Plymouth

[whole diary]

[Zoe]

I went to Plymouth on Friday and it seems to possibly be the worst connected major city in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom):

No motorway, poor road access from the west.

First direct train from Birmingham arrives at 10:51.

First direct train from London arrives at 11:15.

Last direct train to Birmingham:  18:25.

Last direct train to Bristol and London (other than sleeper):  19:37.

Last train to stations to Exeter (other than sleeper):  21:16.

[super tm]

Sleeper from Paddington provides early morning arrival.

[Btline]

What's wrong with the M5/ A303 (T) and A38 (T) - you can drive from both London and Birmingham without stopping!

[grahame]

I went to Plymouth on Friday and it seems to possibly be the worst connected major city in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom):

It may be one of the worst, but only just.  I tried out another major city ...

First direct train from Birmingham arrives at 10:51. 10:23

First direct train from London arrives at 11:15. 11:10

Last direct train to Birmingham: 18:25.  18:52

Last direct train to London (other than sleeper):  19:37. 19:00

Last train to stations to Exeter:  21:16. 17:08

[devon_metro]

What's wrong with the M5/ A303 (T) and A38 (T) - you can drive from both London and Birmingham without stopping!

Whilst you are correct, the road from London - Plymouth if you stay on a motorway requires a dogleg around the back of Bristol. Very slow indeed.

[vacman]

I went to Plymouth on Friday and it seems to possibly be the worst connected major city in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom):

It may be one of the worst, but only just.  I tried out another major city ...

First direct train from Birmingham arrives at 10:51. 10:23

First direct train from London arrives at 11:15. 11:10

Last direct train to Birmingham: 18:25.  18:52

Last direct train to London (other than sleeper):  19:37. 19:00

Last train to stations to Exeter:  21:16. 17:08

care to share graham?

[thetrout]

What's wrong with the M5/ A303 (T) and A38 (T) - you can drive from both London and Birmingham without stopping!

That road is an absolute nightmare. In some areas it alternatives between single and dual carriageway, which can lead to major traffic congestion. It is also a very fast and dangerous road. You can get some nasty accidents as well. Also road rage is all too often

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the road. Although some of the greasy spoons on route are very good indeed

[Zoe]

The A38 has some substandard sections in the Haldon area.  Plymouth must be one of the largest cities without a motorway.

[John R]

At least it has an early morning arrival from Bristol now, with the 0634 arriving at 0852.

But I agree, it's not particularly great.

I can't work Graham's teaser out either!

[devon_metro]

How about
London Padd d 0606
Reading d 0632
Newbury d 0648
Pewsey d 0705
Westbury d 0724
Castle Cary d 0742
Taunton d 0802
Tiverton d 0815
Exeter SD d 0830
Newton Abbot d 0850
Totnes d 0903
Plymouth a 0930

Penzance a 1130

Depart Penzance d 1200 and go on to form the 1357 from Plymouth (so long as the 0906 is extended to Newquay)

[Zoe]

Depart Penzance d 1200 and go on to form the 1357 from Plymouth (so long as the 0906 is extended to Newquay)

This is a good idea as it would remove the current 4 hour gap in London services.  The only concern I have with your plan is the routing via the Berks and Hants.  I'm not sure that many people would want to travel.  It may be an idea to route via Bristol.  You are more likely to get a person wanting to travel from Swindon to Plymouth at that time than from Pewsey, Westbury or Castle Cary.

[devon_metro]

It would then be about 15/20 minutes slower past Taunton mind.

[Zoe]

In the other direction:

Plymouth d 2100
Totnes d 2127
Newton Abbot d 2140
Exeter St Davids d 22:02
Tiverton Parkway d 22:16
Taunton d 22:32
Bristol Temple Meads a 23:07
Bath Spa d 23:20
Chippenham d 23:33
Swindon d 23:48
Reading d 00:18
London Paddingon a 00:50

[rogerw]

Grahame's city is over half as far again from London than Plymouth.  I think that the comparison of the last train to Exeter is a bit unfair.

[grahame]

care to share graham?

I'm being a bit naughty ... it's Edinburgh which - as rogerw says - is rather further from London / Birmingham than Plymouth is - so it rather confirms the case the Plymouth service ain't all that good.   And, yes, I agree that the Exeter comparison isn't exactly a fair one - I should have added one of these:    I think.