Travel chaos in the Maidenhead area 20 Apr 2010

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

From the Maidenhead Advertiser online [urlhttp://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-15912-breaking-news-gas-crash-causes-traffic-chaos/][/url]
The cause of the short working this evening

Travel chaos has mounted in Maidenhead following a gas leak.

Emergency services were called to Cannon Lane at about 5.20pm after a motorist driving a Peugeot 406, crashed into gas supply equipment.

A police spokesman said that the driver possibly suffered from a "medical episode at the wheel and the injuries were not thought to be life threatening."

The incident has meant that there are major disruptions on the Maidenhead rail line.

Cannon Lane and Highfield Lane have both been closed.

[Mookiemoo]

Yeah - The first day I'm back in the office using the cotswolds line, and this happens.

Now on the 1943 to Euston in the vague hope of getting back to worcester some time TODAY

[devon_metro]

1730 Paddington - Taunton first train caught up in the down direction.

[Mookiemoo]

1730 Paddington - Taunton first train caught up in the down direction.

aaaaagggggghhhhhhhhhh

I COULD have been on the 1722!!!!!!!!

But since I was meeting someone in worcester at 9pm I could not see the point in hanging around there for an hour so decided to work late and get the 1822

I said months ago I'm jinxed - I am you know!

[cholsey]

I was on the 1730.  The taxi firms of Maidenhead had a good evening.  Curious to know if the promise "road replacement service" ever showed up - it hasn't by 1945 when I left.

[devon_metro]

1730 Paddington - Taunton first train caught up in the down direction.

aaaaagggggghhhhhhhhhh

I COULD have been on the 1722!!!!!!!!

But since I was meeting someone in worcester at 9pm I could not see the point in hanging around there for an hour so decided to work late and get the 1822

I said months ago I'm jinxed - I am you know!

1722 ran through Reading near enough right time! Sods law!

[Mookiemoo]

Could the lack of Promised coaches have anything to do with the mobilization of the Madrid bus lift

[johoare]

I got to Paddington at half past six for the 18.33.. After a long wait I was on the first train out at 19.15 which was a stop everywhere to Maidenhead, although by the time we got past Slough the line had then been fully opened and it went on through to Reading. By the time I got off at Maidenhead at 20.15 there were intercities going through too..

The only other trains that had left were one that went to Slough, the Heathrow express (I imagine that was quite empty) and the Heathrow Connect.. I did wonder, since the Heathrow connect was leaving quite regularly, why my train had to stop everywhere. I'm sure there is a good reason but first stop Hayes would have made more sense and allowed more people from beyond there to actually get the train as we left people behind at Paddington.. The people up until Hayes already had their normal regular service..?

Anyway only an hour and a half delay and no one seemed to be getting upset about the delays.. The man making announcements at Paddington was very sorry quite a lot which helped I think..

[Mookiemoo]

And there again is proof that whatever decision I make is wrong. 

At 1910 I was talking to the information guy who said they were expecting an update at 1930 but all it would be is an update and if I had an alternate route to use it.  So I high tailed it to euston - five minutes before the first train ran but I wanted the 1943 off euston.

Now here I am at new street waiting for the 2200 departure to get me in at 2248 when the train that left at 2000 from pad is expected in at 2230.

I am reginald reincarnated

[johoare]

Oh dear.. you must have been at Paddington the same time as me.. We should all have a meeting point (a bar preferably  ) next time this sort of things happens and just sit it out...

[Boppy]

Hey that's a good idea Johoare.  A bar sides ideal!

I got to Paddington at 18.45 and did the usual should I or shouldn't I jump back on the tube to Waterloo and get the chug-along line to Reading contemplation.  I'm glad I stuck around Paddington this time.  I avoided getting the 19.15 to Maidenhead service that was run - so many people were trying to get on it I gave up.

Jumped on the 19.06 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) train when it was ready (it left just after and got home about an hour and a half late so not too bad.

[Ollie]

The only other trains that had left were one that went to Slough, the Heathrow express (I imagine that was quite empty) and the Heathrow Connect.. I did wonder, since the Heathrow connect was leaving quite regularly, why my train had to stop everywhere. I'm sure there is a good reason but first stop Hayes would have made more sense and allowed more people from beyond there to actually get the train as we left people behind at Paddington.. The people up until Hayes already had their normal regular service..?

How about anyone at stations between Paddington and Hayes that want to get to stations West Drayton - Maidenhead/Reading?

[Mookiemoo]

You see my problem is the unique nature of the cotswolds line.

When this sort of thing kicks off I know the priority is going to be bristol/south wales passengers and not us old worcester/herefords

[Mookiemoo]

However my question is this.

I have a first class Paddington to Reading ticket and a standard London to Worcester via Evesham (the info guy also told me that virgin would probably accept a ticket - they didnt).

I was supposed to be in Reading earlier in the day - hence the reading part and was then going to travel on from there.  Those plans changed so I intended to board the 1822 and get a Reading WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) extension on the train.  I bought the London terminals to Worcester via evesham when the guy told me virgin would likely accept it - knowing it was a damn sight cheaper.

Do I stand ANY chance of getting my money back on those two tickets.  To be honest, I figured it was cheaper than a hotel and at least I got home which at 1910 was looking unlikely.  i'm just a bit miffed

[Ollie]

Apply for a refund on it as it is unused, although there may be an admin charge applied, but hopefully in light of the circumstances it won't  (don't know for definite whether admin fee applies as incident beyond the control of the railway)