Great Western Coffee Shop

FROM MTSL
1) PASSENGERS AT RISK FROM REMOVAL OF EXIT RAMP
Passengers using Bath Spa face a risk of being crushed and injured or worse as a result of the seriously flawed redevolpement of the station. Multi Development UK Ltd is redeveloping the station as part of its redevelopment of Bath shopping centre.

The ^6.5 million plan includes the imminent removal of the ramp access to and from the London bound platform, currently used by up to 25% of passengers. The listed ramp was built by Brunel and is also used as a car park and a dropping off point for disabled and elderly passengers. Planning permission to demolish the ramp was granted to Multi by Bath and North East Somerset council several years ago so Multi could open up more retail units.

At a meeting in December between FGW's Executive Director, Mark Hopwood and More Train Less Strain, station Manager Andy Gallagher expressed concern that the only remaining exit, a narrow staircase, would not cope with the passenger flow. He added that he thought it impossible that anyone could have underatken a full risk asessment or assement of passenger flow through the ramp before the planning permission was granted. A small lift is to be installed to allow disabled people and passengers with bagagge access to the platform but the station master confirmed that this would be small, and so would not replace the capacity lost by the removal of the ramp.

CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE RAMP
MTLS has launched a campaign to save or replace the ramp. The stairway is already full to capacity and congestion is chronic in the rush hour and made worse as the steep stairs lead directly to exit barriers that create a dangerous pinch point. If more people are forced to wait on the stairs to exit the station it will only take one person to trip and fall to create a panic and possible stampede.

TAKE ACTION NOW TO SAVE THE RAMP
If you share our concerns please make your concerns known to the Office of Rail Regulation who are responsible for Rail health and safety. Email them at: contact.cct@orr.gsi.gov.uk . Please also send a copy to your MP, ( in Bath it is don@donfoster.co.uk ), and  to Mark Hopwood the new Manging Director of First Great Western (Mark.Hopwood@FirstGroup.com). Please alo write to your local paper.


2) LOCAL PRESS CONTACTS NEEDED.
We are often contacted by local press wanting to speak to train users in Wales, or Cornwall, or Somerset or just about anywhere. If you are confident about speaking to the press and local radio, and have strong opinions on your train service please let us know as we would love to put the press in touch with you.

3) FARES NOT FAIR
MTLS has condemned these rises and demanded changes in the flawed governement policy that leads to these above inflation increases each year. A national campaign is now needed to bring commuters in all regions of the UK together in a day of action to bring the message home to the government that enough is enough.
We know from the last two fare strikes that commuter power is not to be underestimated, but we also know that this could develop into a full time job and, hey, we already all have jobs here at MTLS. But if you are a campaigner in waiting with big time on your hands, contact us and we'll do all we can to help you.

4) WOT, NO FARE STRIKE?
That's right. We met in December with Mark Hopwood the new FGW Director. He hasn't bought us off, but we had to acknowledge that FGW have improved since being threatened last spring with the loss of their franchise by the Government. Long may this continue. Mark warned us that they may lose some rolling stock this spring to be returned to Arrive Wales, and that if this happens they will do their best to replace it. We warned him that whilst FGW is better it is still not good enough, and that we, and thousands of commuters will continue to keep a close daily watch on their progress.

Interesting that Mark Hopwood confirms that FGW may have to return some sets to ATW in the Spring and that they will do their best to replace them. With what I ask as we keep hearing there is zip left to hire?

It also makes me wonder how they will cope with providing extra sets for summer Weymouths if sets do go back to ATW with FGW recently confirming no loco hauled on this line this coming summer. See below post:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4091.0

I understand that the cost of hiring the train for each locohauled trip to Weymouth last summer was very high (figures were quoted too me) - indeed these trains over 8 weekends cost more that FGW were looking for last February from WCC to run a 153 up and down the TransWilts for a whole year!

An interesting thought.  The Thames Turbo fleet isn't in use at "rush hour" capacity on Saturdays, when there's the biggest issue with Weymouth.   I wouldn't (of course) risk the wrath of the Cotswold line folks by suggesting that a Turbo take over a 125 diagram, releasing the 125 for Weymouth services - but there might be other cascades possible - Turbos are cleared to Bristol - what about onward to Weston and perhaps Taunton?  Taunton - Cardiff?

I wouldn't (of course) risk the wrath of the Cotswold line folks by suggesting that a Turbo take over a 125 diagram, releasing the 125 for Weymouth services

An interesting thought.  The Thames Turbo fleet isn't in use at "rush hour" capacity on Saturdays, when there's the biggest issue with Weymouth.   I wouldn't (of course) risk the wrath of the Cotswold line folks by suggesting that a Turbo take over a 125 diagram, releasing the 125 for Weymouth services - but there might be other cascades possible - Turbos are cleared to Bristol - what about onward to Weston and perhaps Taunton?  Taunton - Cardiff?

Hands off our 125s - which are very busy on Saturdays.

But bear in mind that even if HSTs are cleared to run Castle-Cary to Weymouth (does anyone know?) unless a set is fully equipped with short swing link bogies, as the former XC sets were, it isn't allowed on to third-rail equipped routes, like Dorchester-Weymouth.

Interesting that Mark Hopwood confirms that FGW may have to return some sets to ATW in the Spring and that they will do their best to replace them. With what I ask as we keep hearing there is zip left to hire?

It also makes me wonder how they will cope with providing extra sets for summer Weymouths if sets do go back to ATW with FGW recently confirming no loco hauled on this line this coming summer. See below post:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4091.0

I did raise this 'rumour' some weeks ago as it was mentioned by a suit and covered in the FGW staff handout.  Although splitting of the Pompey 3 car 158s would be a disaster, I have heard on the grapevine that it remains a last ditch option.

HST's have run to Weymouth before.

Via Bournemouth, yes. But what about via Yeovil? The idea floated here was for one to operate from Bristol.

Im sure i read on here somewhere that a Turbo used to do an excursion down to Weymouth? Am i Imaginging that? if it did, does that mean it's cleared?

Arriva have to give three months notice for the return of the rolling stock.  AIUI they have not done so yet but it could happen at anytime.  I am sure we will hear about it if it does happen.

They operated between Westbury and Weymouth in July 1994 during the Tall Ships Race which began in Weymouth to cover the extra passenger loadings that took place at the time. So yes there is history of Turbos operating on the Weymouth line.

But if you're looking at a Bristol to Weymouth, the Turbos aren't cleared Westbury to Bathampton - I understand that there are clearance issues along  the platforms at Trowbridge station and under Dundas aquaduct.

Cue Melksham? ;)

No rolling stock.

Quite frankly I'd be perfectly happy sitting on a wooden crate in the bowels of an EWS truck. All I want is a useable train service. I'm not fussy! Anything will do!

Quite frankly I'd be perfectly happy sitting on a wooden crate in the bowels of an EWS truck. All I want is a useable train service. I'm not fussy! Anything will do!

You've solved the rolling stock problem! There's probably a few car wagons spare at Portbury what with the downturn, could be Britain's first double decker commuter trains!  ;D

Bring back motorail!