Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362851/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 16:27, 1st July 2025 |      |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56
20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
So that's both the 18:44 and the 20:12 from Swindon to Westbury cancelled - service gap from 17:35 to 22:30. How about marrying up the working trains with the working crew?
| Re: London to Brighton line faces delays in heatwave - 30 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362850/30426/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:10, 1st July 2025 | |
Brighton, yes - but well over ten years ago.
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362849/19893/51] Posted by TonyK at 15:52, 1st July 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Having worked in national government, I don't think a 3% failure to attend rate is of great concern. My FTA rate was higher, even though it often meant no money for the absentee next payday.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362848/29726/18] Posted by Trowres at 15:19, 1st July 2025 | |
The choice of reason "Trespassers on the railway" wasn't, I think, the best choice in this case (I accept that the person adding details to the system may not have been aware of the incident's details)
I wondered why there was no train through Stroud until 15:13. It turns out that there was a main road closure also, connected with what the police referred to as a "concern for welfare incident" involving one male.
| Re: Tidal public transport In "Buses and other ways to travel" [362847/30427/5] Posted by ChrisB at 15:18, 1st July 2025 | |
Thanks Bob - attached the wrong file!
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362846/19893/51] Posted by ChrisB at 15:06, 1st July 2025 | |
3 is distinctly possible
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362845/19893/51] Posted by Trowres at 15:03, 1st July 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
did not show up
Sometimes all it takes is a choice of phrase to add a "flavour", or implicitly biased message. The implicit message here is "people who can't be bothered spoil it for other hard-pressed learner drivers desperate to pass".
The article doesn't say whether or not a share of the 3% provided as much advance notice as possible of their non-attendance (but the wording implied that there was no notice).
The article doesn't give any reasons within the 3% category (late arrival and mechanical failure are outside that statistic).
Some possibles:
1. They were ill. (that might account for about 1% - though it doesn't excuse anyone from providing notice if possible)
2. The instructor providing the car for the test was ill.
3. The test was booked by a bot but not sold on - is this possible?
4. The test was booked months ago (due to the waiting list) but the learner decided they were not ready. They were not incentivised to cancel their test (no refund).
I'm not going to spend time researching the stats for sickness rate of the age category most likely to be a learner driver; nor am I going to look at the precise rules surrounding test booking. However, in current times there is a particular need to think about hidden agendas in the way news is presented. There is also a need to consider if throwing money at a problem is the only solution.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [362844/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:18, 1st July 2025 | |
Delays to services between London Paddington and Slough
Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Slough some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 20 minutes. Disruption is expected until 15:30 01/07.
Elizabeth Line suspended Paddington to Reading/Heathrow.
| Re: Over a mile of countryside set on fire by historic steam locomotive - Chinnor In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [362843/30428/47] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 12:55, 1st July 2025 | |
Whoops. Knowing the area and the railway's previous practice I'm surprised they hadn't already reverted to diesel. I suspect some overenthusiasm for running their visiting (and late-arriving) S160 might have played a part, and/or they thought they had sufficient fire-watchers in place along the line. As yet their website still promises the steam loco next weekend but I'd be surprised if it runs.
| Re: protest at Liverpool lime street Tuesday 1st July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362842/30430/51] Posted by Phantom at 12:12, 1st July 2025 | |
I don't have any disability issues,but I do feel for those who do and who try to get out and about using public transport.
From what I can gather those on PIP's benefit will have their benefits cut,
From what I can gather those on PIP's benefit will have their benefits cut,
As someone with a recognised disability, I can update
Nobody will have their benefit cut. Anyone currently on PIP will not be impacted
New guidelines that will impact any new claims come in, in November 2026
Sadly, as always people look at false scenarios rather than facts
| Re: Tidal public transport In "Buses and other ways to travel" [362841/30427/5] Posted by bobm at 11:23, 1st July 2025 | |
Here's the timetable....
Appears to be the timetable from 2016.
Current one is here - https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bordersbuses/PERY/477-timetable-20250401-d126c169.pdf
| Re: Tidal public transport In "Buses and other ways to travel" [362840/30427/5] Posted by grahame at 10:59, 1st July 2025 | |
Here's the timetable...
Thanks - set out very clearly considering. It differs from the original article which says
For example, if you want to travel to Holy Island on Wednesday July 2, you’d hop on the bus at the Causeway End stop, on the mainland, at 12:54am
Which struck me as amazing time for it to have to run ... it is, according the the .pdf which I believe, 12:54pm!
| Re: Tidal public transport In "Buses and other ways to travel" [362839/30427/5] Posted by ChrisB at 10:48, 1st July 2025 | |
Here's the timetable....
| Re: protest at Liverpool lime street Tuesday 1st July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362838/30430/51] Posted by ChrisB at 10:38, 1st July 2025 | |
Good to hear - but that is a Wiltshire unitary idea, no? By that I mean unique to Wiltshire & not a legal requirement for all unitaries?
| Re: More 4 car 158s for Portsmouth services In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [362837/27229/20] Posted by grahame at 10:35, 1st July 2025 | |
Yesterday (Monday) some services were reduced to just 2car 158s
Today, it seems some services have also been reduced to mere 2car units, with average train length being 3cars
Whatever happened to 4car working ?
Today, it seems some services have also been reduced to mere 2car units, with average train length being 3cars
Whatever happened to 4car working ?
Today - Bath Spa through trains to Portsmouth are reported as
4 at 2 cars
7 at 3 cars
5 at 4 cars
1 at 5 cars
| Re: protest at Liverpool lime street Tuesday 1st July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362836/30430/51] Posted by grahame at 10:30, 1st July 2025 | |
Highways & footways are generally a County matter outside London, unless a unitary.
It can get quite complex. We are a unitary here in Wiltshire and they do most of the highways and footways. However, there's also something called the LHFIG in each town - the local highways and footpath improvement group - which is part funded by Unitary, part funded by the local community, and does (after intense procrastination, consultancy, time and paperwork, and if it fits the politics of local councillors) make relatively minor adjustments.
| Re: London to Brighton line faces delays in heatwave - 30 June 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362835/30426/51] Posted by ChrisB at 10:28, 1st July 2025 | |
Brighton, no?
| Re: protest at Liverpool lime street Tuesday 1st July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362834/30430/51] Posted by ChrisB at 10:04, 1st July 2025 | |
Highways & footways are generally a County matter outside London, unless a unitary.
| Swindon-Gloucester closed 26-30 August 2025 In "Swindon to Gloucester / Cheltenham" [362833/30431/38] Posted by John D at 07:58, 1st July 2025 | |
A complete line closure with substitute buses has been announced from Tuesday 26th August to Saturday 30th August 2025
Monday 25th is a Bank holiday, but appears trains will be operating that day.
| Re: More 4 car 158s for Portsmouth services In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [362832/27229/20] Posted by John D at 07:48, 1st July 2025 | |
Yesterday (Monday) some services were reduced to just 2car 158s
Today, it seems some services have also been reduced to mere 2car units, with average train length being 3cars
Whatever happened to 4car working ?
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362831/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 07:42, 1st July 2025 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be diverted between Swindon and Gloucester.
It will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse but will call additionally at Bristol Parkway.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be diverted between Swindon and Gloucester.
It will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse but will call additionally at Bristol Parkway.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
| Re: protest at Liverpool lime street Tuesday 1st July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362829/30430/51] Posted by grahame at 07:14, 1st July 2025 | |
I don't have any disability issues,but I do feel for those who do and who try to get out and about using public transport.
From what I can gather those on PIP's benefit will have their benefits cut,
leading to them having to reduce the amount of times that they will be able to get out and about using public transport.
https://dpac.uk.net/2025/06/liverpool-protest-stop-disability-benefits-cuts-bill/
From what I can gather those on PIP's benefit will have their benefits cut,
leading to them having to reduce the amount of times that they will be able to get out and about using public transport.
https://dpac.uk.net/2025/06/liverpool-protest-stop-disability-benefits-cuts-bill/
There are multiple issues for those less mobile getting around - financial, physical and emotional. And whilst everyone is different, there is a theme that for most of us getting around for social, personal business and also physical exercise makes sense. Far bigger subject here than benefit cut. As it happens, I asked a question of Melksham Town Council last night https://grahamellis.uk/blog1638.html
Does The Council know of, take part in, and co-ordinate any short, medium and long term activities to support the use of our streets and paths for those who are moving around the town with limited mobility? Is there a community group that you know of with this support in its objectives? Which Town Council committee would be the most appropriate to oversee or take up this role? ...
I have been asking around ... drawn something of a blank. A handful of options around the periphery to specific elements but no co-ordinating group, and a statement that the importance was appreciated by the Town Council from the recently appointed CEO without any commitment I heard to actually follow it through beyond words. I had expected to hear comment from my Wiltshire Councillor, as he's also a Town Councillor, but he wasn't present even though it was a full council meeting. Perhaps I will be surprised and someone will pick this up ... or do we need a local group to co-ordinate and push for all of those who need a little bit of extra support and consideration?
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [362828/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 07:10, 1st July 2025 | |
Tuesday July 1
06:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 08:44 will be starting late from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 06:41
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 06:41
and, optimistically (given the state of the OHLE at Malvern)
Facilities on the 07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:42.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 8 coaches instead of 12.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 03:42
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 8 coaches instead of 12.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 03:42
Later:
The 08:18 from Shrub Hill to Paddington will be starting late. This one should arrive from Swindon at 07:58, but today it has had to go round via Bristol Parkway on account of a trespasser at Stroud.
14:15 :
15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 13:48
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 13:48
15:39 : A different reason
15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47 will be started from Oxford.
It will be delayed at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 15:19
Though RTT has "cancelled due to unknown cause (ZW)".It will be delayed at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 15:19
16:25 : JourneyCheck is right - it has started from Oxford, and departed on time.
17:40 :
17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 16:55
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:01/07/2025 16:55
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362827/19893/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 07:10, 1st July 2025 | |
Another update, from the BBC:
Hundreds of drivers failing to show up for tests
Hundreds of candidates are failing to attend driving tests that were booked, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
On average, a candidate fails to attend a test at both Bristol centres in Avonmouth and Kingswood every day, data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows.
While many learners find booking a test in their home city almost impossible, every day there is likely to be a test cancelled because nobody turns up, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Speaking in April, transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-plates but being forced to endure record waiting time for their tests."
Between October 2023 and September 2024, 439 tests did not go ahead in Kingswood because candidates did not show up, an average of 37 every month.
During the same period, 344 tests did not go ahead in Avonmouth for the same reason, an average of 29 every month.
In both centres, this represents about 3% of all tests conducted.
Just four tests did not go ahead on average each month in the two Bristol centres because candidates arrived late; while six tests did not go ahead because of mechanical failure, the second most common reason after candidates not turning up.
Learner drivers across the country have been struggling to book tests for several years now, with a giant backlog first building up during the pandemic.
The crisis has since got worse, with companies using bots to book tests and then resell them to learners at an inflated price.
Ms Alexander said in April: "I am instructing DVSA to take further action immediately to reduce waiting times which will see thousands of additional tests made available every month. We're acting fast to get Britain's drivers moving."
The DVSA said in April that it was "continuing to reduce waiting times, and to encourage learners to only book their test when they're ready".
Hundreds of candidates are failing to attend driving tests that were booked, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
On average, a candidate fails to attend a test at both Bristol centres in Avonmouth and Kingswood every day, data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows.
While many learners find booking a test in their home city almost impossible, every day there is likely to be a test cancelled because nobody turns up, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Speaking in April, transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-plates but being forced to endure record waiting time for their tests."
Between October 2023 and September 2024, 439 tests did not go ahead in Kingswood because candidates did not show up, an average of 37 every month.
During the same period, 344 tests did not go ahead in Avonmouth for the same reason, an average of 29 every month.
In both centres, this represents about 3% of all tests conducted.
Just four tests did not go ahead on average each month in the two Bristol centres because candidates arrived late; while six tests did not go ahead because of mechanical failure, the second most common reason after candidates not turning up.
Learner drivers across the country have been struggling to book tests for several years now, with a giant backlog first building up during the pandemic.
The crisis has since got worse, with companies using bots to book tests and then resell them to learners at an inflated price.
Ms Alexander said in April: "I am instructing DVSA to take further action immediately to reduce waiting times which will see thousands of additional tests made available every month. We're acting fast to get Britain's drivers moving."
The DVSA said in April that it was "continuing to reduce waiting times, and to encourage learners to only book their test when they're ready".
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [362826/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 07:01, 1st July 2025 | |
Yesterday's delays involving the tree never mentioned what had happened to the 11:52 from Paddington, which first encountered it. It was +2 at Ascott, but arrived at Kingham +228 (three hours and 48 minutes). I'm surprised that didn't make the local news.
Final scores:
1W02 11:52 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : Arrived Worcester Shrub Hill 17:43 (+226) and cancelled thereafter. Forms 1P05.
1W25 12:52 London Paddington to Foregate St (15:00) : cancelled after Oxford
1W27 13:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern : diverted between Reading and Shrub Hill. Arrived +10.
1W29 14:53 London Paddington to Foregate St (17:04) : cancelled after Oxford "due to lineside vegetation (JP)" [RTT].
1W30 15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate St (17:47) : Charlbury +1, Ascott +26. Arrived Shrub Hill +31 and cancelled thereafter.
1W31 15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26) : Ascott +20, arrived +23.
2E14 17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham (18:23) : cancelled throughout, "due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS)" [RTT].
1W33 16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern (19:25) : OK
1W03 17:34 London Paddington to Hereford (20:25) : held Wolvercote (+11) but arrived on time.
1W34 17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (20:11) : OK
1W36 18:53 London Paddington to Great Malvern : started from Reading, arrived +12.
1W05 19:53 London Paddington to Hereford (22:57) : cancelled after Oxford (train crew), stock ran ECS.
1P34 15:18 Foregate Street to London Paddington (17:29) : started from Oxford
1P05 15:18 Hereford to Paddington (18:29) : started from Worcester Shrub Hill +93 (at 17:50), skipped stops, arrived Reading +76 and cancelled thereafter. Forms 1W36.
1P38 16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington (19:29) : departed +11, but benefits from 16-minute stand at Moreton.
1P39 17:26 Foregate Street to London Paddington (19:52) : started from Oxford
1P40 18:02 Foregate Street to London Paddington (20:29) : started from Worcester Shrub Hill
2E16 18:51 Evesham to Oxford : cancelled throughout.
| Re: The Wave - inland surfing facility near Pilning Station In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [362825/30414/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 06:59, 1st July 2025 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Surfing lake to reopen after sudden closure
An inland surfing lake is set to reopen after suddenly closing its doors and being sold to new owners.
The Wave, on the northern edge of Bristol, shut with immediate effect on Thursday and was placed into technical insolvency. It was announced on Friday evening that the site had been sold to another company, with the hope of reopening on Saturday - though this failed to happen.
On Monday evening it was confirmed on social media that surfers would be allowed to return on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said: "We are so excited to let you all know that we will be reopening our doors. We want to thank all our wonderful community for the outpouring of love and support over the last days."
In a statement posted online, The Wave confirmed that the facility would open at 06:30 BST "with all wave sessions [to] run as scheduled".
The reopening also means that the English Para Surfing Open competition will be able to go ahead as planning on 2-3 July, the company said.
About 200 staff had been left with cancelled bookings and an uncertain future after the sudden closure of the site.
The complex, which opened in 2019, cost £26m to build and can generate up to 1,000 waves an hour of different intensity.
When The Wave closed on Thursday, then-CEO Hazel Geary said the decision had "not been driven by operational failure or lack of customer demand - but for a financial technicality completely unrelated to commercial matters".
Julian Topham, who founded and runs Boardmasters surf festival, is now running the site during a "transition period".
An inland surfing lake is set to reopen after suddenly closing its doors and being sold to new owners.
The Wave, on the northern edge of Bristol, shut with immediate effect on Thursday and was placed into technical insolvency. It was announced on Friday evening that the site had been sold to another company, with the hope of reopening on Saturday - though this failed to happen.
On Monday evening it was confirmed on social media that surfers would be allowed to return on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said: "We are so excited to let you all know that we will be reopening our doors. We want to thank all our wonderful community for the outpouring of love and support over the last days."
In a statement posted online, The Wave confirmed that the facility would open at 06:30 BST "with all wave sessions [to] run as scheduled".
The reopening also means that the English Para Surfing Open competition will be able to go ahead as planning on 2-3 July, the company said.
About 200 staff had been left with cancelled bookings and an uncertain future after the sudden closure of the site.
The complex, which opened in 2019, cost £26m to build and can generate up to 1,000 waves an hour of different intensity.
When The Wave closed on Thursday, then-CEO Hazel Geary said the decision had "not been driven by operational failure or lack of customer demand - but for a financial technicality completely unrelated to commercial matters".
Julian Topham, who founded and runs Boardmasters surf festival, is now running the site during a "transition period".
| protest at Liverpool lime street Tuesday 1st July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362824/30430/51] Posted by infoman at 05:50, 1st July 2025 | |
I don't have any disability issues,but I do feel for those who do and who try to get out and about using public transport.
From what I can gather those on PIP's benefit will have their benefits cut,
leading to them having to reduce the amount of times that they will be able to get out and about using public transport.
https://dpac.uk.net/2025/06/liverpool-protest-stop-disability-benefits-cuts-bill/
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362823/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:31, 1st July 2025 | |
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be diverted between Gloucester and Swindon.
It will no longer call at Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble but will call additionally at Bristol Parkway.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be diverted between Gloucester and Swindon.
It will no longer call at Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble but will call additionally at Bristol Parkway.
This is due to trespassers on the railway.
| Re: Parking a bus on your driveway In "Buses and other ways to travel" [362822/30420/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 00:22, 1st July 2025 Already liked by RichardB | |
... at our former home we had a London Taxi parked on the driveway (it was our regular car) and these days we have an ambulance and a paramedic support vehicle.
I happen to know that paramedic support vehicle personally. It is a large and heavy 4x4, which broke down (electrics completely gone) and it took three of us (the paramedic, his wife and me) to push it off grahame's gravel drive, out of the way, ready to be recovered by a garage.
Personally, I found it all very funny, but the paramedic operator himself was so embarrassed.
