Apparently, tickets issued by GWR ticket offices will now default to the larger paper tickets. You will still be able to be issued with 'traditional' tickets if you specifically ask for one, or if your journey involves London Underground. So, if you are one of the Coffee Shop members who 'regularly' buys a '3 in 7' or '8 in 15' Rover, make sure you remember to ask as I hate to imagine what the state of your paper ticket on journey 8 will be!

As a matter of interest, given the choice, in what format do you prefer to receive your ticket?

I'll take the easy one please, 1: Clapham Pond, London

Hats off to our government for 'other measures include a new Google Maps partnership to track rural buses'.

Oh, wait...bustimes.org already does this perfectly well, and the urban and suburban services as well!

'Bit of a cock-up on the research front' as Uncle Jimmy might have said (younger readers could search 'Reginald Perrin' for more info).

The volume of graffiti, AKA criminal damage, along the railway between Paddington & Acton, indicates the answer to that question is a resounding 'Yes'.

.....Does the great western line have a track security problem?

Flats to be built on site once set aside for arena


One of the tower blocks will be up to 19-storeys tall

Plans to build numerous tower blocks on land once earmarked for a 20,000-seat arena have been approved.

The new estate, which includes 520 flats and offices, will be built near Bristol Temple Meads railway station, on land between the River Avon and A4 Bath Road.

An indoor arena was previously planned for the site before it was abandoned in 2018, with former Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees deciding to build it in Filton instead.

The proposals by Legal and General were approved by Bristol City Council on Wednesday.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the major finance company's plans also include a riverside footpath, a play area, bars, shops and a hotel. The flats will be split over four blocks, with the tallest reaching up to 19 storeys. The firm said the scheme would take a decade to build.

Ben Denton, head of strategy at Legal and General, said: "L&G will be the long-term owner and operator of the commercial space, the market-rented homes and the affordable homes on the site." He said 20% of the homes will be affordable, partly paid for by a government grant from Homes England.


The plans also include bars, shops and a hotel

Speaking at the meeting, Kim Hicks, from Bristol Civic Society, said the tower blocks "will be depressing to look at and live and work among, especially in dull and damp weather".

"This development requires a major redesign that results in a fresh and welcoming approach to Bristol, and is keeping with the brightness of Temple Meads. It should not be a grim reminder of the dirty, grimy, smoke-stained buildings of industrial Britain," she added.

The council's transport experts also expressed concerns about the impact on traffic on Bath Road, the main route in and out of the city centre for south Bristol.


Bristol's new arena, called Aviva Arena, will built in Filton instead

However a council report said the project will deliver "significant economic benefits" for the city including "approximately 3,000 full-time jobs".

The report said: "The development proposed complies with this policy and there are no material considerations to outweigh this compliance."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of approving the plans.

Legal and General said their plans would contribute to the wider regeneration of Temple Quarter, the area around Temple Meads and St Philips Marsh.

The development was backed by the University of Bristol, which said the new buildings would help cement their new Enterprise Campus, which is being built next to the site.

Lines open again now but still extensive delays until 1800 according to National Rail on one of the busiest days of the year - also affecting local Elizabeth Line services.

This sort of moronic behaviour does indeed seem to be on the rise and not just in this area - saw some footage of a couple of people practically tap dancing on the third rail last week, narrowly avoided being turned into charcoal.

Family to restore 'iconic' Clevedon miniature railway


Emma Coles will now run the miniature railway, years after she first spent time there

A miniature railway is going to be restored by the family that used to run its "iconic" Rio Grande train.

The miniature railway, which loops around the Salthouse Fields next to Clevedon's marine lake, opened in 1952 but has been left unused in recent years.

The family of Len Harvey, who ran the railway's Rio Grande train, has won a bid to get it running again. Emma Coles and her family have been appointed operators by North Somerset Council after a competitive process.

Coles said: "I'm excited to show my vision of what it can be like and what it was, to bring it back to Clevedon for children to enjoy it the way I did when I was a child."


Emma Coles was just eight years old when the Rio Grande train first arrived at Salthouse Fields

Coles was just eight years old when the Rio Grande train first arrived at Salthouse Fields - brought there by her father. "I remember just being with Dad when it was delivered very vividly," she said. "The Evening Post came and the headline in the Evening Post was my dad's new train. It was a very special day for my family."

The distinctive steam locomotive was one of several miniature engines to run on the railway over the years.


The family plans to restore a "fully operational" Rio Grande miniature railway

Council cabinet member Mike Solomon said he was "thrilled" the family were taking on the railway. "Their personal connection to the railway and their plans for improving the site align perfectly with our vision for a vibrant, welcoming seafront," he said.

In addition to planning a "restored and fully-operational" Rio Grande miniature railway, the Coles family plans to create a station cafe, redevelop the adventure golf course and refresh the children's rides area.

Scarborough Station clock tower restored as part of £14m upgrade



A railway station clock tower in a seaside town has been "painstakingly" restored to its former glory as part of a major upgrade.

Scarborough's Grade II-listed station is also getting a new roof, drainage system and an improved waiting room and ticket office as part of the £14m scheme.

A recent grant of £203,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust has meant the gold clock tower's four faces could be individually restored at the same time, said Network Rail, who carried out the work.

A spokesperson added that works are due to be completed by the end of March and the additional funding meant the company had been able to "deliver more benefits than originally planned".


The golden-coloured structure is part of the Grade II-listed station's refurbishment

Network Rail also confirmed workers would remain on site after the project's completion for the controlled removal of asbestos found in the station's social club, ticket office and cafe. However, the areas remain open and pose "no risk to the public", though the cafe will be closed from 30 March for up to three weeks.

Ann Shannon, Network Rail scheme project manager, said: "The main project is on track for completion as planned this month, but some of our colleagues will be working at the station for slightly longer because of the asbestos we've recently identified."


The upgrade is due to be completed by the end of March

Roof repairs were started after a glazing failure in 2021 and the station was made safe and full restoration began in spring 2025. Network Rail said Scarborough's coastal location also meant other considerations had to be implemented such as hawks to prevent seagulls nesting during the main roof work and specific types of tile, paint and timber being used because of the salt-heavy sea air.

Shannon added: "We're grateful for everyone's patience and understanding while we address this safely and responsibly."

Rosyth-Dunkerque proposal.

Mark

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/27/scotland-france-ferry-dunkirk-regeneration-plan

Scotland-France ferry link moves closer with £3 million UK Government commitment

Investment will upgrade vital Border Force and Customs infrastructure at the port.
From               Scotland Office, HM Treasury           Published                       19 March 2026

A direct ferry route from Scotland to Dunkirk has today moved a step closer thanks to a £3 million UK Government commitment.

Funded through the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund, the investment will support the upgrade of vital Border Force and Customs infrastructure at the port. It was announced today [19 March] by the Scottish Secretary ahead of a visit to the Rosyth to meet senior figures from Forth Ports, international ferry operator DFDS, and the operators of the Port of Dunkirk.

The UK Government’s £3 million funding is subject to the conclusion of a commercial agreement between Forth Ports (operator of the Port of Rosyth) and a ferry operator, as well as approval of their business case...

Mathieu Girardin, Executive Vice President and Head of DFDS’s Ferry Division, said:

    We are pleased to see the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening port infrastructure in Rosyth. This is an important step in bringing a new route between Scotland and mainland Europe closer to reality. While a few elements still need to be addressed, we see strong potential in the route and look forward to continuing our discussions with all partners involved to move the project forward.

New £5m footway connecting Taunton station to town centre opens


The new walkway will cut people's travel time from the station

A new £5m footway linking a major railway hub and the nearby town centre has opened, four years after being given planning permission.

The Firepool Boulevard now connects Taunton Railway Station directly to the county cricket ground, and onwards to the centre of town, through a yet-to-be developed plot of land.

Previously, it would have taken around 25 minutes to walk to the town centre along main roads from the station, with journeys now taking around six or seven minutes.

The Somerset Council lead member for economic development, Mike Rigby, said the footway would have a "decent impact" on people in the town.

The footway took around seven months to construct and cost around £5m, paid for by the government's future high street fund. The walkway had been planned to open in March, but faced a number of delays.

Rigby said: "It's taken longer than we'd have hoped. We had some unexpected issues like finding some asbestos on the site that needed a solution, but here we are, it's done... I'm happy with how it looks."

He also said the work was part of a wider scheme "to deliver that Firepool master plan" and make the area more attractive to developers.

(BBC article continues)

Not infrastructure per se, unless you count trackside fencing, but…

Extensive disruption this afternoon at paddington with all lines blocked due to a trespasser at Southall. 

To my recollection this is the 3rd such incident in the past fortnight.  Does the great western line have a track security problem?

New footbridge plan given go-ahead for Earley rail station


Wokingham Borough Council gave the project the go-ahead earlier this week

A railway station's footbridge will be replaced after a council gave a plan the go-ahead.

A steel bridge will be built at Earley station, in Station Road, following Network Rail's application.

Wokingham Borough Council gave the project approval on Thursday so work can be completed.

Network Rail said the work is part of a "cyclical programme of operational property repairs and renewals", which it said will ensure it is meeting safety, statutory and contractual obligations.

Fatal train derailment inquiry closing submissions conclude



The closing submissions in a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) after three men died in a derailment in Aberdeenshire have concluded.

The train's driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury died in the crash at Carmont, near Stonehaven, on 12 August 2020.

The train derailed after hitting debris washed from a drain following heavy rain.

Evidence in the FAI was heard earlier this year, and closing submissions were heard on Monday, and then on Tuesday morning. Sheriff Lesley Johnson's determination will be issued at a later date.

During a court case in 2023, Network Rail was fined £6.7m in court for a series of failings in connection with the crash. It admitted a number of maintenance and inspection failures before the crash, as well as failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe, or tell him to reduce his speed.

The accident happened after what was described as a once-in-a-century level of rainfall in the area in a short period of time.

The FAI heard that rail network is now better prepared for the risks of extreme weather than when the train derailed.

The first day of closing submissions had heard the train derailment was "avoidable".

Alex Prentice KC, for the Crown, told the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) that Network Rail had "acknowledged their failings, in the course of the criminal prosecution and this inquiry". He added: "Sadly, this was an avoidable tragedy."

Prentice said the drainage system had not been installed according to its design, and health and safety files had not been retained. He put forward a number of precautions for the sheriff to consider, and said if they had been acted on then the outcome may have been different.

Peter Gray KC, representing Network Rail, told the inquiry the events of 12 August had shaken the train operator "to its core".

It is not yet known how long it will take for the sheriff's eventual determination to be finished and published.

Aberfan disaster survivor Jeff Edwards 'honoured' to receive OBE from King Charles

This story contains upsetting details that some may find distressing

Aberfan disaster survivor Jeff Edwards said it was "a great honour and a privilege" to be presented with his OBE by King Charles.

The then eight-year-old was one of 240 pupils at Pantglas Junior School when a coal waste tip came crashing down a hillside, engulfing the school and surrounding homes, nearly 60 years ago. On that day - Friday 21 October 1966 - 116 children and 28 adults died in the close-knit Merthyr Tydfil community.

Edwards was given his OBE for his services to fellow survivors of disasters, to charity and to the community in Aberfan in a ceremony held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

Edwards, who is the Deputy Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, was the last child to be brought out alive from the wreckage of the school.

He told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that it was "absolutely wonderful" to receive the honour from the King, who he had hosted on his last visit to Aberfan when he was Prince of Wales. "He said 'nice to see you again Mr Edwards', because I've met him several times before, and he enquired as to how the wives' group were doing because he has got a favourite spot for them," he said.

Edwards said he had also met the Queen on several occasions and "she always used to call me 'the boy with the white hair'".

"I said to the King, little did I know an eight-year-old buried in the disaster in Aberfan would be standing before the King and receiving this medal, it's totally unreal really," he said.

Recalling what happened on 21 October 1966, he said: "I remember a thunder sound before the disaster happened and the teacher reassuring us that it was only thunder and the next thing waking up with a dead girl on my shoulder." He said he could see light coming in above him and he heard screams and shouts around him.

Edwards was dug out by fireman Roy Thomas, who he was reunited with many years later when he was Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil, adding that he was glad to have been able to personally thank him "for saving my life all those years ago".

Edwards said it was important that his experience of being involved in the disaster could inform the development of services for other people. The former High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan said: "I think it's important really that survivors of any disaster or any tragedy have the proper support for them to get through the trauma of being involved in such an accident."

He said he had been involved in the Hillsborough Charter for the bereaved and survivors. This included "working with people from Hillsborough, from the Manchester bombing and from Grenfell in getting together a charter that all public services in Wales have now adopted as an important way forward".

The Hillsborough Charter is an effort to learn lessons from past mistakes where victims were unsupported, ignored or blamed by those that should have been there to support them. It compels bodies such as the police to tell the truth and avoid "defending the indefensible". Each signatory will be expected to be open, honest and transparent with victims, and when they face public inquiries.