Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Making sure the information you might need is easily available In "Smoke and Mirrors" [369691/31262/3] Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:53, 17th December 2025 Already liked by grahame |      |
On in-train door open buttons, I will admit (not sure what the stock was) to opening the train loo door on one occasion rather than the door to get off ...
Been there and got the T-shirt - IET stock, Carriage K or E and open the disabled toilet to attempt an exit to platform. Ooops!
| Re: Eastern Airways - regional airline, now in administration - merged posts (Nov 2025) In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369690/29761/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:39, 17th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Plan for flights connecting Wick with Aberdeen and Edinburgh
People in the north Highlands could be able to fly to Edinburgh next year under a proposed expansion of the subsidised air service at Wick John O' Groats Airport.
Eastern Airways entered administration in November, grounding regular flights between Wick and Aberdeen.
Highland Council hopes to find a new airline to run the public service obligation (PSO) route, which is supported by the local authority and Scottish government. A spokesperson said the initial two-year contract would be for operating services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said the publication of an invitation to companies to bid for the contract represented a "major step" forward in efforts to secure the future of Wick's air services.
He added: "I have long made the case that not just continuation, but expansion of these services is needed to best serve people living and working in the north Highlands. I am also keenly aware of the local demand for restored air connectivity to Edinburgh."
Transport Scotland said it was considering the business case from Highland Council on a future Wick to Aberdeen/Edinburgh route and would confirm next steps in due course.
People in the north Highlands could be able to fly to Edinburgh next year under a proposed expansion of the subsidised air service at Wick John O' Groats Airport.
Eastern Airways entered administration in November, grounding regular flights between Wick and Aberdeen.
Highland Council hopes to find a new airline to run the public service obligation (PSO) route, which is supported by the local authority and Scottish government. A spokesperson said the initial two-year contract would be for operating services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said the publication of an invitation to companies to bid for the contract represented a "major step" forward in efforts to secure the future of Wick's air services.
He added: "I have long made the case that not just continuation, but expansion of these services is needed to best serve people living and working in the north Highlands. I am also keenly aware of the local demand for restored air connectivity to Edinburgh."
Transport Scotland said it was considering the business case from Highland Council on a future Wick to Aberdeen/Edinburgh route and would confirm next steps in due course.
| Re: Disused rail viaduct over the Spey at Garmouth fails In "Railway History and related topics" [369689/31260/55] Posted by ChrisB at 17:36, 17th December 2025 | |
Fund repairs for the Spey Viaduct - Change.org petition
From the BBC
Replacing collapsed bridge 'nigh on impossible' cost for council
Replacing a historic former railway bridge across the River Spey would be "nigh on impossible" due to the cost, a councillor has said
The 350ft (107m) Spey Viaduct - an iron girder structure near Garmouth - partially collapsed at the weekend.
Moray Council said initial inspections suggested scour - fast-moving water eroding foundations - appeared to be the cause.
Councillor Marc Macrae said the cost of a replacement for the 1886 bridge would be beyond the council's means.
Moray Council said that at the time of the last inspection report by a specialist contractor, in 2023, there was no evidence of scour.
The Speyside Way - a long-distance trail which traces the River Spey from the Moray Firth to the Cairngorms National Park - passes one end of the bridge.
It is also part of the National Cycle Network.
Councillor Macrae represents the local Fochabers and Lhanbryde ward and is also chairman of Moray Council's economic development and infrastructure services committee.
He told BBC Scotland News he had felt a "state of shock" at what had happened, as the structure had been part of daily life for so long.
After the railway line closed in the 1960s the bridge remained popular with walkers, cyclists and tourists.
"I think the important thing at the minute is to assess the damage that has been done, we need a plan for how we remove the two deck sections that are now in the river," he said.
"And then look to investigate the rest of the structure of the bridge.
"I wouldn't even like to guesstimate a figure to repair the bridge, let alone replace the bridge if necessary."
He said it would be challenging to find the funding to replace the bridge, when competing with other services for money.
"In the current financial climate, it's going to be nigh on impossible," he said.
"I would hope national government if anything would step in here because it's a project way beyond the means of the local authority and the constrained budgets we have at this time."
Mr Macrae said the bridge had been relied on for well over a century, so it was important to find some kind of solution.
"It might not be the iconic bridge because of the cost. But I think the fact these two communities have been linked together for such a long period of time, people will look to see a solution put in place," he said.
"I am very sad that this has happened."
Roddy Robertson, the chairman of Garmouth and Kingston Community Association, said concerns had been raised for more than a decade.
"One of our fears was it would get to this position that we are in today, that the bridge would become unsafe, it would be too expensive to fix, and we would lose that bridge," he said.
"So it's extremely frustrating to see the bridge lost when it possibly could have been saved. Who knows, we won't know that, that's hindsight now I suppose.
"The community is absolutely devastated, yesterday (Sunday) was a bit of grief almost if you like, I know it's a structure, today is now asking questions about why did it happen and where do we go from here."
He said although it was not a road bridge, it brought people to the local communities.
"It's now a nine-mile trek round to get to the same place," he said.
"It's an ideal place to walk.
"Part of me always thinks every cloud has a silver lining, we will see what we can build from this, whether it's a replacement, hopefully something good will come from this."Moray Council has maintained the bridge since 1968 when the railway line was closed.
The local authority said in a statement on Monday evening: "Engineers have now assessed the Garmouth Viaduct and on initial inspection can confirm the collapse appears to be due to scour.
"It appears that over the last year the river flow path has changed, which may have contributed to a change of impact on the piers.
"We're in the process of instructing a specialist engineer to undertake a more detailed inspection and assessment and hope that this can be progressed before Christmas or early in the new year."
Options will be presented to councillors "as soon as practicably possible".
The statement added: "We're well aware of the strength of feeling in the local community, and further afield, for this bridge and how well used it is by walkers and cyclists."
The bridge will remain closed until further notice.
Replacing a historic former railway bridge across the River Spey would be "nigh on impossible" due to the cost, a councillor has said
The 350ft (107m) Spey Viaduct - an iron girder structure near Garmouth - partially collapsed at the weekend.
Moray Council said initial inspections suggested scour - fast-moving water eroding foundations - appeared to be the cause.
Councillor Marc Macrae said the cost of a replacement for the 1886 bridge would be beyond the council's means.
Moray Council said that at the time of the last inspection report by a specialist contractor, in 2023, there was no evidence of scour.
The Speyside Way - a long-distance trail which traces the River Spey from the Moray Firth to the Cairngorms National Park - passes one end of the bridge.
It is also part of the National Cycle Network.
Councillor Macrae represents the local Fochabers and Lhanbryde ward and is also chairman of Moray Council's economic development and infrastructure services committee.
He told BBC Scotland News he had felt a "state of shock" at what had happened, as the structure had been part of daily life for so long.
After the railway line closed in the 1960s the bridge remained popular with walkers, cyclists and tourists.
"I think the important thing at the minute is to assess the damage that has been done, we need a plan for how we remove the two deck sections that are now in the river," he said.
"And then look to investigate the rest of the structure of the bridge.
"I wouldn't even like to guesstimate a figure to repair the bridge, let alone replace the bridge if necessary."
He said it would be challenging to find the funding to replace the bridge, when competing with other services for money.
"In the current financial climate, it's going to be nigh on impossible," he said.
"I would hope national government if anything would step in here because it's a project way beyond the means of the local authority and the constrained budgets we have at this time."
Mr Macrae said the bridge had been relied on for well over a century, so it was important to find some kind of solution.
"It might not be the iconic bridge because of the cost. But I think the fact these two communities have been linked together for such a long period of time, people will look to see a solution put in place," he said.
"I am very sad that this has happened."
Roddy Robertson, the chairman of Garmouth and Kingston Community Association, said concerns had been raised for more than a decade.
"One of our fears was it would get to this position that we are in today, that the bridge would become unsafe, it would be too expensive to fix, and we would lose that bridge," he said.
"So it's extremely frustrating to see the bridge lost when it possibly could have been saved. Who knows, we won't know that, that's hindsight now I suppose.
"The community is absolutely devastated, yesterday (Sunday) was a bit of grief almost if you like, I know it's a structure, today is now asking questions about why did it happen and where do we go from here."
He said although it was not a road bridge, it brought people to the local communities.
"It's now a nine-mile trek round to get to the same place," he said.
"It's an ideal place to walk.
"Part of me always thinks every cloud has a silver lining, we will see what we can build from this, whether it's a replacement, hopefully something good will come from this."Moray Council has maintained the bridge since 1968 when the railway line was closed.
The local authority said in a statement on Monday evening: "Engineers have now assessed the Garmouth Viaduct and on initial inspection can confirm the collapse appears to be due to scour.
"It appears that over the last year the river flow path has changed, which may have contributed to a change of impact on the piers.
"We're in the process of instructing a specialist engineer to undertake a more detailed inspection and assessment and hope that this can be progressed before Christmas or early in the new year."
Options will be presented to councillors "as soon as practicably possible".
The statement added: "We're well aware of the strength of feeling in the local community, and further afield, for this bridge and how well used it is by walkers and cyclists."
The bridge will remain closed until further notice.
| Re: Man arrested after London train hits buffers - London Bridge, 13 Dec 2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369688/29636/51] Posted by bobm at 17:14, 17th December 2025 | |
The RAIB report (no login required) - https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-09-slash-2025-buffer-stop-collision-at-london-bridge-station
| Re: Making sure the information you might need is easily available In "Smoke and Mirrors" [369687/31262/3] Posted by CyclingSid at 16:44, 17th December 2025 | |
explaining how to open train doors, given the number of times I've seen people struggle.
It would help if there was a national standard so the same button is always at the top. I have been found wanting pressing the button to open the doors when all the other trains on the journey it has been the other way round.
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369686/31273/30] Posted by CyclingSid at 16:27, 17th December 2025 | |
If you haven't been there before you might try Het Scheepvaart (National Maritime) Museum https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.com/
No steam trains but they have a steam icebreaker.
| Re: New West Yorkshire bus fleet criticised over single-door access In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369685/31274/51] Posted by Mark A at 16:12, 17th December 2025 | |
Many of the buses to the University in Bath have separate entrance and exit doors, which are an odd match with the bus shelter at at least one of the stops - leaving the bus at the one by the abbey, I found out the hard way that the bus stops with its exit by (and close to) the clear glass screen wall of the bus shelter and how I didn't go through its glass I do not know.
Mark
| Re: Man arrested after London train hits buffers - London Bridge, 13 Dec 2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369684/29636/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:06, 17th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Train crashed into buffer due to driver microsleep
A train crashed into a buffer at London Bridge railway station due to a driver's microsleep caused by fatigue, the rail safety regulator has said.
At 15:45 GMT on 13 December 2024, the Southern service struck the buffer on platform 12 despite the emergency brake having been applied, a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report found. Nobody was injured.
The driver had less than their normal amount of sleep the night before and the rota "was constructed in a way that increased the risk of fatigue", the report says. The driver had worked many of their rostered rest days before the accident.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) says it now uses "robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts".
The report also found that none of the engineered protection systems fitted to the train intervened to prevent the collision because the train was travelling too slowly for them to be deployed.
One underlying factor was was that GTR's fatigue risk management "was not sufficiently effective and that it had not adopted some elements of industry good practice", inspectors found.
A second underlying factor concluded "there are no safety systems currently fitted to mainline trains which can detect and mitigate short losses in driver alertness".
The Rail Safety and Standards Board has been urged "to provide guidance when seeking external advice about medical conditions and working hours that may increase the risk of fatigue in safety-critical staff".
The RAIB has recommended GTR improves its fatigue risk management and follow best industry practice.
Samantha Facey, GTR's safety, health and security director, said efforts were being made to meet the recommendations. She said: "Safety is always our number-one priority and we're determined to learn from every incident to improve our safety standard for our people and our customers.
"We're committed to making sure our staff are fit and alert when they're at work – in August we updated and improved our fatigue risk management standard to help us manage fatigue more effectively, which includes reports from staff related to tiredness. We've also set up stronger working groups with staff representatives and we're now using robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts so we can spot and prevent fatigue before it becomes a risk."
A train crashed into a buffer at London Bridge railway station due to a driver's microsleep caused by fatigue, the rail safety regulator has said.
At 15:45 GMT on 13 December 2024, the Southern service struck the buffer on platform 12 despite the emergency brake having been applied, a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report found. Nobody was injured.
The driver had less than their normal amount of sleep the night before and the rota "was constructed in a way that increased the risk of fatigue", the report says. The driver had worked many of their rostered rest days before the accident.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) says it now uses "robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts".
The report also found that none of the engineered protection systems fitted to the train intervened to prevent the collision because the train was travelling too slowly for them to be deployed.
One underlying factor was was that GTR's fatigue risk management "was not sufficiently effective and that it had not adopted some elements of industry good practice", inspectors found.
A second underlying factor concluded "there are no safety systems currently fitted to mainline trains which can detect and mitigate short losses in driver alertness".
The Rail Safety and Standards Board has been urged "to provide guidance when seeking external advice about medical conditions and working hours that may increase the risk of fatigue in safety-critical staff".
The RAIB has recommended GTR improves its fatigue risk management and follow best industry practice.
Samantha Facey, GTR's safety, health and security director, said efforts were being made to meet the recommendations. She said: "Safety is always our number-one priority and we're determined to learn from every incident to improve our safety standard for our people and our customers.
"We're committed to making sure our staff are fit and alert when they're at work – in August we updated and improved our fatigue risk management standard to help us manage fatigue more effectively, which includes reports from staff related to tiredness. We've also set up stronger working groups with staff representatives and we're now using robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts so we can spot and prevent fatigue before it becomes a risk."
| MOVED: London Bridge Bufferstop collision 13 December 2024 - report In "Across the West" [369683/31279/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:55, 17th December 2025 | |
This topic has been moved to The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom and merged with an existing topic there:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=29636.msg369677#msg369677
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [369682/29711/14] Posted by charles_uk at 14:34, 17th December 2025 | |
Wednesday December 17
And bad news for tomorrow morning:
And bad news for tomorrow morning:
Facilities on the 21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:01.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:17/12/2025 06:27
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:17/12/2025 06:27
Also, not mentioned on JourneyCheck, Realtime Trains is showing the five car 802006 booked for tonight's 19:53 Paddington to Hereford sevice which will mean a second consecutive short-form in tomorrow's London bound peak.
| Re: 16th August 2025 - Buses to Imber In "Buses and other ways to travel" [369681/29807/5] Posted by Clan Line at 14:33, 17th December 2025 | |
I want that bus's numberplate.
My initials and my day of birth.
My initials and my day of birth.
The bus spent much of its life in Swindon, hence the "local" number plate.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369680/16141/14] Posted by ChrisB at 14:28, 17th December 2025 | |
It is a council car park. Leased by GWR & APCOA are sub-contracted to collect payments.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369679/16141/14] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:26, 17th December 2025 | |
Confirmed: see https://www.apcoa.co.uk/find-parking/locations/worcestershire/worcestershire-parkway-worcestershire
| Trip Report: 13-15/12/25 European Rugby In Paris In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369678/31278/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 14:11, 17th December 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | |
13/12/25 - Exeter To Paris
DIG 0845 (0844)>EXD▸ 0858 (0857) : 2T10 EXM>PGN : 2 x 150/2 (4 Cars)
EXD 0916 (0917)>PAD 1200 (1207) : 1A56 PNZ>PAD▸ : 1 x 802/1 (9 Cars)
TfL Underground Paddington > King's Cross St. Pancras (H&C Line)
Eurostar STP 1431 (OT)>PBN 1758 (OT) : Train 9032
Tickets: DIG>PAD Senior Railcard Advance Single £40.25, Railcard TfL Underground £1.85, Eurostar £51.00
2T10 was fairly well loaded on arrival at DIG where 13 pax boarded. Tickets/Railcards not checked.
1A56 was already busy on arrival at EXD and was full & standing - as it was all the way to PAD - on departure, this being slightly delayed due to the extended loading time, a situation exacerbated by the absence of on-board reservation data. I do not understand why on GWR trains reservation data is so frequently absent. Standard class trolley service announced as cancelled for obvious reasons. First delay on the approach to Hele & Bradninch where the train came to a short complete halt - TM announced a line obstruction so I would guess, but cannot confirm, fouling of the level crossing. Train was diverted via BRI (planned CLC line closure) from where it departed 2 late but was then further delayed on the approach to, and at, BTH by the late running 1F11 CDF>PMH and the significant passenger exchange (last day of the Bath Christmas Market according to the TM). Service ran late for the remainder of the journey and arrived at PAD 7 minutes down.
Tickets / Railcards not checked.
Absolute scrum at the PAD Platform 10 gateline to the extent that just before I got there the GWR staff surrendered and opened all the gates. So free travel for anybody prepared to chance it!
I had given myself a little extra time in London given the expectation that there might be queuing for EES Registration at STP. However I was told that the full rollout doesn't start until January and a small number of random pax, including me, were being processed by the existing French Border Police.
Uneventful, timely Eurostar journey to Paris followed by the delights of a completely rammed Paris Metro system to the 12th Arrondissment.
14/12/25 - Le Match Followed By Paris To Basingstoke
Breakfast, a leisurely stroll around the 12th & 13th Arrondissments on a chilly but sunny morning, and then the Metro to Stade Dominique Duvauchelle in Creteil for the 12:00 Racing 92 v Exeter Chiefs (EPCR Challenge Cup) contest. A very entertaining game which ended in a 31-31 draw although Chiefs would have won had their discipline not disintegrated in the second half.
I was travelling with our eldest son who needed to be back at home for work on Monday morning so we had decided in advance on a return to the UK that evening. A local bus took us to a nearby RER station for a quick run back to Gare du Nord, a much better option than the significantly slower Metro service.
Eurostar PBN 1909 (OT)>STP 2030 (2049) : Train 9055
TfL Underground King's Cross St. Pancras>Warren Street (Victoria Line) & Warren Street>Waterloo (Northern Line)
WAT 2135 (OT)>BSK 2226 (OT) : 1Z71 WAT>BSK : 2 x 450/0 (8 Cars)
Tickets: Eurostar £65.00, Railcard TfL Underground £1.85, WAT>BSK Senior Railcard Sunday Out Single £16.10
All seemed to be going to plan until our Eurostar stopped at Stratford International. After a short delay the TM announced that our train could not be accepted by STP 'because the passengers on a previous service were being subjected to a full customs check'. Personally I think this was cobblers and it was more likely the fact that the pax from the 30 minute late 9157 Bruxelles Midi train hadn't yet cleared the station exits. Once that was sorted we proceeded to STP arriving 19 minutes late. However, regardless of the root cause, if STP cannot handle those alighting from more than one international train at a time this needs to be seriously looked at before more services start running.
The remainder of the journey was as expected.
15/12/25 - Basingstoke To Exeter
BSK 1108 (OT)>EXC 1338 (1419) : 1L25 WAT>EXD (Terminated at EXC) : 2 x 159/0 (6 Cars)
EXC 1355>DIG 1400 : 2F19 PGN>EXM Missed Connection
EXC 1455 (OT)>DIG 1500 (OT) : 2F21 PGN>EXM : 1 x 150/2 (2 Car)
Tickets: BSK>EXC Senior Railcard Advance Single £12.15, EXC>DIG Senior Railcard Anytime Day Single £2.65
1L25, which was very well loaded, ran to time as far as the Tisbury Loop where it had to wait for the late running 1L40 to pass and departed 12 minutes down. It was further delayed, by 23 minutes, at HON waiting for the on-time London-bound 1L52 and departed towards Exeter 40 late. In the vicinity of Cranbrook it was announced that the train would be terminated at EXC (Platform 1). Pax for EXD and beyond were directed to the following 2T21 GWR EXM>PGN service. Exmouth branch pax such as myself were ignored. Which I didn't really care about having already checked the time of my next train to DIG but what about individuals who are not completely au fait with rail travel?
Anyway, not for the first time recently, my BSK>DIG journey will be the subject of a 100% Delay Repay refund.
And another of my favourite gripes; on departure from BSK the 1L25 on-board PIS showed the Next Station as Woking all the way to Exeter.
Tickets/Railcards not checked on either service.
| London Bridge Bufferstop collision 13 December 2024 - report In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369677/29636/51] Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:07, 17th December 2025 | |
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fatigued-driver-experienced-microsleep-before-london-bridge-buffer-stop-collision
Almost certain fatigued driver "experienced microsleep" before buffer stop collision - RAIB
From Rail Briefing
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369676/31273/30] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 14:05, 17th December 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Or a few kilometres further inland, Ghent is just as special - partly for strolling around, and partly for transport geeks to see how they have reclaimed the city centre from cars.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369675/16141/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 13:50, 17th December 2025 | |
Reform run the council.....
It's not a council-run car park. Managed by APCOA for GWR, I believe
| Re: New West Yorkshire bus fleet criticised over single-door access In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369674/31274/51] Posted by Clan Line at 13:42, 17th December 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Hope that isn't the "single door" visible in the photo !
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [369673/28982/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:33, 17th December 2025 Already liked by IndustryInsider, johnneyw, Witham Bobby, eightonedee, Timmer | |
If this topic continues to drift towards Portishead, that's absolutely no problem.
I may simply split off a few of the more recent posts here and merge them with a specific topic we have elsewhere on the Coffee Shop forum on the subject of 'Portishead re-opening'.
That topic has been going for way more than 3 years, I can assure you!
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [369672/28982/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:22, 17th December 2025 | |
I was going from this link dating from October:
https://n-somerset.gov.uk/news/final-enabling-works-underway-portishead-line
New stations will be built at Portishead and Pill, with trains initially running hourly along the line to and from Bristol Temple Meads in 2028.
The chances of a new (re)build railway line with new stations coming in on time appears quite small, so I'll have a fiver with you that it'll be 2028 or later.
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369671/31273/30] Posted by johnneyw at 12:14, 17th December 2025 | |
Definitely Bruges. I happily sent several days there just strolling round the old streets with their canals. And if you happen to be there when the carillon in the belfry tower is played that's a bonus.
I would concur with PrestburyRoad there. Even after three visits over the years, I would still delight in simply strolling around the old town at both day and night. A short canal boat trip up to the village of Damme also has it's rewards.Nearby Ostend also has it's own, but rather different offerings, not least of them being on the Belgian coastal tram route.
| Re: Preparatory work underway for new Portadown to Derry train line In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369670/29434/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:08, 17th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Londonderry to Portadown rail restoration 'could take 20 years'
The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was published this week
Plans to restore the Londonderry to Portadown railway line as part of improving train travel across the island of Ireland, could take 20 years to complete, a report says.
The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was published this week by Stormont's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Dublin government's Department of Transport.
The restoration of the line between Derry and Portadown, and onto Letterkenny in County Donegal, has previously been identified as key to improving cross-border rail connections.
The DfI said the 15-20 year timeframe for the restoration "recognises the significant preparatory work needed for a project of this scale". That work includes "further feasibility study, approval, design, planning, tendering, procurement, significant land vesting, as well as construction," a DfI spokesperson said.
DfI Minister Liz Kimmins said the publication of the rail strategy "provides a way forward for connecting communities who have been without rail". Currently, Northern Ireland's railways are mostly concentrated to the east of the River Bann. Kimmins said the strategy was particularly significant for communities in the north west and in addressing regional imbalance.
But Steve Bradley, of the Into the West rail lobby group, is sceptical that will be the case. He told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that the strategy risked compounding the issue.
"There are 54 railway stations in Northern Ireland – 51 of those are east, only three are west of the Bann," he said. "This plan would see over 60 railway stations in the east of Northern Ireland before a single new one gets opened anywhere in the west. No one could claim this is addressing regional imbalance because it is actually making it worse - our real concern is this could turn into the next A5."
The A5 road project between Londonderry and Aughnacloy and on to Dublin was first announced back in 2007, but has been beset by a number of delays and legal challenges.
(BBC article continues)
The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was published this week
Plans to restore the Londonderry to Portadown railway line as part of improving train travel across the island of Ireland, could take 20 years to complete, a report says.
The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was published this week by Stormont's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Dublin government's Department of Transport.
The restoration of the line between Derry and Portadown, and onto Letterkenny in County Donegal, has previously been identified as key to improving cross-border rail connections.
The DfI said the 15-20 year timeframe for the restoration "recognises the significant preparatory work needed for a project of this scale". That work includes "further feasibility study, approval, design, planning, tendering, procurement, significant land vesting, as well as construction," a DfI spokesperson said.
DfI Minister Liz Kimmins said the publication of the rail strategy "provides a way forward for connecting communities who have been without rail". Currently, Northern Ireland's railways are mostly concentrated to the east of the River Bann. Kimmins said the strategy was particularly significant for communities in the north west and in addressing regional imbalance.
But Steve Bradley, of the Into the West rail lobby group, is sceptical that will be the case. He told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that the strategy risked compounding the issue.
"There are 54 railway stations in Northern Ireland – 51 of those are east, only three are west of the Bann," he said. "This plan would see over 60 railway stations in the east of Northern Ireland before a single new one gets opened anywhere in the west. No one could claim this is addressing regional imbalance because it is actually making it worse - our real concern is this could turn into the next A5."
The A5 road project between Londonderry and Aughnacloy and on to Dublin was first announced back in 2007, but has been beset by a number of delays and legal challenges.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [369669/28982/26] Posted by John D at 12:05, 17th December 2025 | |
Is Portishead 3 years away ?
Yesterday DfT published a WECA update which on page 21 shows competition as October 2027 (just under 2 years time)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693c0aedcfacd5e888491ed1/weca-crsts-annual-monitoring-report-24-25.pdf
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369668/16141/14] Posted by ChrisB at 11:40, 17th December 2025 | |
Reform run the council.....
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369667/31273/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 11:35, 17th December 2025 | |
Definitely Bruges. I happily sent several days there just strolling round the old streets with their canals. And if you happen to be there when the carillon in the belfry tower is played that's a bonus.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369666/16141/14] Posted by IndustryInsider at 11:33, 17th December 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
Yes, never nice to see car park charges rising. Though I would argue it still doesn't offer bad value.
I remember during Covid, just after the station opened, looking down at the dozen or so cars in the car park and wondering if it would ever get half full. Now it is often full which is never ideal for a remote station with no other parking options, so it must be generating a decent wedge of cash.
A second tier of parking spaces is needed...and soon!
| Re: Cornish delays In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [369665/28556/25] Posted by GBM at 11:20, 17th December 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between Truro and Falmouth Docks
Due to a fault on this train between Truro and Falmouth Docks fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
Due to a fault on one of our trains running between Truro and Falmouth Docks we have had to reduce the service to an hourly service.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369664/16141/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 11:20, 17th December 2025 | |
And now the not so good news.
Parking charges going up Again.
https://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/25698794.anger-worcestershire-parkway-parking-charge-increase/
Parking charges going up Again.
Anger over Worcestershire Parkway parking charge increase
https://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/25698794.anger-worcestershire-parkway-parking-charge-increase/
The Evesham Journal local rags are always "Angry" about something.
But in this case it would seem to be well justified. Soaking the captive audience, as per
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369663/31273/30] Posted by grahame at 11:18, 17th December 2025 | |
The places pictured are
My pictures are of ...
1. Rotterdam
2. Antwerp
3. Hamburg
4. Helsingor
5. The Brocken
6. Wuppertal
and for the trip next May, (re)visits or perhaps a selection to include
* Enkhuizen
* Keukenhof
* Cuxhaven / Bremerhaven
* Niebull / Westerland / Tonder / Esbjerg
* Koln
* Brugges
* Madurodam
* Delft
* Wismar / Rostock
Some I have visited .. others new to me. Any thoughts?
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [369662/29711/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 11:14, 17th December 2025 | |
17 December 2025
RTT reports that 1P14 0713 Great Malvern to Padd was cancelled throughout, because of "safety checks"
The stock for this service comes cars from Stoke Gifford. The empty train stops at Bristol Parkway, to divide, for a portion to go forward to Bath Spa. Today, it got as far as Bristol Parkway, 23 minutes late. The Great Malvern portion went no further
