Give and take https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9yvmj9m9vo.

Despite majority opposing speed reduction. Council would possibly cover themselves better if they introduced other 20 mph limits elsewhere in the borough.

 
Comments on new cycle lane in South Gloucestershire https://road.cc/content/news/slips-and-near-misses-new-cycle-lane-317607

The wet leaves on the path are a common problem at this time of year. The problem is probably due to funding, the new path might have come from central government funds, but the local authority has to fund maintenance. If councils sweep roads they very rarely sweep cycle paths (and pavements?).

as the Ranty Highwayman will tell you the form of edging between paths is critical. The elected members got their photo in the press, which is normally the most important part of any project.

 
I'm with Grahame on this; not my world at all. Added to which, given its appalling reliability in 2025 when completing a tour seemed the exception rather than the norm, there seems a high likelihood of being let down.

 
...and Kings Sutton should also be shown on the Marylebone line.  Is it just me, or is GWR's quoted advice over-complicated and cumbersome?

 
Every bus driver has a tale (or three) about school and College pupil transportations on the upper deck.

 
Alterations to services between Liskeard and Looe
Due to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 23/01/26.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
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Heavy rainfall during December combined with high tides resulted in the water levels at several bridges along the branch line being above the level which allows us to safely run trains. This had caused some damage to structures along the line which will require repairs.
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What are we doing about it?
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The water levels dropped allowing Network Rail to inspect the bridges, and it has been found that repairs to the infrastructure are required before we are able to run trains again.
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Storm Goretti brought strong winds and rain to the area overnight Thursday into Friday which has caused the water levels to rise again, which is now delaying the start of the repair work.
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Once the water levels drop again, repair work will be able to begin, and we should then be able to give a more accurate date for the line reopening. Currently we do not expect to run trains until Friday 23rd January at the earliest.

 
New track and first platform blocks laid at Brabazon over Christmas.

https://x.com/networkrailwest/status/2010729478755115050

 
People might find 'Rain-X' (other products are available) a boon for this. It's a hydrophobic coating for glass. An application lasts for months. Good in town and lovely on motorways at speed as the airflow takes over and windscreen wipers can often be stood down for the duration. Rail companies should use it too for carriage glass as a matter of course and hopefully the also important cab glass.

Mark

 
Not sure what’s going on this morning, but the 0523 from Hereford disappeared after Norton Junction (presumably sent via Stroud?) and the 0643 from Shrub Hill is nowhere to be seen. Please don’t say everyone is going to have to squeeze onto the Halts train…

 
Program for this year ...

https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer/journeys

I have taken a look through some of these including (in our GWR area) the long weekend from Victoria to Cornwall.  I'll be giving them a miss; they feel like a different world in which I would feel uncomfortable, and the cost - sure, for a weekend it could be done as a one-off bucket-list pension-lump-sum spend, but not for me.  And the offer or arranging a limo at Victoria to get me back to an airport for my flight home ... does not work ... for Melksham.

 
https://www.facebook.com/reel/685427777987125

 
This topic has been moved to The Lighter Side.

Confirmed as a spoof - a couple of months early for an April Fool's joke.

https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31433.0

 

 
One point which I keep reminding my customers of,many of whom are at least my age ,and many of them older.
Is the importance of having a clean windscreen,especially these days when driving against ,oncoming traffic with high power led headlamps,washers and wipers are ok for daytime driving mostly ,it's in low light or dark evenings that the build up of traffic film,really plays havoc .

 

That's required for a pilot's licence, although it is a minimum number. There are multiple skills to learn, some people take longer to master each bit than others. Learning to drive a car is similar in that the pace of learning varies with the student. Some pick up a tricky concept immediately, others take a while to master something fundamental but then pick up the rest easily. I don't think a set number of hours would work in driving -  practice makes perfect, or if not perfect then acceptable.

 
I also have some macular degeneration in one eye - on pause since the cataract operation, and still road legal. My new licence arrived this afternoon, so the point is now moot here.

 

Still in Wolverton, I think, as of CoP 12 Jamuary.

 
They were quite correct. Last time I travelled the route, all wires were completely missing and only a few supports are left standing.

 
Due to urgent repairs to the railway between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
What's Going On:
Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed by up to 10 minutes or reduced to an hourly service. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 23/02/26.
What We're Doing About It:
Following urgent repairs to the railway, all lines have now reopened. Initial work has taken place to reopen the line. However, due to the complexity of the issues found, the work is likely to take several weeks to be completed.
As a result trains will be subject to minimal delay while they run at a reduced speed along the line and the service will be reduced to an hourly service in order to minimise disruption.
If you need any help with your journey, please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.
We are very sorry for any disruption to your journey.

 
Member 'Ollie' on the Coffee Shop forum and I have chuckled in the past over an 'in joke' anecdote, relating to the now Sir Andrew Haines OBE.

It reflects not at all on Sir Andrew, but rather to an, at that time, First Great Western on-board train ticket checker.

Remember that, Ollie? Image not available to guests

 
Nope - GWR error there, combining both Bicester stations

 

Thanks for that - but there's something wrong there to me.  Bicester Village isn't on the Banbury to Marylebone line is it?  Have I misread something?

 
In which case, I'll add GWRs advice -


See the attached linear map

 
Last Tuesday, the screen at Bath Spa station inferring Oxford to Didcot is wired. (It really should be: to Milton Keynes for starters...)

Mark

Image not available to guests

 
CfN (that's me!) thanks several members here for their informative posts above.

I'm inclined to keep those most recent posts here, in this new topic, as this latest railway closure becomes increasingly topical, timewise.

Chris.

 
It's the Botley Road thread - replacement of rail bridge.

It is (still) running for 8 days (1-8 February inclusive - Sunday to Sunday inclusive)

No trains fast or stoppers between Oxford & Didcot. What the Mail  means is that there are also no *fast* trains Oxford <-> Banbury, but the GWR stoppers *are* still running (from Platform 1 & 2).

They are building two bridges over the through lines across Oxford station which will form a one-way system pedestrian walkway from Botley Road to the City Centre. So if you have ever wanted to walk across from one throgh platform to the other, now is your chance!

 

 
Thank you for your update post here, a-driver. Image not available to guests