Storms Eunice, Franklin, Gladys from 18/2/2022

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

Have I missed it in the reading, or are they not telling us about Swindon to Westbury?

Cardiff-Portsmouth not shown either. We know it won’t be starting and ending in Cardiff of course.

[Timmer]

Cardiff-Portsmouth not shown either. We know it won’t be starting and ending in Cardiff of course.

Looking at Journeycheck it looks like a two hourly service between Bristol and Portsmouth tomorrow.

[bobm]

Have I missed it in the reading, or are they not telling us about Swindon to Westbury?

They haven’t so they run as the existing temporary timetable I assume.  (And Westbury to Swindon).

[jamestheredengine]

Bit odd that they've gone for terminating both the Paddington-Swansea and Cardiff-Taunton services at Bristol Parkway from opposite directions, plus the Cheltenham Spa service at Swindon. Paddington-Cheltenham and Swindon-Bristol Parkway-Taunton would have made much more sense.

[jamestheredengine]

All TfW services withdrawn tomorrow and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) only going as far west as Bristol Parkway.

As I understand it, this was a Network Rail decision to close the entire Wales "Route". This certainly caught Avanti by surprise, who had intended to run a couple of journeys to/from Holyhead.

[bobm]

Although of course there are intermediate calls I wonder if the ferries will be running once you get to Holyhead.  I guess the worst of the weather is further south.  (There’s a fair few “violent storm 11”s in the shipping forecast.)

[brooklea]

Have I missed it in the reading, or are they not telling us about Swindon to Westbury?

They haven’t so they run as the existing temporary timetable I assume.  (And Westbury to Swindon).

Currently only the 07:05 Westbury to Cheltenham cancelled.

[JayMac]

All schools, colleges etc across Somerset are closed tomorrow.

[RichT54]

A new Red warning has just been issued for SE England valid from 10:00 to 15:00.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-02-18&id=e772aed2-9ec5-490c-9b78-882b72b09304&details

[broadgage]

A new Red warning has just been issued for SE England valid from 10:00 to 15:00.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-02-18&id=e772aed2-9ec5-490c-9b78-882b72b09304&details

This I view with great concern as the area affected is much larger and more populous than that covered by the earlier red warning for parts of the South West.
Despite the fact that I live in Somerset. It is windy at present, but not yet extreme.

[Timmer]

A new Red warning has just been issued for SE England valid from 10:00 to 15:00.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-02-18&id=e772aed2-9ec5-490c-9b78-882b72b09304&details

Based on the latest forecast model runs and their consistency, it was looking increasingly likely that the Met office would need to issue a further Red warning overnight and this has turned out to be the case.

A lot of folk were asking on forums and social media why a Red warning wasn’t issued sooner. This is the highest level of warning that the Met office have in their locker, there is no higher warming they can issue so you only bring it out when it’s absolutely essential to.

It’s somewhat disappointing that the message of taking an Amber warning seriously maybe isn’t getting across, so perhaps this may need reviewing at a later date.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Network Rail and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) don’t even attempt to start up a service this morning. People really shouldn’t be traveling unless absolutely essential.

[broadgage]

In my view, all reasonable efforts should made to provide a basic urban commuter service. Many people including those in vital public public services, are reliant on the train to get to work.

The relatively short routes are somewhat easier to clear of trees and other obstructions. Significantly reduced speeds are reasonable.

How is a doctor resident in Reading to get to work in a London hospital if they dont drive and there are no trains ?

Longer distance services should operate if possible but are in my view a lower priority. Very few London hospital doctors live in Plymouth. Leisure travelers might be postponing their journey in any case.

There is also a more general consideration, that we should be encouraging green transport choices rather than driving. If urban commuter services are not available in extreme weather, then key workers might feel the need to buy a car instead.
Having purchased the vehicle and paid the fixed costs thereof, then the petrol cost may compare favourably to the train fare.

So even a few days a year of rail closures may significantly encourage driving at the expense of train travel.

[REVUpminster]

No trains on the Devon and Cornwall branches except Exmouth is the mantra on TV; but how many customers think that means Paignton which is technically mainline.

The first train was cancelled terminated short at Newton Abbot but the next two have run from Paignton.

[TaplowGreen]

In my view, all reasonable efforts should made to provide a basic urban commuter service. Many people including those in vital public public services, are reliant on the train to get to work.

The relatively short routes are somewhat easier to clear of trees and other obstructions. Significantly reduced speeds are reasonable.

How is a doctor resident in Reading to get to work in a London hospital if they dont drive and there are no trains ?

Longer distance services should operate if possible but are in my view a lower priority. Very few London hospital doctors live in Plymouth. Leisure travelers might be postponing their journey in any case.

There is also a more general consideration, that we should be encouraging green transport choices rather than driving. If urban commuter services are not available in extreme weather, then key workers might feel the need to buy a car instead.
Having purchased the vehicle and paid the fixed costs thereof, then the petrol cost may compare favourably to the train fare.

So even a few days a year of rail closures may significantly encourage driving at the expense of train travel.

You've not thought this through. Put it in the context of a once in several decades event, and think again. Do you really think it's practical to expect people to go out in 80 mph winds and driving rain with chainsaws to clear trees off railway lines?

When there are red weather warnings in place, with winds which (in the words of the Met office) can “sweep people off the streets”, the safety of all concerned takes priority over all else, and quite right too.

In the scenario you suggest, the Reading Doctor would no doubt offer his services at the Royal Berks, or other nearby facility that he could reach safely.

Best batten down the hatches, open a bottle of Port and hope for the best. This is not a day to fret about trains v cars.

I wish everyone all the best today, stay safe all.

[ellendune]

How is a doctor resident in Reading to get to work in a London hospital if they dont drive and there are no trains ?

If it was essential that he was on duty in London the hospital would have arranged for him to stay overnight in London. Most hospitals have overnight accommodation for medical staff on call and on long shifts. 

You might be surprised what messages have been going round employers yesterday in preparation for today.  In my own employers organisation there were messages not to travel unless essential in amber not at all in red.  Meetings were cancelled. Advice issued about shutting down work sites safely and securing them.