Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Calls to fix massive puddle outside Euston station - Nov 2025 In "Transport for London" [368195/31101/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:07, 15th November 2025 |      |
From the BBC:
The Royal National Institute for the Blind said it was concerned for disabled people in the area
Transport for London (TfL) bosses have been urged to resolve repeated episodes of flooding outside Euston Station.
Locally nicknamed the "Euston puddle", the large body of water forms following rainfall at the junction of Upper Woburn Place and Euston Road.
Commuters have been seen wading through deep water to access the station over the past year, while a charity warns the area could become a "no-go zone" for disabled people.
TfL said drainage work to resolve the problem was carried out last winter but the issue had since reoccurred. Water is to be cleared from the road in the short term while further investigations are carried out, it said.
The puddle causes problems for people on the pavement as well as those trying to cross the road
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Royal National Institute of Blind People urged the authorities to act "immediately" to fix the issue. The charity said it was concerned the puddle was affecting some people's ability to "walk safely and independently" in the area. Campaigns officer Clay Nash said the flood water blocks access to a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing that allows blind and partially-sighted people to safely cross the road.
One resident said elderly people and those with mobility issues were often being forced to dodge traffic, while many pedestrians were being sprayed with water by passing cars.
The pool of water - often spanning several metres - vanished for months after work was carried out on the roads but returned in July.
Camden Council's Adam Harrison called for a new plan to tackle the "notorious" puddle. "For years we have asked TfL to take action to stop the water collecting. It stops people from crossing safely at this busy corner next to Euston Station and risks them getting soaked."
The "Euston puddle" sometimes spans several metres
TfL, which manages Euston Road, apologised for the disruption and said they believed the issue had been resolved - but now that it had reoccurred they would "investigate the new drainage system working with Thames Water". It also said it would send maintenance teams to the location when heavy rain is forecast in an attempt to clear significant puddles.
| Sweden - Three killed after bus crashes into Stockholm bus stop - 14 Nov 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [368194/31100/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:35, 15th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Three people have been killed and and another three injured after a bus crashed into a bus stop in central Stockholm, Swedish police say.
Circumstances surrounding Friday's crash at 15:23 (14:23 GMT) on the Valhallavägen street in the Swedish capital remain unclear.
The bus driver has been arrested and faces charges of causing death and bodily harm, police said in a statement. However, they added there was "currently no indication that the incident was intentional".
Officials are trying to establish the identities of the victims. It is not clear if there were passengers on board.
The incident occurred near the Royal Institute of Technology university.
Images from the scene show rescue crews appearing to help people trapped underneath the double-decker bus.
A witness who owns a shop on the street told SVT the bus hit a pole in front of the bus shelter. They said several people ran into the shop crying.
A woman told the local Expressen newspaper that the bus "mowed down an entire bus stop queue". She said people were screaming and trying to help the injured, while dead people lay on the ground. "There must have been more people under the bus," she said.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his thoughts were with the victims and their families. "People who might have been on their way home to family, friends, or a quiet evening at home. We do not yet know the cause, but right now my thoughts are primarily with those affected and their loved ones," he posted on X.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368193/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:19, 15th November 2025 | |
Saturday November 15
10:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 13:25 is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:15/11/2025 10:52
Departed +18.This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:15/11/2025 10:52
13:15 - Add:
13:05 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 15:22 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:15/11/2025 12:57
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:15/11/2025 12:57
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368192/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:15, 15th November 2025 | |
Friday November 14
There were more cancellations in the evening, and a lot of late running, partly due to the defective track between Evesham and Moreton.
1P11 05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (07:24) : delayed from Slough, arrived +24
1P18 07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington (09:42) : delayed Evesham - Moreton (+20), held Charlbury (+38), arrived Reading +33 and cancelled thereafter.
1P22 08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington (11:27) : departed +12, arrived +15.
1P24 09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington (12:23) : delayed Foregate St (+14), arrived +15.
1P26 10:59 Great Malvern to London Paddington (13:25) : delayed Foregate St (+10), delayed Evesham - Moreton (+19), arrived +29.
1P28 11:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington (14:23) : delayed Evesham - Moreton (+13), arrived +17.
1P30 13:16 Shrub Hill to London Paddington (15:22) : delayed Evesham - Moreton (+17), arrived +30.
1P04 13:18 Hereford to London Paddington (16:24) : scheduled to start from Great Malvern (weather), actually started from Shrub Hill (train), delayed Evesham - Moreton (+14), arrived Reading +19 and cancelled thereafter.
1P34 15:18 Foregate St to London Paddington (17:29) : started from Shrub Hill (+10), delayed Evesham - Moreton (+26), held Charlbury (+32), arrived +31.
1P05 15:18 Hereford to Paddington (18:29) : started from Great Malvern, delayed Evesham - Moreton (+12), arrived +15.
1P38 16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington (19:29) : departed +51, delayed Foregate St (+69), held Norton (+77), NOT delayed Evesham - Moreton (+71), held Charlbury (+81), arrived +88.
1P39 17:26 Foregate St to London Paddington (19:52) : ran in front of 1P38.
1P40 18:02 Foregate Street to London Paddington (20:29) : departed +15, delayed Evesham - Moreton (+32), arrived +40.
2E16 18:51 Evesham to Oxford (19:50) : departed +11, delayed Evesham - Moreton (+30), arrived +25.
1P42 19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington (21:26) : held Norton (+12), delayed Evesham - Moreton (+23), arrived +26.
1P44 19:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington (22:24) : departed +16, delayed Foregate St (+27), delayed Evesham - Moreton (+34), saved 8 at Charlbury, arrived +31.
1P46 20:56 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington (23:29) : departed +11, delayed Evesham - Moreton (+11), arrived Ocford +13 and cancelled thereafter.
1P06 22:00 Hereford to London Paddington (01:17) : started from Great Malvern (weather), delayed Evesham - Moreton (+15), held Charlbury (+31), arrived +34.
1W01 09:52 London Paddington to Hereford (12:46) : started from Reading, arrived Shrub Hill +17 and cancelled thereafter (train). Scheduled to terminate at Malvern.
1W02 11:52 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : Scheduled to terminate at Malvern (weather).
1W25 12:52 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (15:00) : delayed Reading (+14), arrived Shrub Hill +26 and cancelled thereafter.
1W27 13:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern (16:15) : departed +19, Foregate St +24 but Newland East +49, arrived +50.
1W30 15:23 London Paddington to Foregate Street (17:47) : Norton +6 but delayed before Shrub Hill, arrived +23.
1W31 15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26) : +17 at Moreton, saved 13 at Evesham, delayed before Shrub Hill (+16), arrived +25.
1W33 16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern (19:25) : arrived +18.
1W03 17:34 London Paddington to Hereford (20:25) : scheduled to terminate at Great Malvern (weather), Norton +14 but delayed before Shrub Hill (+40), arrived +47.
1W34 17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (20:11) : departed +17, arrived Shrub Hill +24, Foregate St +47.
1W36 18:57 London Paddington to Great Malvern (21:18) : cancelled after Oxford (flooding).
1W05 19:53 London Paddington to Hereford (22:57) : scheduled to terminate at Great Malvern (weather), departed +12, arrived +26.
1W41 20:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (23:13) : cancelled throughout (flooding)
1W43 21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill (00:01) : Oxford +14, arrived +17.
| Re: How to increase Melksham Station call frequency without new bridge and lift In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368191/31099/28] Posted by John D at 10:24, 15th November 2025 | |
Some interesting examples.
Personally I believe the best option is a loop away from the station itself. Given the length of some freight trains you would very quickly be outside the station limits if sited there. An ideal location would be near either end of the single line. This would have the added benefit of being able to get a train off the main line to prevent it blocking the path of other services while it waits for a slot through to the other end.
At the very least an intermediate signal between the junctions so trains, in the same direction, could be "flighted".
Of course the perfect solution would be double tracking throughout....
Personally I believe the best option is a loop away from the station itself. Given the length of some freight trains you would very quickly be outside the station limits if sited there. An ideal location would be near either end of the single line. This would have the added benefit of being able to get a train off the main line to prevent it blocking the path of other services while it waits for a slot through to the other end.
At the very least an intermediate signal between the junctions so trains, in the same direction, could be "flighted".
Of course the perfect solution would be double tracking throughout....
Yes the geography is such that the ideal (assuming double track throughout is not going to happen) is 2 loops, one near Lacock, the other near the former Holt junction station.
Reasoning is trackbed is easiest to do at these, remember it was originally broad gauge double track, so not a case of squeezing a track in. And don't want to add tracks where it has been slewed under centre of old arched bridges.
I think current policy is to build freight loops suitable for 775m long trains, so roughly half mile long loops. Can either built them as reversible loops with slow speed junctions, (waiting train uses them, other train passes at speed), or as short double track sections. The former needs more signals, the second is speed restrictive both directions unless long faster points are installed.
My gut feeling is having a loop at Melksham station and building a fully accessible two platform station might will cost more than two loops where space exists.
| Re: How to increase Melksham Station call frequency without new bridge and lift In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368190/31099/28] Posted by Oxonhutch at 09:55, 15th November 2025 | |
1 is Limerick Junction, post the 1967 alterations I think looking at the converging paintwork in the extreme right.
A complication here was that all trains had to reverse into their respective platforms.
| Re: How to increase Melksham Station call frequency without new bridge and lift In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368189/31099/28] Posted by bobm at 09:44, 15th November 2025 | |
Some interesting examples.
Personally I believe the best option is a loop away from the station itself. Given the length of some freight trains you would very quickly be outside the station limits if sited there. An ideal location would be near either end of the single line. This would have the added benefit of being able to get a train off the main line to prevent it blocking the path of other services while it waits for a slot through to the other end.
At the very least an intermediate signal between the junctions so trains, in the same direction, could be "flighted".
Of course the perfect solution would be double tracking throughout....
| How to increase Melksham Station call frequency without new bridge and lift In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368188/31099/28] Posted by grahame at 09:00, 15th November 2025 Already liked by Mark A, matth1j, Timmer | |
Bridges and lifts at stations are expensive to provide - but if we want to increase the number of trains calling at Melksham, a single line all the way from the outskirts of Chippenham to the outskirts of Trowbridge won't pass muster. Here are various ways from around Europe - including tbe British Isles - that multiple services can call at stations in each direction at more or less the same time. Some of these would have the powers that be throwing their hands up in horror. Others are not very passenger friendly. But there are some that are proven to work in a British environment.
Two tracks (i.e a passing loop) with a diamond crossing to bring each to a long platform
A narrow outer platform used by the train which is going to have least passengers joining
A long platform with a loop past one half. Train arrives into looped platform, second train arrives into other end then leaves around loop, first arrival then carries on
Ditto - but British example showing that this CAN be done in the UK. And there would be space at Melksham
Another example of an outer platform with a flat crossing - in this case the second platform is much wider
Where more passengers will cross the line, level crossing barriers can be provided and that's sometimes doe for a significnat number of passengers.
Single platform and bring in two trains end to end, have all the through passengers swap over, and then both trains go back whence they came. There is a British example on the Great Orme Tramway, and an example of passenger swap both ways at Mockava.
Have a platform on each track, but simply use a slope up to an existing bridge that carries a public road / right of way for passengers to cross over.
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368187/30953/26] Posted by Timmer at 08:04, 15th November 2025 Already liked by Mark A, TaplowGreen | |
Line between Bath and Chippenham now open meaning Bristol to London can run their booked route.
| Superloop buses - London's Whippets In "Transport for London" [368186/31098/46] Posted by grahame at 08:04, 15th November 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder, Oxonhutch, rogerw, GBM | |
From Timeout London
Five new Superloop bus routes are coming to London over the next couple of years, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.
TfL has been rolling out speedy Superloop buses across London since 2023 as it attempts to improve connectivity between London boroughs, particularly those on the city’s outskirts. Most recently, Londoners in the southeast saw the arrival of the Bakerloop, a new rapid route between Waterloo and Lewisham town centre.
[snip]
Here are all the current Superloop express bus routes in the capital:
SL1 (North Finchley to Walthamstow Central)
SL2 (Walthamstow Central to North Woolwich)
SL3 (Thamesmead to Bromley North)
SL5 (Bromley North to Croydon Town Centre)
SL6 (West Croydon to Russell Square)
SL7 (West Croydon to Heathrow Airport)
SL8 (Uxbridge to White City),
SL9 (Heathrow Airport to Harrow)
SL10 (Harrow to North Finchley)
Bakerloop (Elephant and Castle to Lewisham)
[pins]
New Superloop bus routes planned for London
SL11 – Greenwich to Abbey Wood
SL12 – Gants Hill to Rainham
SL13 – Hendon to Ealing Broadway
SL14 – Stratford to Chingford
SL15 – Clapham Junction to Eltham
TfL has been rolling out speedy Superloop buses across London since 2023 as it attempts to improve connectivity between London boroughs, particularly those on the city’s outskirts. Most recently, Londoners in the southeast saw the arrival of the Bakerloop, a new rapid route between Waterloo and Lewisham town centre.
[snip]
Here are all the current Superloop express bus routes in the capital:
SL1 (North Finchley to Walthamstow Central)
SL2 (Walthamstow Central to North Woolwich)
SL3 (Thamesmead to Bromley North)
SL5 (Bromley North to Croydon Town Centre)
SL6 (West Croydon to Russell Square)
SL7 (West Croydon to Heathrow Airport)
SL8 (Uxbridge to White City),
SL9 (Heathrow Airport to Harrow)
SL10 (Harrow to North Finchley)
Bakerloop (Elephant and Castle to Lewisham)
[pins]
New Superloop bus routes planned for London
SL11 – Greenwich to Abbey Wood
SL12 – Gants Hill to Rainham
SL13 – Hendon to Ealing Broadway
SL14 – Stratford to Chingford
SL15 – Clapham Junction to Eltham
I remember the journey on the 229 - which is/was more or less the route the SL5 takes - when we went shopping from Petts Wood to the Arndale Centre in Croydon. A messy journey with the 94 bus into Bromley and a changed to the 229, or the train Petts Wood - Beckenham Junction - Crystal Palace - West Croydon.
On low flows a single bus route covering all stops makes sense. Once the travel volume gets over a certain level and there's no adequate rail service, either fast and slow services, and/or services that fan through different intermediate routes and share out the traffic and the lower volume stops. In Wiltshire, the 231 takes an hour and 15 minutes from Chippenham to Bath and serves just about every shack along the way; it runs twice and hour, but once a strengthening of the service was added, it was in the form of a limited stop, shorter route x31 service every hour - taking just 45 minutes (so 2 extra vehicles not 3 which an extra 231 every hour would be) and being much faster and more attractive to main-stop passengers such as Chippenham to Corsham and Corsham to Bath. These faster buses are known as whippets
Now where I see a screaming need for a Superloop is between main London termini that are not directly tube connected. Shall we say Paddington - Marylebone - perhaps Baker Street - Euston - St Pancras - King's Cross - Old Street - Liverpool Street. Could run through the east end - perhaps to Bow Church - perhaps call it the SL205
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368185/30953/26] Posted by Mark A at 08:02, 15th November 2025 | |
Friday's rain, and SWR ran everything Waterloo - Exeter on time. Not saying that to throw shade on GWR as yesterday's weather was a challenge, but as we all know there's something to be said for having two independent lines available - useful 365 days of the year, but on these occasions, particularly useful.
(Not dared look to see if the Exeters were all three carriage sets, hopefully not...)
Mark
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368184/30953/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:32, 15th November 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
Going to make travel to Twickenham/Cardiff more difficult - International matches at both venues today.
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368182/30953/26] Posted by Timmer at 06:55, 15th November 2025 Already liked by grahame, Mark A | |
When I saw the picture ChrisB posted last evening of the line at Corsham, I thought there’s no way that will be open this morning and it isn’t and wouldn’t be surprised if it’s all day if any line side equipment is damaged.
We’re travelling up to London today for a long weekend, fortunately not time sensitive and from Westbury. We go knowing that there will be diverted Bristol to London trains sharing the B&H tracks up to Reading on a very short notice timetable, so there may be a delay to our train.
After the amount of rain that fell yesterday, totally understandable and I commend GWR for the plan they’ve put together overnight to run trains as best they can around both flooded areas of track.
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368181/30953/26] Posted by grahame at 05:51, 15th November 2025 | |
15th November ... lines still closed due to flooding with GWR taking actions to divert / shorten / provide service where they can. Many are shortened / diverted - Swansea to London train becomes Swansea to Bristol (Temple Meads), London to Taunton becomes London to Chippenham, train from Bath to Swindon replaced by a bus which takes 80 minutes - three times longer than the train.
Thank you - GWR - you are at least doing something to help; I have no evidence to tell me if you are doing as much as you possibly could, or if you are working to a (tight?) replacement and diversion budget - and indeed what proportion of travellers will still be travelling in spite of the weather and disruption. Personally, discgression is the best part of valour and I am not carrying on with my plan to visit the Horniman museum, nor replacing it with anything else - though I may go shopping at Lidl. Partly put off by the weather and not wanting to add a wanted but needless passenger to what they have to cope with, but also put out by doubt as to how / when I would get home:
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Further Information
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey.
-
Road transport will be arranged and we'll update this message with more information.
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Further Information
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey.
-
Road transport will be arranged and we'll update this message with more information.
Weather, sure, understood ... noting "shortage of train crew" so we'll employ bus or taxi crew instead. Rum system!
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368180/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 05:17, 15th November 2025 | |
Chippenham - Bath was under water at one point today
Indeed. So remaining Swindon - Chippenham services that carried on to Westbury were more important than usual. Some cancelled from an already thin schedule and I suspect complex staff interworking caused this.
And for today ...
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Further Information
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey.
-
Road transport will be arranged and we'll update this message with more information.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:15/11/2025 04:00
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Further Information
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey.
-
Road transport will be arranged and we'll update this message with more information.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:15/11/2025 04:00
and
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Meldon Viaduct - in need of major repairs In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368179/31097/28] Posted by Mark A at 22:46, 14th November 2025 Already liked by Andy | |
With quarrying restarting at Meldon, depending on where the 'Quarriable' stuff is, the excavations could do worse than make some passive provision for the route that the railway will need to take for the new structure that will enable a faster alignment & also bypass the historic viaducts.
Mark
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368178/30953/26] Posted by Mark A at 22:42, 14th November 2025 | |
Ok, the line there is in the bottom of a valley, but that's a surprising sight, wondering if the aqueduct overtopped. Also wondering where the start of the 1:100 gradient down through Box Tunnel might be.
Mark
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368177/30953/26] Posted by grahame at 21:44, 14th November 2025 | |
The 20:12 Swindon-Westbury has reached Trowbridge on time.
I wonder if any passengers for Bath or Bristol were directed this way? - in spite of the cancellation of one service from Salisbury, there's a fair connection onto the Portsmouth-Cardiff.
I wonder if any passengers for Bath or Bristol were directed this way? - in spite of the cancellation of one service from Salisbury, there's a fair connection onto the Portsmouth-Cardiff.
It was an very unfortunate evening for a Swindon - Westbury (18:44) and a Westbury - Swindon (20:06) to be cancelled, wasn't it?
There is an ability to reverse trains at Bradford Junction, added for use during the closures for (non)electrification of Box tunnel. Why on earth is this not used?
| Meldon Viaduct - in need of major repairs In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [368176/31097/28] Posted by grahame at 21:37, 14th November 2025 Already liked by Andy, GBM | |
From the BBC
Published - 13 November 2025
A historic viaduct on Dartmoor will need up to £3m of repairs over the next 10 years it has emerged.
Meldon Viaduct is 165m (540ft) long and was constructed just outside Okehampton in the 1870s to cater for the London and South West Railway line.
The viaduct is a scheduled monument and one of only two surviving railway bridges in the UK built with wrought iron lattice piers and trusses.
The Meldon Viaduct Company that was set up in 1998 to maintain the viaduct and attract funding for repair works is being dissolved with Devon County Council taking on full control of the management of the viaduct.
A report for Devon County Council's cabinet said: "The viaduct requires significant renovation works estimated at £2m-3m over the next decade.
"Survey works have been initiated to prepare for these renovations, but the funding has not yet been found."
The idea behind setting up the Meldon Viaduct Company had been that it would be able to apply for funding not available to local authorities.
However, the report said the company had raised funds "at a very slow rate" and the county council would now be exploring funding from bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
The viaduct now carries the Granite Way, a cycle and footpath connecting Okehampton with Lydford, which is part of a route known as the Devon Coast to Coast, external.
A historic viaduct on Dartmoor will need up to £3m of repairs over the next 10 years it has emerged.
Meldon Viaduct is 165m (540ft) long and was constructed just outside Okehampton in the 1870s to cater for the London and South West Railway line.
The viaduct is a scheduled monument and one of only two surviving railway bridges in the UK built with wrought iron lattice piers and trusses.
The Meldon Viaduct Company that was set up in 1998 to maintain the viaduct and attract funding for repair works is being dissolved with Devon County Council taking on full control of the management of the viaduct.
A report for Devon County Council's cabinet said: "The viaduct requires significant renovation works estimated at £2m-3m over the next decade.
"Survey works have been initiated to prepare for these renovations, but the funding has not yet been found."
The idea behind setting up the Meldon Viaduct Company had been that it would be able to apply for funding not available to local authorities.
However, the report said the company had raised funds "at a very slow rate" and the county council would now be exploring funding from bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
The viaduct now carries the Granite Way, a cycle and footpath connecting Okehampton with Lydford, which is part of a route known as the Devon Coast to Coast, external.
I have posted this in "new and improved services" and not historic. I would love to see it improved for trains - from Okehampton in one direction and from Tavistock and Bere Alston in the other.
| Re: IKEA Bristol by bus In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368175/31095/5] Posted by JayMac at 21:17, 14th November 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
I maybe a bit of a masochist but I used to enjoy the walk from Stapleton Road station to IKEA when I lived in Bristol.
I did manage once to carry a flat packed fabric wardrobe home with me to Lawrence Weston via train and bus. Most trips though were for smaller items like kitchenware, linen and other homewares. I quickly learnt the shortcuts when all I wanted was some cutlery or a sauté pan.
I concur about the cooked breakfasts. There's nowhere else where you can get nine cooked breakfast items for under four quid. I always add black pudding for an extra, bargain, 75p.
Nowadays, visits to IKEA are by car to the Exeter branch. Visited a few weeks ago for some pillows, bed linen and kitchen knick-knacks. And meatballs of course.
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368174/30953/26] Posted by ChrisB at 21:14, 14th November 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gw5xxej04o
Routes between London Paddington and Bristol and Swansea are closed due to flooding on the tracks, including here at Corsham near Bath
| Re: IKEA Bristol by bus In "Buses and other ways to travel" [368173/31095/5] Posted by johnneyw at 21:07, 14th November 2025 | |
I've found that the walk from Stapleton Road railway station to IKEA takes about ten minutes if you take the road beneath the motorway that leads to the outside car parking area.
| Re: BTP Officer convicted of assault In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368172/30896/51] Posted by JayMac at 21:02, 14th November 2025 | |
An appropriate sentence with, I suspect, small premiums for the aggravating factors of being a police officer and pleading not guilty.
I don't think he'll be a police officer for much longer.
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368171/30953/26] Posted by Trowres at 20:59, 14th November 2025 | |
The 20:12 Swindon-Westbury has reached Trowbridge on time.
I wonder if any passengers for Bath or Bristol were directed this way? - in spite of the cancellation of one service from Salisbury, there's a fair connection onto the Portsmouth-Cardiff.
Meanwhile in the opposite direction there's a FO 9 coach IET running ECS Westbury-North Pole.
Some Paddington-Bristol services (in both directions) are being diverted via Newbury, although GWR Journeycheck is notably lacking in this bit of info (deliberate or not?)
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368170/30953/26] Posted by a-driver at 20:35, 14th November 2025 | |
The line between Chippenham and Bath Spa is under several feet of water.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368169/29726/18] Posted by ChrisB at 20:34, 14th November 2025 | |
Chippenham - Bath was under water at one point today
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368168/30953/26] Posted by ChrisB at 20:32, 14th November 2025 | |
But is it better to try & run (& then fail) or to advise in advance & not trap anyone away from 'home'?
That's the conundrum, and a very difficult one - especially so in weather like today's where there may not be any available road transport should you try & run & find you can't.....
That's the conundrum, and a very difficult one - especially so in weather like today's where there may not be any available road transport should you try & run & find you can't.....
Hmmm......I bet they wish that they'd been told not to travel this morning.....
| Re: Weather updates, from across our area - ongoing discussion, 2025 In "Across the West" [368167/30953/26] Posted by grahame at 20:29, 14th November 2025 | |
Chaos at Swindon
Whats happening at the train station loads of police and it looks like they’re not letting anyone in
Trains are cancelled due to flooding and ppl fighting over taxis no system in place for passengers who are stuck getting home
Trains cancelled and no spare transport to shuttle ppl.
| Re: Where was PhilW - 05/08/25 In "The Lighter Side" [368166/30540/30] Posted by PhilWakely at 19:56, 14th November 2025 Already liked by GBM, rogerw | |
https://www.pecorama.co.uk/
Pecorama Public Statement: November 2025
It is with great sadness and after much soul-searching we have decided to close Pecorama, our well-loved family attraction, for the 2026 season. Despite Pecorama having had a busy year of trading involving its 50 th anniversary of the Beer Heights Railway and concluding this past half term week with rewarding Halloween events, the business continues to make a loss.
It is with great sadness and after much soul-searching we have decided to close Pecorama, our well-loved family attraction, for the 2026 season. Despite Pecorama having had a busy year of trading involving its 50 th anniversary of the Beer Heights Railway and concluding this past half term week with rewarding Halloween events, the business continues to make a loss.
Very sad
