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Great Western Coffee Shop
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
'Beetle and Wedge Boathouse' at Moulsford, on the River Thames
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368892/31190/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:26, 3rd December 2025
 
My favourite restaurant, the Beetle & Wedge at Moulsford (where there was once a ferry across the Thames) ...

I'm glad to see they are still going strong.

Some 50 years ago, when I was a teenager, our family enjoyed several annual holidays in hired wooden cabin cruisers on the River Thames (based around Bourne End, where my grandparents lived) and we enjoyed several meals in the Beetle and Wedge.

CfN. 

Re: Lower Thames Crossing, between Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend in Kent
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368891/30367/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:58, 3rd December 2025
 
From the BBC:

Lower Thames Crossing tunnelling 'to begin in 2028'



The tunnelling process for the Lower Thames Crossing is due to begin in 2028.

National Highways said negotiations to buy one of the world's largest tunnelling machines were now under way.

It would be capable of digging 60 metres below the Thames, creating a new road link between Essex and Kent, and now enables the project to secure private sector investment to deliver the remainder of the construction.

Next summer, work on the northern tunnel entrance where the tunnel machine will begin its journey will get under way.

Matt Palmer, the Highways Agency's executive director of the Lower Thames Crossing project, said the crossing was now on track to be built "in the early 2030s".

The 16.4-metre-wide tunnel boring machine will excavate one of the widest tunnels in the world and it will create the longest road tunnel in the UK.

Tenders are now being welcomed from prospective suppliers who could build the tunnel boring machine.


Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368890/31189/30]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:45, 3rd December 2025
 
Chris from Nailsea will be gutted if there’s no historic picture of Taunton for him to take a guess at.

Ahem.

I never guess at pictures of Taunton, because I know that they are not ... until I'm usually proved wrong.


Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368889/31189/30]
Posted by stuving at 16:41, 3rd December 2025
Already liked by grahame, Oxonhutch
 
6.  Denton station, near Manchester.

It hasn't changed much, over the years, but I'm struggling with a possible date for a black and white photo of it.

A wild guess, therefore: 1970?

Of course that one might be a recent colour picture - even as recent as last year - which has had the colours drained away quizmagisterially.

Children hurt as school bus roof ripped off by bridge - Lancashire, Dec 2025
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368888/31196/51]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:28, 3rd December 2025
 
From the BBC:



Several children have been hurt after the roof of a school double-decker bus was ripped off when it hit a low bridge.

Among the injured was an eight-year-old boy who was taken to hospital with a "non-serious" head injury following the crash on Spendmore Lane, Coppull, Lancashire, at about 12:30 GMT.

The bus was carrying some pupils from Wood Fold Primary School, in Standish, Wigan, the BBC understands. The school declined to comment.

Paramedics assessed the children at the scene and all but the eight-year-old boy were discharged from their care, North West Ambulance Service said. Emergency services remain at the scene and a road closure is in place.



"A number of children suffered injuries, which are thankfully thought to be relatively minor at this time," Lancashire Police said.




Re: Cars getting bigger - is this a concern?
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368887/31190/5]
Posted by Mark A at 15:41, 3rd December 2025
 
It's one of the quoted reasons that the urban bus service route here has been shortened and become less convenient - buses no longer able to keep to time as given that cars have grown, there's less road space for the buses, so, a bit of a doom loop going on there.

Mark

Naming - appropriate?
In "The Lighter Side" [368886/31195/30]
Posted by grahame at 15:23, 3rd December 2025
 
From The National

The public have voted for the names of seven new loch-class ferries being built at Remontowa Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, as part of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

The vessels will serve key routes including Colintraive-Rhubodach, Lochaline-Fishnish, Tarbert-Portavadie, Iona-Fionnphort, Sconser-Raasay, Tobermory-Kilchoan and Tayinloan-Gigha.

More than 1000 votes were cast over three weeks, with members of the public choosing their seven favourite names from a list of 17 options provided by CMAL.

The new Scottish ferry names are:
MV Loch Awe – MV Loch Obha
MV Loch Etive – MV Loch Èite
MV Loch Katrine – MV Loch Ceiteirein
MV Loch Maree – MV Loch Ma-Ruibhe
MV Loch Morar – MV Loch Mòrair
MV Loch Rannoch – MV Loch Raineach
MV Loch Shiel – MV Loch Seile

I know some of these lochs as fresh water ones - are the all fresh water?? And yet the ferries to be named are all to sail on salt water.    Would not naming them after salt water lochs be more appropriate?

Imagine the express trains for Paddington to the South West being named after rivers in East Anglia.


Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368885/31189/30]
Posted by WSW Frome at 15:11, 3rd December 2025
Already liked by grahame
 
After the hint, No 2 is Masbury. The picture looks like a postcard and one can only guess at the 1950's.

Lengthy train, 03/12/2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [368884/31194/14]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:51, 3rd December 2025
 
According to RTT, 1W25 1252 Paddington to Foregate Street today has 18 cars.  Formed of two 9-car units, 802112 and 802113

Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368883/31189/30]
Posted by PrestburyRoad at 14:34, 3rd December 2025
Already liked by Witham Bobby
 
Going back to 9, that building looks just like the survivor at the eastern end of Stroud station - and long may that continue as an example of Brunel's work.

Re: Track defect at Plymouth - November 2025
In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [368882/31121/25]
Posted by GBM at 14:28, 3rd December 2025
 
Cancellations to services between Par and Plymouth
Due to a points failure at Plymouth the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until 15:45 03/12.
Train services between Par and Plymouth may be cancelled or delayed.
Customer Advice
Train services running between Plymouth and the Cornwall are being severely delayed due to a points failure west of Plymouth Station. Engineers from Network Rail are attending, but the fix is likely to take some time. We are currently looking at how best to support customers currently affected, but customers intending to travel may wish to postpone their plans if they are able to.
(Issued 1407 today)

No Gunnislake branch running currently.
2P10 1129 Truro to Plymouth stuck at Albert Road since 1247.
2P13 1229 Truro to Plymouth stuck at Liskeard since 1317.

Liskeard to Looe branch also shut - flooding.

5Z61 1236 Plymouth to Liskeard (175009) parked Up Lostwithiel goods loop

Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368881/31189/30]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:25, 3rd December 2025
 
6.  Denton station, near Manchester.

It hasn't changed much, over the years, but I'm struggling with a possible date for a black and white photo of it.

A wild guess, therefore: 1970?

Winter-time.  To judge from the salt that's been broadcast on the stairs and platform

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368880/31192/31]
Posted by stuving at 14:20, 3rd December 2025
 
I think Google streetview shows the bus is actually on (or just coming off) a side road:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mLaus6bfQRBEAf8P8

That sign is for a little park homes estate up there. The driver has done quite well to get in and turn round again, since the roads are very narrow and steep. That entry was by the shallow angle turn off; exiting via the sharp turn looks as if it was never on. The real question is of course "why?"

Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368879/31189/30]
Posted by stuving at 14:12, 3rd December 2025
 
I've seen picture 9 before. I guess there are only so many old photos of Melksham available.
Ha - I was going to post that Google Lens was a good way to identify the locations in these photos (after they'd all been identified). But in fact Lens first told me (confidently) it was Alveston, then Google AI told me it was Bilston Central To be fair, I didn't recognise it either, despite having passed through it this morning - it's definitely changed

A slightly larger version of that photo appears here http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/oldpics2.html which might have been where you saw it.

I've seen it on here, probably in another quiz or maybe just 'cos it's Melksham.

Its date? later than you'd guess at first sight. That railway layout was largely the same from the late 1800s (the footbridge the photo was taken off was a bit later) to the 1960s. But the vehicles in the yard at the back are right for about 1960. So late 50s  seems likely.

Hull bus ticket discount for city travel over Christmas 2025
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368878/31193/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:04, 3rd December 2025
 
From the BBC:



Discounted bus tickets are in place for people travelling across Hull over Christmas.

The Hull Bus Alliance announced a group travel discount which started on Monday and will end on 31 December.

Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire Buses are offering the Hull Card Group ticket for up to five people for £7. It is usually priced at £14.90.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said the scheme would help with the cost of living and "tackle issues of congestion".

The ticket can be used an unlimited number of times on Stagecoach or East Yorkshire buses in Hull on the day of purchase.

Ben Gilligan, managing director at East Yorkshire Buses, said: "This will allow families and friends to choose the sustainable option and avoid the frustration of sitting in traffic and paying for parking whilst also receiving excellent value bus travel."


Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368877/31189/30]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:06, 3rd December 2025
 
6.  Denton station, near Manchester.

It hasn't changed much, over the years, but I'm struggling with a possible date for a black and white photo of it.

A wild guess, therefore: 1970?

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368876/31192/31]
Posted by matth1j at 12:59, 3rd December 2025
 
I think Google streetview shows the bus is actually on (or just coming off) a side road:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mLaus6bfQRBEAf8P8

Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion
In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368875/231/28]
Posted by Red Squirrel at 12:54, 3rd December 2025
Already liked by Witham Bobby, PrestburyRoad, Andy E
 
It looks like Class 99s are being imported at Portbury - this YouTube vid shows a couple of them coming down the line towards Parson Street:

https://youtu.be/18YvL103CRo?si=fU8uQ4qIy-Yid6Pl

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368874/31192/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:45, 3rd December 2025
 
I did wonder about ice - but it wasn't that cold here in Bristol overnight. Maybe the bus stopped on the hill, then slid backwards on any ice?

Eurocoaches has declined to comment.

They seem as puzzled as anyone.

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368873/31192/31]
Posted by matth1j at 12:21, 3rd December 2025
 
I was wondering whether it had oversteered on some ice, but if it did it must have been going at a fair rate of knots to end up like that.

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368872/31192/31]
Posted by TonyN at 12:17, 3rd December 2025
 
Well At least they have their own recovery company according to the side of the bus 

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368871/31192/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:11, 3rd December 2025
 
Yes, I wondered, too: that's rather why I posted the item. 

Re: Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368870/31192/31]
Posted by matth1j at 11:57, 3rd December 2025
 
No doubt it is stuck, but how on earth did it get into that position?

Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368869/31189/30]
Posted by matth1j at 11:40, 3rd December 2025
 
I've seen picture 9 before. I guess there are only so many old photos of Melksham available.
Ha - I was going to post that Google Lens was a good way to identify the locations in these photos (after they'd all been identified). But in fact Lens first told me (confidently) it was Alveston, then Google AI told me it was Bilston Central To be fair, I didn't recognise it either, despite having passed through it this morning - it's definitely changed

A slightly larger version of that photo appears here http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/oldpics2.html which might have been where you saw it.

Traffic delays in Bristol as bus gets stuck on tight bend - December 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368868/31192/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:29, 3rd December 2025
 
From the BBC:



A double-decker school bus has blocked a road in both directions after getting stuck on a narrow bend.

The Eurocoaches service has blocked Cleeve Wood Road in Downend, Bristol since about 08:20 GMT and is causing slow traffic between Amberley Road and Woodside Road.

Two double-crewed ambulances, and a hazardous area response team were sent to the incident, a South Western Ambulance Service spokesperson said.

Eurocoaches has declined to comment.



Avon Fire and Rescue are currently in attendance.


Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368867/31189/30]
Posted by stuving at 11:25, 3rd December 2025
 
I've seen picture 9 before. I guess there are only so many old photos of Melksham available.

Re: Historic black and white pictures - where were they taken? - 3.12.2025
In "The Lighter Side" [368865/31189/30]
Posted by ellendune at 10:29, 3rd December 2025
 
No 10 Hunstanton?
Beat me to it!

Re: MP bemused by lack of Ely North rail junction upgrade
In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368864/31186/51]
Posted by Witham Bobby at 10:18, 3rd December 2025
 
Gobsmacked that the cost of the project has risen from £25M to £500M - twentyfold - whilst the politicos have been faffing around without getting started.

No wonder everything (except being sent to chokey for social media posts) takes so long and costs so much

 
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