Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Aberystwyth cafe asks laptop users not to 'hog' tables In "Introductions and chat" [374139/31871/1] Posted by grahame at 16:44, 13th April 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby |      |
A story out of almost nothing? Cafes and restaurants at busy times have always needed to help tables turn over. Whether a customer is writing a letter on paper, reading a book, doing a puzzle, sleeping, knitting or using her or his mobile phone it has always been an issue that at rare times there's an issue to ask customers to let other make use of the business around them. Been there on both sides.
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374138/29537/52] Posted by Noggin at 16:41, 13th April 2026 | |
Have been through Malaga this week. All very slick - nice lady helping with enrollment which took under 5 minutes for a family of 4 - then did e-gates no problem. Passport stamped coming in, but they didn't bother going back out again (hopefully that won't be a problem).
Prior to that, the Portuguese weren't bothering in Lisbon at Easter, nor were the Swiss in Geneva at Christmas.
P.S. One noteworthy thing on the enrollment screens is that you have to confirm you have sufficient funds for your stay (c. €150/pp/day) and technically you have to be able to prove you have accommodation. If my Mum had followed the law, she would have needed to make an appointment with the Policia Nacional to fill out official invitation forms.
| Re: Problems with Hitachi Intercity Express Trains - ongoing discussion since 2022 In "Across the West" [374137/24934/26] Posted by rogerw at 16:35, 13th April 2026 | |
Apologies for the thread drift but seemed appropriate. I recently travelled on one of the EMR new units. The riding seemed to be smoother, but I don't think we reached 15rmph. A big plus was the seats which were soft and comfortable. A downside IMHO was the apparent lack of traffic lights on the reservation system which was not actually in use.
| Bletchley train derailed on 26 June 2025 due to gap in staff training, says RAIB In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [374136/31872/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:05, 13th April 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Train derailed due to gap in staff training
The four members of crew on the train were not injured and no passengers were on board
Investigators have concluded that a train derailed due to gaps in training.
Nobody was injured when the out-of-service London Northwestern train derailed on 26 June at Denbigh Hall South Junction shortly after leaving Bletchley, near Milton Keynes.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found switch diamond points, which allow trains to navigate certain angles, were in unsafe positions for the train which had been travelling in the "wrong direction" after encountering a fault.
Investigators recommended Network Rail and West Midlands Trains develop staff training and that the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSBB) consider updating the rule book.
The non-passenger train derailed in the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes
The train had been travelling in the wrong direction towards a depot at Northampton after the driver found they could not move the vehicle from one end. Neither signalling staff or those in the train's leading cabin noticed the switch diamond points were in an unsafe position for the train to pass over them while travelling in that direction.
According to the report, staff involved lacked understanding of what switch diamond points were and how trains should have been using them. The report recommended that Network Rail and West Midlands Trains improved training of staff.
RAIB also found the rule book did not cover the specific circumstances of the "wrong-direction" movement in the incident, meaning that the signallers had been ignoring the rules unintentionally. It asked the RSSB to consider if the modules in the rule book should account for such scenarios.
Investigators also found the incident highlighted how staff should have a better understanding of how their personal issues could have an impact on their work. They learnt the signalling shift manager had been dealing with "significant personal issues" that had been affecting their concentration. After reviewing the witness evidence, the RAIB said that if this member of staff had declared these issues to their manager they would have been taken off duty on compassionate grounds.
The RAIB suggested staff should "ask a competent person" and challenge colleagues if they were unsure about work being done.
Responding to the report, a Network Rail spokesperson said it had taken the recommendations "very seriously". They said Network Rail was implementing the recommendations, including changes in training for signallers.
The four members of crew on the train were not injured and no passengers were on board
Investigators have concluded that a train derailed due to gaps in training.
Nobody was injured when the out-of-service London Northwestern train derailed on 26 June at Denbigh Hall South Junction shortly after leaving Bletchley, near Milton Keynes.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found switch diamond points, which allow trains to navigate certain angles, were in unsafe positions for the train which had been travelling in the "wrong direction" after encountering a fault.
Investigators recommended Network Rail and West Midlands Trains develop staff training and that the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSBB) consider updating the rule book.
The non-passenger train derailed in the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes
The train had been travelling in the wrong direction towards a depot at Northampton after the driver found they could not move the vehicle from one end. Neither signalling staff or those in the train's leading cabin noticed the switch diamond points were in an unsafe position for the train to pass over them while travelling in that direction.
According to the report, staff involved lacked understanding of what switch diamond points were and how trains should have been using them. The report recommended that Network Rail and West Midlands Trains improved training of staff.
RAIB also found the rule book did not cover the specific circumstances of the "wrong-direction" movement in the incident, meaning that the signallers had been ignoring the rules unintentionally. It asked the RSSB to consider if the modules in the rule book should account for such scenarios.
Investigators also found the incident highlighted how staff should have a better understanding of how their personal issues could have an impact on their work. They learnt the signalling shift manager had been dealing with "significant personal issues" that had been affecting their concentration. After reviewing the witness evidence, the RAIB said that if this member of staff had declared these issues to their manager they would have been taken off duty on compassionate grounds.
The RAIB suggested staff should "ask a competent person" and challenge colleagues if they were unsure about work being done.
Responding to the report, a Network Rail spokesperson said it had taken the recommendations "very seriously". They said Network Rail was implementing the recommendations, including changes in training for signallers.
| Aberystwyth cafe asks laptop users not to 'hog' tables In "Introductions and chat" [374135/31871/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:26, 13th April 2026 Already liked by rogerw | |
From the BBC:
Cafe tells laptop users not to 'hog' tables
The owner of Sophie's cafe in Aberystwyth had to ask a customer to leave because he had been occupying a table for hours
A cafe is asking customers not to use their laptops at its tables and "hog" them for hours, preventing other customers from finding seats and damaging business.
Sara Jenkins, who owns Sophie's cafe in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, said everyone was welcome but that people needed to be more considerate of those who wish to eat there.
A Facebook post by the cafe outlining the new rule has received over 300 responses, including comments welcoming the move, Sara said.
"It's sometimes frustrating when someone grabs a table for hours during busy periods - because we're losing money," she said. "I was afraid I was being unreasonable at first, but the response has been very positive so far," she added. "We welcome everyone - old, young, students, children. But we're a cafe that works quickly, and we're always busy - every customer has been served within about five to 10 minutes."
According to Sara, one customer came in shortly after 08:00 and stayed until at least 10:15 after having toast and coffee, spending over two hours behind his laptop.
"We asked him if he would like to anything else - but he didn't, and unfortunately we had to ask him to leave shortly afterwards. I hate to feel awkward or make someone else feel awkward, but we're not a cyber cafe - we don't even have sockets at our tables. I'm very proud of the response there to the message so far - everyone in the comments has welcomed the request - which makes us feel better," she said.
(BBC article continues)
The owner of Sophie's cafe in Aberystwyth had to ask a customer to leave because he had been occupying a table for hours
A cafe is asking customers not to use their laptops at its tables and "hog" them for hours, preventing other customers from finding seats and damaging business.
Sara Jenkins, who owns Sophie's cafe in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, said everyone was welcome but that people needed to be more considerate of those who wish to eat there.
A Facebook post by the cafe outlining the new rule has received over 300 responses, including comments welcoming the move, Sara said.
"It's sometimes frustrating when someone grabs a table for hours during busy periods - because we're losing money," she said. "I was afraid I was being unreasonable at first, but the response has been very positive so far," she added. "We welcome everyone - old, young, students, children. But we're a cafe that works quickly, and we're always busy - every customer has been served within about five to 10 minutes."
According to Sara, one customer came in shortly after 08:00 and stayed until at least 10:15 after having toast and coffee, spending over two hours behind his laptop.
"We asked him if he would like to anything else - but he didn't, and unfortunately we had to ask him to leave shortly afterwards. I hate to feel awkward or make someone else feel awkward, but we're not a cyber cafe - we don't even have sockets at our tables. I'm very proud of the response there to the message so far - everyone in the comments has welcomed the request - which makes us feel better," she said.
(BBC article continues)
My understanding is that grahame only uses such a tabletop to facilitate his rather unfortunate habit of spilling liquids across the keyboard.
CfN.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [374134/31371/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 12:34, 13th April 2026 | |
Monday 13 April
1W17 0851 Paddington to Great Malvern terminated short, at Oxford because, according to RTT, of a problem with on-board safety systems
Leading to:
11:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/04/2026 09:54
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/04/2026 09:54
and then
1W21 1053 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill was also terminated at Oxford, which, according to RTT, was because of the strange and very creative reason of "the late arrival of a service from Europe"
leading to:
13:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 15:22 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/04/2026 12:03
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/04/2026 12:03
| Re: Lost waterway of Melksham - Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374133/31863/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:48, 13th April 2026 Already liked by matth1j | |
I - envisage - walking down to Melksham Riverside in a summer a decade from now. Watching the boats go by, perhaps walking waterside all the way up to Lacock and seeing the summer holidaymakers turning their hire boats at Hire-trip-end. Seeing the village freed from cars with people arriving and leaving on the electric shuttle bus from Lacock Station, part of the Bath and Wiltshire Metro - and perhaps I'll take the train back from there into Melksham and catch the bus that connects with every train back home into the town.
... but then grahame woke up.
| Re: Cumbrian Coast Line: Bransty Tunnel woes at Whitehaven, until Easter 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [374132/30530/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:33, 13th April 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
No end in sight for railway tunnel repairs
Bransty Tunnel has previously been affected by flooding
Repairs to a railway tunnel have been delayed with no reopening date set, Network Rail has said.
Bransty tunnel, between Whitehaven and Corkickle on the Cumbrian Coast Line, shut in the summer after engineers found its floor needed "significant reinforcement". Bosses initially expected it to remain closed until Easter.
Passengers on the line, which serves two major employers in the county, Sellafield and BAE, have been using replacement buses for almost a year.
A permanent repair solution had been agreed, but Network Rail said it was waiting on permits to be agreed with partners the Mining Remediation Authority and the Environment Agency for work to begin.
"This is to align the necessary environmental consents so that water contamination issues can be addressed alongside the repairs," a Network Rail spokesperson said.
The tunnel was connected with orange water at Whitehaven Harbour and works were planned to tackle issues. However, tests to assess weight limits for the heavy machinery needed revealed issues with the floor strength, prompting the months-long closure.
Network Rail said it had completed "detailed inspections and a permanent repair solution has been independently verified". It plans to use specialist grout to stabilise the tunnel and pressure relief wells to reduce groundwater pressure and manage the volume of water entering the tunnel. Track and drainage renewal work is also planned.
It added that in the interest of saving taxpayer costs, it would take a "minimal viable product approach" which included using smaller drilling, grouting and treatment areas and fewer relief wells within the tunnel.
A spokesperson said: "We're sorry for the delay in reopening the Bransty tunnel for passengers who rely on this important route." They also said a further update would be provided when it could "be clear on the timeline of what happens next".
Bransty Tunnel has previously been affected by flooding
Repairs to a railway tunnel have been delayed with no reopening date set, Network Rail has said.
Bransty tunnel, between Whitehaven and Corkickle on the Cumbrian Coast Line, shut in the summer after engineers found its floor needed "significant reinforcement". Bosses initially expected it to remain closed until Easter.
Passengers on the line, which serves two major employers in the county, Sellafield and BAE, have been using replacement buses for almost a year.
A permanent repair solution had been agreed, but Network Rail said it was waiting on permits to be agreed with partners the Mining Remediation Authority and the Environment Agency for work to begin.
"This is to align the necessary environmental consents so that water contamination issues can be addressed alongside the repairs," a Network Rail spokesperson said.
The tunnel was connected with orange water at Whitehaven Harbour and works were planned to tackle issues. However, tests to assess weight limits for the heavy machinery needed revealed issues with the floor strength, prompting the months-long closure.
Network Rail said it had completed "detailed inspections and a permanent repair solution has been independently verified". It plans to use specialist grout to stabilise the tunnel and pressure relief wells to reduce groundwater pressure and manage the volume of water entering the tunnel. Track and drainage renewal work is also planned.
It added that in the interest of saving taxpayer costs, it would take a "minimal viable product approach" which included using smaller drilling, grouting and treatment areas and fewer relief wells within the tunnel.
A spokesperson said: "We're sorry for the delay in reopening the Bransty tunnel for passengers who rely on this important route." They also said a further update would be provided when it could "be clear on the timeline of what happens next".
| Manchester Oxford Road station to become a 'canvas' for new artwork In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [374131/31870/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:16, 13th April 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Railway station to become a 'canvas' for artwork
A new arts programme will see artists, communities and schools transform a city's railway station with their creative vision for the public transport hub.
Arts charity HOME and Network Rail have teamed up for an 18-month project which will see the busy commuter station Oxford Road in Manchester double up as a creative workshop.
Our City & Beyond: Manchester Oxford Road Edition invites participants to "reimagine" the station "as a canvas for collective storytelling". The programme "explores what becomes possible when rail, culture and the city come together to shape station environments and experiences that are welcoming, reflective of their communities and connected to the life of the city".
Louise Harney, head of creative engagement, HOME, said she was excited "to engage with a Manchester landmark as a canvas for collective storytelling, co-creating a public artwork rooted in the city's past and present". She added: "We are thrilled to be a part of this project that celebrates creativity in place."
Rebecca Foy, regeneration & placemaking specialist at Network Rail, added: "Art is powerful - it shapes people, places and stories, and our stations are no different. We are beginning to explore what becomes possible when rail works creatively with the city and its communities to shape places that feel welcoming, human and truly reflective of the people they serve."
An early example of the kind of projects envisaged is the announcement of a new artwork across the Whitworth Street railway arches beneath Manchester Oxford Road Station.
The work by artist Venessa Scott will draw inspiration from the creative work already produced by participating school children and will transform the currently neglected arch frontages into a "vibrant and evolving canvas for the programme", the organisers have said.
The artwork will be submitted for planning soon with work expected start in summer. Throughout the project, filmmakers and photographers will document the creative process, with resulting films shared online.
A new arts programme will see artists, communities and schools transform a city's railway station with their creative vision for the public transport hub.
Arts charity HOME and Network Rail have teamed up for an 18-month project which will see the busy commuter station Oxford Road in Manchester double up as a creative workshop.
Our City & Beyond: Manchester Oxford Road Edition invites participants to "reimagine" the station "as a canvas for collective storytelling". The programme "explores what becomes possible when rail, culture and the city come together to shape station environments and experiences that are welcoming, reflective of their communities and connected to the life of the city".
Louise Harney, head of creative engagement, HOME, said she was excited "to engage with a Manchester landmark as a canvas for collective storytelling, co-creating a public artwork rooted in the city's past and present". She added: "We are thrilled to be a part of this project that celebrates creativity in place."
Rebecca Foy, regeneration & placemaking specialist at Network Rail, added: "Art is powerful - it shapes people, places and stories, and our stations are no different. We are beginning to explore what becomes possible when rail works creatively with the city and its communities to shape places that feel welcoming, human and truly reflective of the people they serve."
An early example of the kind of projects envisaged is the announcement of a new artwork across the Whitworth Street railway arches beneath Manchester Oxford Road Station.
The work by artist Venessa Scott will draw inspiration from the creative work already produced by participating school children and will transform the currently neglected arch frontages into a "vibrant and evolving canvas for the programme", the organisers have said.
The artwork will be submitted for planning soon with work expected start in summer. Throughout the project, filmmakers and photographers will document the creative process, with resulting films shared online.
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374130/29537/52] Posted by grahame at 08:02, 13th April 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I is confused; I am pretty sure that 'Dual Nationals' are by definition citizens of, and therefore passport holders of, two sovereign countries.
So why would a UK (or RoI) + 1 other passport holder be affected in any way by this immigration process change?
So why would a UK (or RoI) + 1 other passport holder be affected in any way by this immigration process change?
The issue comes where a dual citizen has allowed their British passport to lapse - or perhaps has never held one. Take the example I quote (and I am redacting some identifying data) of someone who was moved as a child from the UK to (in our family example) the USA. She still has very strong family links to the UK and visits every few years and has done so on her USA passport, her British one having lapsed towards the end of the last century.
She's looking to visit again - but this time she finds that her USA passport isn't acceptable into the UK; she can't now get a visa or visa waiver because she's also British, but rather needs to apply for such a passport - from where she is in the USA, and with a turn around of a couple of months, or perhaps an extended timescale due to difficulting of proving / checking ID after multiple decades.
| Re: Two in hospital after bus crashes down embankment on A9 near Aviemore: 12/4/2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374129/31867/5] Posted by GBM at 07:54, 13th April 2026 | |
Looks like a coach to me
It certainly is!A coach used on a bus route (to me), is still a coach.
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374128/29537/52] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 07:52, 13th April 2026 | |
I is confused; I am pretty sure that 'Dual Nationals' are by definition citizens of, and therefore passport holders of, two sovereign countries.
So why would a UK (or RoI) + 1 other passport holder be affected in any way by this immigration process change?
| Re: Lost waterway of Melksham - Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374127/31863/47] Posted by grahame at 07:39, 13th April 2026 Already liked by matth1j, Mark A | |
The Wilts and Berks Canal uses to pass very close to our home - the hump mentioned on Spa Road where it used to bridge the canal is a feature, as is the aqueduct over Clackers Brook and the bridge arch set at the side of the road where there used to be a lock. Features like The Wharf and Gallows Bridge have long since been lost, but names like "Rope Walk" where the rope factory used to sit are there as memories, and the route is waymarked as the lost waterway.
There are some sections where the old route / towpath is a public right of way, other sections where it has been extinguished over the years and incorporated into properties and indeed built on and there is no practical way it could be re-opened; by my calculation it's now 114 years since the last boat passed.
But yet - a canal route from the Kennet and Avon canal at or near Semington through to the Thames at Abingdon would make huge sense. And indeed some of the isolated and end sections make sense too - not the "icing on the cake" of the full re-opening but yet substantial benefit. In roles in the 20 years before I retired, and right up to the end of my term as a Town Councillor, I was a proponent of the canal and options and opportunities for the re-opening - indeed I represented Melksham Town Council on the Wiltshire, Swindon and Oxfordshire Canal Partnership in which local stakeholders come together for some joined-up and indeed joining-up thinking.
There is no practical way that the canal will re-open on its old course. However, a new route through the town - along the course of the River Avon is plausible. There is so much that could do in regeneration and focus for the town and its economy, and the old Avon / Cooper Tires site alongside the river is such an opportunity. On Saturday, I took the bus to Bradford-on-Avon, walked along the canal to Avoncliff and had a wonderful afternoon. Lots and lots of people out, boats, wonderful parkland ... and we should remember that the Kennet and Avon, too was closed and a muddy (and in sections) dry and derelict ditch that has been brought back to life.
I - envisage - walking down to Melksham Riverside in a summer a decade from now. Watching the boats go by, perhaps walking waterside all the way up to Lacock and seeing the summer holidaymakers turning their hire boats at Hire-trip-end. Seeing the village freed from cars with people arriving and leaving on the electric shuttle bus from Lacock Station, part of the Bath and Wiltshire Metro - and perhaps I'll take the train back from there into Melksham and catch the bus that connects with every train back home into the town.
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374126/29537/52] Posted by grahame at 07:05, 13th April 2026 | |
There are ... multiple ... issues all in the one thread here.
Headed out from the UK, the admission of people travelling on British passports into the Schengen area through the new biometric system is causing some headline generating blockages as it goes through what are hopefully teething problems. The corollary to that is the Schengen area exit procedures which are also having some hiccoughs.
The second issue is for British citizens who are also citizens of another country (dual citizens) and can no longer enter the UK purely on a passport of their second county - they need to hold a British Passport or have a certificate of entitlement to enter (return) to the UK. That is a new requirement too; from a personal viewpoint we're an international family and with our particular metrics Lisa always carries both UK and USA passports as there's a similar issue in entering the USA. Where it seems to be a particular issue is for certain family members of our generation who have lived out of the UK for half their lifetime, travelled here in the past on non-British passports, and now find themselves required to get a British passport before they visit their fatherland. The UK government says it has done a lot of publicity on the matter, but no amount of publicity will reach everyone - for example (in our family) the people who were born in Buckinghamshire, transported as children by their parents who moved to the USA, and have lived half their life in California - coming just for a visit to the place they were born is now steeped in red tape which has not made the headlines in the LA Times.
| Re: Lost waterway of Melksham - Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374125/31863/47] Posted by CyclingSid at 06:24, 13th April 2026 | |
intense competition from the railways
Not something that people are likely to be troubled by now.
| Re: Lost waterway of Melksham - Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374124/31863/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:21, 12th April 2026 | |
As this topic has become rather more factual, I have moved it from our 'The Lighter Side' board to here - while preserving all previous posts, obviously.
Personally, I am familiar with some of those historic features:
The former rope factory at modern-day Rope Walk is also featured in the book ...
So are there any echoes of the canals' presence left in Melksham? Williams said there were a number of clues people could still find. The first is a hump in Spa Road where the Wharf Court residential home is - marking where a bridge once was.
So are there any echoes of the canals' presence left in Melksham? Williams said there were a number of clues people could still find. The first is a hump in Spa Road where the Wharf Court residential home is - marking where a bridge once was.
CfN.
| Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374123/2350/47] Posted by Oxonhutch at 21:07, 12th April 2026 Already liked by GBM, Witham Bobby, 47714 | |
Looking at the last photograph, the phrase "Mind the Gap" came to mind.
| Re: West Coast Railways and ‘Hogwarts Express’ trains - ongoing discussion In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374122/28578/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:03, 12th April 2026 | |
I have revised the 'topic heading' here, to make it rather less 'confrontational'.
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374121/29537/52] Posted by Oxonhutch at 20:51, 12th April 2026 Already liked by Bob_Blakey, johnneyw | |
Geologist here: but if you like fancy and rare rocks, when in Fuerteventura visit the seaside village of Ajuy on the west cost if you can. It is a special area where rocks of the Jurassic aged, Atlantic Ocean floor rocks and the Earth's mantle have been brought to the surface and outcrop in the bay and its surrounds. Even if fancy rocks aren't your sort, there is a lovely tapas bar there on the beach.
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374120/29537/52] Posted by Surrey 455 at 20:20, 12th April 2026 | |
One thing can do, and media doesn't seem to highlight this is previous week, look up arrivals at airport travelling to and see how many non Schengen flights arrive just before yours. Gives you good indication if they will still be processing arrivals from previous flights. (note flight times can vary by day of week so best to check same time previous week)
Thanks JohnD, good thinking. I'm off to Fuerteventura on Saturday. Just checked the scheduled arrivals and the previous Non EU arrival is 5 hours earlier and the next arrival after is 90 minutes later. So hopefully will not have to wait too long. I believe that I am already registered having had my photo and fingerprints taken in Vienna in January.
The downside is I am starting to hear about probable strike action at both Stansted and Fuerteventura airports from this Friday.
| Re: A welcome to lurkers, guests and newly registering members on the Coffee Shop forum (merged post In "Introductions and chat" [374119/21122/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:19, 12th April 2026 | |
Browsing around existing topics and previous posts here on the Coffee Shop forum, as I do, I note that we have recently been joined by some very welcome new members.
Please do take the following step of posting here: we are a remarkably friendly forum, and I would be delighted to have the opportunity to welcome a 'first post' from one of our new members.
CfN.
| Re: Two in hospital after bus crashes down embankment on A9 near Aviemore: 12/4/2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374118/31867/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:39, 12th April 2026 | |
The BBC have updated their news article:
Two taken to hospital after bus crashes down A9 embankment
Heavy lift recovery trucks were later brought in to recover the crashed bus
Two people have been taken to hospital after a bus crashed down an embankment on the A9 north of Aviemore in the Highlands.
A major emergency response involving firefighters, ambulance crews and police was triggered after it left the road near the Granish Junction at about 9:40 on Sunday.
Police Scotland said two people were taken to hospital for treatment but no details were given about the extent of their injuries.
The bus was an electric vehicle heading to Edinburgh from Inverness, operated by Ember. The A9 was closed for about two hours but has now reopened.
Images from the scene show the large green and black bus halfway down a grassy slope at the side of the road with around 20 emergency service personnel attending.
George Rennie was travelling home to Inverness from Glasgow on another Ember service which arrived at the scene to pick up casualties from the crashed bus. He said they spent nearly two hours at the scene and around seven shaken up passengers boarded before being dropped off at Aviemore Train Station to travel on to the capital.
He told BBC Scotland News "Just as we were approaching the junction we had to turn back. Our bus driver received a message and told him to turn back. Then we heard anyone who was not injured would be coming on board so the company could take them away from the scene. Around nine people got on - most of them just had cuts and bruises from the impact."
The passengers reported that the coach tipped while turning at a junction and they had no idea something was wrong until they heard a loud bang.
Rennie continued: "When the passengers got on they told us only half of them were wearing seatbelts. One guy was thrown to the floor and another smacked his face on the seat which cut his lip. The others said they were just relaxing before they heard a huge crash and saw the front window smash inwards. A lot of people flew forward and banged their heads on seats."
A spokesperson for Ember confirmed one of their fleet was involved in a single vehicle collision on 12 April. He continued: "We would like to offer our thanks to the emergency services for their support, and we are of course fully supporting the police with their investigations."
Heavy lift recovery trucks were later brought in to recover the crashed bus
Two people have been taken to hospital after a bus crashed down an embankment on the A9 north of Aviemore in the Highlands.
A major emergency response involving firefighters, ambulance crews and police was triggered after it left the road near the Granish Junction at about 9:40 on Sunday.
Police Scotland said two people were taken to hospital for treatment but no details were given about the extent of their injuries.
The bus was an electric vehicle heading to Edinburgh from Inverness, operated by Ember. The A9 was closed for about two hours but has now reopened.
Images from the scene show the large green and black bus halfway down a grassy slope at the side of the road with around 20 emergency service personnel attending.
George Rennie was travelling home to Inverness from Glasgow on another Ember service which arrived at the scene to pick up casualties from the crashed bus. He said they spent nearly two hours at the scene and around seven shaken up passengers boarded before being dropped off at Aviemore Train Station to travel on to the capital.
He told BBC Scotland News "Just as we were approaching the junction we had to turn back. Our bus driver received a message and told him to turn back. Then we heard anyone who was not injured would be coming on board so the company could take them away from the scene. Around nine people got on - most of them just had cuts and bruises from the impact."
The passengers reported that the coach tipped while turning at a junction and they had no idea something was wrong until they heard a loud bang.
Rennie continued: "When the passengers got on they told us only half of them were wearing seatbelts. One guy was thrown to the floor and another smacked his face on the seat which cut his lip. The others said they were just relaxing before they heard a huge crash and saw the front window smash inwards. A lot of people flew forward and banged their heads on seats."
A spokesperson for Ember confirmed one of their fleet was involved in a single vehicle collision on 12 April. He continued: "We would like to offer our thanks to the emergency services for their support, and we are of course fully supporting the police with their investigations."
| Re: Two in hospital after bus crashes down embankment on A9 near Aviemore: 12/4/2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374117/31867/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:46, 12th April 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
| Re: Dual Nationality, Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border Control delays In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [374116/29537/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:40, 12th April 2026 | |
Also from the BBC:
Easyjet leaves 100 behind at Milan in border check queues
About 100 people have been left stranded in Milan after a flight to Manchester left without them.
They were due to depart on an Easyjet flight on Sunday but faced queues of up to three hours at Milan's Linate airport because of border control checks.
Marooned passengers told the BBC people had been vomiting and passing out in the heat and now did not know how they would get home.
Easyjet said it was trying to support passengers but that the situation was "outside of our control".
One passenger, Kiera, 17, from Oldham, told the BBC she and her boyfriend faced a 20-hour wait in the airport until they could get another flight tomorrow. She said it had cost her mother about £520 for new flights, but that they would be going to Gatwick, not Manchester.
She added: "We got here at seven-thirty for our flight at eleven so were super early. We got to Border Control and it was a massive queue of people. I wasn't feeling great anyway because I think I'd got food poisoning. At about ten-fifty they brought some water over for people, and when we got to the front of the queue someone asked us if we were going to Manchester, and told us our flight had just gone. There were only about 30 people got on the plane, and about 100 people didn't."
(BBC article continues)
About 100 people have been left stranded in Milan after a flight to Manchester left without them.
They were due to depart on an Easyjet flight on Sunday but faced queues of up to three hours at Milan's Linate airport because of border control checks.
Marooned passengers told the BBC people had been vomiting and passing out in the heat and now did not know how they would get home.
Easyjet said it was trying to support passengers but that the situation was "outside of our control".
One passenger, Kiera, 17, from Oldham, told the BBC she and her boyfriend faced a 20-hour wait in the airport until they could get another flight tomorrow. She said it had cost her mother about £520 for new flights, but that they would be going to Gatwick, not Manchester.
She added: "We got here at seven-thirty for our flight at eleven so were super early. We got to Border Control and it was a massive queue of people. I wasn't feeling great anyway because I think I'd got food poisoning. At about ten-fifty they brought some water over for people, and when we got to the front of the queue someone asked us if we were going to Manchester, and told us our flight had just gone. There were only about 30 people got on the plane, and about 100 people didn't."
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Two in hospital after bus crashes down embankment on A9 near Aviemore: 12/4/2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [374115/31867/5] Posted by ChrisB at 18:32, 12th April 2026 | |
Looks like a coach to me
| Re: West Coast Railways and ‘Hogwarts Express’ trains - ongoing discussion In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374114/28578/47] Posted by ChrisB at 18:23, 12th April 2026 Already liked by Surrey 455, PhilWakely | |
So....last year they used Mk 2 coaches, but *still* failed to fit central locking to their Mk 1 coaches.
Why? They must make a profit running this otherwise they wouldn't. So I'm glad it seems as though the ORR has stamped their foot at last.
| Re: Swindon's Mechanics' Institute saga drags on In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [374113/11236/10] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:18, 12th April 2026 | |
Apologies for the duplication: grahame and I were posting simultaneously.
Two versions of the same story is fine - I'm puzzled as to why I wasn't flagged on duplicating by the software
To be fair, I think it may have happened (or, rather, not happened) because I had already posted, but then went back to edit my post as it apparently produced an anomaly from our 'abbreviations and acronyms page'.
CfN.
| Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374112/2350/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:08, 12th April 2026 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Oxonhutch, johnneyw, Witham Bobby | |
From the BBC:
A step back in time at Gloucestershire vintage vehicle event
The team behind the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway put on a whole weekend of transport delights
Vintage vehicle lovers were treated to a behind-the-scenes view of a heritage railway this weekend.
Stations along the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) put on a full timetable of train services during its annual vintage event and visitors got a close-up view of more than 100 cars, motorbikes and buses.
GWSR is a volunteer-led heritage railway line which runs between Cheltenham and Broadway.
Here are some highlights from some of the stations on the circuit.
Back in time: Visitors could take a trip on a classic Great Western Railway railcar.
Time for tea: Gotherington Station looked like something straight out of the Railway Children, with visitors able to enjoy a nice cup of tea and a cake in the April sunshine.
The team behind the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway put on a whole weekend of transport delights
Vintage vehicle lovers were treated to a behind-the-scenes view of a heritage railway this weekend.
Stations along the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) put on a full timetable of train services during its annual vintage event and visitors got a close-up view of more than 100 cars, motorbikes and buses.
GWSR is a volunteer-led heritage railway line which runs between Cheltenham and Broadway.
Here are some highlights from some of the stations on the circuit.
Back in time: Visitors could take a trip on a classic Great Western Railway railcar.
Time for tea: Gotherington Station looked like something straight out of the Railway Children, with visitors able to enjoy a nice cup of tea and a cake in the April sunshine.
| Re: Lost waterway of Melksham - Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [374111/31863/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:23, 12th April 2026 Already liked by Richard Fairhurst, Witham Bobby | |
From the BBC:
The hidden history of a town's lost waterways
The canals were abandoned and largely filled in more than 100 years ago
For more than a century, narrowboats pulled by horses and donkeys walking alongside Wiltshire's canals transported items like stone, timber, salt, beer, flour, beans and oil.
But if you take a look around Melksham now, there is little evidence of the town's watery history.
The canal between Semington and Lacock in Wiltshire stopped being used more than 100 years ago, largely due to intense competition from the railways. It was abandoned and largely filled in following its final closure in 1914.
Writer Peter Williams is now hoping to shed light on the lost history of the waterways in and around Melksham, which were once so important to the area. The music teacher from Chippenham has spent 30 years gathering maps, letters, receipts, newspaper articles and dozens of archive images and sketches for his free book The Lost Waterway of Melksham.
He told BBC Radio Wiltshire he was "amazed" by the amount of information he managed to uncover. "It's fascinating to think that narrowboats were travelling where homes and gardens stand today," Williams said.
He said locals described memories of skating to Chippenham when the canal froze over in winter and coal barges being cleaned out for groups to enjoy annual outings to the town in the summer.
Peter Williams has been researching the topic for 30 years
The route of the canal stretched from the Semington junction, where there was a toll collector's house, and past Berryfields. It then carried on to Melksham Wharf, where there was once a wharf keeper's cottage, cranes and warehouses - now home to a development of flats called Wharf Court.
The former rope factory at modern-day Rope Walk is also featured in the book, as well as a list of names of local boatmen, boatbuilders and lockkeepers.
So are there any echoes of the canals' presence left in Melksham? Williams said there were a number of clues people could still find. The first is a hump in Spa Road where the Wharf Court residential home is - marking where a bridge once was. He also pointed to the bridge parapet at the junction of Lowbourne Road and Forest Road. He added some small parts of the towpath were now public rights of way between houses.
"There was also a big embankment over Clackers Brook, which is just off Ruskin Avenue. It would have been huge in 1795 when it was constructed. It was like the M4 of its time. The people of Melksham must have been quite amazed by this huge engineering feature which came through the town," Williams said.
He was inspired to start the project after volunteering with the Melksham, Chippenham and Calne branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.
The charity is hoping to receive planning permission for a "Melksham Link", which would uncover and reconnect the town's waterways with the nearby Kennet & Avon Canal. The plans are currently being discussed by Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency.
Mike Gibbin, CEO of Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, said: "Peter has produced an excellent book, and we are delighted he has kindly offered to share it with everyone free of charge. We hope it encourages people to learn about the amazing story of this wonderful waterway and our ambitious plans to bring it back to life."
The canals were abandoned and largely filled in more than 100 years ago
For more than a century, narrowboats pulled by horses and donkeys walking alongside Wiltshire's canals transported items like stone, timber, salt, beer, flour, beans and oil.
But if you take a look around Melksham now, there is little evidence of the town's watery history.
The canal between Semington and Lacock in Wiltshire stopped being used more than 100 years ago, largely due to intense competition from the railways. It was abandoned and largely filled in following its final closure in 1914.
Writer Peter Williams is now hoping to shed light on the lost history of the waterways in and around Melksham, which were once so important to the area. The music teacher from Chippenham has spent 30 years gathering maps, letters, receipts, newspaper articles and dozens of archive images and sketches for his free book The Lost Waterway of Melksham.
He told BBC Radio Wiltshire he was "amazed" by the amount of information he managed to uncover. "It's fascinating to think that narrowboats were travelling where homes and gardens stand today," Williams said.
He said locals described memories of skating to Chippenham when the canal froze over in winter and coal barges being cleaned out for groups to enjoy annual outings to the town in the summer.
Peter Williams has been researching the topic for 30 years
The route of the canal stretched from the Semington junction, where there was a toll collector's house, and past Berryfields. It then carried on to Melksham Wharf, where there was once a wharf keeper's cottage, cranes and warehouses - now home to a development of flats called Wharf Court.
The former rope factory at modern-day Rope Walk is also featured in the book, as well as a list of names of local boatmen, boatbuilders and lockkeepers.
So are there any echoes of the canals' presence left in Melksham? Williams said there were a number of clues people could still find. The first is a hump in Spa Road where the Wharf Court residential home is - marking where a bridge once was. He also pointed to the bridge parapet at the junction of Lowbourne Road and Forest Road. He added some small parts of the towpath were now public rights of way between houses.
"There was also a big embankment over Clackers Brook, which is just off Ruskin Avenue. It would have been huge in 1795 when it was constructed. It was like the M4 of its time. The people of Melksham must have been quite amazed by this huge engineering feature which came through the town," Williams said.
He was inspired to start the project after volunteering with the Melksham, Chippenham and Calne branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.
The charity is hoping to receive planning permission for a "Melksham Link", which would uncover and reconnect the town's waterways with the nearby Kennet & Avon Canal. The plans are currently being discussed by Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency.
Mike Gibbin, CEO of Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, said: "Peter has produced an excellent book, and we are delighted he has kindly offered to share it with everyone free of charge. We hope it encourages people to learn about the amazing story of this wonderful waterway and our ambitious plans to bring it back to life."
| Travel warning in Gloucestershire as works take place on railway line - April In "Swindon to Gloucester / Cheltenham" [374110/31869/38] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:07, 12th April 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Travel warning as works take place on railway line
The railway line in Gloucestershire is temporarily closed for the next two weekends
Railway passengers travelling through Gloucestershire over the next two weekends are urged to plan ahead as engineering works are taking place.
Network Rail said the railway will be temporarily closed while new rails and track equipment are installed, and drainage works to improve the resilience of the railway are completed.
Work will also continue on the construction of Charfield Station, whilst further improvements will be made at Cheltenham Spa and Kemble.
Mark Parker, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said: "Make sure to plan ahead as some journeys will be altered with bus replacement services on some routes."
On Saturday and Sunday, buses will replace some Great Western Railway (GWR) trains between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway, Gloucester and Stroud (Saturdays) and Gloucester and Swindon (Sundays), repeating next weekend.
CrossCountry trains will still run between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway using an alternative route. These trains will also call at Gloucester and Newport. Trains will also run between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa.
"We'll be working non-stop over the next two weekends to complete this essential work to improve journeys for passengers throughout Gloucestershire," said Mr Parker.
Chloe Coglan, GWR's station manager for Cheltenham and Gloucester, said: "We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, but the work planned will help to maintain train services across Gloucestershire for years to come. Trains between Cheltenham Spa or Gloucester and London Paddington will start or terminate at Stroud on Saturdays, but these won't run on Sundays. To help customer to complete their journeys, replacement road transport will be provided for those stations affected on both weekends. It's important customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements may make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead."
The railway line in Gloucestershire is temporarily closed for the next two weekends
Railway passengers travelling through Gloucestershire over the next two weekends are urged to plan ahead as engineering works are taking place.
Network Rail said the railway will be temporarily closed while new rails and track equipment are installed, and drainage works to improve the resilience of the railway are completed.
Work will also continue on the construction of Charfield Station, whilst further improvements will be made at Cheltenham Spa and Kemble.
Mark Parker, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said: "Make sure to plan ahead as some journeys will be altered with bus replacement services on some routes."
On Saturday and Sunday, buses will replace some Great Western Railway (GWR) trains between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway, Gloucester and Stroud (Saturdays) and Gloucester and Swindon (Sundays), repeating next weekend.
CrossCountry trains will still run between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway using an alternative route. These trains will also call at Gloucester and Newport. Trains will also run between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa.
"We'll be working non-stop over the next two weekends to complete this essential work to improve journeys for passengers throughout Gloucestershire," said Mr Parker.
Chloe Coglan, GWR's station manager for Cheltenham and Gloucester, said: "We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, but the work planned will help to maintain train services across Gloucestershire for years to come. Trains between Cheltenham Spa or Gloucester and London Paddington will start or terminate at Stroud on Saturdays, but these won't run on Sundays. To help customer to complete their journeys, replacement road transport will be provided for those stations affected on both weekends. It's important customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements may make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead."
