It shows a general tendency for rail companies to embrace a service rather than a compliance ethos. My morning commute is on a Cross-Country train that gets full after Bromsgrove. The conductor usually makes a tannoy announcement that he will be passing through for customers who require a ticket only, before wandering past without any attempt to check the tickets of all passengers. This strategy is justified by the statement that there are barriers at the next two stations, University and Birmingham New Street. However some passengers use those stations as an interchange with no need to approach the barriers, which may not be operating at all times and, in the case of New Street, can be avoided. 

Hi all

The website for the Ashchurch and Tewkesbury district rail promotion group has moved to http://ashchurchandtewkesburyrail.webs.com/index.htm

Cross Country trains are sending a representative to our next meeting on March 11th at Tewkesbury library.

There is now a website for the Ashchurch rail user group at http://aschurchandtewkesburyrailpromotion.webs.com/