Snow/Wintry conditions

[whole diary]

[matt_splatt]

i gather several busses are stuck on the A38 / A380 also busses stuck in Oakhampton, will be intresting to see how deep it does get in the bath area its been snowing since 5pm all be it light its causeing lots of problems on the roads hopefully trains will run okay

[moonrakerz]

More "global warming" being moved at Warminster !

[JayMac]

Top work done here, clearing the 'global warming' 

[Chris from Nailsea]

 

[chrisoates]

Visited Bodmin Parkway today (thick fog & still icy).
Platform 2 has been badly affected by the frosts, the paving slabs are at all sorts of odd angles - platform 1 being mostly tarmac is OK.
 

[TheLastMinute]

Had the following email from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) this morning. Seems they are quite happy with how they fared during the wintry weather. I've think that with a few notable exceptions (i.e. the Severn Beach & Swindon to Westbury lines) FGW did deliver a very good service and on several occasions last week it was the only public transport still running. Well done to all the staff involved!

Last week saw some of the worst weather conditions for travelling in well over a decade. With many roads at a standstill and airports and other transport hubs closed, I'm very pleased First Great Western was able to continue running the vast majority of services for our customers.

I am particularly proud of the huge efforts put in by staff across our business who continue to work hard to keep services running and keep our stations and platforms clear of snow and ice. Thanks to their efforts and our severe weather planning, more than 90% of our services were able to run.

The difficult conditions meant that a small number of customers' journeys were affected, so I would like to thank everyone for their patience as we worked to deliver a service in very challenging circumstances.

With the forecast still looking unsettled, we'll continue to work with Network Rail to keep your trains running and deliver the best possible service.

Finally, when you are travelling with us and please do take extra care during this wintry weather. Allow enough time to catch your train and please don't rush as car parks, platforms and stairways may be slippery.

We continuously update our website, with our latest travel information, so please check before you travel.

Thank you again, 

Mark Hopwood
Managing Director
First Great Western

TLM

[ChrisB]

I got an explanation re the Severn Beach line's service cancellations and it's down to the 4 sets of points that Network Rail wanted to pin to Main Line operation, hence isolating the line.

[JayMac]

I'm not an expert on pointwork, but do the points at Narroways Junction onto the SVB line not have points heaters fitted?

[ChrisB]

Apparently not.

And point heaters keep frost at bay, buty aren't designed to melt snow.

[grahame]

I got an explanation re the Severn Beach line's service cancellations and it's down to the 4 sets of points that Network Rail wanted to pin to Main Line operation, hence isolating the line.

Yep, that confirms what's written elsewhere - thanks, Chris.   Did you get an explanation re: the TransWilts, which they were suddenly able to reopen when they wanted it as a diversiionary route?

[ChrisB]

No, but I can ask.....

[grahame]

No, but I can ask.....

Thanks, Chris!

[Ollie]

I got an explanation re the Severn Beach line's service cancellations and it's down to the 4 sets of points that Network Rail wanted to pin to Main Line operation, hence isolating the line.

Yep, that confirms what's written elsewhere - thanks, Chris.   Did you get an explanation re: the TransWilts, which they were suddenly able to reopen when they wanted it as a diversiionary route?

I think you probably answered your own question Graham.

[willc]

And coming next, flooding. The Thames is now on Flood Watch through Oxford, with a lot of melted snow heading downstream from the Cotswolds, so probably touch-and-go time again at Kennington junction. The Environment Agency did a fair bit of clearance work on the river channels through Oxford last year so we shall see if that helps keep the track and signals dry.

[Henry]

 First two X/C's started at Exeter this morning, not much good if you are stood at Totnes.

 High Tide at Dawlish.