Great Western Coffee Shop

Calling our welsh members.

Got an opportunity possibly for a new gig - this time in Swansea - so I'd be swapping FGW for arriva.

Just wondered (1) how far from the station is the DVLA (2) what are the roads like between the two (in terms of cycling) (3) Is there a bike rack at Swansea station safe to leave a bike overnight etc etc

Google maps suggests its 4.2 miles from the station (Swansea), 13 mins by car. However its far closer to Llansamlet however wouldn't have a clue what actually stops there!

Hi - yeah - I did the googlemaps thing - was hoping  a local might know the lay of the land a bit etc etc

I've never made the journey but Swansea High Street is relatively low-lying (fairly close to the harbour in the city centre) whereas I think DVLA is perched on a hill outside town, so it would be an uphill journey in the morning but free-wheeling down at night. I don't know if there are bike racks at the station but I wouldn't want to leave a bike that was worth any money there overnight. According to DVLA website, bus 36 runs from close to the station to the DVLA offices every 20 minutes.

To be honest, its more money than current gig and the train ticket is less so I'd probably be idle and get a cab!

The DVLA is quite a way out of the centre, however there is a regular bus service numbered 36 which goes from the centre to the DVLA which may be of use. May be worth noting that Llansamlet station is relatively closer to the DVLA however the servcie is less frequent as it is a swanline service but the station is within walking distance (2 miles)

Thanks all - if I take this one it will almost certainly be a cab in the morning (train gets into Swansea at 0850) however I have more flexibility returning which will most likely be the 1800 and very occasionally the 2000

If I'm thinking right, there are two DVLA sites - the HQ and the DFT Shared Service Centre site.... I don't know the area of the former, but the latter (which is the 'local office' address IIRC) is quite accessible, and quite a flat cycle ride if you go up the river path and Enterprise Park roads.

I know for a fact its the DFT shared service centre - because the project is replacing their systems

The main building is on top of the hill not all that far from Morriston Hospital and Junc 46 on the M4.  You wouldn't want to be walking from Llansamlet without oxygen and a packed lunch.

The least worst option is a (First) bus from the centre of town. The 36 goes from outside the station.

Here's (http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/wales/swwales/map/index.php) the bus map.

Sorry didn't read all the words.  The shared service centre is on the Swansea Enterprise Park.  Still better to get there by taxi or a no 59 bus rather than from Llansamlet.

The SSC Site (Sandringham House,  SA6 8AJ) is to the north of the Enterprise Park, just east of Morriston, and reasonably close to Llansamlet station - but usually more useful to use Swanea High Street station. Probably easiest to walk from Morriston Cross (half hour walk from the SSC) - see www.firstcymru.co.uk route 4, the controversial 'ftrmetro' (bus trying to be a tram ;-)) is very frequent from outside the station to Morriston, and various other services also cover the route. Weekly pass around ^16.

If using day tickets between the Marches and Swansea, consider splitting at Cardiff and save a tenner.

Edit: just read the update re 59 bus. Be aware it is only hourly (xx:40 from city centre I think) and doesn't pass the station - when I visit that end of the Enterprise Zone I tend to use Morristion Cross services for frequency (and reliability!). I've used the 59 a lot, but not that far up, so not sure how close to the SSC it stops.

I'll probably go season - its an eighteen month committment if I take it so will get an annual season once I make sure I'm going to stick it - might look to see is the season split is cheaper.

2 hours 38 minutes ludlow to Swansea - long journey but.....

(1) its in my home station not worcester (45 minutes drive each way)
(2) Its a direct train
(3) Anywhere in the Thames valley other than reading takes just as long and there's the drive at this end!
(4) Its cheaper to get there and it pays more!
(5) Its  different line than the cotswolds line

I meet them again tomorrow

Avantix suggests that splitting doesn't help with a season - unless you think of another place to split...

I've just re-checked... I think I must have been going with off-peak day returns from Hereford, so the benefit isn't huge at peak times from Ludlow and on peak day tickets anyway... must put brain back in gear!

Suprised you aren't doing FC NWP -SWA rather than sitting on a grotty Arriva unit!

Might do - on the way home - depends on the timings.  The 0611 from Ludlow is direct to Swansea and gets in at 0848 - changing at Newport would make me late I would guess.

To be honest, I don't mind the 175's and the 158's they tend to use - and with a 7 hour battery life so long as I boot it correctly, the laptop will last the journey and can recharge at each end.

There are usually enough tables - certainly to get one on the 0611 although it does get a little cosy south of abergavenny.  This is the one I got during the blockade.

There's a 1732 FGW service from swansea which could connect at Newport with the 1800 from Swansea but I'm not sure the packing up my stuff then having to get settled again is really worth the 1 hour 10 minutes in FC.  Although I do know it only costs 4.55 to upgrade (6.85 after June I believe).

I'd be leaving the house 15 minutes later than I have done last few years and getting home an hour earlier at least!