Great Western Coffee Shop

Blimey, devon_metro - if you don't know, nobody else will!  :o  ;D

No increase in the permitted speeds on the Paignton branch as a result of the last engineers blockade. There will be no further increases in speed until somebody puts in some CWR on the section between the former Aller Jn and Kingskerswell which is currently 45mph on jointed track on the down road.

A nasty bit of track that, particularly on a 14x

The government has refused to improve rail services to Torbay despite a plea by MP Adrian Sanders.

Mr Sanders, who is campaigning for better train links to the Bay, said Government ministers revealed it is quicker to travel the 400 miles north of the border than the 200 to Torbay. Mr Sanders said it takes under four hours to get to Scotland from London compared with more than four hours to the Bay. "It takes about three hours, 45 minutes to get from Kings Cross to over the Scottish border," he said. "The Government has been reducing journey times and increasing services to the north of England while increasing times and removing services from London to the South West. They should be improving services to the region rather than giving up and taking away services just because they do not do well."

In December, South West Trains' services to Torbay will be cut. Network Rail's route draft strategy also paves the way for First Great Western services to be removed from 2012.

Mr Sanders said despite Torquay and Paignton being mainline stations, the minister had effectively demoted them to branch line status, endorsed the removal of services and constituted a refusal to look at the impact on the tourist industry.

Mr Sanders asked Chris Mole, Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Department for Transport, to assess the effect on the tourism industry of the proposed cuts. Mr Mole said: "First Great Western operates two daily services to Torbay via Taunton which take around three and a quarter hours, and South West Trains operates two slower services via Yeovil which take around four and a quarter hours. The South West Trains services will be withdrawn in December 2009. Few passengers use these services to travel to Torbay from London, and regular faster services are available from London to Torbay by changing at Newton Abbot."

Mr Sanders replied: "I am not sure many other constituencies face a halving of their direct line services to London. The Waterloo service is cheaper than First Great Western and is used by people, including occasionally the MP for Torbay, to get from the constituency to London. Will the Minister review the situation in the light of the fears of the tourist industry that it will lose custom as a result of those cuts?"

Mr Mole said: "I assure the honourable Gentleman the number of trains on the Torbay branch line will remain the same, providing access to Torbay. The department has received no representations from South West Tourism on this issue."

Mr Sanders said this denial was in the face of several meetings between himself, the Torbay Line Rail Users Group, ministers and officials. He said: "The Government has been remorselessly eroding rail services to Torbay for years."

From the Herald Express (http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/MP-s-anger-cuts-rail-service/article-1459529-detail/article.html):

From the Herald Express (http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/MP-s-anger-cuts-rail-service/article-1459529-detail/article.html):



Mr Sanders asked Chris Mole, Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Department for Transport, to assess the effect on the tourism industry of the proposed cuts. Mr Mole said: "First Great Western operates two daily services to Torbay via Taunton which take around three and a quarter hours,

Also with Torquay/Paignton losing 'dedicated'

From the Herald Express (http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/MP-s-anger-cuts-rail-service/article-1459529-detail/article.html):

I was in awe at the sheer rubbish in this article when reading this morning. The sheer number of innacuaries and irrelevant snippets of info.

... I'd like to congratulate Great Western for having services that get to Stoke Canon in under 2 hours from Paddington. It'd just be picky to point out there isn't a station there.

I like the sentence about reaching Scotland from Kings Cross in 3h45m. That may be true but given that there's no station till Dunbar and it's at least another 25m to Edinburgh, it isn't actually that useful. In the same way, I'd like to congratulate Great Western for having services that get to Stoke Canon in under 2 hours from Paddington. It'd just be picky to point out there isn't a station there.

On Radio Devon, FGW said they will fix it and place a 3 Car Unit on the service.

2v3 again today! Good job its Christmas  ;)

Rail users have been reassured that direct train services linking Paignton with Paddington will not be cut, and could even be increased.

The prospect of a third direct service to London from Torbay is the subject of current discussions between First Great Western and the Department of Transport.

But rail campaigners say the Bay is still losing out on a potential 400,000 visitors a year because of poor rail links and facilities.

Fears had been raised that Torbay could lose its London connection completely following the withdrawal of South West Trains between Waterloo and Paignton. The trains now travel no further west than Exeter.

Members of the Torbay Rail Line Users group raised concerns about the Bay's First Great Western London service in a presentation to Torbay Council's Transport Working Party.

Roger Dixon said Torbay MP Adrian Sanders had lobbied ministers over the prospect of visitors having to change at Exeter or Newton Abbot because of proposals to cut FGW direct services to Paignton from 2012. But the ministers had restated plans to trim train services in many areas of the UK, including Devon.

Mr Dixon said the prospect of cutting Torbay services had been highlighted in a study by Network Rail and the Department of Transport on future use of the system. He said: "The council needs to lobby the Department of Transport to make sure they understand the impact this could have on Torbay. We estimate Torbay could be missing out on a potential 400,000 overnight visitors a year because it does not have the level of train services resorts such as Scarborough have. We have to chase up the Department of Transport to make sure direct services between Torbay and London are included in the franchise specifications in future."

General manager of FGW, Julian Crow, said he believed there had been a misunderstanding. "There is absolutely no intention to cease running through services to Torbay," he said. He said they had added the second service to Paignton and have put proposals to the Government for a third train, arriving in Paignton mid-morning. "We carried out consultation last autumn and were grateful for the council's support and are awaiting approval but remain optimistic it will get the go ahead," he said. "It is simply not the case that through services are at risk. We have had a good year on local services in Devon and Cornwall and are still seeing growth."

Torbay Rail Line Users chairman John Hartley said in the 1950s some 80 per cent of tourists used trains, this was now down to three to four per cent. The group was keen to work with Torbay Council to maximise train use in the area.

Cllr Ian Doggett, a member of the group, also raised concerns about Cross Country services to the North East and North West.

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE APPEAL FOR WITNESSES AFTER ASSAULT ON TRAIN BETWEEN EXETER AND TORRE

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for witnesses after a passenger was assaulted on board a train between Exeter and Torre rail stations.

Officers are urging anyone with information about the incident which took at 8.50pm place on Sunday 2 May to come forward.

The victim was travelling on the 8pm Exeter to Paignton service. As the train approached Torre station rail station, a male passenger in his forties punched the victim on the back of his head as the victim got up to leave the train.

The offender is described as being in his early forties, about 5ft 9in, of medium build, with a pale complexion. He had an inch-long scar on his left cheek, mousey hair that was greying and was wearing a khaki baseball cap, and a baggy jacket and trousers.

It is believed the offender remained on the train until Paignton.

A lack of night staff cover at Torquay's main railway station has been criticised.

Eighty-seven-year-old Stan Pearson and his wife, Corinne, who is in her 70s, say they were alarmed to find the Torquay station at Rathmore Road deserted when they arrived at 6.49pm after a trip to see family upcountry.

Mr Pearson, of Hesketh Road, Torquay, who says he is an infrequent rail traveller, said he has written to the station operators to complain.

First Great Western says there has been no nighttime cover for a considerable number of years but there are other security measures in place.

Mr Pearson said: "Torquay is by no means a village halt, and I find it disgusting that we could arrive back in our home town to find there was no one from the railway company to offer us any assistance.

"We both felt very vulnerable wandering about in the dark, trying to decide what to do before we remembered to use a mobile phone to call a taxi."

Mr Pearson said it was the taxi driver who told him the station was unmanned after 5pm.

He said "I am aware that there is a recession and that it is necessary to save on overheads, but to leave a main line station like Torquay without even a night watchman on duty seems to be going too far.

"Supposing one of us had an accident leaving the train and there was no one to help us?"

Train operator First Great Western says on weekdays the station is staffed between 7.10am and 5pm, with slightly shorter periods at weekends.

A spokesman said: "The station is accredited by the British Transport Police under the secure stations scheme, is well lit, and utilises CCTV. A new help point is currently being installed. Customers who may require help on the train or on arrival at their destination station can have assisted travel by calling 0800 197 1329."

The majority of people passing through Torquay in the evening spend approximately 30 seconds on the station before exiting at the gate by the car park, having staff about would be a waste of time.

From the Herald Express (http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Couple-s-alarm-lack-night-cover-rail-station/article-3106528-detail/article.html):

From the Herald Express (http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Couple-s-alarm-lack-night-cover-rail-station/article-3106528-detail/article.html):

Might improve ticket revenue though, eh?

Might improve ticket revenue though, eh?

I've never changed ends at Torquay!

From the Herald Express (http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Couple-s-alarm-lack-night-cover-rail-station/article-3106528-detail/article.html):

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE APPEAL FOR WITNESSES AFTER ATTEMPTED ROBBERY ^ TORRE

British Transport Police (BTP) detectives investigating an alleged attempted robbery at Torre railway station in Devon are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

BTP received a call shortly after 7pm on Saturday 12 February that two teenage girls had been approached by a man who tried to grab one of the girls^ handbags at Torre railway station.

The girls, aged 16 and 17, boarded a train towards Exeter St David^s but the man alleged to have attempted to steal the bag also boarded the same train.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary met the train when it arrived at Newton Abbot railway station and detained the man after he got off the train and ran towards the High Street.

Detective Constable Dean Jeffery, of BTP, said: ^We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed what happened at Torre railway station ^ particularly a teenage boy who was sat in the shelter on the platform next to the girls ^ to come forward.

^The incident took place between 6.45pm and 7pm on Saturday 12 February, so I would urge anyone who was at Torre station at that time, to come forward as you may have key information which can assist our investigation.^

A 22-year-old man from Newton Abbot arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery has been bailed to attend Torquay police station on Monday 28 February.

What a lovely part of the South West Torre station is.

didn't the Rev Pro team have an outing there last week?

07:09 Paignton to St James' Park due 08:21

This train will be started from Newton Abbot.It will no longer call at: Paignton, Torquay and Torre.This is due to an earlier train fault. Service will be started at Newton Abbot due to 143603 failing with an NRN fault

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? POLICE HUNT MAN WHO ASSAULTED TRAIN GUARD ^ PAIGNTON
 
British Transport Police (BTP) officers are calling on the public to help find a man who assaulted a train guard on board a train in Devon.

Officers have today released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in relation to the incident which happened between 3.13pm and 3.34pm on Saturday 16 July 2011 on board a train between Paignton and Newton Abbot.

PC Steve Holliday, investigating officer, said: ^A group of about 10 men joined the 1513hrs Paignton to Exmouth train at Paignton railway station. During the journey, the female train guard was carrying out ticket checks when one of group of men slapped her bottom. Other members of group later apologised to the victim but the man who is believed to have slapped the guard said nothing. The group alighted at Newton Abbot at 3.34pm, although the guard believes they all had tickets to travel to Exeter. Enquiries are ongoing and we are now in the position to release CCTV images of a man we believe will have information which can assist the investigation.

^We are now calling on the public to help identify and locate him. Incidents such as this towards rail staff will not be tolerated and we will do everything in our power to find those responsible and take the appropriate action. But we need the public^s assistance. If you know the identity or whereabouts of the man in the photographs, I would urge you to contact BTP.^

Anyone with information which they believe can assist the investigation is asked to call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number B5/WWA of 02/09/2011. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ON TRAIN ^ NEWTON ABBOT/TORRE

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for information after a man refused to pay for his fare subjected a member train conductor to abuse on board a train in Devon.

Officers have today released a CCTV image of a man they want to identify and speak to in connection with the incident which took place on a train between Newton Abbot and Torre railway stations at around 1.40pm on Friday, 7 October 2011.

Investigating officer, PC Michael Stupple, said: ^The female guard on board the 1303hrs Exeter St Davids to Paignton service was checking tickets on the service when she encountered a man who had no ticket and refused to pay for one. He then subjected the guard to a torrent of abuse repeatedly swearing at her. This was also head by other passengers on board the train.^

The man was in the company of another man, who paid his fare and caused the guard no issues. Both of the men, who also had dogs with them, got on the train at Newton Abbot rail station

PC Stupple added: ^After viewing CCTV images from on board the train, I would like to identify and speak to the man in these photographs as I believe he will have information which can assist. The man we would like to speak to also had a dog with him which is described as a brown Staffordshire Bull Terrier with dark markings.

^Anti-social behaviour towards rail staff is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Staff have the right to go about their duties without being subjected to abuse or aggression from passengers. Similarly, other passengers should not be subjected to foul language or anti-social behaviour from others.^

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number B5/WWA of 24/11/2011, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Extra trains on the Riviera Line

(http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276409/Article/images/20057177/5471308-large.jpg)

Rail passengers are set to benefit from more frequent trains on the Riviera Line between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton from December 9, thanks to European funding.

There will be four extra trains each way between Newton Abbot and Paignton, calling at Torre and Torquay.

There will also be two new stopping services each way between Exeter St Davids and Paignton, and more connections at Newton Abbot with main line trains to and from Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and London.

The improved service is thanks to an EU project called Citizens' Rail to develop local and regional railways in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Along with the extra trains, improvements will be made to stations on the Riviera Line between Paignton and Exeter, a major marketing campaign, work to involve the community in the line and a new officer employed at the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to coordinate activities.

The project is 50 per cent funded by the EU's INTERREG IVB programme. Local partners include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

The aim is for two trains an hour, said Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet member for economy and growth. He said: "We know from local experience that having more frequent trains is key to attracting new passengers.  We hope that, as patronage grows, services can develop to meet our aim of two trains an hour between Exeter and Paignton."

Torbay Council's highways spokesman Cllr Ray Hill, said: "This is a major step forward for Torbay's railway, the Riviera Line. We welcome the extra journeys which complements the work already undertaken between Torbay Council and First Great Western, providing improvements to the appearance of the stations. Not only will they make local public transport journeys even more convenient, they will also mean easier and more reliable connections to main line services to travel up and down the country. This is vital in attracting rail passengers to come and visit Torbay."

Project Manager, Richard Burningham of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership said: "By being part of this international project, we will be able to learn from rail expertise from across North West Europe.  A big part of Citizens' Rail is about getting people involved with their railway. Local residents and community organisations will be asked what improvements they would like to see and there will also be lots of opportunities too for volunteers to get involved, from lending their gardening skills to helping with redecorating."

The new timetable and further information about the project is available at www.citizensrail.org/devon or by calling 01752 584777.

Highly unlikely that any of these extra trains will be Class 180s,...

or even 59 if they get really hard up!

Suicidal man 'caused havoc' and left Bristol Rovers fans stranded in Exeter when he threatened to jump off bridge

A suicidal man left hundreds of Bristol Rovers fans stranded in Exeter on the first day of the football season when he threatened to jump from a bridge onto a main line.

Jeremy Stewart tried to jump off the same bridge in Torbay twice in the space of a few weeks and injured a police officer who tried to stop him.

He caused 12 trains to be cancelled on August 5 and caused havoc for trains in the South West after services were cancelled.

A judge ordered he should receive help from the probation service after hearing how he was suicidal at the time.

Stewart, aged 40, of Bay View, Paignton, admitted trespassing on the railway and disrupting trains on August 3 and causing actual bodily harm to Sergeant John Branwell during the earlier incident on July 27.

He was made subject of a community order under which she will receive supervision from the probation service for 12 months.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, told him:^I understand the circumstances in which this happened and accept you did not intend to hurt the police officer but were reckless when you did so.^

Highly unlikely that any of these extra trains will be Class 180s, and they certainly won't be in the livery featured in the accompanying picture.  ::)

Any West Country journalists or copy editors out there who would like some up to date pictures of passenger rolling stock in use on the Greater Western network, do drop me a line. You can have some of mine for nothing more than picture credit.  ;)

Pastries giveaway as two train connections an hour launched

THE dream of two train connections an hour in South Devon begins on Monday.

A year on from the launch of an EU project, Torbay is one of the first areas nationally to benefit from the Citizens' Rail project. And passengers will get free European pastries at Paignton station to mark the launch.

Tulips help brighten Torquay railway station

Torquay railway station is being brightened up with Dutch tulips.

The ROC community gardening group has continued its transformation of the station, planting tulips donated by the EU Citizens' Rail project. The First Great Western Station Adoption project gives people with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills and to work towards a nationally recognised qualification.

The group's weekly gardening work at Torquay station was shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise and Community Impact category of the Herald Express Business Awards. Learner David Maltby said of the project: "I love doing it, it's so brilliant."

The work on the station rockery has been supported by funding from Citizens' Rail, the EU project to develop local and regional railways including the line between Torbay and Exeter.

Now the spirit of international cooperation has seen the group planting Dutch tulips donated on a recent visit by Paul Alzer from Citizens' Rail's Dutch partner Parkstad Limburg, a region near the southern border with Germany and Belgium. Nicky Church, ROC personalisation manager, said: "The people who we support have devoted their time, enthusiasm and sheer hard work into this project and are doing so with a view to gaining the necessary skills and experience to get a job."

Celia Minoughan, Citizens' Rail Riviera Line officer for the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: "The group were delighted with the bulbs, and it was great to hear their plans to expand the project and bring more colour to all of Torbay's stations in future."

^2.6m plan to transform Paignton's railway station

(http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276409/Article/images/24569721/8185520-large.jpg)
UPGRADE PLANS: Paignton railway station ANDY UGLOW, PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY

A ^2.6 million plan to breath new life into Paignton railway station has been unveiled.

Torbay Council and First Great Western are drawing up the proposals which would transform the town centre station.

Torbay has made a bid for Growth Fund cash towards the scheme. A council spokesman said the work involved a general upgrade of the station building and facilities.

A spokesman said: "Exact details haven't been drawn up, but it is likely to include a redesigned ticket hall/entrance, better connectivity to the bus station, improved waiting area and other general improvements. We are aware the footbridge at the station is currently under refurbishment and this work is being carried out by Network Rail. A bid has been submitted to the Local Growth Fund through the Local Enterprise Partnership regarding a larger refurbishment for the station. The bid was for ^1.5million to cover a scheme of around ^2.4million. The remainder of the cost (^0.9million) will be met by private investment. We will know if this has been successful early in 2015."

A First Great Western spokesman said: "Paignton is an important station for us. It has a footfall of 590,000 passengers a year and provides connectivity to and from the wider Torbay area. We have recently enhanced services to Paignton, to provide two trains an hour during a typical weekday ^ an extra 300 seats a day. These services prove our commitment to the line."

Matthew Dart, Paignton town centre manager, said: "I think it's great they have decided to spend money on Paignton. The bus station has already been improved and Dartmouth Steam Railway has improved its station so it is all coming together. I think Paignton is starting to get noticed now. We have a great transport hub in the town centre with the buses, taxis, trains and steam trains all within five minutes walk of the seafront and seconds from the shops. Hopefully, it will encourage bigger companies to come here and open up."

Historic English Riviera rail stations restored

(http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276409/Article/images/24560125/8177688-large.jpg)
Torquay Railway Station, from left; Richard Sutton TDA, Steve Brimacombe JSS Rail Ltd and Torquay Mayor Gordon Oliver.

Passengers travelling along the Riviera Line that links Exeter with Torbay are set to benefit from a more pleasant travelling experience as Network Rail and First Great Western continue their revamp of stations along this route.

Since 2012, Torbay Council has been working with the companies to refurbish and aesthetically enhance stations along this line by restoring their historic infrastructure and redecorating them in the traditional Riviera colours of poppy red, holly green and honeysuckle cream. Details of this work are as follows:

Torre station ^ in 2012 the station^s Grade II listed footbridge was refurbished as were the platform canopies in 2013. The station was also redecorated.

Paignton station ^ earlier this year work started to refurbish the station^s footbridge and platform canopies. This work will shortly be completed and the station will also be redecorated.

Torquay station ^ work has now started to refurbish the station^s Grade II listed footbridge, platform canopies and forecourt canopies. In additional to the Riviera colours, metallic gold will also feature as Torquay uses this additional embellishment. This work is due to be completed in May 2015.

Torbay^s Mayor, Gordon Oliver, said: ^I am pleased to welcome the next stage of Network Rail^s work at Torquay station which follows their excellent renovation of the road bridge last year. The partnership that we have created to address long standing challenges is now transforming this historic environment. This work follows the national recognition the station received when the community group ROC Aspects and First Great Western were praised for their stunning work on the station landscaping.^

Simon Gyde, Network Rail^s asset manager for the Western route, said: ^This work is not only necessary to extend the life of these footbridges and canopies, but also to improve the environment of these stations for the 1.2m people who use the Riviera Line each year. We have worked closely with First Great Western and Torbay Council to ensure that the renovation of these historic buildings is sensitively undertaken and to minimise any disruption while work is taking place. I would like to thank passengers for their continued patience and hope that once completed, this work will enhance their travelling experience and help to improve the running of these stations.^

Dan Okey, First Great Western^s regional development manager for the west, said: ^We have been working hard with our partners in Devon and Cornwall to invest and provide the improvements we know our passengers want to see. This investment will also see us increase services from Paignton to two an hour, providing an extra 300 seats per weekday from December this year. In addition, future plans will see us improve facilities at both Torre and Exeter St Thomas stations, allowing passengers to take better advantage of the full range of services that we offer.^