Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371543/22771/12] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:10, 25th January 2026 |      |
Yes, that was sort of inevitable. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: East-West Rail: Bicester residents call for rail crossing update In "Chiltern Railways services" [371540/27304/44] Posted by ChrisB at 19:55, 25th January 2026 | |
From Oxford Mail
Bicester: London Road crossing crowdfunder launched
A community has launched a crowdfunder after it was announced that the Government would not fund a motorised underpass at a level crossing set for closure.
The development of East West Rail, linking Oxford with Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford, will mean the closure of Bicester London Road level crossing due to an increase in the frequency of trains passing through it, prompting the need to find alternative routes for motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
There are major fears that closing the crossing to vehicles would cut the town in two and even result in town centre businesses closing.
In November 2025, East West Railway Company published its latest proposals, which revealed updated designs for both an underpass proposal and an alternative footbridge solution at the crossing.
READ MORE: Man in 50s dies following 'medical incident' at retail park
East West Rail said that an underpass - the design for which includes a single-lane road that could be used by vehicles alongside a protected active travel corridor for pedestrians and cyclists - was the more popular of the two options.
However, this would be subject to securing third-party funding contributions.
This was met with anger from the community, including from local campaigner of more than a decade and chairman of the Langford Village Community Association, Carole Hetherington, who described the announcement as 'incredibly frustrating'.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “It is for East West Railway Company to bring forward plans for a replacement level crossing, and we are working with them to explore funding options.”
Ms Hetherington has now launched a crowdfunder called 'Donate a Pound to go Underground', with the aim of showing the Treasury how many people are backing the campaign through one pound donations.
The initiative has the full backing of Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, as well as the full support of local independent businesses, including The Fat Zebra, Imagex, and O'Gormans.
She told this newspaper: "We want to make it clear to the Treasury as we have done previously to East West Rail and the Department of Transport this is vital for Bicester, its the most cost effective long term solution and the only workable solution.
"This is the last vital push to get the solution all of us in Bicester recognise is the solution we need for Bicester and convince the Treasury that Bicester deserves and needs this, rather than cutting the town in two and adversely affecting the town centre businesses.
"I really hope this campaign of Donate a Pound to go Underground makes the Treasury realise how important this is for the long term future of Bicester, and that every donated pound represents one resident of Bicester saying we need this motorised underpass."
Mr Miller said: "This crowdfunder allows people across Bicester to show, in the strongest and most accessible way possible, that they back a motorised underpass for our town.
"The Treasury has been clear that local contributions matter in securing an underpass.
"This initiative is not about how much we raise but how many residents will make a token contribution.
"We have already seen nearly 5,000 people sign a petition in person, and this is about widening that opportunity so as many people as possible can take part.”The Lib Dem MP said this is the 'critical phase of decision-making' by the Government ahead of the consultation at the end of February.
"The funds raised are important, but just as important is what they represent: a clear, collective statement from residents that keeping Bicester connected matters," he added.
“This campaign, led by community leaders like Carole, will be running for several weeks to make sure everyone has the chance to get involved.
"If you feel strongly about keeping Bicester connected, I would encourage you to take part, whether that is donating online, visiting the stall at Friday's market, or dropping a contribution into one of the collection boxes in local businesses on the High Street.
"Every pound received will strengthen the call on the Government to do the right thing and give us the underpass we need.”
Natalie Wheble, external affairs director at East West Railway Company, previously said: “This feedback highlighted the importance of maintaining connectivity for all users of the crossing, including road access to help support local businesses and response times for the emergency services.
"Our updated proposal for an underpass maintains motorised access through the town whilst also providing a segregated route for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised users.
“Further consultation on this underpass design and the revised footbridge option will take place in 2026 to gain more feedback and help finalise our design to meet the needs of the Bicester community and its visitors as best as possible.”
Those who wish to donate can do so via the crowdfunder account called Donate a Pound to go Underground.
Alternatively, people can donate in cash at Bicester Market on Friday, January 23 and 30, as well as on Sheep Street on Saturday, January 24 and 31.
Over the next two weeks, the team will also be collecting in Launton, Ambrosden, Graven Hill, Langford Village, and near Bicester Village Station.
A community has launched a crowdfunder after it was announced that the Government would not fund a motorised underpass at a level crossing set for closure.
The development of East West Rail, linking Oxford with Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford, will mean the closure of Bicester London Road level crossing due to an increase in the frequency of trains passing through it, prompting the need to find alternative routes for motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
There are major fears that closing the crossing to vehicles would cut the town in two and even result in town centre businesses closing.
In November 2025, East West Railway Company published its latest proposals, which revealed updated designs for both an underpass proposal and an alternative footbridge solution at the crossing.
READ MORE: Man in 50s dies following 'medical incident' at retail park
East West Rail said that an underpass - the design for which includes a single-lane road that could be used by vehicles alongside a protected active travel corridor for pedestrians and cyclists - was the more popular of the two options.
However, this would be subject to securing third-party funding contributions.
This was met with anger from the community, including from local campaigner of more than a decade and chairman of the Langford Village Community Association, Carole Hetherington, who described the announcement as 'incredibly frustrating'.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “It is for East West Railway Company to bring forward plans for a replacement level crossing, and we are working with them to explore funding options.”
Ms Hetherington has now launched a crowdfunder called 'Donate a Pound to go Underground', with the aim of showing the Treasury how many people are backing the campaign through one pound donations.
The initiative has the full backing of Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, as well as the full support of local independent businesses, including The Fat Zebra, Imagex, and O'Gormans.
She told this newspaper: "We want to make it clear to the Treasury as we have done previously to East West Rail and the Department of Transport this is vital for Bicester, its the most cost effective long term solution and the only workable solution.
"This is the last vital push to get the solution all of us in Bicester recognise is the solution we need for Bicester and convince the Treasury that Bicester deserves and needs this, rather than cutting the town in two and adversely affecting the town centre businesses.
"I really hope this campaign of Donate a Pound to go Underground makes the Treasury realise how important this is for the long term future of Bicester, and that every donated pound represents one resident of Bicester saying we need this motorised underpass."
Mr Miller said: "This crowdfunder allows people across Bicester to show, in the strongest and most accessible way possible, that they back a motorised underpass for our town.
"The Treasury has been clear that local contributions matter in securing an underpass.
"This initiative is not about how much we raise but how many residents will make a token contribution.
"We have already seen nearly 5,000 people sign a petition in person, and this is about widening that opportunity so as many people as possible can take part.”The Lib Dem MP said this is the 'critical phase of decision-making' by the Government ahead of the consultation at the end of February.
"The funds raised are important, but just as important is what they represent: a clear, collective statement from residents that keeping Bicester connected matters," he added.
“This campaign, led by community leaders like Carole, will be running for several weeks to make sure everyone has the chance to get involved.
"If you feel strongly about keeping Bicester connected, I would encourage you to take part, whether that is donating online, visiting the stall at Friday's market, or dropping a contribution into one of the collection boxes in local businesses on the High Street.
"Every pound received will strengthen the call on the Government to do the right thing and give us the underpass we need.”
Natalie Wheble, external affairs director at East West Railway Company, previously said: “This feedback highlighted the importance of maintaining connectivity for all users of the crossing, including road access to help support local businesses and response times for the emergency services.
"Our updated proposal for an underpass maintains motorised access through the town whilst also providing a segregated route for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised users.
“Further consultation on this underpass design and the revised footbridge option will take place in 2026 to gain more feedback and help finalise our design to meet the needs of the Bicester community and its visitors as best as possible.”
Those who wish to donate can do so via the crowdfunder account called Donate a Pound to go Underground.
Alternatively, people can donate in cash at Bicester Market on Friday, January 23 and 30, as well as on Sheep Street on Saturday, January 24 and 31.
Over the next two weeks, the team will also be collecting in Launton, Ambrosden, Graven Hill, Langford Village, and near Bicester Village Station.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/keep-london-road-open-1
| The most annoying habit for UK train passengers revealed In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371539/31513/51] Posted by ChrisB at 19:49, 25th January 2026 | |
From the Daily Mail
After wrestling your case into the small luggage racks and hurrying to your seat before the train sets off, the last thing you want is to be sat next to an annoying passenger.
There are plenty of bad habits that can be frustrating for fellow travellers to have to deal with.
A new survey has revealed exactly what grinds the gears of train passengers the most, and leaving litter or food packaging behind proved to be the worst.
The research looked into which commuter habits annoy other passengers the most, and which behaviours are seen as unacceptable during peak travel times.
A whopping 74 per cent feel leaving behind litter on a train is never acceptable, but surprisingly plenty of travellers admit to doing it.
Some 10 per cent say they litter on trains often, and 33 per cent admit they're guilty of doing it.
Commuters feel so strongly about this that 75 per cent think it should be punishable with a fine, and the preferred penalty is between £11 and £20.
Another behaviour that many commuters condemn on trains is putting feet on seats, and 70 per cent find the bad habit unacceptable.
Some 58 per cent in the survey by Japanese rail travel company JRPass also feel those who put their feet on seats should be fined between £11 and £20.
But, like littering, plenty partake in the action and 11 per cent say they do it regularly.
Train travel can get chaotic, especially with cancellations and delays leading to additional passengers joining onto other services.
Doorways often become a popular spot for travellers to stand, but many (68 per cent) find this habit frustrating when there is space inside the carriage.
However, 38 per cent of commuters admit they are guilty of doing so.
It's a common sight on almost every train journey - passengers putting their bags on empty seats when there are people standing up.
Some 66 per cent find it unacceptable, but a whopping 41 per cent admit they often place their bags on seats.
Another common behaviour, found annoying by 61 per cent of travellers, is listening to music or videos out loud without headphones.
Despite it being a nuisance for those wanting a peaceful journey, 46 per cent say they have done it before.
However, 49 per cent think those who are bold enough to play their music out loud should be fined between £11 and £20.
Other bad habits that were highlighted in the survey include speaking loudly on the phone or having loud conversations, as well as eating hot or strong-smelling food.
Passengers drinking alcohol also proved to be frustrating for 46 per cent, while putting makeup on is deemed unacceptable by 23 per cent.
There are plenty of bad habits that can be frustrating for fellow travellers to have to deal with.
A new survey has revealed exactly what grinds the gears of train passengers the most, and leaving litter or food packaging behind proved to be the worst.
The research looked into which commuter habits annoy other passengers the most, and which behaviours are seen as unacceptable during peak travel times.
A whopping 74 per cent feel leaving behind litter on a train is never acceptable, but surprisingly plenty of travellers admit to doing it.
Some 10 per cent say they litter on trains often, and 33 per cent admit they're guilty of doing it.
Commuters feel so strongly about this that 75 per cent think it should be punishable with a fine, and the preferred penalty is between £11 and £20.
Another behaviour that many commuters condemn on trains is putting feet on seats, and 70 per cent find the bad habit unacceptable.
Some 58 per cent in the survey by Japanese rail travel company JRPass also feel those who put their feet on seats should be fined between £11 and £20.
But, like littering, plenty partake in the action and 11 per cent say they do it regularly.
Train travel can get chaotic, especially with cancellations and delays leading to additional passengers joining onto other services.
Doorways often become a popular spot for travellers to stand, but many (68 per cent) find this habit frustrating when there is space inside the carriage.
However, 38 per cent of commuters admit they are guilty of doing so.
It's a common sight on almost every train journey - passengers putting their bags on empty seats when there are people standing up.
Some 66 per cent find it unacceptable, but a whopping 41 per cent admit they often place their bags on seats.
Another common behaviour, found annoying by 61 per cent of travellers, is listening to music or videos out loud without headphones.
Despite it being a nuisance for those wanting a peaceful journey, 46 per cent say they have done it before.
However, 49 per cent think those who are bold enough to play their music out loud should be fined between £11 and £20.
Other bad habits that were highlighted in the survey include speaking loudly on the phone or having loud conversations, as well as eating hot or strong-smelling food.
Passengers drinking alcohol also proved to be frustrating for 46 per cent, while putting makeup on is deemed unacceptable by 23 per cent.
| Network Rail gets go-ahead to make city railway station more accessible In "London to the Cotswolds" [371538/31512/14] Posted by ChrisB at 19:44, 25th January 2026 | |
From Worcester News, via MSN
UPGRADES at a city railway station will provide step-free access to all platforms.
Network Rail has been given the go-ahead to carry out work at Worcester’s historic Shrub Hill Station.
The installation of new lifts and steps from both platforms will allow a luggage bridge to be used by passengers.
ACCESS: Lifts will be installed so passengers can use the luggage bridge at Shrub Hill station (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
The original bridge was removed from the station in 2020 having fallen into disrepair and replaced with a modern replica.
Now the rollout of Network Rail’s Access for All programme means it can be used to improve accessibility at Shrub Hill.
Access for All was launched in 2006 and has seen more than £500 million invested in stations across the country.
Network Rail said: “The aim of this programme is to provide a step-free route from a single drop-off point at the front of the station to all platforms.”
Worcester City Council, granting planning permission for the work, said the proposals would result in a low level of harm to the station, which is a Grade II listed building, and this was “outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal, which is to make the station fully accessible”.
Other railway station upgrades are set to be scrapped as cash-strapped Worcestershire County Council looks to reduce its spending and borrowing.
A £12m scheme to upgrade Redditch Railway Station is being replaced by a £1m project to carry out highways and station access work around the station.
The council is cutting a £1m scheme to improve accessibility at stations including Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Pershore and Alvechurch.
And it will no longer be providing £1.484m in match-funding for work relating to “Shrub Hill frontage” after a bid for Levelling Up money proved unsuccessful.
Network Rail has been given the go-ahead to carry out work at Worcester’s historic Shrub Hill Station.
The installation of new lifts and steps from both platforms will allow a luggage bridge to be used by passengers.
ACCESS: Lifts will be installed so passengers can use the luggage bridge at Shrub Hill station (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
The original bridge was removed from the station in 2020 having fallen into disrepair and replaced with a modern replica.
Now the rollout of Network Rail’s Access for All programme means it can be used to improve accessibility at Shrub Hill.
Access for All was launched in 2006 and has seen more than £500 million invested in stations across the country.
Network Rail said: “The aim of this programme is to provide a step-free route from a single drop-off point at the front of the station to all platforms.”
Worcester City Council, granting planning permission for the work, said the proposals would result in a low level of harm to the station, which is a Grade II listed building, and this was “outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal, which is to make the station fully accessible”.
Other railway station upgrades are set to be scrapped as cash-strapped Worcestershire County Council looks to reduce its spending and borrowing.
A £12m scheme to upgrade Redditch Railway Station is being replaced by a £1m project to carry out highways and station access work around the station.
The council is cutting a £1m scheme to improve accessibility at stations including Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Pershore and Alvechurch.
And it will no longer be providing £1.484m in match-funding for work relating to “Shrub Hill frontage” after a bid for Levelling Up money proved unsuccessful.
| Re: Newquay trains cancelled because of flooding In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371537/19772/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:22, 25th January 2026 | |
Perhaps you could do a quick dive down there, to have a look around for us?
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests] [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Newquay trains cancelled because of flooding In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371536/19772/25] Posted by bradshaw at 19:15, 25th January 2026 | |
Is this another example of a river scour? There is a bridge just to the south east of Roche station.
| Alfie rides his unicycle to school in Darlington every day In "Buses and other ways to travel" [371535/31511/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:54, 25th January 2026 | |
A video news report, from the BBC:
Alfie rides his unicycle to school every day
Some pupils get to school by walking, some might get a bus, a lift from a parent, some even ride their bike in.
Not Alfie. He prefers to commute on his unicycle.
The 11-year-old picked up a second-hand unicycle from Facebook after trying a single-wheeler on a whim and deciding he wanted to learn it properly.
Over the course of a weekend, in hour-long sessions, he practiced, fell, practiced again and fell some more until he finally got the knack.
"I would just try and ride from a tree to a dog poo bin, and got further and further, made it to my grandparents' house and then I made it to school," explained Alfie.
Some pupils get to school by walking, some might get a bus, a lift from a parent, some even ride their bike in.
Not Alfie. He prefers to commute on his unicycle.
The 11-year-old picked up a second-hand unicycle from Facebook after trying a single-wheeler on a whim and deciding he wanted to learn it properly.
Over the course of a weekend, in hour-long sessions, he practiced, fell, practiced again and fell some more until he finally got the knack.
"I would just try and ride from a tree to a dog poo bin, and got further and further, made it to my grandparents' house and then I made it to school," explained Alfie.
It's a video item, you need to click on the link to view it (1 minute 9 seconds).
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371534/22771/12] Posted by grahame at 18:39, 25th January 2026 | |
Thoughts and prayers for Dawlish Station's relatively new lifts today and this evening.
Mark
Mark
Dawlish: Lifts out of order
The lifts will be out of order between platform 2 and the car park from now until further notice at Dawlish station.
Last Updated:25/01/2026 16:02
The lifts will be out of order between platform 2 and the car park from now until further notice at Dawlish station.
Last Updated:25/01/2026 16:02
| Re: Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371533/31510/18] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:34, 25th January 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Over the years, I have used Melksham station a fair few times, as a visitor [Image from here is not available to guests]. On many such occasions, I found the help of a knowledgeable local volunteer (grahame, in my case [Image from here is not available to guests]) to be very useful, in suggesting options if my intended train was delayed or cancelled, for example. The information screens do provide some (fairly limited) factual details, but no guidance as to what options could be available. The help point I found to be of no help whatever, frankly, when I tried to use it.
I saw the cafe and thought that was an excellent facility - but, as grahame says, it was in exactly the right place but unfortunately at exactly the wrong time - during Covid lockdown. As to the possible future reopening of the facility, I think it could really take off: I would certainly use it.
My vote in the above poll has been cast accordingly. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Newquay trains cancelled because of flooding In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371532/19772/25] Posted by grahame at 18:26, 25th January 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Par and Newquay
Due to flooding between Par and Newquay:
Train services running to and from these stations have been cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
Due to flooding in the Roche area, the line is currently closed.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
We are working with Network Rail to be able to return to running our normal timetable as soon as possible, however this will now not be until Tuesday 27th January at the earliest. Road transport will operate in lieu of the train service for the remainder of the day, and has also been confirmed for Monday 26th January.
Due to flooding between Par and Newquay:
Train services running to and from these stations have been cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
Due to flooding in the Roche area, the line is currently closed.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
We are working with Network Rail to be able to return to running our normal timetable as soon as possible, however this will now not be until Tuesday 27th January at the earliest. Road transport will operate in lieu of the train service for the remainder of the day, and has also been confirmed for Monday 26th January.
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371531/569/25] Posted by grahame at 18:24, 25th January 2026 | |
Alterations to services between Liskeard and Looe
Due to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 28/01/26.
Due to flooding between Liskeard and Looe the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations have been suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 28/01/26.
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371530/22771/12] Posted by johnneyw at 17:19, 25th January 2026 | |
Well, reopening of the line through Dawlish may have taken a big knock.
A sinkhole has been discovered on the section between Parsons Tunnel and Teignmouth with possible voiding.
A sinkhole has been discovered on the section between Parsons Tunnel and Teignmouth with possible voiding.
Ouch, that is not good.
It might be this one, reported in the local news:
Gaping hole appears on Teignmouth seafront after Storm Ingrid - Devon Live https://share.google/PdfE1h4nAYaHKSOxc
If so, then it looks like it's not an immediate threat to the line.
Edit: There's pictures of the damage from the seaward side taken at low tide on the "Railways of Devon and Cornwall" Facebook pages.
| Re: Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371529/31510/18] Posted by johnneyw at 15:57, 25th January 2026 | |
Not being a resident of the town, or wider locality, the value of my opinion is somewhat limited but surely any thought through project such as this should at the very least be progressed further. Who knows what may grow from it?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371528/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:56, 25th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
A good week - how it should be, and here's hoping it can continue like this.
I am delighted that the 07:21 in the mornings has consistently been on time, so (Thingley Junction traffic allowing) will allow a good connection into Bristol.
The late running by a few minutes of the final train of the day is encouraged and expected, as it's scheduled as a 5 minute connection off the express from London and little delays to connect make it work. I was on this train last Tuesday, and a noticeable number of people joined us off the London to Cheltenham Spa express before we set off from Swindon. And there are no onward connections at Trowbridge or Westbury that are compromised by a few minutes late running, so it's AOK on this train.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371527/31503/31] Posted by ellendune at 14:22, 25th January 2026 | |
The proposals seem to mirror those proposed in 2005 which were described by the BBC here:
If so it would be between 12 and 18 police forces
East Midlands - Either one East Midlands force; or two forces - one covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and another for Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
| Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371525/31510/18] Posted by grahame at 12:59, 25th January 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Now that I have asked the key local players I am re-sharing this post in public. Most of the elephants in the room have been addressed - they are listed in the supporting documents - with only one remaining a a major concern and we are looking at how to mitigate that one. It may be just a matter of timing rather than anything else on that one.
With passenger journey numbers dropping from 75,000 to 18,000 during the "Covid year", and for so many of the remaining journeys being for work for people who could not work from home, the opening of the "Melksham Hub Cafe" could not have come at a worse time! Now, after a pause to regroup and with so much learned, it's time to revisit a volunteer presence to help customers of public transport near the station.
* Passenger numbers are back up to around 65,000 per annum
* Passenger metrics have changed, somewhat away from daily commuting towards more occasional use that requires more support
* The trains have a reputation for unreliabiiity and an informed volunteer at the station can do miracles - as we have illustrated from time to time on an adhoc basis
* The Neighbourhood Plan, which passed referendum in July 2025, includes what we are calling the "InfoStation" as part of the longer term area plan - until 2038. Town and Parish councils fully on board.
* Our distribution exercise for public transport information and a number of other local indicators have confirmed that we'll have effective volunteers to staff the place with a simple model that brings them social benefit as well as the customers.
* Some elements of the business case model that had to be included in the "Melksham Hub" are no longer there, and things like many element of the refit remain and aren't another expense.
* CCIF offers an opportunity to bid for seeding costs
I have been working with others in Melksham (under the auspices of MTUG) to get all our ducks in a row and check that all the elephants in the room are identified and dealt with. Looking good for a CCIF bid, and we have let wider potential partners know too. Just for the moment, this is in "Frequent Posters" - a public version once some things are clarified and initial stakeholder inputs received should be published by the end of this month.
Documents for members:
Draft proposal (MTUG)
Report of local "intelligence" on public transport (MTUG)
CCIF guidance (GWR)
* Passenger numbers are back up to around 65,000 per annum
* Passenger metrics have changed, somewhat away from daily commuting towards more occasional use that requires more support
* The trains have a reputation for unreliabiiity and an informed volunteer at the station can do miracles - as we have illustrated from time to time on an adhoc basis
* The Neighbourhood Plan, which passed referendum in July 2025, includes what we are calling the "InfoStation" as part of the longer term area plan - until 2038. Town and Parish councils fully on board.
* Our distribution exercise for public transport information and a number of other local indicators have confirmed that we'll have effective volunteers to staff the place with a simple model that brings them social benefit as well as the customers.
* Some elements of the business case model that had to be included in the "Melksham Hub" are no longer there, and things like many element of the refit remain and aren't another expense.
* CCIF offers an opportunity to bid for seeding costs
I have been working with others in Melksham (under the auspices of MTUG) to get all our ducks in a row and check that all the elephants in the room are identified and dealt with. Looking good for a CCIF bid, and we have let wider potential partners know too. Just for the moment, this is in "Frequent Posters" - a public version once some things are clarified and initial stakeholder inputs received should be published by the end of this month.
Documents for members:
Draft proposal (MTUG)
Report of local "intelligence" on public transport (MTUG)
CCIF guidance (GWR)
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371524/22771/12] Posted by Mark A at 12:59, 25th January 2026 | |
The BGS borehole map has a couple of GWR-origin boreholes to be found inland from Dawlish. It also has several for the proposed second route to Looe.
Mark
https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html?layer=BGSBoreholes
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371523/22771/12] Posted by John D at 11:28, 25th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, bradshaw | |
The line is so low lying and close to the sea it is always going to be vulnerable to storms.
There was an inland deviation route, considered, which got Parliamentary approval (see attached link of Great Western Railway (Additional powers) Act 1936. My understanding is work actually started on the construction in 1939, but the outbreak of war halted it, and never recommenced.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo5and1Edw8/26/101/contents/enacted.
The 1936 also has the powers for alternative line to Looe to avoid the difficult to work (and prone to flooding) existing line
Descriptions of the routes in the Act and appendices, although deposited plans must be separate
| Re: Interstation connecting tunnels In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371522/31509/51] Posted by Mark A at 11:24, 25th January 2026 | |
**snip**
Other inter-station walking connection from the existing via the sublime to the ridiculous ...
**snip list**
Can totally not recommend Forsinard to Kinbrace, especially on the spur of the moment and especially not with a rucksack, and also cradling an english banjo.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Junction Railwayana - Collectors' fairs 2026 In "Railway History and related topics" [371521/30999/55] Posted by John D at 11:12, 25th January 2026 | |
I don't have a facebook account, although what Grahame has thoughtfully copied, gives dates, does it say the opening hours ?
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371520/22771/12] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:50, 25th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A, johnneyw, Timmer, eightonedee, Chris from Nailsea, Ivor Dewdney | |
The line is open to long distance trains, with all services using the reversible Up line between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. No rail services calling at stations between Exeter St David's and Newton Abbot - these are being served by rail replacement buses.
Impressive given the battering it took.
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371519/22771/12] Posted by PhilWakely at 10:36, 25th January 2026 | |
Pushed out till 1600 tomorrow
Cancellations to services between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot
Due to severe weather earlier between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot:
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or suspended. Disruption is expected until 16:00 25/01.
......wouldn't be surprised if there are further extensions?
Cancellations to services between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot
Due to severe weather earlier between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot:
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or suspended. Disruption is expected until 16:00 25/01.
......wouldn't be surprised if there are further extensions?
The line is open to long distance trains, with all services using the reversible Up line between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. No rail services calling at stations between Exeter St David's and Newton Abbot - these are being served by rail replacement buses.
A points failure at the west end of St David's station did not help between 08:00 and 10:15!
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [371518/569/25] Posted by grahame at 09:54, 25th January 2026 | |
In light of the torrential rain over the last 24 hours, and similar due for the next 48 hours, this doesn't bode well for re-opening anytime soon!
Now "end of the day" on 26/1/26
Will it ever reopen? If this happens more frequently will it just become too expensive to keep open?
We should perhaps be grateful this didn't happen between the 1950s and the 1980s, as it probably would have been an excuse to close the branch.
Sounds like it needs some permanent resilience!
I would agree th sentiment .... but I have not seen any report of just how much remedial work is needed. Is it a big job, or just a slow job? I did note it took a long time even to have a specialist inspection.
There have been lines which have closed prematurely through catastrophic failure such as the old Caledonian route to Oban via Killin Junction (as far as Crainlarich) though that was already planned to go anyway. Overseas, the line to Roscoff was still operational when it washed out and although I think it may remain (in theory) on the books of the French Railway network, prospects do not look good.
| Re: Interstation connecting tunnels In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371517/31509/51] Posted by Oxonhutch at 09:51, 25th January 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Euston mainline to Euston Square underground would be very doable and quite useful - especially in the rain dragging a suitcase.
