Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Llangollen Canal - Whitchurch, Shropshire canal breach: 22 Dec 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370300/31316/51] Posted by grahame at 16:28, 30th December 2025 |      |
Errr....why is this here & not in the canals thread? Took an age to find it....
Probably because of complaints (from a certain member
) that none-travel, none-south-west topics that could dilute the forum's inetrests be kept to one or two places - and "Introductions and Chat" and "And Also" were the two chosen places. So correct for the thread to be started here, and as it's likely to be a long runner with a number of follow ups, it would get lost and confuse a general canal thread. Sorry, I'm in the middle of moving it: it's a specific infrastructure issue in the UK, not a viable alternative means of travel.
There isn't a specific board for 'canals': perhaps there should be?
CfN.
There isn't a specific board for 'canals': perhaps there should be?
CfN.
Ah ... where?? I think we both come from the viewpoint that the canals are not really a means of transport these days.
| Re: Llangollen Canal - Whitchurch, Shropshire canal breach: 22 Dec 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370299/31316/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:22, 30th December 2025 | |
Sorry, I'm in the middle of moving it: it's a specific infrastructure issue in the UK, not a viable alternative means of travel.
There isn't a specific board for 'canals': perhaps there should be?
CfN.
| Re: Llangollen Canal - Whitchurch, Shropshire canal breach: 22 Dec 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370298/31316/51] Posted by ChrisB at 16:06, 30th December 2025 | |
From the Mail, via MSN
Workers attempt to rescue three narrowboats dragged to the depths by canal collapse
Workers have attempted to salvage three narrowboats that were dragged to the depths of a gaping canal collapse in Shropshire.
Aerial pictures show the vessels submerged in mud with bits of debris scattered round them and a long stretch of corrugated metal draped over.
At least 10 people were rescued on Monday last week when the crater, around 50 meters by 50 metres in size, began to form at 4.22am in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.
Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 4.40am when the section of the canal mooring three boats completely drained of water.
Two narrowboats had fallen into the hole and were left sitting on the canal bed, while one remained teetering over the edge.
This morning, emergency workers in orange high-vis vests were pictured positioning boat turners in a bid to winch the stranded vessels to safety.
Pumps were put in place to keep water levels normal and to prevent further catastrophic flooding.
Workers were also seen positioning a boat turner amid the rescue operation
Canal and River Trust chief executive Campbell Robb said: 'Now the initial emergency response, including the concern for boaters' immediate safety, has passed, our teams have been working hard to refill the Llangollen Canal around the site of the breach.
'This will mean the boats in the immediate area are refloating, and navigation along other affected areas will be restored.'We are also delighted to have been able to recover narrowboat Pacemaker from the edge of the breach overnight.
'Alongside this, our engineers are continuing their investigations into why the canal embankment was undermined and will be drawing up plans for its repair.
'We'll be providing regular updates and assurance to the local and boating community in the weeks ahead.
'Thankfully, breaches of this scale are relatively rare, but, when they do occur, they're expensive and complicated to fix.'
Mr Robb added he was thankful initial support had been in place for all people 'and pets' caught up in the 'disaster'.
'With most of the boats now refloating, we'll continue to support those affected,' he said.
Last week crews battled through 'unstable ground and rapidly moving water' as they began to rescue 14 members of the public.
The canal bank collapsed leaving large volumes of water escaping into the surrounding land.
Residents were urged to avoid the area, while emergency services responded to the incident.
A 'multi-agency' response was set up but no injuries were reported.
Workers have attempted to salvage three narrowboats that were dragged to the depths of a gaping canal collapse in Shropshire.
Aerial pictures show the vessels submerged in mud with bits of debris scattered round them and a long stretch of corrugated metal draped over.
At least 10 people were rescued on Monday last week when the crater, around 50 meters by 50 metres in size, began to form at 4.22am in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.
Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 4.40am when the section of the canal mooring three boats completely drained of water.
Two narrowboats had fallen into the hole and were left sitting on the canal bed, while one remained teetering over the edge.
This morning, emergency workers in orange high-vis vests were pictured positioning boat turners in a bid to winch the stranded vessels to safety.
Pumps were put in place to keep water levels normal and to prevent further catastrophic flooding.
Workers were also seen positioning a boat turner amid the rescue operation
Canal and River Trust chief executive Campbell Robb said: 'Now the initial emergency response, including the concern for boaters' immediate safety, has passed, our teams have been working hard to refill the Llangollen Canal around the site of the breach.
'This will mean the boats in the immediate area are refloating, and navigation along other affected areas will be restored.'We are also delighted to have been able to recover narrowboat Pacemaker from the edge of the breach overnight.
'Alongside this, our engineers are continuing their investigations into why the canal embankment was undermined and will be drawing up plans for its repair.
'We'll be providing regular updates and assurance to the local and boating community in the weeks ahead.
'Thankfully, breaches of this scale are relatively rare, but, when they do occur, they're expensive and complicated to fix.'
Mr Robb added he was thankful initial support had been in place for all people 'and pets' caught up in the 'disaster'.
'With most of the boats now refloating, we'll continue to support those affected,' he said.
Last week crews battled through 'unstable ground and rapidly moving water' as they began to rescue 14 members of the public.
The canal bank collapsed leaving large volumes of water escaping into the surrounding land.
Residents were urged to avoid the area, while emergency services responded to the incident.
A 'multi-agency' response was set up but no injuries were reported.
Errr....why is this here & not in the canals thread? Took an age to find it....
| Re: Swindon bus station, bus services and new interchange - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370297/20019/5] Posted by grahame at 15:58, 30th December 2025 | |
The town's former bus station is being removed following the opening of a new £33m bus interchange on Fleming Way in September. Councillor Robbins said the old bus station failed to create a good first impression of the town and Fleming Way is a "more pleasant environment".
I would agree that the old bus station failed to create a good impression when you arrived, but it was very practical when you left. For me, that situation has been rather reversed - nice to arrive there, far more welcoming, but it can be a search for your service departing when you're a newcomer and more drafty waiting when you find its stand. Some of that might be teething issues and I know the SBC council team seek feedback. And, I admit, I miss the Octagon.
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370296/5138/51] Posted by ChrisB at 15:55, 30th December 2025 | |
From The Telegraph, via MSN
HS2 bought hundreds of people’s homes – and now makes millions renting them out
HS2 is raking in £14m a year as a landlord, including letting out homes bought along the cancelled legs of the railway.
Of the 782 homes which have been voluntarily bought along the route of the high-speed railway since 2012, when the project began, 602 have been rented out, data released to The Telegraph under Freedom of Information rules showed.
Nearly half of the rental properties are on the cancelled legs – Phase 2 – of the project, which would have run from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds but was scrapped in 2023 under the then prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Between Birmingham and Crewe, 121 of the 122 homes bought have been rented.
The average monthly rent for homes along Phase 1, between London and Birmingham, is more than £2,100, while for the second leg up to Manchester, average monthly rents are lower, at £1,733.
Taking the average rent from Phase 1 and Phase 2, this means HS2 Ltd – the company responsible for delivering the project – is making more than £14.1m a year as a landlord. Meanwhile, the project is projected to cost the taxpayer £81bn.
Joanna Marchong, of the Adam Smith Institute think tank, said: “It is unlikely that these funds are being channelled back into the Exchequer, or whether they are contributing to lowering the cost of this doomed mega-project.
“HS2 should explain why it is undertaking this practice and whether these rents are offsetting taxpayer funding or just being recirculated for executive bonuses.”
Penny Gaines, chairman of campaign group Stop HS2, said: “£14m from rent might sound like a lot of money, but it is dwarfed by the ongoing cost of HS2. The latest figures show that HS2 cost the Government more than £7bn for the last year, so however much they have taken in rent, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the continuing cost of HS2.”
“Meanwhile, the Government is about to start selling off land and properties it purchased for HS2. Stop HS2 thinks that they should be offered back to the original owners at the price HS2 paid for it.”
Ms Gaines added: “It looks like HS2 will end up being a vastly extravagant shuttle service from the suburbs of London to somewhere near the centre of Birmingham. They should put the whole project out of its misery and cancel it entirely as soon as possible.”
Most of the rental contracts are periodic – meaning they renew month to month or over a set time frame – although some are guaranteed for as long as two years.
But the renters will not benefit from the changes brought in by the Renters’ Rights Act, which will ban Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notices and outlaw fixed-term contracts. This is because the properties are Crown tenancies.
An HS2 source confirmed that it would comply with all applicable changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
These requirements could delay any later sell-off of the purchased homes, with court delays running to several months. Previously, HS2 allowed those who sold their homes to the railway to “rent back” the property until work commenced.
The rail project – which was first proposed 13 years ago – will not be in operation until at least 2033, following delays and changed plans.
In October 2023, the then prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the route, with Sir Keir Starmer’s administration confirming a year later that it would not revive the full project. It was reported at the time that £600m had already been spent on properties along the northern route.
The eastern leg of the original HS2 plans, which would have run from Birmingham to Leeds, was cancelled in 2021.
The scheme, approved in 2012 in its original three-pronged form between London, Manchester and Leeds, was expected to cost £33bn. This was revised up to £57.5bn in 2015, with the final cost now estimated at £81bn in 2019 prices.
Once inflation has been taken into account, this represents a final bill of more than £100bn.
The chief executive of HS2, Mark Wild, is overseeing a cost-cutting reset, which will deliver new estimates of the total cost of the project. He is expected to deliver an update to ministers in January.
In November, it was announced that HS2 was planning a fire sale of surplus land in an effort to offload land that is no longer required around stations and the main depot on the 140-mile London to Birmingham line.
The announcement, which contradicted original plans to hold on to the land until the line was open, came months after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the project as an “appalling mess”, and said its opening would be delayed beyond 2033.
Parliamentary powers allowing the Government to begin work on the cancelled line to Crewe will expire early next year. A link with the West Coast Mainline has been delayed for at least four years.
Labour has committed to Northern Powerhouse Rail, with Rachel Reeves reiterating this at the Budget last month, but details on funding and routes are light.
A spokesman for HS2 Ltd said: “Rent charged on properties acquired for HS2 is income for the taxpayer – ultimately offsetting costs incurred by the project.
“Hundreds of properties spanning a variety of prices were voluntarily sold to the Government for the new high-speed rail network.
“Routing the line through less populated rural areas meant that large, detached dwellings situated on their own land formed a significant number of total purchases. As a result, the concentration of high-value properties in our rental portfolio affects average rental prices. Wherever possible, they are let out at market rates.”
A DfT spokesman said: “We will dispose of surplus property in a sensitive and sensible way, including developing a disposal strategy that ensures we do not flood local markets and achieve the best outcome for the taxpayer.”
HS2 is raking in £14m a year as a landlord, including letting out homes bought along the cancelled legs of the railway.
Of the 782 homes which have been voluntarily bought along the route of the high-speed railway since 2012, when the project began, 602 have been rented out, data released to The Telegraph under Freedom of Information rules showed.
Nearly half of the rental properties are on the cancelled legs – Phase 2 – of the project, which would have run from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds but was scrapped in 2023 under the then prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Between Birmingham and Crewe, 121 of the 122 homes bought have been rented.
The average monthly rent for homes along Phase 1, between London and Birmingham, is more than £2,100, while for the second leg up to Manchester, average monthly rents are lower, at £1,733.
Taking the average rent from Phase 1 and Phase 2, this means HS2 Ltd – the company responsible for delivering the project – is making more than £14.1m a year as a landlord. Meanwhile, the project is projected to cost the taxpayer £81bn.
Joanna Marchong, of the Adam Smith Institute think tank, said: “It is unlikely that these funds are being channelled back into the Exchequer, or whether they are contributing to lowering the cost of this doomed mega-project.
“HS2 should explain why it is undertaking this practice and whether these rents are offsetting taxpayer funding or just being recirculated for executive bonuses.”
Penny Gaines, chairman of campaign group Stop HS2, said: “£14m from rent might sound like a lot of money, but it is dwarfed by the ongoing cost of HS2. The latest figures show that HS2 cost the Government more than £7bn for the last year, so however much they have taken in rent, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the continuing cost of HS2.”
“Meanwhile, the Government is about to start selling off land and properties it purchased for HS2. Stop HS2 thinks that they should be offered back to the original owners at the price HS2 paid for it.”
Ms Gaines added: “It looks like HS2 will end up being a vastly extravagant shuttle service from the suburbs of London to somewhere near the centre of Birmingham. They should put the whole project out of its misery and cancel it entirely as soon as possible.”
Most of the rental contracts are periodic – meaning they renew month to month or over a set time frame – although some are guaranteed for as long as two years.
But the renters will not benefit from the changes brought in by the Renters’ Rights Act, which will ban Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notices and outlaw fixed-term contracts. This is because the properties are Crown tenancies.
An HS2 source confirmed that it would comply with all applicable changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
These requirements could delay any later sell-off of the purchased homes, with court delays running to several months. Previously, HS2 allowed those who sold their homes to the railway to “rent back” the property until work commenced.
The rail project – which was first proposed 13 years ago – will not be in operation until at least 2033, following delays and changed plans.
In October 2023, the then prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the route, with Sir Keir Starmer’s administration confirming a year later that it would not revive the full project. It was reported at the time that £600m had already been spent on properties along the northern route.
The eastern leg of the original HS2 plans, which would have run from Birmingham to Leeds, was cancelled in 2021.
The scheme, approved in 2012 in its original three-pronged form between London, Manchester and Leeds, was expected to cost £33bn. This was revised up to £57.5bn in 2015, with the final cost now estimated at £81bn in 2019 prices.
Once inflation has been taken into account, this represents a final bill of more than £100bn.
The chief executive of HS2, Mark Wild, is overseeing a cost-cutting reset, which will deliver new estimates of the total cost of the project. He is expected to deliver an update to ministers in January.
In November, it was announced that HS2 was planning a fire sale of surplus land in an effort to offload land that is no longer required around stations and the main depot on the 140-mile London to Birmingham line.
The announcement, which contradicted original plans to hold on to the land until the line was open, came months after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the project as an “appalling mess”, and said its opening would be delayed beyond 2033.
Parliamentary powers allowing the Government to begin work on the cancelled line to Crewe will expire early next year. A link with the West Coast Mainline has been delayed for at least four years.
Labour has committed to Northern Powerhouse Rail, with Rachel Reeves reiterating this at the Budget last month, but details on funding and routes are light.
A spokesman for HS2 Ltd said: “Rent charged on properties acquired for HS2 is income for the taxpayer – ultimately offsetting costs incurred by the project.
“Hundreds of properties spanning a variety of prices were voluntarily sold to the Government for the new high-speed rail network.
“Routing the line through less populated rural areas meant that large, detached dwellings situated on their own land formed a significant number of total purchases. As a result, the concentration of high-value properties in our rental portfolio affects average rental prices. Wherever possible, they are let out at market rates.”
A DfT spokesman said: “We will dispose of surplus property in a sensitive and sensible way, including developing a disposal strategy that ensures we do not flood local markets and achieve the best outcome for the taxpayer.”
| Re: Swindon bus station, bus services and new interchange - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370295/20019/5] Posted by bobm at 15:40, 30th December 2025 | |
Mind you, some of the users didn't help.
| Re: Swindon bus station, bus services and new interchange - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370294/20019/5] Posted by Mark A at 15:33, 30th December 2025 | |
To be fair to it, the bus station itself was ok, the budget for maintenance had been absent without leave for some time though. Feel free not to scroll down to the image below as it contains a long-dead pigeon.
Mark
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| Re: Swindon bus station, bus services and new interchange - merged topics In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370293/20019/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:14, 30th December 2025 | |
An update, from the BBC:
'Awful' bus station to be demolished in days
Work will begin to remove the metal canopy of the bus station followed by the main building
A dilapidated bus station criticised for failing to create a "good first impression" of a town is being demolished next week.
Swindon's former bus hub at New Bridge Close is being cleared to make way for a new regional entertainment venue to replace the town's ageing Wyvern Theatre. Work to remove the bus station is due to begin on Monday.
Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: "I'm so happy I was able to play a small part in getting rid of this awful facility."
Pre-demolition work is already under way to remove the individual bus stops
The town's former bus station is being removed following the opening of a new £33m bus interchange on Fleming Way in September. Councillor Robbins said the old bus station failed to create a good first impression of the town and Fleming Way is a "more pleasant environment".
"The [former] bus station is being knocked down and that means that we can progress the plans for a replacement entertainments venue in that space," he added. The new venue will be larger than the Wyvern Theatre and "deliver all sorts of events for the town", according to the council leader. However, funding for the new entertainment venue has not yet been secured.
"We've got a lot of it already ready and we're waiting on funding bids for the rest. If we're not successful with these bids we will keep going until we get that cash so we can make that area the bit of Swindon we want it to be," councillor Robbins said.
Work will begin to remove the metal canopy of the bus station followed by the main building
A dilapidated bus station criticised for failing to create a "good first impression" of a town is being demolished next week.
Swindon's former bus hub at New Bridge Close is being cleared to make way for a new regional entertainment venue to replace the town's ageing Wyvern Theatre. Work to remove the bus station is due to begin on Monday.
Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: "I'm so happy I was able to play a small part in getting rid of this awful facility."
Pre-demolition work is already under way to remove the individual bus stops
The town's former bus station is being removed following the opening of a new £33m bus interchange on Fleming Way in September. Councillor Robbins said the old bus station failed to create a good first impression of the town and Fleming Way is a "more pleasant environment".
"The [former] bus station is being knocked down and that means that we can progress the plans for a replacement entertainments venue in that space," he added. The new venue will be larger than the Wyvern Theatre and "deliver all sorts of events for the town", according to the council leader. However, funding for the new entertainment venue has not yet been secured.
"We've got a lot of it already ready and we're waiting on funding bids for the rest. If we're not successful with these bids we will keep going until we get that cash so we can make that area the bit of Swindon we want it to be," councillor Robbins said.
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370292/5138/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:23, 30th December 2025 | |
To save time on reading the whole article I will summarise - it's going to cost a lot more and take a lot longer.
That could be included as the 'Executive Summary' in any official document relating to the railways.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370291/31355/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:09, 30th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Warning of snow and gale-force winds on New Year's Day in Scotland
Heavy snow and gale-force winds have been forecast for north and north-east Scotland at the start of the new year.
The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning from 06:00 on Thursday - New Year's Day - until midnight on Friday.
It said there could be up to two inches (5cm) of snow at low levels by Friday, with four inches (10cm) in some places.
Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow could accumulate on higher ground, with as much as 12 inches (30cm) on the hills. There is a warning of "significant" drifting of snow due to the high winds.
The warning includes the Northern Isles, Hebrides and parts of Argyll and Bute.
The Met Office said it was likely that frequent and heavy snow showers would disrupt travel.
In England, two amber health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The alerts, which warn of a rise in deaths particularly among elderly and vulnerable people, cover the North East and North West of England until 12:00 on 5 January.
Temperatures in these regions are expected to fall to around -4C, with snow predicted in the North West on 3 and 4 January.
Heavy snow and gale-force winds have been forecast for north and north-east Scotland at the start of the new year.
The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning from 06:00 on Thursday - New Year's Day - until midnight on Friday.
It said there could be up to two inches (5cm) of snow at low levels by Friday, with four inches (10cm) in some places.
Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow could accumulate on higher ground, with as much as 12 inches (30cm) on the hills. There is a warning of "significant" drifting of snow due to the high winds.
The warning includes the Northern Isles, Hebrides and parts of Argyll and Bute.
The Met Office said it was likely that frequent and heavy snow showers would disrupt travel.
In England, two amber health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The alerts, which warn of a rise in deaths particularly among elderly and vulnerable people, cover the North East and North West of England until 12:00 on 5 January.
Temperatures in these regions are expected to fall to around -4C, with snow predicted in the North West on 3 and 4 January.
| Re: Eurostar - merged posts, ongoing discussion topic In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [370290/26929/52] Posted by grahame at 13:37, 30th December 2025 | |
Not a day to be using Eurostar - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c93wkw37p0pt
Eurostar is telling passengers not to travel due to "major disruption" in the Channel Tunnel
It says there is a problem with the overhead power supply "and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train"
"We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations," it adds - a number of services are already cancelled
Le Shuttle - which carries road vehicles and passengers through the tunnel - is also warning of disruption
It says there is a problem with the overhead power supply "and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train"
"We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations," it adds - a number of services are already cancelled
Le Shuttle - which carries road vehicles and passengers through the tunnel - is also warning of disruption
And at 13:23
Eurostar says all services to and from London suspended 'until further notice'
13:23
We've just had this statement from Eurostar, which operates trains through the Channel Tunnel.
"Eurostar services to and from London are suspended until further notice due to overhead power supply issues in the Channel Tunnel, followed by a failed LeShuttle train," it says.
"We advise our customers to re-book their journey for another day, with free exchanges available.
"We apologise for the disruption and will continue to keep customers updated with the latest information."
13:23
We've just had this statement from Eurostar, which operates trains through the Channel Tunnel.
"Eurostar services to and from London are suspended until further notice due to overhead power supply issues in the Channel Tunnel, followed by a failed LeShuttle train," it says.
"We advise our customers to re-book their journey for another day, with free exchanges available.
"We apologise for the disruption and will continue to keep customers updated with the latest information."
No "promise to get you there" ...
| The London Underground art that tracks trains in real-time In "The Lighter Side" [370289/31354/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:18, 30th December 2025 | |
| Re: Looe Branch Line - timetables, cancellations, engineering work, closures and incidents In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370288/569/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:53, 30th December 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
An update, from the BBC:
Safety work closes Liskeard to Looe branch line
No flooding on the line at Sandplace railway station near Looe
The Liskeard to Looe branch line will be closed during New Year until the track can be safety checked by a team of specialised divers.
The branch line has been closed since Saturday 20th December because of floodwater although a replacement minibus service has been in operation.
The dive team arrived on site on Monday 22nd December but Network Rail said the water was still too deep and running too fast for the divers to be able to safely carry out the necessary inspections.
A Network Rail spokesperson said "The earliest that a dive team can attend the area again will be on Sunday 4 January. The line will remain closed until the divers have been able to check that it's safe to open."
Lesley Winfield has just moved with her family to Looe. "We were hoping to use the branch line but we've heard it's not that reliable and so he (her son) can't rely on it to get to his lectures so he has had to pay for accommodation and live there instead," she said. "It is very costly, a lot more costly than catching a train. If he needs to get to a lecture and he can't, he's scuppered really, so we can't take the risk," she said.
Looe resident Larry Shaw said "My son is coming down from Saltash tomorrow and he's had to make alternative arrangements. They've put public transport on to cover the trains but it's become a problem down here, you've only got to get a high tide and the tracks the first thing to flood. And it is Christmas so I don't think anybody would have been working," he said.
Cornwall Councillor for Looe East and Deviock Mark Gibbons said "The primary concern here is public safety we do have flooding on the line periodically and everybody is aware of this. The important thing to the people of Looe is not to try to blame when these things happen because obviously it's beyond our control but to make sure they are well managed and looked after as passengers and that businesses don't suffer," he said.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: "The line was shut once the water levels reached the closure marks on the bridges and viaducts along the route in the early hours of Saturday morning (20th December). In order to reopen the line, specialist divers are required to inspect the lower part of the structures to ensure they haven't been affected by scour. We're sorry for the disruption to journeys. Road replacement transport is in place and passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or Great Western Railway for details of these alternative travel arrangements."
No flooding on the line at Sandplace railway station near Looe
The Liskeard to Looe branch line will be closed during New Year until the track can be safety checked by a team of specialised divers.
The branch line has been closed since Saturday 20th December because of floodwater although a replacement minibus service has been in operation.
The dive team arrived on site on Monday 22nd December but Network Rail said the water was still too deep and running too fast for the divers to be able to safely carry out the necessary inspections.
A Network Rail spokesperson said "The earliest that a dive team can attend the area again will be on Sunday 4 January. The line will remain closed until the divers have been able to check that it's safe to open."
Lesley Winfield has just moved with her family to Looe. "We were hoping to use the branch line but we've heard it's not that reliable and so he (her son) can't rely on it to get to his lectures so he has had to pay for accommodation and live there instead," she said. "It is very costly, a lot more costly than catching a train. If he needs to get to a lecture and he can't, he's scuppered really, so we can't take the risk," she said.
Looe resident Larry Shaw said "My son is coming down from Saltash tomorrow and he's had to make alternative arrangements. They've put public transport on to cover the trains but it's become a problem down here, you've only got to get a high tide and the tracks the first thing to flood. And it is Christmas so I don't think anybody would have been working," he said.
Cornwall Councillor for Looe East and Deviock Mark Gibbons said "The primary concern here is public safety we do have flooding on the line periodically and everybody is aware of this. The important thing to the people of Looe is not to try to blame when these things happen because obviously it's beyond our control but to make sure they are well managed and looked after as passengers and that businesses don't suffer," he said.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: "The line was shut once the water levels reached the closure marks on the bridges and viaducts along the route in the early hours of Saturday morning (20th December). In order to reopen the line, specialist divers are required to inspect the lower part of the structures to ensure they haven't been affected by scour. We're sorry for the disruption to journeys. Road replacement transport is in place and passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or Great Western Railway for details of these alternative travel arrangements."
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [370287/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 12:36, 30th December 2025 | |
Just two cancellations across the whole GWR are as I write. No prizes for guessing where, or why!
2 Train Cancellations
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Eurostar - merged posts, ongoing discussion topic In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [370286/26929/52] Posted by grahame at 12:34, 30th December 2025 | |
Not a day to be using Eurostar - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c93wkw37p0pt
Eurostar is telling passengers not to travel due to "major disruption" in the Channel Tunnel
It says there is a problem with the overhead power supply "and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train"
"We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations," it adds - a number of services are already cancelled
Le Shuttle - which carries road vehicles and passengers through the tunnel - is also warning of disruption
It says there is a problem with the overhead power supply "and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train"
"We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations," it adds - a number of services are already cancelled
Le Shuttle - which carries road vehicles and passengers through the tunnel - is also warning of disruption
| Derailment of freight train at Audenshaw, Manchester - 6 September 2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370285/31352/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:58, 30th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
What caused a freight train to derail?
The train came off the tracks near Sidmouth Street in Audenshaw
A freight train derailed due to undetected "failed" screws on the track, an investigation has found.
The train came off the tracks near Sidmouth Street, in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, on 6 September 2024.
The incident was caused by the failure of multiple screws, which caused the track to widen, an investigation and report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) concluded. The RAIB has made eight recommendations to prevent a similar incident in future.
Network Rail says it "fully accepts" the findings of the RAIB report and that repairs and safety work have been completed at the bridge.
At about 11:25 BST on the day of the derailment, the freight train came off the tracks as it crossed a bridge carrying the railway over a public footpath in Audenshaw. The derailment involved nine of the train's 24 fully laden wagons and led to extensive damage to the track, the bridge and some of the wagons.
No one was injured during the accident, but the railway at this location was closed for about eight weeks while repairs took place.
The derailment was caused by the failure of multiple screws
The railway tracks over the bridge were installed on a non-typical longitudinal bearer system (LBS), the report said.
The report concluded the derailment was caused by a "loss of track gauge restraint", which caused the distance between the tracks to widen and allowed the wagons' wheels to drop from the rails. This was traced back to the failure of multiple screws, the report said.
The investigation found the screws had suffered fatigue damage before the derailment. Inspection and maintenance records confirmed at least three previous screw failures, including one before 2020, in the same location. However, many records were unavailable and the lack of proper reporting and recording allowed these issues to go unaddressed, the RAIB found.
The investigation also found that those screws which had failed, or were failing before the passage of the train, had not been detected by Network Rail's inspection regime. This was because both the automated and manual inspection regimes were not capable of reliably detecting this type of failure.
The driver had two years' experience of working as a train driver and no issues were identified with how the train was being driven at the time of the incident, the RAIB said.
The RAIB makes eight recommendations, including "managing the competence" of staff who manage the tracks and ensuring better records of inspections and reporting of component failures.
"There were two underlying factors. Network Rail did not have effective processes for managing LBS assets, in regard to their design assurance, installation, inspection and maintenance," the RAIB said.
"The track team in the maintenance unit responsible for the LBS at this bridge had neither recorded, nor reported, previous screw failures, and this had not been identified nor corrected by Network Rail's assurance regime over a period of years."
Network Rail said it fully accepted the findings of the RAIB report. "Repairs and safety work at this bridge have been completed and Network Rail has also introduced enhanced inspection and maintenance regimes at similar locations across the region to remove any potential safety risks," a spokesperson said.
The train came off the tracks near Sidmouth Street in Audenshaw
A freight train derailed due to undetected "failed" screws on the track, an investigation has found.
The train came off the tracks near Sidmouth Street, in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, on 6 September 2024.
The incident was caused by the failure of multiple screws, which caused the track to widen, an investigation and report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) concluded. The RAIB has made eight recommendations to prevent a similar incident in future.
Network Rail says it "fully accepts" the findings of the RAIB report and that repairs and safety work have been completed at the bridge.
At about 11:25 BST on the day of the derailment, the freight train came off the tracks as it crossed a bridge carrying the railway over a public footpath in Audenshaw. The derailment involved nine of the train's 24 fully laden wagons and led to extensive damage to the track, the bridge and some of the wagons.
No one was injured during the accident, but the railway at this location was closed for about eight weeks while repairs took place.
The derailment was caused by the failure of multiple screws
The railway tracks over the bridge were installed on a non-typical longitudinal bearer system (LBS), the report said.
The report concluded the derailment was caused by a "loss of track gauge restraint", which caused the distance between the tracks to widen and allowed the wagons' wheels to drop from the rails. This was traced back to the failure of multiple screws, the report said.
The investigation found the screws had suffered fatigue damage before the derailment. Inspection and maintenance records confirmed at least three previous screw failures, including one before 2020, in the same location. However, many records were unavailable and the lack of proper reporting and recording allowed these issues to go unaddressed, the RAIB found.
The investigation also found that those screws which had failed, or were failing before the passage of the train, had not been detected by Network Rail's inspection regime. This was because both the automated and manual inspection regimes were not capable of reliably detecting this type of failure.
The driver had two years' experience of working as a train driver and no issues were identified with how the train was being driven at the time of the incident, the RAIB said.
The RAIB makes eight recommendations, including "managing the competence" of staff who manage the tracks and ensuring better records of inspections and reporting of component failures.
"There were two underlying factors. Network Rail did not have effective processes for managing LBS assets, in regard to their design assurance, installation, inspection and maintenance," the RAIB said.
"The track team in the maintenance unit responsible for the LBS at this bridge had neither recorded, nor reported, previous screw failures, and this had not been identified nor corrected by Network Rail's assurance regime over a period of years."
Network Rail said it fully accepted the findings of the RAIB report. "Repairs and safety work at this bridge have been completed and Network Rail has also introduced enhanced inspection and maintenance regimes at similar locations across the region to remove any potential safety risks," a spokesperson said.
Further details and the full report are available on the RAIB website.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [370284/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:35, 30th December 2025 | |
Tuesday December 30
Facilities on the 08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:34.
Service full and standing. First class is declassified.
Last Updated:30/12/2025 10:42
Service full and standing. First class is declassified.
Last Updated:30/12/2025 10:42
| Re: Parallel lines - how the UK might have been IF ... In "The Lighter Side" [370280/31349/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:27, 30th December 2025 | |
How about this, from YouTube?
Caption is 'Ekota Express: Luxurious Train of Bangladesh Railway Leaving Dhaka Railway station'.
| Re: Parallel lines - how the UK might have been IF ... In "The Lighter Side" [370279/31349/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:23, 30th December 2025 | |
Looks Indian: broad and metre gauges.
| Re: What is happening at Dilton Marsh? Key service reduction! In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [370277/31284/20] Posted by grahame at 09:56, 30th December 2025 | |
It was very unfortunate that we only heard back from GWR on this very close indeed to Christmas. It felt like a "send and run" email of the sort sent just before someone goes off on holiday, with the intent of the livid recipient cooling off, and opportunities gone, before there's a chance to answer.
While there remains a chance (being optimistic) that a resolution can be found for the return to work on 5th January, I'm not sharing the GWR letter and the WWRUG response in public, but I did want anyone reading here on the Coffee Shop's public boards to be aware that we're working on it.
| Re: South Western Railways Waterloo - Bristol services axed In "South Western services" [370276/25368/42] Posted by grahame at 08:27, 30th December 2025 | |
UK: After speaking to a range of senior industry figures, almost all on condition of anonymity, @RailBusinessUK
can confirm widespread concern that significant investment is coming to an end after three decades of rail growth, with major implications
can confirm widespread concern that significant investment is coming to an end after three decades of rail growth, with major implications
I can confirm that.
Are YOU on Facebook? If so, please share my post at
https://www.facebook.com/Graham4Melksham/posts/247547707434387
https://twitter.com/Graham4Melksham/status/1456182278242066435
I have updated my Facebook handle at "Graham4Melksham" to reflect my stepping down as a Town Councillor and looking forward to 2026 - see https://grahamellis.uk/blog1825.html
Formerly "Graham Ellis, Melksham, Independent", I have changed the name of my Melksham Facebook page ready for 2026 to "Graham Ellis, a Melksham view" as that better reflects the present and future, rather than the past when I was the independent (unaffiliated) elected member of the Town Council.
| Re: Cornish delays In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370275/28556/25] Posted by GBM at 08:26, 30th December 2025 | |
Really!
Alterations to services between Bere Alston and Gunnislake
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Bere Alston and Gunnislake the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations have been revised. Calstock and Gunnislake will not be served. Disruption is expected until 23:59 30/12.
| Re: Problems with Hitachi Intercity Express Trains - ongoing discussion since 2022 In "Across the West" [370274/24934/26] Posted by GBM at 08:22, 30th December 2025 | |
04:54 Plymouth to London Paddington due 08:36
Facilities on the 04:54 Plymouth to London Paddington due 08:36.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
06:16 Swansea to London Paddington due 09:24
Facilities on the 06:16 Swansea to London Paddington due 09:24.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 10 to Bristol Parkway.
06:59 London Paddington to Paignton due 10:17
Facilities on the 06:59 London Paddington to Paignton due 10:17.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
10:20 Penzance to London Paddington due 15:38
Facilities on the 10:20 Penzance to London Paddington due 15:38.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
| Re: Delay Repay problem In "Fare's Fair" [370273/25363/4] Posted by GBM at 08:19, 30th December 2025 | |
Roger French (again) on Delay Repay at GWR
Virtually the last item on this months blog
GWR’s appalling customer service continues
https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/12/30/seen-around-40/
Sadly easyJet don’t do Delay Repay so no compensation for my delayed arrival in the Isle of Man mentioned earlier, but back on the tracks I wonder if GWR are aiming to mimic Ryanair’s notorious approach to poor customer service with its continued hassle-as-standard ‘built in’ for any Delay Repay claim that’s just slightly more complicated than a straight A to B one operator journey claim.
Readers will recall me reporting GWR cancelled my intended train from Paddington to Castle Cary on 20th November with passengers having to travel by another train to Reading where we boarded the curtailed train that left Reading over half an hour late.
...snip......continues.........
| Re: New Years honours - 2026 - "railway" people In "Who's who on Western railways" [370272/31350/2] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:41, 30th December 2025 | |
.......................nothing for Mick Lynch after all his efforts?
| New Years honours - 2026 - "railway" people In "Who's who on Western railways" [370271/31350/2] Posted by grahame at 05:35, 30th December 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
Congratulations to the following who appear in the New Years Honours list with a "Rail" connection in their citation
Robert David MCINTOSH
Managing Director, North West and Central, Network Rail. For Services to the Railway in the North of England.
William Chales JOHNSTON
Executive Director, Railway Mission. For services to the Rail Workforce.
Timothy Denning SPARROW
Founder, South East Communities Rail Partnership. For services to Community Railways.
Thomas Allan GILMOUR
Police Community Support Officer, British Transport Police. For services to Railway Safety
Carter Jack David GOODBY
People Business Partner, London North Eastern Railway. For services to Diversity and Inclusion
Mark Robert JONES
Customer Assistant, Southeastern. For services to Community Railway.
Andrew Kevin WINDASS
Senior Engineer, AGH Engineering Ltd. For services to Rail Engineering
Sonia Lynette HAZEL
Assurance and Controls Manager, HS2, Network Rail. For services to Diversity and Inclusion in the Rail Sector
Manjinger Singh KANG
Assurance and Controls Manager, HS2, Network Rail. For services to Diversity and Inclusion in the Rail Sector
