Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: New Year's Eve trains disrupted by cable theft near Doncaster, South Yorkshire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370368/31362/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 23:31, 31st December 2025 |      |
It's ironic that the actions of Travellers affect travellers.
| Re: New Year's Eve trains disrupted by cable theft near Doncaster, South Yorkshire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370367/31362/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:45, 31st December 2025 | |
An updated news report, from the BBC:
Rail passengers have been warned of delays and cancellations until the end of New Year's Eve after 656ft (200m) of signalling cables were stolen in South Yorkshire.
Several routes have been affected following the copper theft between Doncaster and Sheffield, which Network Rail said it was alerted to at about 04:00 GMT.
A spokesperson said engineers had been working on repairs to keep trains moving but passengers were advised disruption was expected until the end of the day.
Network Rail said the theft had so far caused 13 train cancellations with 83 trains delayed by a total of 15 hours and 39 minutes.
Services run by Northern, including local services in South Yorkshire and trains running from Doncaster to Hull and Scarborough, are among those affected.
CrossCountry services between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street, which call at Sheffield, Wakefield, Leeds and York, have also been affected.
TransPennine Express services running between Liverpool Lime Street and Cleethorpes, which call at Doncaster, have been hit as well.
A spokesperson for Northern said services were able to run between Doncaster and Swinton again from about 09:30 GMT onwards, although they warned that "fewer trains will be able to operate along this route while this issue continues". They also said that trains between Sheffield and Doncaster/Adwick "may be delayed or revised".
"Northern train ticket restrictions have been lifted in the affected areas, including advance and peak restrictions, during this disruption," they added.
A National Rail spokesperson said: "Theft of signalling cables between Doncaster and Sheffield means trains must run at a reduced speed on all lines. As a result, services operating between Doncaster and Sheffield may be cancelled, delayed by up to 25 minutes, revised or diverted."
A Network Rail spokesperson said further repairs would take place by engineers after the last passenger service. They added: "Cable theft like this is not only disruptive to passenger and freight services but also costs the taxpayer millions of pounds a year.
"It's extremely dangerous – with thousands of volts of electricity running through cables, posing fatal risks to perpetrators. We work proactively to install new ways of securing cable and we work closely with British Transport Police to trace those responsible for theft."
Several routes have been affected following the copper theft between Doncaster and Sheffield, which Network Rail said it was alerted to at about 04:00 GMT.
A spokesperson said engineers had been working on repairs to keep trains moving but passengers were advised disruption was expected until the end of the day.
Network Rail said the theft had so far caused 13 train cancellations with 83 trains delayed by a total of 15 hours and 39 minutes.
Services run by Northern, including local services in South Yorkshire and trains running from Doncaster to Hull and Scarborough, are among those affected.
CrossCountry services between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street, which call at Sheffield, Wakefield, Leeds and York, have also been affected.
TransPennine Express services running between Liverpool Lime Street and Cleethorpes, which call at Doncaster, have been hit as well.
A spokesperson for Northern said services were able to run between Doncaster and Swinton again from about 09:30 GMT onwards, although they warned that "fewer trains will be able to operate along this route while this issue continues". They also said that trains between Sheffield and Doncaster/Adwick "may be delayed or revised".
"Northern train ticket restrictions have been lifted in the affected areas, including advance and peak restrictions, during this disruption," they added.
A National Rail spokesperson said: "Theft of signalling cables between Doncaster and Sheffield means trains must run at a reduced speed on all lines. As a result, services operating between Doncaster and Sheffield may be cancelled, delayed by up to 25 minutes, revised or diverted."
A Network Rail spokesperson said further repairs would take place by engineers after the last passenger service. They added: "Cable theft like this is not only disruptive to passenger and freight services but also costs the taxpayer millions of pounds a year.
"It's extremely dangerous – with thousands of volts of electricity running through cables, posing fatal risks to perpetrators. We work proactively to install new ways of securing cable and we work closely with British Transport Police to trace those responsible for theft."
| Re: Great British Rail Sale 2026 In "Fare's Fair" [370366/31369/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:40, 31st December 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
| Re: Great British Rail Sale 2026 In "Fare's Fair" [370365/31369/4] Posted by Timmer at 22:31, 31st December 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
I vaguely recall this happening this past January too. GWR did a sale then there was a national rail sale. I would think the GWR only sale with up to 50% on advance tickets would be the better of the two for long distance travel, but you never know and I doubt GWR would tell you. Then there is the question of can railcards be used also?
| Great British Rail Sale 2026 In "Fare's Fair" [370363/31369/4] Posted by ChrisB at 21:39, 31st December 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
Interesting this - straight after the New Year Sale on GWR only
From Rail Advent
Great Western Railway (GWR) is joining the trend for New Year Sales with 225,000 train tickets for sale at up to 50% off.
The sale starts on Friday, 2nd January, the day after New Year’s Day, and runs for just four days until Monday, 5th January, and will be valid for travel between Friday, 9th January and Friday, 10th April 2026.
The sale starts on Friday, 2nd January, the day after New Year’s Day, and runs for just four days until Monday, 5th January, and will be valid for travel between Friday, 9th January and Friday, 10th April 2026.
The national Great British Rail Sale starts. Haven't seen this news on any rail website yet (!!), but Econostrum has this
The Great British Rail Sale returns for its fourth year, giving passengers the chance to buy advance and off-peak train tickets at a fraction of the normal price. The initiative, launched by the UK Government, aims to make rail travel more affordable and accessible during the quieter winter season.
The promotion comes at a time when public transport is under pressure to attract more travellers, with efforts underway to rebuild confidence following the pandemic. It also coincides with a rare freeze in regulated rail fares, marking the first time in three decades that prices will not increase in line with inflation.
Substantial Price Cuts Across Key Regional and Long-Distance Routes
The sale period will run from 6 to 12 January 2026, with discounted tickets valid for travel between 13 January and 25 March. According to the Department for Transport, nearly all train operators across England, Scotland and Wales are participating, offering reduced fares on thousands of routes. A total of four million tickets are expected to be made available.
Some of the most significant savings include the journey from Exeter to London Waterloo, where the price has dropped from £41.70 to £10, a 76% reduction. Travellers from Portsmouth to London Waterloo can also benefit from a fare cut of 59%, with tickets reduced to £10. The Nottingham to London route has been halved to £23, while Sheffield to London will now cost £25.50, down from £51.
Shorter trips are also included in the sale. For example, Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells will fall from £8.10 to £4, and Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport is available for just £1.20 instead of the usual £2.90. According to data from last year’s sale, passengers saved on average £8 per journey, with more than one million tickets sold during that campaign.
Discounted tickets are only valid for selected advance and off-peak services and are typically non-refundable. Availability varies depending on route and operator, with passengers advised to book early through train company websites or national ticket retailers.
A Push to Boost Domestic Tourism and Rail Use
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the promotion is part of a broader strategy to support households and encourage rail use. “The Rail Sale is back, and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living,” she said. “It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”
According to VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, the campaign is also designed to support the tourism sector during the off-peak winter period. She described it as “the perfect opportunity to hop onto a train and explore Britain’s great tourism treasures sustainably, boosting the economy by supporting our fantastic visitor experiences and attractions.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, added that the initiative was about making rail travel “more accessible” while reinforcing its role in local economies. “This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network,” she said, “giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small.”
The initiative is also tied to a wider reform of the rail network, including the upcoming establishment of Great British Railways, a new public body intended to unify the management of infrastructure and services. According to government sources, the long-term goal is to simplify operations and deliver a system that better meets the needs of passengers.
The promotion comes at a time when public transport is under pressure to attract more travellers, with efforts underway to rebuild confidence following the pandemic. It also coincides with a rare freeze in regulated rail fares, marking the first time in three decades that prices will not increase in line with inflation.
Substantial Price Cuts Across Key Regional and Long-Distance Routes
The sale period will run from 6 to 12 January 2026, with discounted tickets valid for travel between 13 January and 25 March. According to the Department for Transport, nearly all train operators across England, Scotland and Wales are participating, offering reduced fares on thousands of routes. A total of four million tickets are expected to be made available.
Some of the most significant savings include the journey from Exeter to London Waterloo, where the price has dropped from £41.70 to £10, a 76% reduction. Travellers from Portsmouth to London Waterloo can also benefit from a fare cut of 59%, with tickets reduced to £10. The Nottingham to London route has been halved to £23, while Sheffield to London will now cost £25.50, down from £51.
Shorter trips are also included in the sale. For example, Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells will fall from £8.10 to £4, and Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport is available for just £1.20 instead of the usual £2.90. According to data from last year’s sale, passengers saved on average £8 per journey, with more than one million tickets sold during that campaign.
Discounted tickets are only valid for selected advance and off-peak services and are typically non-refundable. Availability varies depending on route and operator, with passengers advised to book early through train company websites or national ticket retailers.
A Push to Boost Domestic Tourism and Rail Use
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the promotion is part of a broader strategy to support households and encourage rail use. “The Rail Sale is back, and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living,” she said. “It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”
According to VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, the campaign is also designed to support the tourism sector during the off-peak winter period. She described it as “the perfect opportunity to hop onto a train and explore Britain’s great tourism treasures sustainably, boosting the economy by supporting our fantastic visitor experiences and attractions.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, added that the initiative was about making rail travel “more accessible” while reinforcing its role in local economies. “This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network,” she said, “giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small.”
The initiative is also tied to a wider reform of the rail network, including the upcoming establishment of Great British Railways, a new public body intended to unify the management of infrastructure and services. According to government sources, the long-term goal is to simplify operations and deliver a system that better meets the needs of passengers.
I wonder which sale will have the better discounts on GWR? Seems odd to have your own sale prior to a national one?
| Re: Seagulls: particularly in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and Minehead - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [370362/19857/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:55, 31st December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Police investigation as gulls die in 'shooting' in Somerset
The gulls were discovered in playing fields next to Cheddar Reservoir
Police are investigating the deaths of four gulls after it is believed they were shot down.
Peter Colton, 79, was walking through Sharpham Road Playing Fields next to Cheddar Reservoir on Tuesday morning when he discovered the birds, one of which was dead and three seriously injured.
Volunteers from Secret World Animal Rescue collected the surviving gulls, but had to put them down due to the severity of their injuries. The charity's wildlife and veterinary services manager, Lauren Valentine, said: "Gulls can often be overlooked so we are really grateful this was called in so we could alleviate the suffering of these individuals."
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson confirmed an investigation is under way into the incident. Like all wild birds, it is illegal to intentionally kill or injure gulls, carrying a maximum prison sentence of six months.
Mr Colton said: "It's pretty upsetting. It's horrific to see any animals suffering in that way. How can anyone do that sort of thing? The assumption was that the bird had been shot by an air rifle or something similar," he said, adding that another dog walker had seen a fifth dead bird in the reservoir with a severed wing.
Secret World's wildlife rescue team attended the scene and brought the birds to their site near Highbridge for assessment. Ms Valentine said: "Euthanasia was necessary as the injuries were not compatible with successful rehabilitation outcomes."
Anyone with relevant information should contact police.
The gulls were discovered in playing fields next to Cheddar Reservoir
Police are investigating the deaths of four gulls after it is believed they were shot down.
Peter Colton, 79, was walking through Sharpham Road Playing Fields next to Cheddar Reservoir on Tuesday morning when he discovered the birds, one of which was dead and three seriously injured.
Volunteers from Secret World Animal Rescue collected the surviving gulls, but had to put them down due to the severity of their injuries. The charity's wildlife and veterinary services manager, Lauren Valentine, said: "Gulls can often be overlooked so we are really grateful this was called in so we could alleviate the suffering of these individuals."
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson confirmed an investigation is under way into the incident. Like all wild birds, it is illegal to intentionally kill or injure gulls, carrying a maximum prison sentence of six months.
Mr Colton said: "It's pretty upsetting. It's horrific to see any animals suffering in that way. How can anyone do that sort of thing? The assumption was that the bird had been shot by an air rifle or something similar," he said, adding that another dog walker had seen a fifth dead bird in the reservoir with a severed wing.
Secret World's wildlife rescue team attended the scene and brought the birds to their site near Highbridge for assessment. Ms Valentine said: "Euthanasia was necessary as the injuries were not compatible with successful rehabilitation outcomes."
Anyone with relevant information should contact police.
| Road Machines Mono-Rails In "Railway History and related topics" [370361/31368/55] Posted by grahame at 20:31, 31st December 2025 | |
From the Industrial Railway Society - https://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/16/Monorail.htm
Civil engineering sites are rough places. Materials have to be carried about and dumpers, or even men and wheelbarrows, soon churn up the ground, adding to the difficulties. To overcome this transportation problem Road Machines (Drayton) Ltd., of Horton Parade, West Drayton, Middlesex, designed a simple monorail system. The first Mono-Rail Transporter was sold in 1949 and since then many have gone for use in all parts of the world. It is patented in 48 countries, spread over all five continents.
The rail is 9in high. The running surface is 1¼in steel rod supported by steel plates 21¼in long, 6¼in high, tapered from 1in thickness at the top, to 2½in at the bottom. These plates, four to a 12ft length, are mounted on inverted 1½in by 3in channel forming the base of the rail. In the spaces between the supporting plates are square plates, each with a hole in its centre for attaching auto stops or buffers. The rail is made in 12ft and 6ft straight lengths and 6ft curves, of 12ft radius, twelve pieces to the circle. These lengths are nominal; for example a 12ft straight is 11ft 8in long, the other 4in being a short length incorporated in the rail stands. A 12ft straight weighs about 1½cwt. Special lengths are supplied to order.
The rail is 9in high. The running surface is 1¼in steel rod supported by steel plates 21¼in long, 6¼in high, tapered from 1in thickness at the top, to 2½in at the bottom. These plates, four to a 12ft length, are mounted on inverted 1½in by 3in channel forming the base of the rail. In the spaces between the supporting plates are square plates, each with a hole in its centre for attaching auto stops or buffers. The rail is made in 12ft and 6ft straight lengths and 6ft curves, of 12ft radius, twelve pieces to the circle. These lengths are nominal; for example a 12ft straight is 11ft 8in long, the other 4in being a short length incorporated in the rail stands. A 12ft straight weighs about 1½cwt. Special lengths are supplied to order.
and https://www.tanatvalleyrailway.co.uk/monoloco - see it at the Tanat Valley Light Railway
Rich Morris started his monorail collection in 1975 when he purchased several Road Machines Mono-Rail products to add to his narrow gauge collection. He then became focused on the Mono-Rail and actively searched to add to his collection
[snip]
One of his major accomplishments is the Monoloco. In 1998 he commissioned a steam monorail locomotive from Century Millwrights Engineers (works number 11003).
[snip]
There have been a few steam monorail locomotives in the world, but the Monoloco is unique as it is the only one existing today that is operational
[snip]
One of his major accomplishments is the Monoloco. In 1998 he commissioned a steam monorail locomotive from Century Millwrights Engineers (works number 11003).
[snip]
There have been a few steam monorail locomotives in the world, but the Monoloco is unique as it is the only one existing today that is operational
| Cargo ship runs aground in harbour at Teignmouth - 31 December 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [370360/31367/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:31, 31st December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Cargo ship runs aground in harbour at Teignmouth
The Scot Pioneer cargo ship ran aground in Teignmouth Harbour on New Year's Eve
A cargo ship has run aground off the south Devon coast.
The coastguard said it received reports of the vessel - its name Scot Pioneer visible from the shore - had got into difficulty in Teignmouth harbour at about 17:25 GMT. It added the ship, registered to Inverness in Scotland, had eight crew on board and no injuries or damage to the vessel had been reported.
A coastguard spokesperson said it was expected the boat would be refloated at the next high tide at about 02:00 on New Year's Day with a harbour tug being sent to assist the vessel get to the dock.
Eyewitnesses said the ship appeared to have got stuck on the seabed about 50m (164ft) away from Shaldon beach.
A marine traffic website said the ship had last docked in Hamburg before leaving the German port on Boxing Day.
Teignmouth harbour master, Rob Parsons, said the timing of incident was "unfortunate".
"Time and tide wait for no man and you can never beat Mother Nature," he added. He said the priority was to get the vessel floated and his team would attempt to do so using a tug called Teign C early on New Year's Day.
In April, a cargo ship carrying animal feed had to be refloated after it ran aground during a similar incident in Teignmouth Harbour.
The Scot Pioneer cargo ship ran aground in Teignmouth Harbour on New Year's Eve
A cargo ship has run aground off the south Devon coast.
The coastguard said it received reports of the vessel - its name Scot Pioneer visible from the shore - had got into difficulty in Teignmouth harbour at about 17:25 GMT. It added the ship, registered to Inverness in Scotland, had eight crew on board and no injuries or damage to the vessel had been reported.
A coastguard spokesperson said it was expected the boat would be refloated at the next high tide at about 02:00 on New Year's Day with a harbour tug being sent to assist the vessel get to the dock.
Eyewitnesses said the ship appeared to have got stuck on the seabed about 50m (164ft) away from Shaldon beach.
A marine traffic website said the ship had last docked in Hamburg before leaving the German port on Boxing Day.
Teignmouth harbour master, Rob Parsons, said the timing of incident was "unfortunate".
"Time and tide wait for no man and you can never beat Mother Nature," he added. He said the priority was to get the vessel floated and his team would attempt to do so using a tug called Teign C early on New Year's Day.
In April, a cargo ship carrying animal feed had to be refloated after it ran aground during a similar incident in Teignmouth Harbour.
Any more news on this incident from our Coffee Shop's own 'roving reporter', presently in Teignmouth, I believe?
| Two trains carrying tourists to Machu Picchu crash - as one person killed In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [370358/31366/52] Posted by ChrisB at 19:22, 31st December 2025 | |
Sky News initially reported
At least one person has been killed and around 30 passengers have been injured after two trains taking tourists to Machu Picchu in Peru crashed.
The collision involved a train coming from the famed archaeological site and a train headed there in the early afternoon near Qoriwayrachina, also an archaeological site, according to the company operating the railway.
The person who was killed was a railway worker, Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez, a captain with the police department in the nearby city of Cuzco, said.
He said that train services along the line connecting Machu Picchu with Cuzco were suspended after the accident.
Authorities have not shared details regarding the cause of the crash.
Footage shared by local media showed train carriages with broken windows and dented sides, which were stuck on tracks set between a forest and a rock wall.
Around 1.5 million people flock to Machu Picchu every year, most of whom arrive by train.
The archaeological site was built by the Incas in the 15th century and served as a sanctuary for the Inca emperors.
Machu Picchu is known for its dry-stone brick walls and its three primary structures, including the Temple of the Sun.
The collision involved a train coming from the famed archaeological site and a train headed there in the early afternoon near Qoriwayrachina, also an archaeological site, according to the company operating the railway.
The person who was killed was a railway worker, Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez, a captain with the police department in the nearby city of Cuzco, said.
He said that train services along the line connecting Machu Picchu with Cuzco were suspended after the accident.
Authorities have not shared details regarding the cause of the crash.
Footage shared by local media showed train carriages with broken windows and dented sides, which were stuck on tracks set between a forest and a rock wall.
Around 1.5 million people flock to Machu Picchu every year, most of whom arrive by train.
The archaeological site was built by the Incas in the 15th century and served as a sanctuary for the Inca emperors.
Machu Picchu is known for its dry-stone brick walls and its three primary structures, including the Temple of the Sun.
The BBC later caught up
Machu Picchu train crash leaves one dead and dozens injured
A train driver has died and at least 40 people have been injured in a head-on rail collision near Peru's most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu.
Two trains collided on the single track leading to the ancient Inca town on Tuesday, according to a statement from the local government.
It said that 20 ambulances had attended the scene and that injured people had been transferred to medical facilities in the nearby city of Cusco.
The US embassy in Peru said that US citizens were injured in the crash, while the UK Foreign Office said it was "supporting a number of British nationals involved".
Local media outlet Peru21 reports that hundreds of tourists remain at the scene awaiting evacuation, which has been hampered by difficult terrain around the crash site.
At least 20 of the injured are in a serious condition, a health official told the Reuters news agency.
The collision occurred on the track linking Ollantaytambo Station and Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu. The journey between the two stations usually takes around 90 minutes.
The two trains involved in the accident were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail respectively.
"We deeply regret what has happened," PeruRail said in a statement, adding that its staff had "immediately" provided first aid to the train driver, the train conductor and the passengers involved in the incident.
The cause of the accident has not yet been made clear.
The crash comes amid an ongoing dispute between providers of transport to the Unesco world heritage site, with local communities unhappy with what they say is an insufficiently open bidding process.
The trains and buses that take tourists to the ancient town have steep ticket prices and can be highly lucrative due to its limited accessibility.
Built in the Peruvian Andes in the 15th Century, the Incan city of Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.
Visitors can take a series of trains and buses to reach the site, or hike along the Inca trail with a registered tour operator.
In 2011, officials implemented a daily cap on visitors to protect and preserve the site, but concerns remain about overtourism.
A train driver has died and at least 40 people have been injured in a head-on rail collision near Peru's most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu.
Two trains collided on the single track leading to the ancient Inca town on Tuesday, according to a statement from the local government.
It said that 20 ambulances had attended the scene and that injured people had been transferred to medical facilities in the nearby city of Cusco.
The US embassy in Peru said that US citizens were injured in the crash, while the UK Foreign Office said it was "supporting a number of British nationals involved".
Local media outlet Peru21 reports that hundreds of tourists remain at the scene awaiting evacuation, which has been hampered by difficult terrain around the crash site.
At least 20 of the injured are in a serious condition, a health official told the Reuters news agency.
The collision occurred on the track linking Ollantaytambo Station and Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu. The journey between the two stations usually takes around 90 minutes.
The two trains involved in the accident were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail respectively.
"We deeply regret what has happened," PeruRail said in a statement, adding that its staff had "immediately" provided first aid to the train driver, the train conductor and the passengers involved in the incident.
The cause of the accident has not yet been made clear.
The crash comes amid an ongoing dispute between providers of transport to the Unesco world heritage site, with local communities unhappy with what they say is an insufficiently open bidding process.
The trains and buses that take tourists to the ancient town have steep ticket prices and can be highly lucrative due to its limited accessibility.
Built in the Peruvian Andes in the 15th Century, the Incan city of Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.
Visitors can take a series of trains and buses to reach the site, or hike along the Inca trail with a registered tour operator.
In 2011, officials implemented a daily cap on visitors to protect and preserve the site, but concerns remain about overtourism.
| Re: Recycling rubbish and charity shops - something of a minefield? Ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [370357/30854/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:52, 31st December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
North Somerset Council secures refund for faulty recycling bags
Residents were given faulty recycling bags that rapidly faded and ripped
A council has said that it has been given a refund by a company that supplied thousands of faulty household recycling bags.
Residents in the North Somerset Council area were issued with red bags for their plastic and metal waste in March, following a successful trial in November 2024 that aimed to boost recycling. But there were complaints from residents as many of the bags were found to have faded in the sun and were "falling apart at the seams".
Councillor Annemieke Waite said the unnamed company had admitted responsibility for the issues. She added that the authority had reached a "very good agreement" with the supplier and the cost of the faulty bags would be refunded.
The council trialled the bags with 6,000 households last year. Although it received a positive outcome, some residents said the bags were too large. Ahead of the council-wide rollout in March, a batch of smaller bags were ordered from the same supplier and it appeared to be these that deteriorated quickly, said Waite.
Red bags were distributed to residents for plastic and metal waste
She added: "We know that the people who actually had the original bags are still very pleased with them and those bags have never deteriorated, have never faded. So we absolutely know this is something that was completely beyond our control and it was just down to the quality of the bags that were delivered in the second batch."
Residents can order replacement bags on the council website, but are warned that the new bags would come from the same faulty batch, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Residents were given faulty recycling bags that rapidly faded and ripped
A council has said that it has been given a refund by a company that supplied thousands of faulty household recycling bags.
Residents in the North Somerset Council area were issued with red bags for their plastic and metal waste in March, following a successful trial in November 2024 that aimed to boost recycling. But there were complaints from residents as many of the bags were found to have faded in the sun and were "falling apart at the seams".
Councillor Annemieke Waite said the unnamed company had admitted responsibility for the issues. She added that the authority had reached a "very good agreement" with the supplier and the cost of the faulty bags would be refunded.
The council trialled the bags with 6,000 households last year. Although it received a positive outcome, some residents said the bags were too large. Ahead of the council-wide rollout in March, a batch of smaller bags were ordered from the same supplier and it appeared to be these that deteriorated quickly, said Waite.
Red bags were distributed to residents for plastic and metal waste
She added: "We know that the people who actually had the original bags are still very pleased with them and those bags have never deteriorated, have never faded. So we absolutely know this is something that was completely beyond our control and it was just down to the quality of the bags that were delivered in the second batch."
Residents can order replacement bags on the council website, but are warned that the new bags would come from the same faulty batch, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
| Tweet for '26 In "Introductions and chat" [370356/31365/1] Posted by grahame at 18:45, 31st December 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
Looking forward to a great 2026 with family and travel and specialising in transport campaigning. Feeling far more personally relaxed, positive, motivated and far less stressed. Wider, a year of great changes, risks and opportunities is coming.
limit is 280 characters. What do YOU feel and see as you look forward to next year?
| Re: Problems with Hitachi Intercity Express Trains - discussions from 1 January 2026 onwards In "Across the West" [370354/31357/26] Posted by ChrisB at 16:55, 31st December 2025 | |
Just DM'd you, Worcester Passenger!
| Re: Problems with Hitachi Intercity Express Trains - discussions from 1 January 2026 onwards In "Across the West" [370353/31357/26] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 16:42, 31st December 2025 | |
I'm comfortable with your post appearing here, Worcester_Passenger. Your excellent research will no doubt provide very useful reference material in this ongoing discussion.
CfN.
CfN.
Thanks!
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [370352/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 16:40, 31st December 2025 | |
I've posted an analysis of scheduled and actual running times between Ascott and Evesham on the 'Problems with IET trains' topic, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31357.msg370335#new.
| Re: AQ - Sometimes there are no trains ... 7.12.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [370351/31222/30] Posted by grahame at 16:34, 31st December 2025 | |
Sometimes I get the impression life's trying to confuse me into submission. And now Graham's joined in!
I found Fiesch as the site of picture 14 but I was told that wasn't right. I was surprised, as it was a very good ID - so wherever the right location was must be more like Fiesch than Fiesch is. Then, after the whole quiz had been declared "difficult" but only twelve of the answers listed, on two more occasions the last couple of answers m didn't appear.
Now we are told that it was Fiesch after all! So I'm not sure what to believe is correct, whether something else in my first answer was seen as in error, what was confused in the past, or what is still not what it seems.
I found Fiesch as the site of picture 14 but I was told that wasn't right. I was surprised, as it was a very good ID - so wherever the right location was must be more like Fiesch than Fiesch is. Then, after the whole quiz had been declared "difficult" but only twelve of the answers listed, on two more occasions the last couple of answers m didn't appear.
Now we are told that it was Fiesch after all! So I'm not sure what to believe is correct, whether something else in my first answer was seen as in error, what was confused in the past, or what is still not what it seems.
Oh dear - so sorry for the confusion I have caused on that one ... I can appreciate your [rant] -> [/rant]. With the exception of just one or two members - including yourself - picture identification outside Great Britain tend to be slow, and in the mixed quizzes it's the GB ones that go first, which is why I see the continental ones as difficult.
I am looking back in self analysis and working out why I may have said "no" to Fiesch. Something in the back of my mind suggested to me that you were suggesting a place in Germany / Austria which it was not and based on the back of my mind, I answered in the negative. Sorry about that; we all make mistakes and that was one of mine - I suppose I rush (and rushed) through "lighter side" stuff with just 'checking lighter'.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370350/31355/51] Posted by John D at 16:09, 31st December 2025 | |
Just read an interesting article on road salt, starts to lose effectiveness below about -8c and if it gets really cold it is almost useless.
Apparently snow will quite happily settle on the salt, it needs weight of vehicles to turn water into brine
The weather forecast for my area (West Wiltshire) is showing down to -6c on Saturday night. And normally there are local areas that get slightly lower. So on cusp of where a salted road can ice up.
Might have to borrow my daughters car (we have fitted it with all season tyres with 3PMSF three peak mountain snowflake symbol). Whereas mine has the summer tyres it came with, which go really hard when cold. Not sure I want to be trying to use a damp salted motorway at 70mph with hard (not grippy) tyres.
| Re: AQ - Sometimes there are no trains ... 7.12.2025 In "The Lighter Side" [370349/31222/30] Posted by stuving at 15:47, 31st December 2025 | |
Sometimes I get the impression life's trying to confuse me into submission. And now Graham's joined in!
I found Fiesch as the site of picture 14 but I was told that wasn't right. I was surprised, as it was a very good ID - so wherever the right location was must be more like Fiesch than Fiesch is. Then, after the whole quiz had been declared "difficult" but only twelve of the answers listed, on two more occasions the last couple of answers m didn't appear.
Now we are told that it was Fiesch after all! So I'm not sure what to believe is correct, whether something else in my first answer was seen as in error, what was confused in the past, or what is still not what it seems.
| Re: Problems with Hitachi Intercity Express Trains - discussions from 1 January 2026 onwards In "Across the West" [370348/31357/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:26, 31st December 2025 Already liked by eightonedee | |
I'm hoping that posting on this 'new' topic on December 31 is OK.
...
Unless Hitachi can get the engines working properly soon, an emergency timetable looks very likely.
I'm comfortable with your post appearing here, Worcester_Passenger. Your excellent research will no doubt provide very useful reference material in this ongoing discussion.
CfN.
| Cross-border rail passengers warned of new year disruption, West Coast Mainline In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370347/31363/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:17, 31st December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Cross-border rail passengers warned of new year disruption
Train passengers are being warned of disruption to cross-border services in the first week of the new year due to major engineering work.
Network Rail says the West Coast Mainline between Lockerbie and Carlisle will be closed from New Year's Day for six days.
Replacement bus services transport passengers between the two stations. Buses will also replace trains between Carlisle and Dumfries when the line is shut from Friday until 6 January.
The cross-border closure is part of a wider shutdown of the line to allow the installation of a new bridge at Clifton, near Penrith.
The 426ft (130m) bridge, which weighs 4,200 tonnes, will carry trains on the West Coast Main Line over the M6.
The removal of the previous bridge and the installation of the new structure begins on Hogmanay and will affect services on the line until 15 January.
Part of the M6 motorway will also be closed and Network Rail says it will use that opportunity to also replace more than 50 miles (80km) of overhead cables. And it added that "significant work" will also take place on an ongoing £61m upgrade to signalling systems north of Carlisle.
Rail passengers are being warned that the West Coast Main Line will be closed:
* From 1-4 January through Preston, between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie
* From 5-6 January between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie. The line through Preston will be open.
* From 7-14 January the line north of Carlisle will be open. The line between Oxenholme and Carlisle will be closed until the early hours of 15 January.
Engineers will replace the bridge over the M6 near Clifton
The M6 will be shut between junctions 39 at Shap and 40 near Penrith on two consecutive weekends.
The closures will take place between 20:00 on Friday 2 January and 05:00 on Monday 5 January, and between 20:00 on Friday 9 January and 05:00 on Monday 12 January.
William Brandon, Network Rail's project manager, said: "This is a vital project which will improve journeys for passengers for decades to come." He added: "We appreciate passengers' patience while this work is completed, and I would urge anyone planning to travel in this period to check National Rail Enquiries in advance."
Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said it would operate an amended timetable. "Some journeys between the north-west, Carlisle, and Scotland will involve changes onto a shuttle service as well as rail replacement buses," he added. "We strongly advise customers to plan ahead and check their journey before travelling."
Train passengers are being warned of disruption to cross-border services in the first week of the new year due to major engineering work.
Network Rail says the West Coast Mainline between Lockerbie and Carlisle will be closed from New Year's Day for six days.
Replacement bus services transport passengers between the two stations. Buses will also replace trains between Carlisle and Dumfries when the line is shut from Friday until 6 January.
The cross-border closure is part of a wider shutdown of the line to allow the installation of a new bridge at Clifton, near Penrith.
The 426ft (130m) bridge, which weighs 4,200 tonnes, will carry trains on the West Coast Main Line over the M6.
The removal of the previous bridge and the installation of the new structure begins on Hogmanay and will affect services on the line until 15 January.
Part of the M6 motorway will also be closed and Network Rail says it will use that opportunity to also replace more than 50 miles (80km) of overhead cables. And it added that "significant work" will also take place on an ongoing £61m upgrade to signalling systems north of Carlisle.
Rail passengers are being warned that the West Coast Main Line will be closed:
* From 1-4 January through Preston, between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie
* From 5-6 January between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie. The line through Preston will be open.
* From 7-14 January the line north of Carlisle will be open. The line between Oxenholme and Carlisle will be closed until the early hours of 15 January.
Engineers will replace the bridge over the M6 near Clifton
The M6 will be shut between junctions 39 at Shap and 40 near Penrith on two consecutive weekends.
The closures will take place between 20:00 on Friday 2 January and 05:00 on Monday 5 January, and between 20:00 on Friday 9 January and 05:00 on Monday 12 January.
William Brandon, Network Rail's project manager, said: "This is a vital project which will improve journeys for passengers for decades to come." He added: "We appreciate passengers' patience while this work is completed, and I would urge anyone planning to travel in this period to check National Rail Enquiries in advance."
Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said it would operate an amended timetable. "Some journeys between the north-west, Carlisle, and Scotland will involve changes onto a shuttle service as well as rail replacement buses," he added. "We strongly advise customers to plan ahead and check their journey before travelling."
| Re: Camilla fought off attacker with shoe as teenager, book says - Paddington train In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370346/30667/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:58, 31st December 2025 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Queen praises Hunt family for their bravery after triple murders
Queen Camilla has praised the courage of BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his family - after his wife, Carol, and two daughters, Louise and Hannah, were killed by Louise's ex-partner.
In a conversation with John and his surviving daughter, Amy, the Queen also shared publicly for the first time, her experience of an indecent assault as a teenager.
The Queen was speaking during a discussion on violence against women on BBC Radio 4's Today programme - guest edited by former Prime Minister, Baroness Theresa May.
The Queen told the BBC she had been "so angry" and "furious" about the attack - first reported in a book earlier this year.
She said she had "sort of forgotten" what had happened to her, but that the courage of the Hunt family had prompted her to speak about her experience.
She recalled having been on her way to meet her mother when "this boy - man - attacked me" adding "I did fight back".
...
"I remember something that had been lurking in the back of my brain for a very long time," the Queen told them. "That, when I was a teenager, I was attacked on a train… I remember at the time being so angry," she said.
The Queen recalled getting off the train and "my mother looking at me and saying: 'Why is your hair standing on end and why is the button missing from your coat?' I had been attacked." She added: "I was so furious about it and… when the subject about domestic abuse came up, and suddenly you hear a story like John and Amy's, it's something that I feel very strongly about."
The indecent assault was first reported in Power and the Palace, a book released earlier this year by former royal editor of the Times newspaper, Valentine Low.
According to the book, the Queen had been 16 or 17 years old when the incident happened on a train to Paddington Station. It reported how the man touched the then teenage Camilla Shand and that she then hit him with the heel of her shoe. When she arrived in London, she reported the incident to station staff and the man was arrested, the book reported.
Buckingham Palace made no official statement when the story was first reported.
After hearing the Queen's story, Amy Hunt told her: "Thank you for sharing that, Your Majesty. It takes a lot to share these things because every woman has a story."
(BBC article continues)
Queen Camilla has praised the courage of BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his family - after his wife, Carol, and two daughters, Louise and Hannah, were killed by Louise's ex-partner.
In a conversation with John and his surviving daughter, Amy, the Queen also shared publicly for the first time, her experience of an indecent assault as a teenager.
The Queen was speaking during a discussion on violence against women on BBC Radio 4's Today programme - guest edited by former Prime Minister, Baroness Theresa May.
The Queen told the BBC she had been "so angry" and "furious" about the attack - first reported in a book earlier this year.
She said she had "sort of forgotten" what had happened to her, but that the courage of the Hunt family had prompted her to speak about her experience.
She recalled having been on her way to meet her mother when "this boy - man - attacked me" adding "I did fight back".
...
"I remember something that had been lurking in the back of my brain for a very long time," the Queen told them. "That, when I was a teenager, I was attacked on a train… I remember at the time being so angry," she said.
The Queen recalled getting off the train and "my mother looking at me and saying: 'Why is your hair standing on end and why is the button missing from your coat?' I had been attacked." She added: "I was so furious about it and… when the subject about domestic abuse came up, and suddenly you hear a story like John and Amy's, it's something that I feel very strongly about."
The indecent assault was first reported in Power and the Palace, a book released earlier this year by former royal editor of the Times newspaper, Valentine Low.
According to the book, the Queen had been 16 or 17 years old when the incident happened on a train to Paddington Station. It reported how the man touched the then teenage Camilla Shand and that she then hit him with the heel of her shoe. When she arrived in London, she reported the incident to station staff and the man was arrested, the book reported.
Buckingham Palace made no official statement when the story was first reported.
After hearing the Queen's story, Amy Hunt told her: "Thank you for sharing that, Your Majesty. It takes a lot to share these things because every woman has a story."
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Problems with Hitachi Intercity Express Trains - discussions from 1 January 2026 onwards In "Across the West" [370345/31357/26] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 14:55, 31st December 2025 Already liked by Mark A, trainbuff, Timmer | |
I'm hoping that posting on this 'new' topic on December 31 os OK.
Prompted by some comments in a recent edition of Modern Railways, I’ve been looking at scheduled and actual running times. I’ve used the data from RTT for the Mondays-to-Fridays from November 3 to December 12, for the section of the Cotswold line between Ascott and Evesham. These timings are only to the nearest minute at each location.
I looked at trains that do the ‘standard’ calls, at Kingham, Moreton and Honeybourne, and I excluded the trains with ‘padding’ in their timings (mostly in the up direction in the late afternoon). The ‘standard’ working timetable timing for down trains (pass Ascott to arrive Evesham) is 30 or 30.5 minutes (the variation is down to the dwell time at Honeybourne); in the up direction (depart Evesham to pass Ascott) it is 30.5 or 31 minutes.
I excluded Friday November 14 – there was an issue about defective track between Evesham and Moreton. I also excluded an occasion when the ‘halts’ train was cancelled (when the following train did these calls), and a couple of occasions when trains skipped stops to catch up with the timetable.
That left me with 476 timings in the down direction and 327 in the up direction.
I’ve plotted the results as cumulative distributions on the two attached charts. In the down direction, the scheduled running time is 30.25 minutes, depending on the dwell time at Honeybourne. But the median actual running time (achieved by half of the trains) is 32.5 minutes. And 25% of trains take 34 minutes or longer – some 12% slower than the timetable.
Only 26% of trains take 31 minutes or less.
The chart for the up direction is broadly similar – a scheduled average of 30.75 minutes, a median of 32.5 minutes, and 28% taking 34 minutes or longer.
What this is telling me is that the trains can’t keep up with the current timetable, and that it’s not all surprising to find them being turned short – down Hereford trains only getting as far as Malvern and so on.
The Cotswold line may well suffer badly in this regard – the standard calling pattern between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill (57 miles) has 8 intermediate stops, so the station-to-station distance averages out at 6.3 miles. Over that distance, acceleration is very important, and that will be badly affected by engines that are not working.
Unless Hitachi can get the engines working properly soon, an emergency timetable looks very likely.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370344/31355/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:35, 31st December 2025 | |
A very detailed update, from the BBC:
UK prepares for New Year celebrations as cold weather warnings issued
It is an excellent, detailed and wide-ranging updated news item, so I won't quote from it here: please click on this link to read it all, or just pick out the parts that affect you.
Please do take care out there, if you are travelling, and have a Happy New Year!
CfN.
| New Year's Eve trains disrupted by cable theft near Doncaster, South Yorkshire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370343/31362/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:19, 31st December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
New Year's Eve trains disrupted by cable theft near Doncaster
Rail passengers have been warned of delays and cancellations until the end of New Year's Eve after signalling cables were stolen in South Yorkshire.
National Rail said several routes had been affected following the theft between Doncaster and Sheffield, which it first reported shortly before 05:30 GMT on Wednesday.
After initially saying the disruption was expected to last until mid-morning, National Rail later said passengers were likely to face problems all day.
Services run by Northern, including local services in South Yorkshire and trains running from Doncaster to Hull and Scarborough, are among those affected.
CrossCountry services between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street, which call at Sheffield, Wakefield, Leeds and York, have also been affected.
TransPennine Express services running between Liverpool Lime Street and Cleethorpes, which call at Doncaster, have been hit as well.
A spokesperson for Northern said services were able to run between Doncaster and Swinton again from about 09:30 GMT onwards, although they warned that "fewer trains will be able to operate along this route while this issue continues". They also said that trains between Sheffield and Doncaster/Adwick "may be delayed or revised".
"Northern train ticket restrictions have been lifted in the affected areas, including advance and peak restrictions, during this disruption," they added.
A National Rail spokesperson said: "Theft of signalling cables between Doncaster and Sheffield means trains must run at a reduced speed on all lines. As a result, services operating between Doncaster and Sheffield may be cancelled, delayed by up to 25 minutes, revised or diverted. Disruption is expected until the end of the day."
Rail passengers have been warned of delays and cancellations until the end of New Year's Eve after signalling cables were stolen in South Yorkshire.
National Rail said several routes had been affected following the theft between Doncaster and Sheffield, which it first reported shortly before 05:30 GMT on Wednesday.
After initially saying the disruption was expected to last until mid-morning, National Rail later said passengers were likely to face problems all day.
Services run by Northern, including local services in South Yorkshire and trains running from Doncaster to Hull and Scarborough, are among those affected.
CrossCountry services between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street, which call at Sheffield, Wakefield, Leeds and York, have also been affected.
TransPennine Express services running between Liverpool Lime Street and Cleethorpes, which call at Doncaster, have been hit as well.
A spokesperson for Northern said services were able to run between Doncaster and Swinton again from about 09:30 GMT onwards, although they warned that "fewer trains will be able to operate along this route while this issue continues". They also said that trains between Sheffield and Doncaster/Adwick "may be delayed or revised".
"Northern train ticket restrictions have been lifted in the affected areas, including advance and peak restrictions, during this disruption," they added.
A National Rail spokesperson said: "Theft of signalling cables between Doncaster and Sheffield means trains must run at a reduced speed on all lines. As a result, services operating between Doncaster and Sheffield may be cancelled, delayed by up to 25 minutes, revised or diverted. Disruption is expected until the end of the day."
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [370341/29726/18] Posted by bobm at 09:36, 31st December 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
My source is Real Time Trains, which suggests it is.
