document.

His response was to say that perhaps there had been a misunderstanding between council officials and First Great Western along the way somewhere.

I was also struck by something else he said :

Bristol City Council's main aspiration for December 2007 , is to ensure that the timetable isnt any worse.

As well as this , he claimed that he knew for sure that FGW had been making serious efforts to source the extra train required. Unfortunately , he was unable to tell us which ROSCOS FGW had been negoiating with , or which class of unit they were after.

However , we did get two firm commitments from him :

1) Bristol City Council will do everything they can to reach a watertight , legally binding agreement with FGW to provide an extra train to allow the 40 minute service to start from May 2008 , with appropriate performance and reliability targets (note - no guarantee that it definately will start from that date.)

2) FOSBR has been invited to advise the council on railway matters , their views will be taken seriously , and not just paid lip service to , as they were in the Severn Beach Line Development Plan (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=311.msg877#msg877

Talking of the Severn Beach Line Development Plan , not much progress seems to have been made on its main focus of station improvements. Some train stations in Bristol have been 'virtually abandoned' , according to Campaign For Better Transport (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=18517304&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

Remember the quotes below?



Both the local area & bus connections map and the hanging flower baskets have disappeared.

Not very enticing for home going shop workers particularly from Clifton Down and Night Clubbers intending on a night out in Bristol to rely on this service.

18:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 18:45
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.


19:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 20:00
This train has been cancelled. This is due to train crew having been unavailable earlier.

Quote from an FOSBR member :

"Are they trying to put people off travelling on Saturdays?"

Here is a letter from another FOSBR member , sent to Andrew Haines this morning :

Dear Mr Haines,

This morning the 0741 ran 18 minutes late, which might be regarded as an improvement on last Monday, when it was completely cancelled, but from the point of view of someone starting work at 0800, 18 minutes late is effectively a cancellation. At 0703 it was shown on the internet as 11 min late, at 0720 as 18 min late. At this point I decided to get the car out and drive my wife to Clifton.

At 0755 the information point at Sea Mills station had moved on to declaring the next inbound train to be the 0840, with no mention of the still to arrive delayed 0741. Shortly afterwards it changed to failing to provide any response.

This left the thirty passengers waiting without any obvious source of information, apart from accepting the invitation on the new notices on every lampost to pay for a text message from traintracker. Fortunately, despite the damp morning, the forecast rain and drizzle held off, so that the disappearance during the summer of the second platform shelter was not on this occasion of importance.

Since the operation of the service under the FGW franchise has deteriorated to the point that it no longer seems to fit within the parameters corresponding to the national rail network we will on this occasion refrain from requesting compensation.

An FOSBR summary of the meeting with Mark Bradshaw can be found in the link below.
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/Bradshaw.htm

Quote from FOSBR Chair Peter Gould :

"This is pure Alice in Wonder Land. We have to run hard to keep still, while important documents magically disappear down the back of the filing cabinet."

Letter to David Bishop , Head of Planning , Transport & Sustainable Development at Bristol City Council :

Dear Mr Bishop,

In an interview in the Evening Post (21/9/07), Andrew Haines, Managing Director of First Great Western, said ^My understanding is that there^s now general agreement that it (40 minute service) can^t be done for December. 

I don^t think there was ever a commitment for it - we said we would look into it^.

Surely after the money had been committed by Bristol City Council, even though matters of rolling stock, staff and access had to be finally determined before a contract was signed or payment made, there must have been an agreement in principle between Bristol City Council and First Great Western to run the enhanced service that was expected in December.

FOSBR asks for copies of relevant correspondence to be sent to the above address because we believe FGW had ample notice to provide the service.

FOSBR and rail users are amazed that Mr Haines was able make the above statement in the Evening Post.

Yours sincerely

Julie Boston (FOSBR)

I notice that from December the Beach line service is slightly improved in the morning peak with the addition of 2 or 3 extra trains to/from Avonmouth but nothing in the evening peak though!

I do fear that this might be as far they go with service improvements though. A 40 minute frequency service would require different timings on different hours , and as you can see from the quote below , FGW were struggling to path December 2007 trains on the main line section.

Reply to the above letter from the FGW Customer Services Team :

I was disappointed to hear about the disruption to your journey from Sea Mills to Bristol Temple Meads, on 1 October 2007. We do our best to make sure our customers travel safely and arrive on time so I am very sorry you had a problem. The delay was caused by the late arrival of inward stock.

I have checked the details for you and I'm afraid we cannot offer you compensation this time. As our Passengers' Charter explains we do give compensation for a delay of an hour or more, but the delay on your service was less than that.

I am really sorry that you had problems with the information at Clifton Down on this date. We expect all our stations to give out up-to-date information when customers need it, especially if there's any disruption.

I'm afraid though that there is an occasional problem with the automated address system. It happens when the train passes over points on the track and activates it. So the train may pass one checkpoint on time, but then have a problem before it reaches the next one. If the system doesn't pick this up accurately it can lead to the displays showing the wrong arrival time. We've already built in several software upgrades to the system to help with this.

I am sorry that the effects of a technical problem meant that you had the wrong information. I know how frustrating it can be and we are working to put it right.

If there is an error on the automated system, our station staff should broadcast the right information. These announcements are based on regular updates from the control room, so they should be accurate. Sometimes our staff are waiting for information to get to them, but we should always be keeping you up-to-date, even if it's only to say that we are waiting for more information ourselves.

To improve the flow of information, we've now merged our control room with the Network Rail's. It means we find out more quickly about what has happened and what the situation is. This means we can give you more accurate, timely and frequent updates.

I note your comments regarding the shelter on platform 2 at Clifton Down and I am very sorry that you are unhappy at its removal. This is clearly not up to our usual standard and I do apologise.

We take this very seriously as it directly affects you as a customer. So I have logged what happened as a complaint against the station. That means the Regional Station Manager will see the details in our regular report and can take any action to improve the situation for the future.

I am extremely sorry that you have experienced repeated delays and cancellations. We have brought forward a full refresh of the trains we inherited when we took on the franchise. This includes internal improvements and a full mechanical overhaul. The first of these updated units is now in service and all our trains will be undergoing this upgrade.

We have also changed our maintenance arrangements to improve the medium- and long-term quality of our service. This took longer than we'd hoped for but this is now working well. We knew that many of the trains needed extra work, and our depot staff work very hard to turn everything round on time.

I realise that these improvements may not be much comfort as your train was delayed, and I am very sorry indeed. I hope that you will see some major improvements over the next few months, and that all your future journeys with us will run on time.

05/10/2006.


10:35 Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth due 11:00
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

11:03 Avonmouth to Bristol Temple Meads due 11:30
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Glad to see I am not the only one suffering the effects of long days ;D

Well, it IS the 5th today cause yesterday was me sisters birfday but I see I've made er, and meself, a year younger than us are.

06/10/2007.

12:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 13:00
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

11:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 11:45
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

I also have a report from an FOSBR member :

I needed to be in Exeter today for an event at 1pm. So i thought a train from Shire...

10.37 to BTM, arr 11 am 11.12 Virgin to Exeter, arriving 12.20. Only the 10.37 is cancelled thanks to someone throwing a sickie (or maybe genuinely sick or...) and management not being able to provide cover.

On to the P&R bus which runs to BTM (not run by First!!!) Bus arrives on time at stop. Single to BTM. Sorry, don't go past BTM on Saturdays. You can catch an 8 or 9 to BTM from Hippodrome. Of course i would need to get another ticket for that part as 8&9 are First run.

(I also see the P&R does not run after 18.56 back to Portway, after i was planning to return from Exeter).

So am now considering driving to Exeter or apologising again for not showing up because of the terrible public transport.

I also see that BCC want to introduce parking fees to park on the road where you live 'to stop commuters parking and walking in'. Trouble is, walking is about the only way to get about this city it seems.

When will this city wake up and get a truly integrated local transport policy with travel cards for train and bus? It will be a long time before i can fulfil my dream of getting rid of our cars.

I have also yet to receive a reply from First about the last cancellation complaint i sent. I suppose complaints only count if you get a reply? Wessex PLEASE come back!!!!!!

Yea, quite right, I cut and pasted from FGW site earlier ;-

10:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 11:00
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
09:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 09:45
This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

MUST BE A BAD CREW DAY

See Reading - Basingstoke thread also having a bad crew daty.

Oh the amount of people who cry out for that to happen and that would just be from the people who used to work for them!

Oh yes, National Express.... all is forgiven! I keep thinking it's a bad dream and that I'll wake up turn up for work and it'l still be Wessex trains!

06/10/2007
And still the relentless cancellations continue ;-


19:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 19:45

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Road Transport will be arranged for this cancelled service.


20:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 21:07

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
 


17:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 17:45

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Road Transport will be arranged for this cancelled service.


18:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 19:00

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
 

Thats at least 4 services in either direction on the line today.

10/10/2007 :

09:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:30
This train will be started from Avonmouth. It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road. This is due to a delay on a previous journey.

That means that the 0905 Bristol - Severn Beach service was turned around at Avonmouth.

As I regularly do , I was out yesterday checking the state of Severn Beach Line stations.
 
One thing that struck me was that , since First Great Western took over , almost every station has had a portion of its platform put "out of bounds" to passengers.
 
This looks particularly silly at St Andrews Road , where the out of bounds section includes a lampost with an FGW station name sign on it....
(http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/jun08photos/050608standrewsrd2.jpg)

....and at Severn Beach , where the out of bounds section includes one of the large station name signs.
 
On a more positive note , almost every station now has a local map on display , but on a less positive note , the map and hanging flower baskets that were removed recently from Avonmouth have still not been replaced.

15/10/2007 :

The 0645 Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Beach service only ran as far as Avonmouth , where it turned around to form the return journey.

Bad news for Severn Beach / St Andrews Road commuters.

And here is the reply :

Thank you for your email dated 1 October 2007. I am sorry for the delay to the 0741 service from Sea Mills. This was due to knock on delays caused by the late arrival of train crew earlier in the morning. I can understand how frustrating this was and I appreciate why you decided to make other arrangements.

I was also concerned to learn about the lack of information regarding the delay at Sea Mills. We should always be keeping customers informed, especially during times of disruption and it is unacceptable that we did not. I have made the Station Manager aware of this fault.

I am sorry that you are not happy with the service that you have received from us recently and I agree that there have been too many delays and cancellations on this route, which we are addressing. We have recruited additional train crew, who are just completing their training and we have also bought forward the refurbishment of our Ex Wessex fleet. The programme, which is an ^11 million investment, involves a full refresh of the interior as well as mechanical improvements, and started in August 2007. The first refreshed train is due to enter service this week, with the entire programme taking approximately 12 months to complete. This, along with the improvements that we made to our depot earlier in the year will improve reliability and bring the service up to a standard that our customers have every right to expect.

Thank you again for contacting me and I hope that future journeys are more enjoyable.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Haines
Chief Operating Officer.

OH plllllllllleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaassssssssssssssseeeeee dont give us 'we have bought forward the refurbishment of our ex wessex fleet'. Only took a year and a half since the start of the franchise for the first two car unit to roll out. I'm sorry but that part of this letter really shouldnt be there.

20/10/2007

16:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 17:00
This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

16:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 16:45
This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

14:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 15:00
This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

14:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 14:45
This train will be cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Replacement road transport will be provided.

More FOSBR / Haines correspondence :

Dear Mr Haines,

The 0703 outbound train is currently showing as 18 min late. Despite the somewhat optimistic prediction that the corresponding inbound train will be on time, although the Severn Beach arrival is shown as 0739, I will get the car out and drive my wife to Clifton.

Please ensure that the evening train runs to time, I expect to have a very busy day and will not be able to collect.

Reply from Andrew Haines :

Thank you for your email. I am sorry for the cancellation of the 0703 service from Sea Mills to Severn Beach. This was due to over running engineering works and I understand why you felt you could not rely on the 0741 service to Clifton. The 0741 service ran, arriving at Clifton 1 minute late, but I do appreciate the reasons why you chose to make other arrangements.

I am not anticipating any problems with the evening services and we will always do our very best to make sure that all trains run to time.
Thank you again for contacting me and once again, I am sorry for the disruption to your day.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Haines
Chief Operating Officer.

Further e-mail from FOSBR member :

Dear Mr Haines,

Thank you for your reply concerning the operation of the 0741 from Sea Mills on Monday 17 Oct, which I now assume must have been turned short at Avonmouth, resulting in cancellation at Severn Beach in order to restore timekeeping. It is unfortunate that this information never made its way onto the National Rail train tracker system, since this would have been useful in selecting our course of action, and would also avoiding misleading anyone accepting the invitation to text TrainTracker for information, which was recently affixed to all the lamp posts. The final information provided by Traintracker about this train is stated below my signature. On previous occasions the "Cancelled at Severn Beach" information has been issued in sufficient time to be acted on. In this case it does not appear to have been issued at all.

I note that you referred to the cause as being overrunning engineering work, which since the previous train had run to time throughout the route I assume must mean engineering work by FGW on the train and not by Network Rail on the track. Problems unfortunately appear to have continued during last week. I understand that the next cancellation was the Tuesday 1435 and 1503 pair. This was however sufficiently after my daughters departure on the 1010 not to cause us any inconvenience, and I am pleased that you were able to respond to my request to run the 1010 to time. I am informed that following this cancellation the single unit train from Cornwall appeared on the 1635, which is something that has not happened for some time, and so will assume that this was due to mechanical failure.

The next cancellation was the Thursday 1535/1603 pair, which is rather too close to the 1635 for comfort, although Friday's 1235/1303 cancellation pair seems to allow a greater margin against my wife's homeward journey.

I regret to say that Saturday appears to have continued the recent tradition of being a day on which it is sensible to avoid the railway altogether, there appear to have been six cancellations. This is rather unfortunate since the Saturday train service formerly provided a useful start to excursions throughout the South West, it also seems to be used by considerable numbers of people going into town for shopping or entertainment.

I also note your statement that "...we will always do our very best to make sure that all trains run to time." and take this opportunity of supporting you in your intentions and urging you to yet greater efforts in this respect. In particular it is widely believed that mechanical failures continue to affect the timetable because the fleet is not large enough to cope with its real rather than hoped for failure rate, and that manning margins are insufficiently large. I naturally hope that you will be able to make every effort to address these points.

26/10/2007.

07:23 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 08:00
This train will be started from Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.This is due to a delay on a previous journey.


06:45 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 07:20
This train will be terminated at Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: St Andrews Road and Severn Beach.This is due to a delay on a previous journey.

BUT LOOK AT THIS

09:53 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:30
This train has been cancelled.This is due to disruptive passengers earlier.

Passengers becoming militant at the abusive service being provided by FGW ?.

The conductor working 2K06 was assaulted at Clifton Downs this morning and was unable to complete his shift..

Hope the individual crew member concerned wasnt too badly shaken up by the incident and hopefully is able to return to duties with out too much delay cause WE DO WANT THE TRAINS TO RUN.

Hope the assailant was apprehended or a good description was obtained to enable a photofit picture to be composed for the next Crimestoppers, Police Five or whatever that TV program is called.

Never watch the box myself cause I ain't got one, programs too dreary, this forum is much more exciting and informative.         

Unfortunately abuse from the travelling public is getting worse, and groups like "i hate FGW" indirectly encourage contempt towards the staff!

The idiot who assulted him needs to be prosucuted! Even if the train was probabally late, assulting a member of staff isn't going to help! Sadly I know many train crew who have been in there time, and unfortuntly have not even heard anything back from the BTP, even after filling out 24 different forms!

the BTP are a waste of money, there's one good BTP officer though and thats Bob Edwards from Truro.

Although the name is indeed provocative , I think that closer inspection of the I Hate FGW site reveals that Helen & co have more respect for the staff than they are given credit for.

More FOSBR / Haines correspondence :

Thank you for your further email.

The 0703 and 0741 services on Monday 15 October were cancelled due to no driver being available. The initial performance investigations are carried out on my behalf and I am very sorry that I misinformed you as to the reason for this cancellation. I am also concerned that the information regarding this disruption was not available from the train tracker. I understand how important it is to keep customers up to date so that they can make other arrangements and I realise how annoying it is when this is not the case.

On Tuesday 16 October, the 1435 and 1503 services were cancelled due to a mechanical failure. The 1635 service was formed of a one carriage 153 unit instead of a 2 carriage 143 unit and this was due to stock shortages as a result of the earlier problems.

On Thursday 18 October, the 1535 and 1603 services were also cancelled due to mechanical problems. On Friday 19 October, the 1235 and 1303 were cancelled due to driver shortages.

I also note your comments regarding the cancellations on Saturday 20 October and I am sorry. This level of cancelled services is unacceptable and I can fully understand why customers travelling on this line are so frustrated.

These mechanical issues are something that we are very keen to resolve and we are working on this. I realise that there is little I can say to reassure you that things will get better but I hope that you will bear with us. As explained, we are refurbishing the entire Ex Wessex fleet, including the replacement of the engines, which will help to reduce cancellations considerably. Of course, this will not happen overnight and I cannot promise an immediate solution. However, I can promise that we will continue to do all we can and as soon as more of the refurbished trains start to enter service, you will notice things starting to get better. Once we have a more reliable fleet, we can look towards delivering the right train, in the right place at the right time.

As you know, we are also recruiting additional staff, including drivers and this will mean that we have a more robust workforce. Therefore, when there are late notice absences, we will be more equipped to replace the staff member concerned, meaning fewer cancellations.

Thanks again for contacting me and again, I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Haines
Chief Operating Officer

I have to say that I am coming round to the view that Andrew Haines seems genuinely concerned at what's happening on his patch.

Me too. I really believe that this man and the management team he now has in place are going to make a difference to FGW.

I agree, things are already taking a turn for the better, lets hope it continues!

It's certainly good that he's admitting to the problems and not trying to pass the blame...a very professional and honest manner that should be admired. Let's hope for the improvements soon.

From an FOSBR member :

I see that someone is conducting a passenger survey at Sea Mills this morning: Name, destination, how often, how safe? I could not tell if he was counting.

I think we need to watch out for the use that will be made of this because:

Doubt if he was able to interview everyone, so cannot be statistically valid, particularly in view of the last minute rush.

When I said 'very safe' he actually marked the 'good'.

Numbers (25) were lower than usual. (Half term week.)

I noticed that the sheet on which he wrote my answers was preprinted "Lawrence Hill".

Difficult to see what they get that could not be got from ticket information, or that the man would not have been better employed selling tickets.

02/11/2007

Besides the undermentioned I did notice that a number of earlier services were formed of 1 carriage only due to a broken down train.


22:26 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 23:04
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
Replacement road transport has been arranged

21:46 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 22:22
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
Replacement road transport has been arranged

20:50 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 21:28
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.


20:11 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 20:47
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

03/11/2007 :

18:22 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 19:00
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Road replacement will be in operation.

17:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 17:45
This train has been cancelled.This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

Road replacement will be in operation.

Interestingly tonight is the night of the Bristol Charity Fireworks Fiesta. From the FGW website (link below.) :
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1902

The event opens at 1630 with a 'childrens display' at 1800 and the main event starting at 1900.

Travel by train to Bristol
First Great Western will provide extra carriages to the services on the Severn Beach Line from 1508, to accommodate those passengers travelling to the Firework Fiesta at Clifton Down.

Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach
1508 Bristol TM to Severn Beach
1608 Bristol TM to Severn Beach
1708 Bristol TM to Severn Beach
1808 Bristol TM to Severn Beach
1908 Bristol TM to Severn Beach
2008 Bristol TM to Severn Beach
2215 Bristol TM to Severn Beach

Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads
1722 Severn Beach to Bristol TM
1822 Severn Beach to Bristol TM
1922 Severn Beach to Bristol TM
2022 Severn Beach to Bristol TM
2122 Severn Beach to Bristol TM
2253 Severn Beach to Bristol TM

These trains will now run but only between Bristol Temple Meads - Avonmouth.

Well, they had the foresight to strengthen the trains! if it happened!

An FOSBR member is researching the history of the Severn Beach Line.


martyjon , could you possibly expand on the above? If anyone else has any info that may be of interest , please feel free to post.

Here is part of an article that I posted a while back on the Save The Train Forum :

It would appear that this train didnt run after all. See link below.
http://www.westpress.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=146238&command=displayContent&sourceNode=146064&contentPK=18873018&folderPk=100268&pNodeId=145795

Passengers were apparently put on a minibus at Bristol Temple Meads at 1700 , which didnt reach Avonmouth until 1900.

Quote from Insider (link below) :
http://indefenceoffirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com/2007/10/im-back.html

"I don't know about this passenger survey on Severn Beach. It's possible that one was carried out, they are from time to time, although my oersonal belief is that they do not achieve much and that more is learned from consultation from the line working group.

Sometimes the surveys do not achieve very much, as appears to be the case here and I agree that they are likely to cause contention when they are carried out in this manner. I'll look into it."

More FOSBR / Haines correspondence :

Dear Mr Haines,

I thank you for your recent correspondence and in particular for your commitment to both improved reliability and consistent passenger information.

I understand from other passengers that both failed again yesterday. The 0840 was cancelled, and no admission of this ever appeared on the National Rail Train Tracker systems which remained at No report* status throughout the round trip, as below.

: Wednesday 7 November 2007 08:29:01 Bristol Temple Meads 08:30 No report* First Great Western
: Wednesday 7 November 2007 08:59:02 Avonmouth 09:00 No report* First Great Western

From an FOSBR member (08/11/2007) :

I turned up to catch the 10:20 from Montpelier and had a choice of a train OR a taxi!

Seems the taxi was still out collecting passengers from the 08:40 cancellation at this late stage. Some passengers took the taxi, I waited for the train, which turned up spot on time as advertised on the net and announced on the Info System.

Needless to say, sending a taxi iis just a gesture. Not all the pasesengers would have fitted in it.

From FOSBR :

Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR) will use the Joint Transport Forum to demand a written contract on the promised 40 minute service between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth Station from May 2008 ^ 2011.

The Forum, organised by the West of England Partnership, takes place on Friday 16 November (@Bristol from 10am ^ 4pm) and has an item on rail.  Although the agenda has no details, we understand that the two speakers will concentrate on the Severn Beach Line.

Further FOSBR member / Haines correspondence :

Dear Mr Haines,

I have just returned from Sea Mills station leaving my wife at a bus stop hoping that a First Group bus in the right general direction will appear. She will inevitably be late for work.

This morning the 0741 was shown slipping steadily from 6 to 13 min late, then being turned short at Avonmouth, at which point we decided that it would be sensible to go to the station. On arrival at the station we discovered that the information point message was that the train was cancelled, also the 0829 outbound but not the 0840 inbound, which is the return of the 0829. (The 0840 is now showing cancelled.) The info point recommended phoning the national enquiry number about alternative transport. This number apparently only produced a statement about adverse conditions but no offer of alternative transport. Since the first train of the day had run throughout the line I assume that the adverse conditions were entirely within FGW.

The signalman had no information from FGW.

The failure to run the train, the lack of alternative transport and the lack of information are completely unacceptable and suggest a complete collapse of the FGW operating organisation.

It is plain that the train never left Temple Meads and so the succession of revised timings was completely erroneous. It is clear that this was known well in advance and that alternative transport could have been organised. It is also clear that the information at 0741 that the 0840 would run cannot have been correct, even at that time and that the suggestion to phone the national enquiry number about alternative transport was spurious.

Since the train tracker system reported the 0703 as 13 min late without any qualifying asterisk it appears extremely likely that incorrect information about the progress of the train was fed into the train tracker system.

(Tuesday 13 November 2007 07:03:01 Bristol Temple Meads 07:03 07:16
First Great Western)

We request compensation at standard rates for the cancellation of this service and additionally for my wife's bus fare which I believe will be about four pounds.

Yesterday the evening train was at least 12 min late.

A speedy same - day reply has been received :

Thank you for your email which Andrew Haines has read and asked me to respond on his behalf. I am sorry that you and your wife were inconvenienced this morning and I appreciate the frustration caused.

The Severn Beach line was affected by slippery rails this morning. This poor adhesion was caused by leaf fall, which as you may know, creates a very slippery service akin to black ice and slows trains for safety reasons. This led to a number of cancellations with services not completing their full journey. Decisions were made at short notice, but I agree more should have been done to ensure that accurate information was provided and I apologise.

Onward road transport should be provided if there is no rail service within the hour. This is not something that can be sourced through National Enquires and I am sorry that you were told this by the Info Point. Our Customer Services office opens at 0700 and you can contact them directly on 08457 000 125 (option 4). They will take your number and call you back after checking with Control about alternative arrangements. Please do not hesitate to call us if you are in a similar situation at any time and we will do our best to help. Where taxis or buses are not provided we will be able to advise on the current rail service and explain why road transport is not being organised. There will also be occasions when we will be be to authorise taxis and I am sorry that this has not been made clear before.

I have arranged for a ^10.00 rail travel voucher to be sent to you to cover your rail tickets and your wife's bus fare. Please let me know if there were any further costs.

Thank you again for the email and again I am sorry for the delay and the confusion.

Yours sincerely

Jane Jones
Customer Services

The aforementioned FOSBR member has a question for forum members :

"Do I really believe this? Where, between Temple Meads and Sea Mills, all urban, is the tree cover really dense enough to cause slippery leaf problems?"

It was paged out today about rail head conditions on the Beach line, and that the service was temporarily suspended because of it.

Further FOSBR question :

"If as reported, the first train ran and was to time, what changed subsequently or suddenly to cancel the next two services?"

Well, it is reported here as loosing 11 mins out and 16 back!

Take it that the offending unit was a bendy bus (143)? they're not the best units on poor rail head conditions!

You can say that again!

1. FOSBR, as part of the Severn Beach Line Working Party, have been kept informed of the results of ongoing negotiations between the City Council and First Great Western. The financial elements of these negotiations have not been disclosed but FOSBR have been updated on a regular basis on both the ability to provide the additional service and timetables for the service. The City Council will continue to inform FOSBR of any material developments, as and when they occur.

2. The extra services for the Severn Beach Line do fall outside of the franchise specification. However it still needs DfT approval as all use of rolling stock needs to be agreed with DfT. FGW have confirmed that DfT have approved the additional rolling stock for the Severn Beach Line.

Both the Council and FGW are resolved to providing this service in May 2008. We will be able to provide absolute confirmation as soon as contractual details are finalised. 

3. FGW have acquired 12 units to replace the 11 going off lease. As such they have in effect already procured an additional unit, which they intend to use on the Severn Beach Line. Although this extra unit will be available in December, it is required for route training and to substitute for units being refurbished.

The 12 units FGW have acquired are class 142s; 11 of these are being deployed in Devon, which meets their franchise requirement for that area. Without City Council funding, only 11 units would have been acquired. 

4. The City Council will have a signed contractual agreement with First to ensure that this additional unit is available for providing an enhanced service on the Severn Beach Line from May 2008. We are still negotiating the final details of that agreement. 

5. The first draft May 2008 timetable showed that not all trains are able to call at all stations, due to pathing difficulties. The Council has asked FGW to review the timetables to ensure that all stations are served.

6. The draft May 2008 timetable includes 1 train to Severn Beach every 2 hours throughout the day. In total the draft timetable has 11 trains running through to Severn Beach. The existing pattern is that a total of 7 trains run through to Severn Beach, at the beginning and the end of the day.

7. Negotiations are ongoing but the City Council is seeking to include some element of the contract that equates payment levels to performance related indicators.

As you know, the December 2007 timetable includes 3 additional return journeys on the Severn Beach Line in the morning peak. The City Council has pressed FGW to ensure that these additional services call at all stations on the line, including Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road. With the exception of the 0746 departure from Temple Meads, this has been achieved. We are therefore delighted that some service improvements will be seen in December.

The City Council is also committed to establishing a widely representative project group to plan and deliver station and information enhancements on the Severn Beach Line for May 2008. I hope that FOSBR will be represented on this group.

From the FGW website :

Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach are being disrupted due to a problem currently under investigation in the Clifton Down area.Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations and cancellations can be expected.

Was a land slip I believe?

Belive so,

More FOSBR / Haines correspondence :

22/11/2007 :

Dear Mr Haines.

Further to my earlier communication, my wife phoned about 1653 to enquire where the train was. Apparently there was no information at Clifton station, and possibly even a message about the 1449 still running. On her behalf I phoned customer services, and after a little confusion about the bus service beyond Avonmouth, established that the train had left Temple Meads at 1656, or 21 min late. I have passed this information to my wife, who is now at a bus stop and has decided to remain there for 10 minutes, on the offchance that a bus will come, before returning to the station in the hope of seeing the train.

Dear Mr Haines,

A no 40 bus appearing my wife returned here at 1730, the bus, most unusually appearing, to overtake the train. This appears to have been due to the train losing a further 10 minutes after departure from Temple Meads, so being reported about 30 min late at about 1730.

Although the feared cancellation ultimately appears to have been avoided, I had gained the impression that a single unit was normally available for substitution on this first evening peak train and this does not appear to have been the case today. There appears to have been a complete failure of passenger information during the 20 minute delay.

As to the underlying cause, it is of course difficult to speculate. It has recently appeared possible that the use of a 158 type on the morning train, will be followed by a cancellation, or the appearance of the single unit in the afternoon, leaving passengers to surmise that these units are not able to make it through the day, although if they have been deployed in place of a failed 143, then one must concede that at least starting in the morning is an improvement. At least one of them looks very battered.

The FOSBR member in question also copied in Councillor Mark Bradshaw to this correspondence , and received the following reply :

Not sure why you are copying me in on these emails but hope you get some full exlplanation from FGW.

To which the FOSBR member wrote back :

I had assumed that transport lay within your area of responsibility as an executive councillor (it does , by the way - Lee.)

Andrew Griffiths offers a meeting , but unfortunately the FOSBR member has to turn him down...... :

Rather than writing to the great and good - and myself - every time your train gets delayed, would you like to meet me at Temple Meads station one day to discuss the current issues and constraints we face, and our plans for improving the Severn Beach line?

Regards,

Andrew Griffiths
Regional Manager, Central (Severn & Solent)
First Great Western

Dear Mr Griffiths,

Thank you for your kind offer. Unfortunately we are already losing quite enough time in connection with the daily journey to work to be able to commit further time to meetings to discuss why.

I would prefer not to spend time complaining, but as long as the necessity to complain continues to arise, will continue to do so.

As for the great and good, I suspect that the reasons for the problems lie as much in their hands as yours and will continue to keep them informed.

With regard to current issues, I note that no explanation for yesterday's problems has been forthcoming.

I think Mr Haines has far bigger fish to fry than a late train on the Severn beach line!

He has been given his due on this forum before for sending a "personal" reply (see below.)

I accept that but if everyone did that every time a train was late then nothing will get done!

Dont get me wrong , i'm not saying that everyone should do that either , but each to their own. It does give the recipients of the e-mails (quite a large number , including me) a good insight though.

Jane Jones would appear to have a good case for a pay rise.... :

Thank you for your emails. As you know Andrew Haines has suggested that I reply directly in future to emails sent to him, and Andrew Griffiths has also suggested that to avoid confusion that I reply on his behalf too.

I am sorry that your wife was delayed on the 22nd. There is no reason to suppose that any train we use on this line will not be able to make all the journeys planned for that day. On this occasion the delay was caused as a reaction to delayed services at Bristol Temple Meads. These had been affected by an earlier incident not connected with the Severn Beach line.

I am sorry that I was not able to reply on Friday, if you direct future emails to me I will be happy to investigate as quickly as possible and will make enquiries with control for you if I am available at the time of the incident. I do understand your frustration and am here to help, I do hope that you will therefore contact me and I will be happy to respond.

Thank you again for the email and again I am sorry your wife was delayed.

Yours sincerely

Jane Jones
Customer Services

Dear Ms Jones,

Thank you for your reply and for your description of the FGW arrangements for responding to complaints, which I have noted.

I had of course hoped that further occasion for complaint would not arise, and so am somewhat concerned that FGW appear to be setting up long term arrangements.

However, despite the reliability of the trains, I understand that there were two further cancellations yesterday, so I suppose that it will be some time until we are out of the woods.

A Redland resident will be making the following statement to Bristol City Council Cabinet on 6th December 2007 :

As a local resident and user of the train service I^d like to express concern about the proposed changes to the Severn Beach Line, including the increased frequency of the services. As a user of the service, I would like to express concern that the position is so unclear. I can find no information at all on the First Great Western website, and the BCC press release in September now begs more questions than it answers. The increase from 15 trains a day to 18 a day in the December timetable is progress, but is certainly not the 40 minute service that had been expected, let alone the 30 minute service that ought to be possible according to independent consultants and given the funding for an extra train on the line. Furthermore, on 18th October 2007 I received a written undertaking from Andrew Haines (Chief Operating Officer at First Group) that ^all services on the Severn Beach Line will continue to call at all stations.^ However, the December timetable clearly shows that this undertaking too has been broken, with daily services now not stopping at Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road.

Concerns by local residents

As a local resident living next to a station, I am aware of some local concerns at the increased frequency of the service, and the start of Sunday services. There is general support, but only if the trains are seen to be well-used and the community is engaged and consulted (as it has been over the improvements to the local station). For the service to be well-used, it needs to be promoted to people and businesses along the line, which in turn requires that the service is frequent and reliable. In conversations with Business West among others, there is a definite willingness to help promote the service when it becomes frequent and reliable. However, without a clear, open, contractual relationship between BCC and FGW so that expectations are clear, none of this is possible. This puts local and community advocates for the improved service in an impossible position.

Bristol City Council and Severn Beach Line Development Plan

Members of Bristol City Council from all parties clearly supported the improved service on the Severn Beach Line and backed this with investment from Bristol taxpayers. The lack of a firm contract has already led both to a significant delay in the implementation of the proposed service improvements, and to firm undertakings by FGW (eg that services continue to call at all stations) being broken. I would hope that a contract is now finalised as soon as possible, and that the relevant parts of it are immediately shared with community partners, to ensure that the community is properly involved, and to mitigate the risk of further delays and broken promises. There is a risk that a major element of the Severn Beach Line Development Plan, achieved as a result of considerable work by all parties, will be fatally compromised by an apparent lack of commitment now to implement it.

An FOSBR member's letter to FGW regarding the cancellation of the 0728 Severn Beach - Bristol service :

Good intentions by all those who choose to use the Severn Beach local line instead of driving their cars across the city... shame that they have to drive the 10 minute walk to the nearest station and leave their car parked on the residential streets causing parking problems and road safety issues.  ???

Come on everyone, by using the local train you're making a small change.. make a better change by using your feet not your car! Leave the car at home.  :)

As a local resident also living next to a station, I know that there are plenty of concerns at the proposed increased frequency of the service and especially at the implementation of a Sunday service. It is imperative that residents are consulted, and not just the passengers. The knock-on effects of the additional services and consequential increase in passengers, and how those effects affect station neighbours *must* be considered by FGW and BCC. I support the Severn Beach line, indeed I wouldn't have become its neighbour if I didn't.. however I am dismayed at how the trains during the day run almost empty. I am also dismayed at the FGW passengers who have such high disregard for neighbouring properties and throw litter on them (amongst other anti-social behavior). So the wise decision of a Sunday service which will run empty, disturb the railways neighbours and encourage more youths to hang around the stations is not something I can agree with. Get the investment into services that run during peak hours, consider and consult with the neighbours as well as passengers and then I'll support the service entirely.

Hi, Jo and welcome to the board ..... I'm not local to the Severn Beach line so cannot add specific local comment, but I do agree with the encouragement where appropriate of walking to stations, and also (applies to my area, anyway) of linking trains with other local transport such as cycling, buses and cars,  and providing sufficient resources for all of these at the stations.

If you don't like the idea of trains running on Sundays and "disturbing" you then why do you live next to a railway line?? And most youths that hang around railway stations aren't actually there to catch a train but just seem to hang around there drinking and smoking in the shelters.

No offence, but i fail to see why they need to consult you for a sunday service.


I'm assuming sunday would be hourly? Whch if this were the case, a 30 seconds of train "noise" every hour isnt really that big a deal.

A couple of answers on this :

The proposed Sunday service pattern would indeed be hourly to Avonmouth. It would have only run to Clifton Down had the controversial turnback signal proposal there not been shelved for the time being.

Figures (and visual observation) suggest that while the off - peak trains arent exactly full , they are getting a little busier.

Consultation? FOSBR are having trouble getting FGW and BCC to talk to them , and they are members of the Line Working Group , with an "official" right to be consulted......

Is Redland your local station , JoPublic? If so , you will be interested in this :

Quote from the link below.
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/12/ministers_have_to_end_commuter.html#more


Further interesting quote :

First Great Western has blamed staff shortages for the cancellation of 27 train services on the Severn Beach line in a single week leading up to Christmas (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231190&home=yes&more_nodeId1=144922&contentPK=19401816

Saturday was the worst day for axed services, when 11 trains failed to show up.

John Hall of FOSBR :

"The cancellations have become quite spectacular."

"I had hoped not to be personally caught out, but [last Sunday] daughter, who was on her way back from Aberystwyth, phoned to say that she was on a number 8 bus due to cancellation of the Severn Beach train. My wife took the car up to meet her."

Mr Hall believes the mechanical failures on some of the operator's trains could also be affecting the service. He said: "There will be so many cancellations due to staff shortages that it hides the lack of availability of trains due to mechanical failure."

"The last time Andrew Haines (chief operating officer for First Great Western) replied personally to a complaint of mine was in October when he gave explanations for an earlier week that seemed to split roughly equally between staff shortage and mechanical failure."

Adrian Ruck, spokesman for First Great Western said more train crew were due to be recruited to make up for the shortage.

He said: "There are issues with crew availability, which is down to seasonal illnesses."

"Obviously, it's a less than ideal situation and cancelling trains is always a last resort. If we can avoid cancelling trains, we do."

"We are recruiting additional staff and when they have been recruited, we hope train cancellations will be reduced."

Mr Ruck said trains with fewer passengers using them, such as the Severn Beach line, were more likely to be affected by cancellations than more popular services.

He said: "We have to look at the impact of the decision (to cancel a service) has on people."

"If it's a choice between a lightly-used service or a heavily used one, the lightly used ones are cancelled first. If a train is cancelled, we will arrange alternative road transport for passengers."

Good to see the Bristol Evening Post has highlighted all the recent cancellations on the Bristol-Severn Beach line but what about all the cancellations and short run services across the region that have happened over the past couple of weeks I ask?

"It will be better next week" A.G probabally said!

Lets hope it is...it can't be any worse  ::)

From an FOSBR member :

I'm not sure what these Week long Engineering Closures are about, the work CAN be done at NIGHT.

Talking to train crew lately, I'm advised after 2 weeks of line closure between St Budeaux and Gunnislake a few trees were cut down, a few rails changed and a bit of new ballast put down, the amount of work BR would do in a couple of Nights more likely one night.

Even worse after 2 weeks closure on the Par-Newquay Branch visible work done,

*** all!

Work get Cancelled? then why not reinstate the Train Service!

Some one from Network Fail, sorry Rail like to tell what happens?

Hope someone takes Some Video footage of the Severn Beach line before and after the February line closure.

I am copying this quote across, because it gives me a neat intro into this particular topic :


Here is a summary of the Severn Beach Line Monday-Friday timetable from May 2008 :

From Bristol Temple Meads-Avonmouth - 0525, 0549, 0631, 0705, 0803, 0836, 0915, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1315, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1804, 1933, 2034, 2215.

From Avonmouth-Bristol Temple Meads - 0614, 0632, 0731, 0804, 0838, 0917, 1004, 1035, 1115, 1204, 1235, 1315, 1404, 1435, 1515, 1604, 1635, 1715, 1804, 1900, 2002, 2139, 2304.

Train services extend through to Severn Beach every 2 hours during the daytime.

Overall, the advantages include :

1) A step change for the better in the number of Severn Beach Line passenger train services.

2) The restoration of through daytime trains to Severn Beach and St Andrews Road on Mondays-Fridays.

3) An hourly Sunday service through to Avonmouth.

4) A better spread and improved timings for trains in the traditional morning and evening peaks.

5) A later last train from Bristol.

The disadvantages include :

1) The timetable is not the exact 40 minute frequency timetable that was campaigned for by FOSBR.

2) There is still an 89 minute gap between services from Bristol Temple Meads in the early evening.

3) The Saturday train service to Severn Beach and St Andrews Road is reduced in frequency.

4) Not all trains call at Lawrence Hill.

One of the most interesting aspects of the new timetable, however, is that it will require 3 paths (albeit not utilsed in every hour) in each direction along the main line (which used to have 4 tracks) compared to the current 1 path.

This also means that Lawrence Hill/Stapleton Road services will be revised from May 2008 :

- The Northbound Taunton-Cardiff service will no longer call at either station, but the Northbound Weston-Bristol Parkway service will call at both.

- Southbound calls at both stations will remain in the Gloucester-Westbury group of services.

- Every 2 hours in both directions, one Severn Beach Line train will not call at Lawrence Hill.

Good!

Another advantage is that Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill will have a direct daytime service in both directions to/from Bristol Parkway from May 2008.

Departures from Stapleton Road to Bristol Parkway on weekdays will be at: 0724, 0751, 0815, 0850, 0915, 0951, 1051, 1151, 1251, 1351, 1451, 1551, 1651, 1715, 1751, 1852 and 1951.

Departures from Bristol Parkway to Stapleton Road on weekdays will be at: 0658, 0725, 0846, 0919, 0934, 1019, 1119, 1219, 1319, 1419, 1447, 1519, 1619, 1646, 1719, 1746, 1811, 1819, 1919 and 2019.

Minus/add times as appropriate for Lawrence Hill.

Trains from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach on weekdays will be: 0525, 0631, 0705, 0915, 1116, 1316, 1516, 1716, 1804, 2034 and 2215.

Trains from Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads on weekdays will be: 0603, 0720, 0754, 0954, 1154, 1354, 1554, 1754, 1850, 2129 and 2254.

I agree this is good- it's better for Lawrence Hill / Stapleton Road to be served by inter-Bristol services (as the Weston-s-M - Bristol Pway service is) rather than long distance routes for the time being. Anyone for Cardiff can still change at Filton Abbey Wood or Bristol Pway.

It also helps with delay times and of course the speed of the service. The two stations are still, in my opinion, very well served throughout the day especially with the increased Severn Beach line trains.

Here are the Severn Beach Line services that will not call at Lawrence Hill from May 2008 :

From Bristol Temple Meads - 0549, 1003, 1203, 1403, 1603.

From Avonmouth - 1004, 1204, 1404, 1604.

Sunday Service times :

From Bristol Temple Meads-Avonmouth - 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1723.

From Avonmouth-Bristol Temple Meads - 1052, 1152, 1252, 1352, 1452, 1552, 1652, 1752.

All Sunday services call at all stations to Avonmouth.

NOTE - On Sunday 18 May 2008 and Sunday 25 May 2008, the first train of the day in each direction will be replaced by a bus service.

If you wish to be on board the first new Sunday train service to Avonmouth, please bear in mind that this will be the 1123 departure from Bristol Temple Meads on Sunday 18 May 2008.

Saturday timetable from 24 May 2008 :

From Bristol Temple Meads-Avonmouth - 0603, 0634, 0716, 0803, 0834, 0916, 1003, 1034, 1116, 1203, 1234, 1316, 1403, 1434, 1516, 1603, 1634, 1716, 1804, 1904, 2034, 2215.

From Avonmouth-Bristol Temple Meads - 0635, 0715, 0804, 0835, 0915, 1004, 1035, 1115, 1204, 1235, 1315, 1404, 1435, 1515, 1604, 1635, 1715, 1804, 1904, 1957, 2139, 2304.

Train services extend through to St Andrews Road & Severn Beach every 2 hours during the daytime :

Trains from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach on Saturdays will be: 0716, 0916, 1116, 1316, 1516, 1716, 1804, 1904, 2034 and 2215.

Trains from Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads on Saturdays will be: 0754, 0954, 1154, 1354, 1554, 1754, 1854, 1947, 2129 and 2254.

On Saturdays, rail-link bus services will also operate between Avonmouth-Severn Beach :

Buses from Avonmouth to Severn Beach on Saturdays will be: 0833, 1033, 1233, 1433 and 1633.

Buses from Severn Beach to Avonmouth on Saturdays will be: 0855, 1055, 1255, 1455 and 1655.

NOTE - On Saturday 24 May 2008 and Saturday 31 May 2008, the last train of the day in each direction will be replaced by a bus service.

The rail service on the Severn Beach line has been designated as a Community Rail Service (links below.)
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=364268&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7326180.stm

Quote from DfT Rail Minister, Tom Harris :


See link below for background.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=1758.msg12114#msg12114

Strangely enough, the DfT also announced on the same day as the meeting that they are making up to ^500,000 available to the West of England Partnership to take forward the development of their proposals for improved public transport and demand management..... (link below.)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/wmstransportinnovation

The West Of England Partnership was previously awarded ^675,000 In TIF Pump-Priming Funding in January 2008 (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=1450.msg8844#msg8844

The TIF Pump-Priming Funding is mentioned in the article link below, which also reports that traffic in Bristol is the slowest in the country.
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231190&home=yes&more_nodeId1=144922&contentPK=20307640

Bristol City Council Press Release :

I have split off the remaining posts into a "Portishead" thread:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=2384.0

Please carry on here on Severn Beach!

And now we hear no Sunday services after 7 Sept  ???

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/DC%20MAY%202008%20TIMETABLE/Bristol%20Temple%20Meads%20to%20Severn%20Beach.pdf

Well, my first reaction was that this restriction on the months that the Sunday service operates must have been mentioned somewhere. However, I've checked through the press releases and I cant find anything.....

Transport Briefing related article (link below.)
http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=4875

Answer from FGW :

The rail-link bus makes a cameo appearance :

09:54 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 10:32
This train will be started from Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.This is due to signalling problems.

Replacement road transport has been arranged.

As far as I can see, the service was cancelled yesterday from 11:52 to 14:52 inclusive from Avonmouth - just a week after the launch of the service.  And that launch delayed because the "official" start weekend was buses rather than trains.  Have I really read this right? 

I used to think we had it uniqely bad ... I had yet another "taxi run" to do up to Chippenham last night because a customer arriving from Nottingham had been delayed by a connecting train and failed to connect into the only train of the day from Swindon to Melksham ... but looks like there's a "most likely to have problems" competition between us and "The Beach"  ;)

The main 'official' launch day, with the "big cheeses" was last weekend, and it was very popular. With even more publicity I should imagine it was a disaster this weekend, especially given the weather (though on the other hand people might have preferred to do something else this weekend rather than spend a hot Sunday on a train  ;)).

I have it on very good authority that an internal investigation is underway at FGW involving some people rather high up.

FOSBR link regarding the 8 June cancellations.
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/8thJne.htm

Photos of launch of the Sunday service on 1 June, courtesy of Andrew Griffiths (link below.)
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/magazine.php?magid=0000000135

Bristol Zoo Gardens are offering one free child (aged 3 -14 years old) entry with a full paying adult on production of a valid train travel ticket to Clifton Down station.  The offer is valid on the following Sundays only - 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th June 2008 (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=86

Confirmation recieved from Keith Walton at SCRP that Free Sunday travel offer is to be extended to next Sunday 15th June.

Bristol Evening Post article links.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=20850376&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=20850356&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

From the FGW website :

13:15 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 13:52
This train will run short formed with 1 carriages.This is due to an earlier train fault.

13:54 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 14:32
This train will run short formed with 1 carriages.This is due to an earlier train fault.

From FGW Website:

Line problem between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach.
Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach are being disrupted due to vandalism.Short notice cancellations can be expected.

Replacement road transport will operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach in both directions.

Quite a list of cancellations appearing on the live updates page so best to check before travelling.

Though all the replacement buses are shown in the OLDBs which is helpful.

Major problems in South Wales as well with the main line closed at Ponyclun due to flooding.

The NR site says it was down to signalling problems...looks like some desperate lowlifes stealing cables again.

From FOSBR :

From the FGW website :

07:05 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 07:42

This train will be terminated at Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: St Andrews Road and Severn Beach.This is due to signalling problems.

07:20 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 07:58

This train will be started from Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.This is due to signalling problems.

07:54 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 08:32

This train will be started from Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.This is due to signalling problems.

UPDATE - The 0754 now shows as reinstated.

From the FGW website :

06:31 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 07:08

This train has been cancelled.This is due to a train fault.

07:20 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 07:58

This train has been cancelled.This is due to an earlier train fault.

That's the second day in a row that Severn Beach-Avonmouth passengers have had no 0720 service (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=3535.msg27477#msg27477

From the FGW website :

12:03 Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth due 12:30

This train has been cancelled.This is due to a train fault.

12:35 Avonmouth to Bristol Temple Meads due 13:05

This train has been cancelled.This is due to an earlier train fault.

13:15 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 13:52

This train will be terminated at Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: St Andrews Road and Severn Beach.This is due to an earlier train fault. Road transport in operation between Avonmouth and Severn Beach.

13:54 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads due 14:32

This train will be started from Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.This is due to an earlier train fault. Road transport in operation between Severn Beach and Avonmouth.

Poor start to the month, in fact ...

20081003   16:03   Bristol Temple Meads   16:30   Avonmouth   shorter train, rolling stock issues
20081003   13:54   Severn Beach   14:32   Bristol Temple Meads   short working, rolling stock issues
20081003   13:15   Bristol Temple Meads   13:52   Severn Beach   short working, rolling stock issues
20081003   12:35   Avonmouth   13:05   Bristol Temple Meads   complete cancellation, rolling stock issues
20081003   12:03   Bristol Temple Meads   12:30   Avonmouth   complete cancellation, rolling stock issues
20081002   07:20   Severn Beach   07:58   Bristol Temple Meads   complete cancellation, rolling stock issues
20081002   06:31   Bristol Temple Meads   07:08   Severn Beach   complete cancellation, rolling stock issues
20081001   07:20   Severn Beach   07:58   Bristol Temple Meads   short working, infrastructure issues
20081001   07:05   Bristol Temple Meads   07:42   Severn Beach   short working, infrastructure issues

From the FGW website :

05:25 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach due 06:02

This train will be terminated at Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: St Andrews Road and Severn Beach.This is due to a train fault.

06:03 Severn Beach to Weston-Super-Mare due 07:25

This train will be started from Avonmouth.It will no longer call at: Severn Beach and St Andrews Road.This is due to a train fault.

A poem from Friends Of Suburban Bristol Railways (link below.)
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/magazine.php?magid=0000000144

Thanks, Lee - and FOSBR!  ;) :D ;D

In a welcome acknowledgement that the price of copper is perhaps encouraging such incidents, it's interesting that, elsewhere,


For full details, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/7674059.stm

Price of copper is down by about 40% in the last few months, but I guess those in the habit of stealing cable will still find it worth doing. I do wonder where they find a market for it, as I would have hoped any reputable scrap merchant would not touch it with a barge pole. But that's probably me being naive. 

Well, it's apparently still a national problem, John: see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/7657679.stm  ::)

This can be found in the link below, along with other useful graphs, maps and tables.
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/magazine.php?magid=0000000147

The 09.15 BTM - Severn Beach and 09.54 Severn Beach - BTM were cancelled this morning due to a train fault.

I wonder if the passengers at Severn Beach & St. Andrews Road were informed, as there was a 2 hour wait til the next service.

This must of affected services throughout the day, as the same units are used all day on this line.

See http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/galleries/Severn-Beach-Line-gallery-581748-detail/gallery.html

Gone are the days when the Eveling Post always referred to it as the "Loss-making Severn Beach Line". They probably thought proper commuter lines, like what they have in London, are profitable.  ::)

Ooh, there's fancy. I didn't realize the Beach line was getting worked with 150s these days. Whenever I've travelled on it it's been a bouncy castle.

Seriously though, nice to see the Post giving the line some free promotion. It's a valuable asset that seems to be widely unappreciated!

Wow not one but two 150s! Must have been a special Christmas treat for the line as it's usually worked by two 143s. I noticed the pics were taken on December 30th where a Saturday timetable was running the week after Christmas so there was probably some spare 150s at SPM to run the Severn Beach services that week.

It should be appreciated as its a great line, and worth doing if you are ever in the Bristol area.

Definitely worth a journey just for the scenery. And you can't argue with an anytime return fare of ^3.00!

From the FGW site:

It didn't take much for them to decide to suspend it all day. Despite the fact that most local services appear to be running normally (for which Network Rail/FGW deserve credit).

I appreciate the line will be the lowest possible priority in the FGW area, but if the current forecast is correct, the snow will turn to rain and there would be no reason not to run a service by the afternoon.

Or maybe with all their buses cancelled, FGW thought there would be too many passengers and they wouldn't be able to collect the fares.  ???

Seems a lot over the top - personally I struggle to accept all these delays cancellations are 100% necessary. Safety is important, but it seems to me they are going over the top.

"Customers are advised that there is currently no planned road replacement service due to the expected conditions of roads in the area."

Is that why the number 8 and 9 buses (operated by First) have been going past my flat all day?  They serve both Clifton and Redland stations - couldn't First just allow train tickets to be used on their buses for the same route?

Am I correct in saying that if a service is cancelled it doesn't count against, in the "on time" targets ? That was certainly the trick pulled a great deal on the Gatwick Express to give it such high "on time" figures.

I fear that FGW were more worried about their "targets" than passenger safety, or what ever other reason they dreamt up !

Its possible that the number of staff was reduced, so seemed easier to cancel Severn Beach.

From the FGW site, under the heading "Severe Weather Conditions Friday 06 February 2009 (Thursday 05 February 2009 Time: 21:10)":


See http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3682

There aren't any local buses running at the moment either.

I have it on very good authority that, while one Avonmouth service did run first thing this morning, the Severn Beach line was then closed, at the request (insistence?) of Network Rail.

This evening, an arrival from Avonmouth at 17:10 was shown on the screens at BTM as 'on time', so I can only assume the line was then reopened sometime during the day.

 ::)

0525 BRI-SVB Ran
0549 BRI-AVN Ran
0631 BRI-SVB Ran
0705 BRI-SVB Ran
0803 BRI-AVN Cancelled
All further trains cancelled

0603 SVB-BRI Ran
0632 AVN-BRI Ran
0720 SVB-BRI Ran as far as Avonmouth (presume ran ECS to Bristol TM)
All further trains cancelled

Following devon_metro's very helpful post (thanks, Liam!), this topic then moved on to a discussion of the service on the Exmouth line: just to avoid confusion, I've split that subsequent discussion to a new topic, in 'Shorter journeys in Devon' - see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4281.0

Can anybody confirm details on a turnback facilitly that I have overheard FGW staff talk about at Clifton Down?

I do believe this would allow trains to terminate on the down side and re-enter service on the upside!

Does this mean extra trains for the BRI - Clifton line?

Or are some Avonmouth trains now going to terminate at Clifton?

AS a regular user of this line, I am intrested to know of any plans for this line!

Yes, Clifton Down is available for a turn-around. Used occasionally of late to get Avonmouth services back on time by terminating short.

Does anyone know when the Station information monitors on the SVB are ALL going to be working?

I know some are working, Clifton's are, for example, but others on the route have been dormant for an age now, especially on the Bristol side at Lawrence Hill.

I know Shirehampton's has been working, although I've not used the station for 7 days. Sea Mills and Redland's were working as I passed through. The last time I was at Lawrence Hill (9 days ago) the PIS on the northbound platform was working.

Stations visited today:

PIS working - Severn Beach, Avonmouth (Severn Beach side)

PIS not working - St Andrews Road, Avonmouth (Bristol side)

These seem like a good idea, but I would much prefer LED departure boards like South West Trains uses as their smaller stations. By far easier to read and more informative.

The new PIS on the SVB Line are not like the traditional overhead monitors. These are wall mounted and include Help Point/Emergency buttons with two-way voice connection to a control centre. They are circular in appearance and vaguely similar to Help Points on the London Underground but with the addition of a real-tme information monitor.

I have received the following e-mail from FOSBR (apologies if this info has already been posted elsewhere) :

Well done to SGC for funding improvements on the SVB line for a better Sunday service. Congrats also to FoSBR for their sterling campaigning work.

I often travel to Taunton on a Sunday from Shirehampton, but I'm not sure that I can endure 100 mins plus on a Class 143! Unless, of course there are plans to employ 15x DMUs for the direct trains. So I'll probably still change onto a Voyager at BRI. (I can just about endure 35mins on a 220/221!)

From FGW:



Weather related?

From Bristol Evening Post (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Bristol-rail-passengers-complain-pay-fares/article-1780326-detail/article.html):

An article from last month I've only just come across:

I wrote a letter to FGW after the guard never came out except to open the doors, so I wasn't sold a ticket and had to queue at Temple Meads.  I received a very standard letter back, along the signs of "we are sorry you're ticket wasn't checked" along with a few excuses.

It may be strange for passengers to complain that you wanted to pay the fare but without cash coming in and ticket sales increasing, what chance have we got of the service improving without more taxpayer subsidy?

My suggestion is to have a Parking Meter type of machine (I imagine these are fairly cheap and vandal-proof), where the minimum for a ticket to be issued is 75p (i.e. the railcard price for a single).  This ticket can then be exchanged for a real ticket or used as a permit to travel for longer journeys.  At least FGW will then take a minimum of 75p from every passenger who manages to get away without a ticket.

I'm now a regular commuter from SVB to CFN and back - and yes there are problems with the ticketing.

For my part of the journey, most of the problems occur between Shirehampton, Sea Mills and Clifton Down as the distances are so short.

The other problem is that the system needs to be 'cash only'. Besides the machines being slow to print anyway, it's the people purchasing a ^1.50 single fare with a credit card (mostly because they've been caught out trying to fare-dodge).

If an easier cash-only tear-off & punch ticketing system was adopted - that would save all the hassle. I understand this would be non-standard - but so far, the furthest station I've heard anyone ask for is Bath Spa.

During the morning commute - currently there are two guards - surely this can't be cost effective for FGW?
Last night's journey, no... my pass wasn't checked.

As an aside, it was either last Thursday or Friday (sorry... getting old) the SVB morning trains were cancelled 'due to vandalism' and only ran as far as Avonmouth until late in the afternoon. Does anyone know any details of the incident - I'm guessing that this co-incided with the last few days of school half term... *sigh*

This is a very good idea. My understanding (open to correction) is that the fares on this line are charged by zones. So programming one of these in a similar way to the way you would pay to park your car by amount of time, surely cannot be too hard. Sort of like the self service bus ticket machines they have in london. Then these could be exchanged for a zero excess ticket on the train or at a staffed station.


Whilst I accept that in most cases this could be due to faredodgers. I have a business credit card to cover my rail travel from my company, withdrawing cash on this is a no no as the company gets charged alot more than if it were a standard card payment. Also I have more paperwork to fill out, I have to justify on a form why i needed to pay cash and then (expectedly) return any leftovers. So I have been in the situation where I have paid a ^1.20 fare with a company credit card. I could use my own funds I suppose in this situation, but our accounts department... are somewhat a tad slowwwww in reimburstment... I try to avoid this...!

I've heard Brighton several times.  I'm buying tickets to Cosham and Havant on a regular basis.  I've even heard someone ask for a ticket to Manchester on one occasion.

I start many a journey from SHH and have purchased tickets to many exotic locations beyond Bath Spa - often having to help the guard/ATE find the correct fare in Avantix. I've also purchased multiple splits as well.

I guess it's my fault the the guards/ATEs aren't getting through the whole train!!!

Thanks for your interesting suggestion, rich0099 - and welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!  :)

Another suggestion to speed up ticket issuing on the train could be to have a pad of tickets specifically for SVB line fares paid by cash where the ticket can be torn out of the pad.

It would need simple tick boxes.  List all the stations twice, tick one for origin, other for destination (or even just three options of "Zone 1", "Zone 2" and "Both Zones").  Then a box for railcard (if any), single/return and another tick box for the price (I think there are about 8 options, including railcard discounts).  Then rather than faffing around on Avantix, these tickets can be issued in the time it takes for the guard to tick 5 boxes and stamp the date on the ticket.

Obviously, the guard would still have an Avantix machine to sell other tickets and take card payments.

Edit: Here is an example that I've just put together very quickly.  The section labelled guard's use only could be used for the guard to stamp/write the date when each leg of the journey has been taken.
(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9584/ticketb.jpg)

Assuming the biggest problem is in the morning peak, and that the majority of passengers want day returns to Temple Meads, how about giving the conductors a couple of carnets. In the morning there won't be too many railcards, what with minimum fares on certain types. A carnet of day returns CLI-BRI and another for SVB-BRI would probably be sufficient, given the zonal fare structure. The conductor would just need to grip the ticket with a clear date stamp - and there'd be no need for thermal coating on the tickets, so hopefully the date would dry quickly and remain clear! Perhaps with some small print giving an expiry date per batch to reduce the risk of tampering.

Maybe some weekly season carnets would help as well.

Exactly the solution FGW are looking at...solves everything

er... not that I want to doubt the general honesty of mankind (cynic that I am), there will still be people who choose to board without bothering to use the machine.

I don't suppose any system is foolproof - but I'm sure 'on train' ticketing with a quicker system would catch more fares.

I travelled through Redland station on Friday and again this evening.

The information point was there and working on Friday.  Today it wasn't.  The front part (screen, button and speaker panel) had been removed with just the bracket (rear shell) remaining on the wall.

Does anyone know what happened to it?  Is this a case of a local thief thinking it will look good on their mantelpiece or was there something wrong with it?

I passed through Redland again yesterday and the information point still hasn't returned.  The box on the wall is currently taped up.

It was stolen. The thieves must have thought there was osme value in it - there isn't!

From the BTP press release (http://www.btp.presscentre.com/Media-Releases/BRITISH-TRANSPORT-POLICE-APPEAL-FOR-INFORMATION-AFTER-CUSTOMER-HELP-POINTS-STOLEN-BRISTOL-ded.aspx):

The Redland one was certainly there at 12:51 on Friday 26th February.

I'm still pretty surprised that there isn't any CCTV at these stations.  I've been there at about 6:30am previously and it can feel very isolated, so the emergency button could be very important.

I went with my friend up to Severn Beach saturday and noticed the ones at Montpelier and Redland both were just the cases with tape over them. As far as customer information screens, I would have preferred the orange/black LED displays like South West trains have all over small stations but I definitely think the emergency button is useful (except when kids play with it, which I have seen happen.)

CCTV must be implemented at these stations!

Perhaps this might be a lesson to the designers of these displays that having a tracking device fitted could be a pretty good idea - can't imagine they are particularly expensive these days.

I agree with Graz, the orange LED display would have been more suitable and probably less prone to damage/theft.  The station already had an emergency button, so this could have been left in place and perhaps given a lick of paint.

Definitely, if the LED displays were hanging from the station canopy (at Redland), or high poles where people couldn't get to them, etc! And they would also be easier to see - those little screens aren't particularly easy to see in sunlight.

How about difficult people who choose a station outside the SB line? Like I would choose Oldfield Park ;) Great idea though. Something has to be done, and that seems by far the best option.

There are some pretty good options that have been suggested here, here are the ones I think may work along with some of the potential problems.

Parking ticket style machine
Just a simple one that will only give you a ticket if you feed it at least 75p in coins (i.e. the cheapest child or railcard fare).  The ticket can then be exchanged for a more expensive ticket on the train, at the sin bin or on another train (like a permit to travel).  If the ticket is valid for a short period (e.g. one hour), then it ensures that at least some revenue would be gained from every customer.  An option like this would allow the SVB line to have penalty fares.  After the theft of the information displays at Redland & Montpelier, I wouldn't expect FGW to install anything of any value.

Pre-printed Zonal Tickets
To be used during rush hour.  One ticket for Inner Zone, another for Outer Zone and a third for Both Zones.  Probably very quick to issue these tickets but the guard would need to ensure a date is stamped.  If the different ticket types were different colours, it would allow easy recognition on ticket checks.

Pre-printed Check Box Tickets (as shown above)
Not as fast to issue as the zone tickets above, but probably quicker than using Avantix Mobile.  Would require some method of recording which tickets are sold for statistics and accounting purposes.

Pre-printed Weekly Season Tickets
As above for the Zonal Tickets, but also make these available at other outlets (e.g. newsagents and schools for the local schoolchildren who commute).  If bus companies can manage to sell tickets at newsagents, why can't a train company?

Cash Only for all fares
This would speed up all ticketing on the line and is compatible with all the other options suggested here.  Even for fares beyond Bristol Temple Meads, the ticket must be paid by cash.  In the event of someone wishing to pay by card, they should buy a single to BTM then exchange this for the correct ticket at BTM.  For customers wishing to pay for single/return fares within the line by credit/debit card, then books of 10 tickets could be stocked by local retailers and at BTM's ticket office - perhaps giving a discount for buying a book of 10 tickets to encourage people to have a valid ticket.

Random spot checks at stations
As mad as it sounds, having a person stood at the entrance/exit to the busier stations during rush hour may even allow extra tickets to be sold.  Not sure how expensive this would be or how it would work if penalty fares are not in place.

A couple of thoughts.

The stats would be an issue for any of the zonal options. They would basically make Clifton Down and Severn Beach look disproportionately busy. Having said that, people probably 'overshoot' their tickets anyway (I often do for flexibility) where stations are close together. And if ticket sales are going to go up as intended, having higher total numbers is going to be an improvement even if they're allocated less precisely. Hopefully whoever interprets the statistics would be aware that Station X really covers several stations' ticket sales, and doesn't use it as an excuse to make out that the smaller stations are not being used!

Encouraging people to buy tickets the day before would be a simple option. Modern ticket machines do of course have this option... just a couple of snags! Firstly, it as far as I know they only allow it at the origin station, and secondly it can only be done after a certain time (is it 6pm?). If it were possible to do it at BRI, and then select station x as the origin, and do it a bit earlier, it would be more effective, although selecting the origin station makes the machines that bit more complicated to use, and opens up the scope for user error! Perhaps a dedicated 'ticket for tomorrow' machine for SVB stations could be installed at BRI platform 1!

I seem to remember that some of the Valley Lines booking offices just involve someone with an Avantix, and I think one of them is/was an arrangement with the station taxi office (I'm thinking back a few years - not sure if it still happens). Perhaps local shops could be given Avantix machines - obviously this would work well somewhere like Clifton Down, but would be more difficult at stations like Redland that are in more residential locations; to be really useful the ticket selling would need to be on or right next to the station (particularly for one-off travellers). Perhaps it would be possible to allow traders to set up on or next to stations for low rent if they're willing to operate during the morning peak and sell tickets. Extra workload and training for the shop staff would need to be taken into account. Thinking along that tack, if the issue with self-service ticket machines is that they won't be secure enough, what about installing proper self-service ticket machines in the shops (with some sort of incentive for the owners) if there happens to be a shop close enough to the station for it to be useful as a makeshift booking office.

I'm not too sure about the cash only thing - depending on how black and white it is - I'm all for encouraging passengers to pay small fares in cash, but for longer journeys and irregular travellers who wouldn't know about the arrangement, it just seems to make things too difficult and off-putting

The entire line of thought behind that paragraph was that problem, i.e. not suggesting machines on every station (hence the point that self-service machines are usually for a fixed origin station AFAIK) - I should have said 'at BRI' more explicitly ;) The idea would be that regular passengers could buy a ticket the day before on the way to the platform in the time that they would be waiting for the train to leave, if a way could be found for it to be done quite quickly. It would, however, only be of use for daily travellers, who might well be season ticket holders only, and therefore not necessarily the main target for this issue; it would also only serve BRI passengers - the question is would it replace a sufficient proportion of the on-train sales to be useful. Perhaps not - from my limited experience of the line (as an occasional visitor to the Redland/Clifton area) I'm aware that there are healthy numbers of people making journeys that don't go into the centre.

I'm just thinking that even with the alternative means of issuing tickets on the train, it's even quicker for the guard/examiner just to check a ticket that's already been purchased, and useful to keep payment options open.


I would assume that a ticket machine wouldn't come without access to at least some of the commission. I wonder if FGW would be willing to give up the 9%, and/or offer free travel to shop workers. There is a training issue also, along with time serving customers, which is why something more creative like a self-service machine (perhaps a simplified version for local travel) in a shop might be an option, but then one has to ask how many shops would be furnished with one, and at what cost to install it.

Another angle... is there a particular problem with numbers of people wanting weekly tickets on Monday mornings?


In the end non-locals would of course be very unlikely to be using the line as an origin in the morning peak... but I just like the existing idea that one can buy a ticket from any station using a set range of payment methods - a positive aspect of our current setup (somebody's going to think of exceptions now ;) ). I suppose I don't like the idea that a non-regular could be caught out when they're quite willing to pay in what they might consider to be "the usual way". But obviously it might not be as black and white as "no cash at all".

An idea that I have seen used in Switzerland, is that you buy tickets in advance with no date on them. You then place the ticket into a machine on the platform which stamps the date and time on the ticket.
This would be useable with a carnet system as long as the tickets are standard size.
I know this would not solve everyone's problems, especially if travelling further than Bristol Temple Meads. However, in this situation possibly allow them to use the value of the carnet ticket against the value of the ticket required at Bristol Temple Meads ticket office or on the train.

The 2K05 (Nodding Donkey) failed on its return jaunt from SVB to BRI this morning... half-way down the platform.

Apparently the electrics/speedometer had failed in the cab and so we had to wait for the later service to drag
the failed set back to BRI.

Driver with red flag and 3 detonators deployed, the DMU sets were coupled without a problem (shame all couplings
aren't the same as there was 66120 idling at St Andrews Rd  ;) ).

Unfortunately, passengers were only allowed to board the working set... so by the time we got to Shirehampton it
was standing room only with the front and rear of the DMU looking like a Halfords cycle shop.

I'm sure there are rules governing the use of failed DMU's - but as there were now two sets of crew - it's a shame they
couldn't ease the overcrowding by using the failed set (the doors and lights were still working).


I just hope I can get home tonight!  :-\

that would not be locked out due to the problem it had,the crew would have decided to keep locked out because there is no through gangway.

Is that a problem in Bristol?

Down in Devon there are numerous 142/143/you name it combos. (well, less since some donkeys went home to the grim north)

From FGW Live Updates:


Bad timing on my part, taking the dog out when I did. We got a bit wet. Beat a hasty retreat and I was watching the brief, but intense, storm from my porch. I have a good panorama of Avonmouth and its environs from my front door - think I may have seen the lightning strike responsible. There was a definite 'hit' near St Andrew's Road. Pretty impressive and bleddy loud!!

Ooh you lucky (ish) thing. Very poor views from a grey block in the centre. Loud thunder though. Quite a storm.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/100-000-extra-journeys-commuter-line/article-2523943-detail/article.html

Great news! I miss the little train.

Would suspect the increase in detected passengers is partly due to better fare collection.

Quite a long story, so I've only quoted the abstract.  Full story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8997000/8997578.stm

This is good. I have travelled on this line and it does seem to be well used.

The trip is certainly interesting as well

From the Bristol Evening Post (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Noisy-pub-sends-residents-rails/article-2852084-detail/article.html):

I have to admit to partaking of a glass of wine there after my exam in october when I had 45 minutes until the next train to temple meads (I had contemplated a bus from the downs but seemed to take just as long).

Not an inviting atmosphere - one of the few station pubs where I have felt out of place as a woman alone and certainly - I can see how it could become OOC

Can we also get the Advertising Standards Agency involved for that statement? It's a grotty pub with a terrible 'environment'. Essentially in a car park in a cutting so nearly always in the shade. You can't even watch the trains go by as all the windows are blocked up on the station side. Owned by Punch Taverns, which says it all.

If you want a nice pub with a nice environment near Clifton Down Station then cross Whiteladies Road and pop in to the Penny Farthing.

I agree with your comments

Can't vouch for the alternative but my glass killing time was not good

Roo Bar is a common haunt for students on Whiteladies Road pub crawls.  The groups that visit are always larger than the pub's capacity, so end up spilling into the car park.  The large crowds can make a horrendous noise and I really do feel for the residents, having myself lived for nine months just a few doors down from Lizard Lounge.

Penny Farthing also comes highly recommended by me too - best pub on Whiteladies by far.  If you don't mind a 5 minute walk, the Highbury Vaults on St Michaels Hill is perfect for any real ale drinkers.

And Highbury Vaults comes highly recommended by me too!  ;D

Passing through these two stations today and noticed the help points had been replaced :) and a parking meter style machine fitted next to them.  Didn't see this other machine at either Clifton or Stapleton Road.

Took this photo later at Montpelier
(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/3874/photo0046b.jpg)

Has the Bristol City Council logo on the side.  Machine was on, but didn't have any instructions/details of what it was for.  Neither station has a car park.

An interesting development..... Not been on the SVB Line for a while, but I'll take a look at other stations on the line next week.

These machines have been installed as part of a joint project between Bristol City Council and FGW to protect revenue on the Severn Beach line.

They will accept cash only (due to the small amounts involved) and will sell tickets for journeys in to Bristol Temple Meads.

The machines are indeed basically car park machines, which have been converted to sell rail tickets. Indeed, the one at Montpelier was initially installed with 'P' stickers on each side! Those have now been replaced with the Bristol City Council logos.

Full instructions will be affixed to the machines when they go live on Tuesday (25 January).

CfN.  ;)

So, cash only TVMs at locations that have seen the help points vandalised and/or stolen.

Only a matter of time before these new TVMs receive attention form the local scrotes I fear.

They will be emptied frequently, and covered by new CCTV, but there is always that risk, yes.

Is it going to become compulsory to buy a ticket before boarding the train or are these machines just for people travelling into Temple Meads?

An interesting point, brucey.

If ticket retailing facilities are available (and in working order/accepting a payment method that you can use) at your departure station then I believe the 'rule' is that you should buy a ticket that covers part of your journey and then, at the earliest opportunity, buy a ticket for your whole journey minus what you have already paid.

So, going to Bath from Redland? Buy a single/return to Temple Meads then excess this onboard to your Bath fare. If the 'rule' that you must purchase a ticket for at least part of your journey is enforced then I see little time being saved by Conductors selling tickets onboard SVB Line services. Conductors will, instead of selling a through ticket, be fiddling around on Avantix doing excesses.

I'll check with my source and post further details shortly.

CfN  ;)

I assume the tickets will be treated as a permit to travel, i.e. processed as a voucher rather than an existing ticket.

"Don't worry about it" was the response of an assistant ticket examiner when I attempted to buy my ticket this morning.

As I was quite early, the shops hadn't opened so the only cash I had was a ^20 note from the ATM and about 40p in change.  Asked for my ticket to Stapleton Road, offered to pay by card as I only had a twenty and was told "don't worry about it", before he walked off and served the next customer.

I'll be pleased when these machines become operational, lets hope they give change or act only as PERTIS ::)

Not unless the NRCoC are going to be amended; the machines apparently only accept cash payments and not cards. What they will do is provide a handy way for honest passengers to make sure they can pay their fares and also speed things up for passengers travelling to Temple Meads who might otherwise have to queue at the barriers there to buy a ticket and leave the station.

Tuesday today so the machines should be operational?  Not at Redland.

The instructions are now in place, but the machine wasn't switched on ::)

My only opinion today is complete and utter confusion.  There has been no publicity as to what the ticket machine will issue, how to use it, does NRCoC No 2 apply, how do you buy tickets for further travel, how do you buy tickets for the opposite direction etc etc.  I'm also assuming it prints of flimsy car park ticket stock, so probably won't go through the barrier at Temple Meads.

These are the instructions:
(http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8586/photo0048ty.jpg)

The small text saysI think no-one realised that First Great Western Ltd doesn't actually exist.  I think they meant to put First Greater Western Ltd trading as First Great Western.

I've got three issues:
1. Through journeys: if I don't buy something at this machine, will I be charged full fare under NRCoC section 2?
2. For people who aren't travelling to Temple Meads, would many actually buy a ticket?  If you are paying the full price anyway, then surely just getting on the train and buying on-board would seem the most attractive option to many?
3. Who (especially children) has exactly 75p when they travel >:(

And there isn't any new CCTV yet (unless it is well hidden).

If they are not acting as PERTIS machines, the sign should say "for other journeys buy on board". 

A sensible solution to the exit delays at BTm caused by people buying their tickets there, but the machines are not a solution to anything else. 

I would say that you will still be able to buy the full range of other tickets on the train - the wording certainly hints at that: "tickets for the following southbound rail journeys" but it could be made a bit clearer with the wording Tim suggests.

Who would actually buy a ticket?  Presumably those passengers who get narked off with having to queue to get a ticket at the barriers at Bristol Temple Meads every morning because the on-train staff haven't had time to get to them.  What percentage of people aren't travelling to Temple Meads? - not many I wouldn't think - and the on-train staff will now stand a much better chance of getting to you to serve a ticket if you aren't.  Fair point about people carrying round loose change - but, again, they might see the benefit of making sure they do so if they can breeze through the barriers.

I'm a little surprised it allows you to buy a weekly season ticket, without mentioning that you should have a photocard - but I'm sure that will be a popular option on Monday mornings when presumably most people renew.

Overall, an interesting idea - let's see how it works.  As CfN says, the machines are to be emptied on a regular basis - according to Customer Panel Meeting minutes they will be emptied by the Council daily.

Last weeks article in the BEP
___________________________________________________________________________________________
"""NEWER trains with bigger carriages are on the way for the Severn Beach rail line, due to a "pretty spectacular" growth in popularity.

The line, which runs through Bristol from Temple Meads to Severn Beach via Clifton Down and Avonmouth, has seen a more than 20 per cent increase in passenger numbers in the last year.

First Great Western regional manager for the West of England Julian Crow described this as a "huge success story" when he spoke at a West of England Partnership meeting on transport. He told councillors: "The Severn Beach line growth is pretty spectacular. This is very, very encouraging. "The downside is some very cosy conditions on the busiest trains."

To help deal with the growing demand, Mr Crow said the trains used would be upgraded ^ probably in the summer ^ meaning they could add an extra 40 seats per train. The new trains would be more modern class 150 model, which can reach up to 75mph, although that speed would not be practical for much of the journey through Bristol. Passengers will find it easier to get on and off the new trains, Mr Crow added.

The older models are due to be sent to a northern rail franchise as part of a deal with the Department for Transport.

New ticket machines have also been added at a number of stops on the line in the last week, at Redland, Montpelier and Clifton Down.

Mr Crow said; "There is a lot of growth around Bristol and potential for growth. "There are pretty similar pictures on the Bath to Filton, Bristol to Cardiff and Bristol to Gloucester lines. "The current level of service on the Severn Beach line is confirmed to continue for the May timetable. "We are in negotiation with Bristol City Council to maintain the level of service and possible improvements to the evening service."

The city council put the subsidised service out to tender last year, as part of an effort to save money on all of the authority supported transport routes. This led to concerns that the line could be cut back despite the growth in popularity.

As revealed in the Evening Post earlier this month, the council did consider scrapping the line altogether as part of the ^28 million budget cuts for 2011/12 but has now discounted that idea.

Much of the growth in the line has come since the council made a number of improvements, including funding a second train to provide services every 40 minutes.""""
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Not sure the 150's can be classed as 'more modern' as didn't they come into service at the same time as the 143's in the 1980's? Moreover, I'm sure there will be a few grumpy cyclists as there's not a lot of room to get their bikes onto a 150. There are quite a few people who get on and off with bikes at peak times.

I'm glad the councils are still supporting the line - but the track could do with a bit of renewing at the SVB end!

I am sure i posted  this article on here before

You did:

Sorry... my mistake. I'd delete it if I knew how.

No problem: I'm inclined to leave this particular topic here, as the comments relate quite specifically to the Severn Beach Line.  ;)

I was wondering, does anyone know what the actual usage figures are?

The 08/09 data can be found here: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529

Figures from the Severnside Community Rail Partnership progress report, published January 2011:

Passengers travelling Bristol - Severn Beach in 2010 = 754,000 journeys (source: FGW ticket sales)

The number of passengers using the Severn Beach Line has more than doubled in the past five years.

(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4261/img023cl.jpg) (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/img023cl.jpg/)

Apologies for the poor quality of the scan - paper copies are available if anyone wants them: just send me a PM with your address.

I'll try to get a better quality version to post here, too.

Chris.  :-[

Better still: I now have a 'pdf' version of the Severnside CRP progress report.

If anyone would like a copy, please just drop me a PM, and I'll e-mail it to you.

Chris  ;)

Even better!

The progress report (http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/Documents/Severnside%20CRP%20report%20Jan%2020111.pdf) is now available on the Severnside CRP website (http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/index.asp).

Chris.  ;D

This now includes the 09/10 figures

Still no sign of life in these machines which is causing confusion among weekend travellers.  As most people seem to be fixed in the idea of "you have to buy a ticket or you'll be fined", many seem worried about their inability to buy a ticket before boarding.

Tickets further than Temple Meads are still an issue - many people at Clifton today who wanted tickets to Bath Spa were puzzled by the limited number of fare options given in the sign on the machine.  I even heard one comment along the lines of "have they stopped doing through fares?"

Erm ... the brand new ticket machine at Montpelier was attacked and damaged, apparently over the weekend - despite it still not yet being operational.

A far from satisfactory situation, FGW.  ::)

And lo, it came to pass:


 >:(

I'd rather that prediction hadn't come true, but it was almost inevitable. Still, lasted longer than the original Help Point.

I have it from an impeccable source that, not only did that ticket machine not contain so much as a penny: it didn't contain any tickets, either - for reasons I'm not sure FGW would particularly like to see mentioned here.

Chris.  ::)

From Stephen Williams MP FacebookThen a comment >:(

Are any of us suprised? was just a waste of money from the start, the council would be better off paying FGW to take on a couple more ticket examiners and have all daytime trains covered and maybe staff Clifton in a similar way to Yate i.e. a small portacabin or something.

Just blogged by Cllr Alex Woodman, Cabot ward, Bristol City Council...


http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/press-releases/2011/mar/new-severn-beach-line-contract-more-trains-and-new-ticket-machines-with-less-taxpayers-money.en

good to seee that the severn beach line is getting more investment.   when i last used that line back in november 2010 the staff were very freindly and were good at pointing out interesting places to tourists.

Really good news.  Well done to all involved.

Welcome news, particularly the reduction in subsidy. The fares revenue must be healthy for that to happen as I can't see FGW taking up any shortfall. The later, year round, Sunday evening train is also good news.

Now, are those ticket machines 'live' yet?

Excellent news ... and excellent example for others

The Sunday evening train is excellent news.  I used this quite a few times over the summer and it was certainly busier than expected - clearly enough us to warrant a winter service.

The Clifton machine wasn't working on Monday.

From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12786340):

Really good news for everybody, council, operator, passengers... and how often can you say that?!  ;)

Ticket machine at Clifton Down was working last evening (23rd March 2011). Yay!!!

And the proof that the machine at Clifton Down is still working.....  :P

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/CFN_paper_ticket.jpg)

Purchased by me today. I only wanted the Child/Railcard Single at 75p, but I put my pound in before realising the machines don't give change. Your ticket choice is governed by what you tender so I couldn't even select the single. A notice saying 'No change given' would be nice....

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/CFN_machine.jpg)

EDIT: Ooh, I just noticed a rather spooky reflection of myself in the blue panel!

Arghhh, its haunted!!!

FOSBR say in their latest newsletter that the increased fare revenue covers the ^200,000 gap. impressive or what?

Today, (28/06/2011) The Severnside Community Rail Partnership (http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/) conducted its annual passenger count on the Severn Beach Line.

I helped out in this task and it was interesting to see just what the loadings are like on this line at various points throughout the day.

I usually only use the line at most once or twice a week in the early AM into Bristol and late evening out to Shirehampton, so to make numerous round trips across the morning and afternoon and see the different demographics was a pleasant change from my normal journeys.

One particular group of passengers made for an interesting count. Around 40-60 secondary school kids on a trip to London from Redland at 0819. This train is already a particularly busy commuter service and it was tight squeeze getting all the kids on. Especially as they all had cases ( I assume their trip involved at least one overnight stay). Everyone got on as did passengers at Montpelier and Stapleton Road. As we were not counting on this service (others had that difficult task!) myself and another passenger count enumerator (Chris from Nailsea) bailed out at Stapleton Road to make space for a few more fare paying passengers.

Wow.

How does your count compare to the Council one?

I was on the 07:20 SVB - BRI that morning, but there were less passengers boarding at SVB than usual... probably due to the summer holidays starting.

Of course the busier service is the 07:54hrs - I just hope that the footfall numbers recorded (either by SCRP or BCC) are representative of the passenger numbers, and take into account seasonal changes.

I've also noticed that at Shirehampton or Sea Mills, the numbers fluctuate depending on the weather. Perhaps this is due to inadequate shelter on the platforms when it's raining?

As an aside, I still see people trying to get away without paying fares on this line (mainly stalling the conductor with credit/debit cards). I know 'people are people', but it's quite depressing to see this - especially bearing in mind how fantastically low the fares are.

You'll find me stalling the conductors, not with a debit card, but by buying split tickets or unusual routes. All done with a smile and I like to get all my tickets sorted before Temple Meads, whenever possible. Plus, it all adds to the conductors commission.

I encountered a conductor who I normally see on the 0635 from Shirehampton on the 0726 from Shire to the Beach (then 0754 SVB-BRI). She still struggles to find my Shirehampton-London Terminals Off Peak Day Return via WARMSTER-SALSBRY on her Avantix (yes that ticket is valid at 0635 from SHH!). She seemed quite relieved when I showed her the line pass I had for the day!

I'll answer those particular points in my 'official' capacity, on behalf of the SCRP, if I may. ;)

There are two official passenger counts each year: the SCRP / FoSBR one in June, and the Bristol City Council one in November. Taking into account seasonal variations (summer holidays v winter shoppers, for example), we then get a seasonally adjusted figure, as well as an ongoing picture of summer and winter use.

I'll publicise all of the total figures here - when we've collated them.

Chris.  ;)

Courtesy of http://www.jngroup.biz/  (via twitter)

(sorry if this has been posted elsewhere)

________________________________________________________________

SEVERN BEACH BRANCH LINE:

On Sunday September 18th the Severn Beach Line will be suspended until
Sunday October 23rd due to work needing to be carried out by Network Rail.

Buses will replace the train on Sundays departing Bristol Temple Meads at:

0908, 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1723 and 1823

Buses will depart Severn Beach at:

1045 and 1830

Buses will depart Avonmouth at:

1000, 1100, 1145, 1245, 1345, 1445, 1545, 1645, 1745 and 1845

__________________________________________________________
I can't find any reference to this on NRE or FGW (although it was only a quick look) so I hope the information is correct.

Does anyone have any idea what Network Rail are doing?

Yes, that all seems right to me: Network Rail are doing 'maintenance work' on the Severn Beach Line on each of those Sundays - and I am also hoping to get some 'community payback' work done, at and around the stations, at the same time.

Let us know when you're around Chris!

Some of those times don't match the published timetable: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/TTs%20Apr%20%2711/GW11M_TT29_WEB_V1.pdf

Times for the Rail Replacement Buses do tally up with the amended timetable at FGW's website. That old one should really be removed now. The times the OP posted are in booking engines and NRE as well.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=5250

Oh, and where would you intuitively look for information regarding service changes? The 'Timetable alterations & engineering work (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=720)' page perhaps?

Nope, no mention whatsoever of the closure of the Severn Beach Line on Sundays for the next 6 weeks. Same goes for National Rail Enquiries. No mention when inputting details of date and TOC in their 'Future engineering work' search facility.

But I am glad to know that on one of those Sundays FGW mention that the 0820 from Temple Meads to Swindon is cancelled. A train that has rail alternatives half an hour either side. So it appears they can publicise in the right place a single service cancellation, but not a whole line closure.  ::) :o >:(

... Ollie?  ::)

Apologies - I looked at the wrong timetable :(

Seeing as the updated timetable - available on the page that bnm linked to is published. It won't appear on the "Alterations Page" as it is in the published timetable and therefore not an alteration.

But that page is called ' Timetable alterations and engineering works'

Other engineering works have had their revised timetables published and had an entry on the 'alterations' page.

To be fair to FGW, amended timetables are at SVB Line stations pointing out that it will be RRBs for the next 6 Sundays.

Well even the page opens by saying:

"Below is a summary of changes to the published timetable.

Please note that the following list only shows alterations (and engineering works) to our printed timetables. Details of some, usually longer term periods of disruption are often included in our printed timetables."

Ok I'm really confused. Whilst i do trust the knowledge of people here, I can't find 'official' confirmation online anywhere...

Are you saying that as it is a published change to the timetable, that it does not show up on alterations? Or it is in the original timetable?

Edit: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/SEPT%202011%20TT/GW11S_TT29_(7).pdf

Ok.

I don't know if this is as a result of this discussion here at the Coffee Shop or someone flagging this up, but FGW have posted a pdf of the poster of the revised timetable showing rail replacement bus services on their Timetable Alterations and Engineering Works page where you normally expect to find these sort of details:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=720

FGW used to put pdfs of station posters showing revised timetables at times of engineering work on this page but for some reason stopped doing this instead publishing just the current summary of works taking place pages instead which isn't a lot of use IMHO. When FGW launch their new website soon will improved information about revisions due to engineering work be part of it? Would be good.

Now that does make sense.

Details about timetable alterations and engineering work on a webpage titled, 'Timetable alterations & engineering work'

What a novel idea!  :P

:-X

Somebody has posted this topic on another Forum and accuses FGW of being too lazy to post the alterations on their Website.    Neither are they posted on BBC Rail Travel News (430).   The line is actually closed between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads with rail replacement buses.   (I have posted another thread on a different matter relating to this occupation on the Cardiff to Portsmouth Board
These are not Timetable Alterations as such but are part of the Published Timetable covering a dated period from September 18th to October 23rd.   This indicates there is no need for FGW to publish as alterations

They are part of some published timetables. The printed National Rail Timetable doesn't contain the amended times and the electronic National Rail Timetable contains incorrect information for the Severn Beach Line during the engineering period.

So, I think FGW should publish the details on their 'alterations'  - as they have now done. Also updating the 'timetables' page as well.

My personal view is that both pages should be kept up to date. That wasn't the case last week, but things on the website are much clearer now, so thanks to FGW for that.

Now, I wonder what prompted the updating of all the timetables? FGW aren't particularly well known for keeping their website up to date. I'm still waiting for details of the remaining Meet the Manager sessions for example. Thus far only details of 12 have been published on the website. There are supposed to be 25 a year, 1st Apr-31st March. Those Managers are going to have a busy winter fitting in those remaining 13 sessions, 8 of which have to be on High Speed services.

There are other TOCs which publish such alterations which vary from the norm even if published in the Timetable.   An instance on BBC Travel today in respect of XC operating replacement buses between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads.

I suppose the point is that I use the SB line nearly every week day (admittedly rarely on sundays) and ended up hearing about this change from you guys. Which i would suggest is not ideal  ;)

The Severn Beach line is shewn as Timetable alterations but not Bristol to Worcester (Sundays usual destination)

Just received via txt alert from FGW:

"Services between Severn Beach & Avonmouth will be altered Fri, Sat, Sun. Please check www.fgw.co.uk for details."

Via website:

"Alterations to services between Severn Beach, St Andrews Road, Avonmouth and Bristol Temple Meads from Friday 10th February until Sunday 12th February inclusive.

Due to essential engineering work at St Andrews Road, train services will not be able to operate between Severn Beach, St Andrews Road and Avonmouth from start of service on Friday 10th February until 1600 on Sunday 12th February. Replacement road transport will be in operation between these Stations and to take customers onwards to Stations to Bristol Temple Meads (as required).

Customers are advised to check this website at 1400 this afternoon for further details."
_____

I'm guessing it's something to do with the current SAR speed restrictions at the level crossing. I was told that a lorry shed some concrete over it.

Nuts!

Fingers crossed the problem is sorted for Sunday AM. I've planned to be out surveying passengers on the down service to SVB at 0908 and it's return.

Track Defect at Avonmouth Dock Level Crossing which requires basically the Complete Crossing to be replaced

Just having a look at the emergency timetable for tomorrow. Seems a bit silly to have two Rail Replacement vehicles just to keep to the timetabled SVB departure. Seeing as how the return trip can't be done to make the connection at Avonmouth at 0956, why not have had the departure from Severn Beach leave a little later, thus needing just one vehicle at also reducing the 52 minute wait at Avonmouth. For the passenger survey, I was going to go out to Severn Beach to see if anyone was going to be travelling, but if I did I'd be stuck out there until late afternoon!

Instead I'll just take the outward Rail Replacement vehicle to St Andrew's Road, have a quick nosey at the work on the Dock's level crossing and walk back to Avonmouth in time for the 0956.

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/SVBEMGSUN.jpg)

Finally. Not quite sure how FGW are going to run three trains at the same time from Weston-super-Mare.  ::)

Three 153s, running very close together?   ;D

All rather academic. Didn't get to the SVB line today.  :(

The new greater bristol rail group (set up by various interested parties including councillors last week) are claiming that fgw will run an extra train on the sever beach line from this autumn at no extra cost to taxpayers:

greaterbristolrail.com/2012/02/28/people-power-rail-improvements-coming-in-already/ (http://greaterbristolrail.com/2012/02/28/people-power-rail-improvements-coming-in-already/)



Edited to fix link. bignosemac.

Welcome news. Another little improvement from FGW. There appear to be a fair few of these (planned, confirmed, or rumoured) improvements going on across the FGW network recently.

Charm offensive for the franchise renewal?

I'll let The Rt. Hon. Francis Urquhart MP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz8RjPAD2Jk) answer that.....  ;)

The additional evening service on the Severn Beach Line is starting 17th September 2012 and is in online journey planners and has been for a few weeks. Can't believe I've missed that!

Mon-Fri:
2137 Bristol TM - Avonmouth 2205
2216 Avonmouth - Bristol TM 2253

Sat
2140 Bristol TM - Avonmouth 2208
2216 Avonmouth - Bristol TM 2250

Amended timetable .pdf available from FGW website: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/~/media/PDF/Tickets%20and%20train%20times/Planned%20Changes/TT29_Sept%20Normal.ashx

A most welcome addition to the timetable, plugging the 1h42min gap between trains in the current timetable.

From The Post (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/story-16927636-detail/story.html) (Bristol):

By way of redressing the balance slightly, for those who may feel left out by all the activity at the right hand end of the Great Western: I bumped into a chap with a bucket of paint and a sheet of medium grit sandpaper at Montpelier Station on Thursday. Seemed to be painting just about everything, including the handrail of the steps up to Cromwell Road which, at a guess, haven't seen any maintenance since the Old King died.

So how d'ya like THEM apples, Reading fans?

From the Gazette Series (http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/10728173._Please_let_us_pay_our_train_fares__campaigners_beg_First_Great_Western/):

Seeing a Conductor is NOT rare, every train has one. All services in the peaks inbound have an Assistant Ticket Examiner, meaning there are two members of staff selling tickets at peak times.

I find it hard to believe that 'the majority' of passengers from Severn Beach are going free most days. From stations further up the line, maybe. But even then only a handful of people who are boarding and alighting at the inner stations excluding Temple Meads. Those commuting to Temple Meads will encounter barriers and have to buy their ticket before exiting.

Revenue collection on this line is excellent, bearing in mind the closely spaced stations. If anyone boarding at Severn Beach is not being sold a ticket (which I find barely believable) and is concerned about it, they can quite easily ask the Conductor or ATE to sell them one. Boarding at, say, Redland and alighting at Stapleton Road I can well believe there is no opportunity to buy a ticket, but not Severn Beach to Temple Meads.

In the past three years I have always had the opportunity to buy a ticket on inbound AM peak services. And that's from further up the line at either Avonmouth or Shirehampton.

Finally, if Mr Smith is commuting every day then I'd respectfully suggest he buys a Season Ticket. At worst that only requires a purchase once a week.

As for the line being "perceived as unprofitable and scrapped" - what about the extra evening round trip introduced recently?

I agree with bobm's point. The subsidy to run services on the line has been cut year on year. I am convinced that if everyone paid a fare, it would not need subsidy at all. Bignosemac is right about peak services from Clifton Down onwards. The time between stops means that one member of staff is effectively employed in working the doors most of the time. The ticket machines seem time-consuming, especially with purchases involving a plastic card, and I have often made it from Redland to BRI without being approached, frustrating when my final destination is not usually Temple Meads. And I have once ridden all the way from Severn Beach to Temple Meads without being asked for a ticket.

Additional opportunities to buy tickets off the train are needed. Conductors can then concentrate on checking, not selling. Weekly tickets are great, but we have now seen a picture of the Travelwest smart card:

(http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276268/Article/images/20071952/5486192-large.jpg)

courtesy of the Bristol Post. This should be rolled out across bus services by next year, starting now on the Bath Park and Ride. If we are to have a truly integrated Greater Bristol Metro, then this should be made available on local rail journeys too, with a maximum daily price cap across all modes.

From the Bristol Post (http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Sunday-operation-Park-Ride/story-22337235-detail/story.html?)

From First Great Western JourneyCheck:


What's all that about, then? ???

Hmm, surely any guard/driver who signs a 153 can take out a 150?

Or would their be an issue if 2 car 158 was diagrammed this evening?

Basically, the train that was supposed to be on that Avonmouth was 'stuck' somewhere else. The inward journey for that particular train was cancelled (due to the train crew reason)... the only spare train to work the train would have been a 153.

Thanks for that explanation, sprinterguard - I do see what you mean: it's just not quite what FGW JourneyCheck was trying to tell us.  ::)

The reasons on Journey Check are often due to something that had happened much earlier and elsewhere and which had a knock-on effect, i.e. quoting the root cause.   There are often many causes quoted by TOCs on Journey Check which can seem difficult to understand.

I've noticed that the trackbed is being cleared alongside the new SITA Powerstation build on Severnside.

In their planning blurb, SITA did say they were going to re-instate the Railhead - but I thought this was just a ruse to get it through planning.

I'm assuming there will be interruptions to the Severn Beach line both during engineering works and scheduling of passenger services in future?

Anyone know of any rumours/timescales?

PS... I've noticed an increasing number of Class 70's at St Andrews Rd.. there can't be that many coal-fired Powerstations left to service?!

From SITA's website:
That sounds like it will be a planning condition.
"Completed" might, I guess, not mean fully operating with all sources of rubbish.

Coal generates around 15 GW of electricity (a third of the UK total) at this time of year ... and a lot of that does come in via Avonmouth, of course.

Coal remains the largest provider of fuel in the UK, according to UK Gridwatch. (http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/) If the rumours about that bare-chested Russian guy shutting off  our gas are true, we had better not close any more coal stations until we have a good supply from shale gas, and have built Hinkley C, D, E, and F.

Addendum (having read Stuving's post more closely, and risking relegation to the Pedant's thread):

I'm not aware that much, if any, any coal comes in via Avonmouth, at least not by sea. Royal Portbury Dock is the major portal. A lot is transported from RPD to the coal depot at St Andrews Road via the under-Avon conveyor belt for loading, so a lot of coal leaves Avonmouth. Whether this is because of capacity or routing, I don't know. Coal still comes along the south bank of the Avon in quantity as well.

Looks like FOSBR are holding a little 7th Aniversary Event of the increased services on the Severn Beach Line on 15 May by the Coffee Trike at Redland Station around 11.00 - 11.30. There a few more details on the FOSBR website.

Thank you for that, johnneyw. I confirmed the details with FOSBR's website, and have added this small, but perfectly formed, event to our diary. I can't make it, but for anyone who would like the opportunity to chat to FOSBR's leading lights, this is as good as any! No doubt there will be word on what improvements they would like to see next, beginning with the cascade of DMUs and smart ticketing.

Must say, two excellent ticket collectors today on the Severn Riviera Express. Both really energetic in collecting revenue and one in particular demonstrating great wit and charm with the passengers. More of the same please. I got off the train at Temple meads laughing.

There are some very good Assistant Ticket Examiners who regularly work The Severn Beach Line.

I'll sing the praises for Rena, who never fails to be cheery on early morning weekday services. Even dealing with me and my regular requests for recondite ticket combinations. She knows I have a good working knowledge of the fares system and will often come to me if a fellow passenger has a question about fares she can't answer, or requires a second opinion on.

Good to see a staff member use all the tools at their disposal.

I'm one of those tools.  :P

Very good to hear, and well posted johnneyw. On social media, praise often gets lost amongst the grumblings, and I hope FGW see this. Making someone smile whilst taking money off them is a true art.


Now now, BNM, self-deprecation will get you nowhere.

Well, credit where credit is due I say. Speaking of the Severn Beach Line, things seem to have gone a bit quiet as far as news is concerned on the proposed Portway station project. No-ones heard anything recently I suppose?

Personally, I haven't heard anything more about this particular project recently.  ::)

I last heard Cllr Tim Kent saying it would definitely be built in 2014, followed by Port of Bristol Authority saying it was not possible for various unspecified reasons, to do with the level crossing.

Last I read was that it was due next year but statements from PR people are worthless these days.

The building on platform 1 at Avonmouth is no more.

Ah well. An end to speculation, if nothing else.

The Severn Beach line is one I like to travel on for pleasure from time-to-time and with this in mind, two days ago I interrogated National Rail Enquiries for a single fare (with a Senior Railcard) from SVB (Severn Beach) to BRI (Bristol Temple Meads).  My delight at the ridiculously low Anytime fare of ^1.00 was only beaten by my disbelief at the revelation of the the jaw-dropping Off Peak Fare of...^54.40 (^2.00 and ^80.90 without railcard).  I am well aware of threads on fares elsewhere and our ongoing agreement of the lack of sanity in the fare structure on the railways, but I draw this to our attention here to encourage travel on a lovely little line.  Not only will you enjoy the estuary and river bank scenery as well as fine views of Bristol and its ports (when not in tunnels and cuttings), but as long as you travel Off Peak and pay the Anytime fare you'll bask in the knowledge that you've saved shed loads of dosh.  Those forced to travel in Peak Time will I fear have to be content with paying the smaller amount with no savings. Shame.  :)

Interesting - that ^80.90 fare also applies to an off-peak single from Lawrence Hill to Stapleton Road, a distance of just less than a mile. Is there a more expensive fare, per mile, in the world?

I note that there is a more expensive option, though - you could use a 'Freedom of the South West Rover' for this journey, at ^111.50.

You could get a first class upgrade from Liskeard to Coombe ... don't forget to add the price of the standard class ticket too!

http://www.brfares.com/#!fares?orig=LSK&dest=COE

The perils of using National Rail Enquiries for fares advice.

The Severn Beach Line fares are zonal, an inner zone between Clifton Down and Bristol Temple Meads, an outer zone between Clifton Down and Severn Beach, and an all line zone which does what it says on the tin. These fares apply at all times.

This confuses NRE's algorithms when they look for Off Peak fares. Consequently it throws out Rover prices as the only valid Off Peak fares. Garbage in, garbage out.

Ask here on this forum for fares advice. My algorithms are much better.  ;) ;D

{like}

To quote a recent case:
  National Rail ^50.50
  RailEasy ^35.90
  Grahame ^25.80
  BigNoseMac ^19.00

(Swindon to Weymouth tomorrow today - out at 08:47, back at 17:30)

Time for a new website: bigrednosespottedmac.com.  :D

Isn't it time fares were increased on the Severn Beach line? Taking annual seasons as an example, a 1 zone season is ^240, and a 2 zone season is ^360. This compares with inner/outer zone seasons on first bus of ^650 and ^840 respectively.

Another comparison, Keynsham around 4 miles from BRI has an annual season of ^852.  I appreciate that to quote mileages on the SB branch are a bit misleading, as it loops round, so the distance as the crow flies is somewhat lower. But nevertheless, these fares appear ludicrously low, with the 4 miles from Clifton Down to Temple Meads working out at around ^1 a day with an annual (^240).

I would support a modest increase in fares and there was speculation that this may happen in the September 2015 fares round. Looking at booking engines and industry fares databases it doesn't appear that SVB line fares are increasing, but there could be a late amendment. The SVB Line fares have not increased for five years.

I emailed the Severnside Community Rail Partnership about possible fare rises some time ago. No reply. Didn't chase up.

I don't think a comparison with Bristol bus season tickets is relevant as those bus seasons are valid on First services cross the city and the surrounding areas. A SVB Line season is point to point.

There is a danger that if an increase is too steep it could drive passengers away. The SVB Line has been a huge success story over the past six years. The increase in passenger numbers and better revenue collection enabled the local authority subsidies to be reduced year on year, eventually to zero.

The fares are not subject to the usual national process, but are set by local politicians. The ones who set them in the first place, and those who suggested an increase a couple of years ago but decided against because of the impending local elections state of the economy, are not those currently in charge of local transport.

This is one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenarios. I am not usually one for conspiracy theories (MetroBust apart, where they are all true) but I cannot discount the possibility that the modest improvements to the SVB line services in 2007, when the fare was set, were intended to prove that the line was not viable. Cue Atkins with their report of 2005, which proposed spending a colossal amount of money to convert it to a guided busway. We all know what happened - passenger numbers have more than doubled since then, a 12,000 seat arena is being built opposite BRI, and the commercial axis of Bristol has begun to move towards the Enterprise Zone, centred around what is now one of the busiest railway stations outside of the Metrolopse. Suddenly, having only one local branch line appears to be a serious understatement.

The weekly fares (^6.00 for one zone, ^9.00 for the whole 26-mile round trip BRI-SVB) are a fantastic bargain. A colleague now commutes because it is cheaper for a week than it is to park for a day, and now wonders why he didn't start sooner. But far from every journey is paid for. Only BRI has a gate, and the trains at peak times are so full that the staff have little chance of getting a fare from every passenger. The need for a TM to open and close doors with little more than 2 minutes between stations from CDN onwards doesn't help. MetroBust originally promised integrated cross-modal ticketing, but that has gone the way of all the other pie-crust promises, so the SVB is on its own so far as revenue gathering and protection is concerned. If everyone paid in advance for their journeys, with a TM to check, the service might even operate at a profit, even at the current fare levels.

The solution? Imaginative thinking, leading to proper contactless card payment for transport across trains, buses, and ferries within the Greater Bristol area, a bit like in London. In fact, exactly like in London. Sadly, beyond the ability of the unelected unaccountable oligarchy that is the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership Joint Transport Executive Committee. Let's have an ITA!

BNM, you're bragging again. You show me your algorithms, I'll show you mine.

This is such an important topic for local rail and public transport.   I have highlighted the main points - for which I believe "designation" is a key ...

The best one I've heard yet was on Monday, ex BRI. The TM apologised for not being able to issue tickets because of a shortage of equipment at Temple Meads, so if you need a ticket for your journey, please buy one at your destination station.

Good luck with that at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier... all the way to Avonmouth.

Two additional Sunday evening services for the summer (until 11th September 2016) on the Severn Beach Line.

1953 Bristol TM - Avonmouth 2017 returning at,
2022 Avonmouth - Bristol TM 2050

2053 Bristol TM - Clifton Down 2106 returning at,
2123 Clifton Down - Bristol TM 2137

Most welcome. Although I'd like to see this year round and the later service going through to at least Avonmouth.

Took a trip out to Severn Beach this week and was pleasantly surprised how much has been done to improve the station.

June 2014....

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/svb2014.jpg)

August 2016...

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/svb20161.jpg)
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/svb20162.jpg)

As well as the shelter a fence has been put up the length of the platform to screen the derelict land behind which used to provide stabling for excursion trains but which in recent years has been a magnet for litter and overgrown vegetation.

Severn Beach improvements are a most worthy finalist in "most improved station" / ACoRP awards, Southport, September.

Those various and welcome improvements at Severn Beach Station were sponsored by Severnside Community Rail Partnership.

Funding came from SCRP, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP), South Gloucestershire council, the Heritage Lottery Fund (via Forgotten Landscapes project) and GWR.

That's excellent.