Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2018

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services at London Paddington
Due to urgent repairs to the track at London Paddington fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Reading. Disruption is expected until 10:00 08/08.

[a-driver]

Cancellations to services at London Paddington
Due to urgent repairs to the track at London Paddington fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Reading. Disruption is expected until 10:00 08/08.

Platform 9 is closed due to defective longitudinal timbers.

[SandTEngineer]

Cancellations to services at London Paddington
Due to urgent repairs to the track at London Paddington fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Reading. Disruption is expected until 10:00 08/08.

Platform 9 is closed due to defective longitudinal timbers.

Once again the infrastructure controller not understanding the condition of its assets?........

[TonyK]

Yea, got my C and A mixed, correcting post.

I'm told that can bring tears to the eyes.

[ray951]

Looks like a problem with the signalling system just north of Oxford station.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/199137.aspx

A fault with the signalling system at Oxford is causing disruption to trains at this station. Trains may be delayed by up to 45 minutes, cancelled or revised.

Disruption is expected until 13:00.

Hopefully its not the new signalling system, but looks quite serious as nothing moving at Oxford station on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) or Chiltern.

[IndustryInsider]

Axel counter failure, the first I’ve heard about since the signalling was commissioned.  Repairs hampered by traffic on the Botley Road delaying technicians!

[bobm]

For the second time this month the telephone system has failed between Culham and Heyford meaning all the foot crossings have to be locked out of use.   Until they are trains are having to be cautioned over them - and there are quite a few!

[eightf48544]

What happens to pedestrians who want to cross when they are locked out of use?

[martyjon]

What happens to pedestrians who want to cross when they are locked out of use?

They climb over the gate, listen, look both ways and if the lines clear cross, climb over the other gate, no problem.

[SandTEngineer]

What happens to pedestrians who want to cross when they are locked out of use?

They climb over the gate, listen, look both ways and if the lines clear cross, climb over the other gate, no problem.

I think if you tried that and were caught doing it, you might end up in court for committing tresspass.....

.....as well as endangering your own life (and possibly others).....

[JayMac]

So, Network Rail are free to block public rights of way because of their own failing?

[SandTEngineer]

Yes.

Edit to add:

Public Highways : The Railway obtained priority of way over the public highway and was required to provide gates to fence off the Railway line. The gates were required to close off the roadway and were to be opened to allow road users to pass over the Railway. Subsequently the Railway reversed the arrangement so that the gates were normally across the Railway for obvious reasons. The Railway does maintain the right however to close the road off as it sees fit - i.e. in the event of a failure, however these days this is done co-operatively with the local Highways Authority. In a short notice case such as a failure the Police will be called to close off the road.

Private Roads : These are roads which do not form part of the public highway and are maintained at the owners expense. Typically these give access to a landowner's house. The Railway retains priority of way and the crossing must be adequately fenced and gated.

[a-driver]

Do they lock them out of use?  I thought they just continue to run trains at caution. 

[JayMac]

If they are locked out of use, blocking the legal use of a public footpath, I presume Network Rail have applied for the necessary 'Traffic Regulation Orders'. These are required even if closures are temporary.

Network Rail can't arbitrarily block a public right of way without due process. In an emergency maybe, but not when a phone system (which at many foot crossings it is not mandatory for pedestrians to use) is faulty.

Despite this, Network Rail do act arbitrarily. And on more than one occasion have had to be told by the relevant highway authority to reopen arbitrarily closed crossings.

[SandTEngineer]

If they are locked out of use, blocking the legal use of a public footpath, I presume Network Rail have applied for the necessary 'Traffic Regulation Orders'. These are required even if closures are temporary.

Network Rail can't arbitrarily block a public right of way without due process. In an emergency maybe, but not when a phone system (which at many foot crossings it is not mandatory for pedestrians to use) is faulty.

Despite this, Network Rail do act arbitrarily. And on more than one occasion have had to be told by the relevant highway authority to reopen arbitrarily closed crossings.

BNM.  My post was in reference to failures, not pre-planned works, where as you correctly say a formal 'Road Closure' notice has to be approved by the highway authority in advance of the closure.  Done many of those, and the emergency ones, in my 50 year long (perhaps too long) S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) Career.......