Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary In "Who's who on Western railways" [368724/29546/2] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 22:03, 29th November 2025 |      |
My judgment is still well & truly reserved; at the recent Transport Select Committee (TSC) Ms Alexander said that the c. £2bn annual passenger service subsidy absolutely had to be reduced. Shortly thereafter a national rail fare freeze, which she must have sanctioned, was announced. Doesn't exactly smell of joined up thinking does it?
At the same TSC she also stated that fare evasion was an issue that needed to be addressed. In which case a word with GWR wouldn't be a bad start; their repeated failure to check tickets/railcards has become a joke.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368723/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 21:17, 29th November 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
After a few better days, here we go (or don't go) again. I wake to 4 cancellations, with no alternative travel plans offered or suggestsetd. Two successive trains each way, leaving a six hour gap inn the schedule.
Three words: Bath Christmas Market.25 specials calling as Bath. Wow ... I have commented on that thread but it needs recoding here as a record of what GWR think of their bread and butter customers.
It strikes me that GWR have taken on more than they can reasonably have coped either - but then are they under an obligation of some sort to do so? What they have absolutely got wrong is to sacrifice their everyday every week customers from Westbury to Swindon on the day.. I emphasise "on the day". Had they announced changes well ahead of time - as they do with things like the Cheltenham Gold Cup or Glastonbury - there would have been some disappointment. But to schedule it knowing all the extras were planned, build up passenger expectations and then crash out on the day - defies belief. What a ****up!
This is what JourneyCheck fed me earlier - cancellations as viewed across the whole GWR area
| Re: Bath Christmas Market - 27 November to 14 December 2025 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368722/30828/21] Posted by grahame at 20:57, 29th November 2025 | |
There are some extra trains today for Bath Christmas market, but some other important ones eg Cardiff - Portsmouth are down to just 2 cars
Also appears a number of these short trains are losing 10, 20, even 30 minutes presumably due to alighting and boarding delays whilst very crowded.
Also appears a number of these short trains are losing 10, 20, even 30 minutes presumably due to alighting and boarding delays whilst very crowded.
No fewer that 25 "Z" Specials calling at Bath Spa today
grahame@Kryten ~ % grep -c '^[12]Z' z
25
25
After a few better days, here we go (or don't go) again. I wake to 4 cancellations, with no alternative travel plans offered or suggestsetd. Two successive trains each way, leaving a six hour gap inn the schedule.
I have left the 16:27 Exeter to Penzance in the whole GWR area cancellation list - the only other train they have cancelled in this period across their entire patch. Next train Exeter to Penzance is at 17:14. After the 16:23 from Westbury to Swindon, the next train is at 20:08. The GWR website will offer you travel via Bath if you are going to Chippenham and beyond, for which their website cheekily charged £19.80 rather that £9.80 (single) and if you have mobility issues "
The lifts are out of order between platform 1 and the subway at Bath Spa station."
Three words: Bath Christmas Market.I have left the 16:27 Exeter to Penzance in the whole GWR area cancellation list - the only other train they have cancelled in this period across their entire patch. Next train Exeter to Penzance is at 17:14. After the 16:23 from Westbury to Swindon, the next train is at 20:08. The GWR website will offer you travel via Bath if you are going to Chippenham and beyond, for which their website cheekily charged £19.80 rather that £9.80 (single) and if you have mobility issues "
The lifts are out of order between platform 1 and the subway at Bath Spa station."
It strikes me that GWR have taken on more than they can reasonably have coped either - but then are they under an obligation of some sort to do so? What they have absolutely got wrong is to sacrifice their everyday every week customers from Westbury to Swindon on the day.. I emphasise "on the day". Had they announced changes well ahead of time - as they do with things like the Cheltenham Gold Cup or Glastonbury - there would have been some disappointment. But to schedule it knowing all the extras were planned, build up passenger expectations and then crash out on the day - defies belief. What a ****up!
| Re: 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368721/31168/51] Posted by ChrisB at 19:16, 29th November 2025 | |
The ORR said Avanti was previously given the right to run this service from May 2025 for the duration of one timetable period only. This was on the basis that First Lumo's Stirling services were not operating at the time but the First Lumo services are expected to begin operating during the December 2025 timetable period.
The ORR added that under the new timetable, new open access train services, run by First Lumo to Stirling in Scotland, were due to start.
The ORR added that under the new timetable, new open access train services, run by First Lumo to Stirling in Scotland, were due to start.
That says it all.
| Re: 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368720/31168/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:25, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Manchester to London train to run without passengers
Avanti says the decision by the Office of Rail and Road is "disappointing"
A train service taking commuters from Manchester to London is to run empty for around five months following a decision by the rail regulator.
A decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), means the 07:00 GMT service operated by Avanti West Coast from Manchester Piccadilly to London will still run but will only be used to carry staff from mid-December.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said they were "disappointed" with the decision, which would "clearly impact those customers who already use these services".
An ORR spokesperson said the decision was made on "robust evidence" from Network Rail to guard against possible service disruption on the West Coast Main Line.
Network Rail declined to comment.
The fast service, which gets to London in under two hours, will still set off from Manchester Piccadilly at 07:00 on four weekdays, but will not be available to commuters. It will, instead, ferry Avanti staff from Manchester to London when the new timetable launches on 15 December. The decision means the service could run for more than 100 journeys without paying passengers on board.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said they were disappointed with the ORR's decision not to grant access rights from December for four weekday services that they currently operated, including the 07:00 fast service from Manchester to London.
The ORR also required a Sunday service which currently runs from Holyhead to London to terminate at Crewe, they added. "This will clearly impact those customers who already use these services," they said. "However, we will still be delivering even more services across our network from the start of the December timetable, including further additional trains on our Liverpool route."
The spokesperson confirmed that the services being removed were:
07:00 GMT: Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston (Monday to Friday)
12:52 GMT: Blackpool North – London Euston (Monday to Friday)
09:39 GMT: London Euston – Blackpool North (Monday to Friday)
19:32 GMT: Chester – London Euston (Monday to Friday)
17:53 GMT: Holyhead – London Euston terminates at Crewe (Sunday)
An ORR spokesperson said: "Our decision on the Manchester-London service was based on robust evidence provided by Network Rail that adding services within 'firebreak' paths on the West Coast Main Line would have a detrimental impact on performance. We identified that this service would run in one of those paths. If Avanti operates the service as empty coaching stock (ECS), ECS can be run more flexibly (delayed or re-routed) than a booked passenger service. This can assist with performance management and service recovery during disruption."
The ORR said Avanti was previously given the right to run this service from May 2025 for the duration of one timetable period only. This was on the basis that First Lumo's Stirling services were not operating at the time but the First Lumo services are expected to begin operating during the December 2025 timetable period.
The ORR added that under the new timetable, new open access train services, run by First Lumo to Stirling in Scotland, were due to start.
Avanti says the decision by the Office of Rail and Road is "disappointing"
A train service taking commuters from Manchester to London is to run empty for around five months following a decision by the rail regulator.
A decision by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), means the 07:00 GMT service operated by Avanti West Coast from Manchester Piccadilly to London will still run but will only be used to carry staff from mid-December.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said they were "disappointed" with the decision, which would "clearly impact those customers who already use these services".
An ORR spokesperson said the decision was made on "robust evidence" from Network Rail to guard against possible service disruption on the West Coast Main Line.
Network Rail declined to comment.
The fast service, which gets to London in under two hours, will still set off from Manchester Piccadilly at 07:00 on four weekdays, but will not be available to commuters. It will, instead, ferry Avanti staff from Manchester to London when the new timetable launches on 15 December. The decision means the service could run for more than 100 journeys without paying passengers on board.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said they were disappointed with the ORR's decision not to grant access rights from December for four weekday services that they currently operated, including the 07:00 fast service from Manchester to London.
The ORR also required a Sunday service which currently runs from Holyhead to London to terminate at Crewe, they added. "This will clearly impact those customers who already use these services," they said. "However, we will still be delivering even more services across our network from the start of the December timetable, including further additional trains on our Liverpool route."
The spokesperson confirmed that the services being removed were:
07:00 GMT: Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston (Monday to Friday)
12:52 GMT: Blackpool North – London Euston (Monday to Friday)
09:39 GMT: London Euston – Blackpool North (Monday to Friday)
19:32 GMT: Chester – London Euston (Monday to Friday)
17:53 GMT: Holyhead – London Euston terminates at Crewe (Sunday)
An ORR spokesperson said: "Our decision on the Manchester-London service was based on robust evidence provided by Network Rail that adding services within 'firebreak' paths on the West Coast Main Line would have a detrimental impact on performance. We identified that this service would run in one of those paths. If Avanti operates the service as empty coaching stock (ECS), ECS can be run more flexibly (delayed or re-routed) than a booked passenger service. This can assist with performance management and service recovery during disruption."
The ORR said Avanti was previously given the right to run this service from May 2025 for the duration of one timetable period only. This was on the basis that First Lumo's Stirling services were not operating at the time but the First Lumo services are expected to begin operating during the December 2025 timetable period.
The ORR added that under the new timetable, new open access train services, run by First Lumo to Stirling in Scotland, were due to start.
| Re: Cotswold villages - residents' concerns over tourist numbers In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [368719/30727/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:59, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Villagers fear overtourism has hit 'breaking point'
Residents of Bourton-on-the-Water say tourists are finding the village to be too busy
Overtourism in a town known as the Venice of the Cotswolds may have "reached breaking point" as residents say visitors are now "fed up" with the crammed experience.
About 100 locals aired their concerns about tourism in Bourton-on-the-Water at a meeting on Thursday with leaders from Gloucester County Council and Cotswold District Council.
Bourton Residents' Voice, a local group that organised the meeting, said it was not against tourism but wanted to achieve a level that was sustainable for the village.
One resident told the meeting at Bourton Baptist Church that visitors seem "fed up" and "massively disillusioned".
"They are not happy with the experience," he said. "It's starting to turn. Perhaps we've reached the breaking point this summer."
One woman, who has lived in Bourton-on-the-Water all her life, said the number of visitors had never been so high, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "You can't move in the village, you can't go into the village," she said. The woman said the best time for the village was during the pandemic. She added: "I don't walk in the village between March and October."
One resident at the meeting in Bourton Baptist Church said visitors seem "massively disillusioned"
One man told the meeting he had lived in the village for 30 years. He echoed the concerns and blamed coaches for dropping people off "all over the place".
"They cause problems, they block roads, they turn around in the wrong places," he said. "They are a real menace."
Council leaders at the meeting said they would use the feedback to help them find solutions.
Residents of Bourton-on-the-Water say tourists are finding the village to be too busy
Overtourism in a town known as the Venice of the Cotswolds may have "reached breaking point" as residents say visitors are now "fed up" with the crammed experience.
About 100 locals aired their concerns about tourism in Bourton-on-the-Water at a meeting on Thursday with leaders from Gloucester County Council and Cotswold District Council.
Bourton Residents' Voice, a local group that organised the meeting, said it was not against tourism but wanted to achieve a level that was sustainable for the village.
One resident told the meeting at Bourton Baptist Church that visitors seem "fed up" and "massively disillusioned".
"They are not happy with the experience," he said. "It's starting to turn. Perhaps we've reached the breaking point this summer."
One woman, who has lived in Bourton-on-the-Water all her life, said the number of visitors had never been so high, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "You can't move in the village, you can't go into the village," she said. The woman said the best time for the village was during the pandemic. She added: "I don't walk in the village between March and October."
One resident at the meeting in Bourton Baptist Church said visitors seem "massively disillusioned"
One man told the meeting he had lived in the village for 30 years. He echoed the concerns and blamed coaches for dropping people off "all over the place".
"They cause problems, they block roads, they turn around in the wrong places," he said. "They are a real menace."
Council leaders at the meeting said they would use the feedback to help them find solutions.
| Tributes to boy, 14, who died after being hit by train - Nottinghamshire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368718/31170/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:10, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Joshua Travis has been named as the teenager who was hit by a train on Wednesday
A 14-year-old boy who was fatally stuck by a train had "so much love to give", his family have said in tribute.
Joshua Travis, a former Nottingham Forest academy footballer, was hit by a train in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, on Wednesday night and died at the scene, British Transport Police (BTP) said.
The teenager's death is not being treated as suspicious. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it was conducting a "preliminary examination" into the incident.
Other tributes include dozens of floral messages left at the Chestnut Grove footpath level crossing, which has been closed to the public.
In a statement shared by BTP, Joshua's family said: "Josh was a lad with an incredible energy for life, an infectious and mischievous smile, kind sparkling eyes, and so much love to give. He leaves a gap in our lives that is and will always be impossible to fill, and we will miss him forever."
In a tribute shared on social media, Nottingham Forest said: "Everyone at [the club] is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our former academy goalkeeper Josh Travis. Our thoughts are with Josh's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."
The former Forest academy player was described as a "fantastic goalkeeper" with a "polite and funny nature"
The teenager was a goalkeeper for Gedling-based youth club, Aspire FC, which said it had postponed all its games at the weekend to pay respect to his family.
The club wrote on Facebook: "Josh was a fantastic goalkeeper and a great character in the group. Everybody that came across Josh described him as a pleasure to have around with his polite and funny nature. Josh made a real impact in his age group, both as a footballer but more importantly as a person and will be sorely missed at the club."
Burton Joyce FC said it was devastated by Joshua's death and would be holding a minute's silence at all its games across the weekend in his memory. In a tribute on Facebook, the club said: " The Travis family have been a huge part of our club for so many years, and our hearts are with them during this unimaginable time. Rest peacefully, Josh - you'll always be part of our BJFC family."
Floral tributes have been left at the Chestnut Grove crossing in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire
On Friday, groups of young people attended the scene to pay tribute to Joshua.
The Chestnut Grove crossing has been closed for an initial 21 days.
Network Rail said it requested the emergency closure following Joshua's death.
The railway firm's route director for the East Midlands Mark Budden said: "Our immediate thoughts are with the family and friends that have been affected by this tragic incident. Safety is our top priority and we are fully supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) as part of their ongoing inquiries."
RAIB said a decision on any further action in relation to the matter would be taken once evidence gathered by inspectors had been reviewed.
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [368717/28982/26] Posted by TonyK at 15:05, 29th November 2025 | |
The 175 move Wolverton to Laira was cancelled today. Maybe another go next week? It will be 4 weeks since the last move.
175002 and 175114 have been at Laira for a year!!
175002 and 175114 have been at Laira for a year!!
So surely they at least are not in a terrible state. What happened to them in Wolverton - wipe the windows, check the oil, dollar gas?
| Re: Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary In "Who's who on Western railways" [368716/29546/2] Posted by TonyK at 15:01, 29th November 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Mark A | |
That rolling stock strategy is due out next summer, according to Lord Hendy. It sounds as though she actually knows about it, which is encouraging in a transport minister.
| Re: 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368715/31168/51] Posted by ChrisB at 14:23, 29th November 2025 | |
It was.....not NR
| Re: 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368714/31168/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 14:12, 29th November 2025 | |
.....Network Rail have withdrawn the authorisation for this passenger service.....
Surely that would be a decision for the ORR?
| Re: Bath Christmas Market - 27 November to 14 December 2025 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368713/30828/21] Posted by John D at 12:55, 29th November 2025 | |
There are some extra trains today for Bath Christmas market, but some other important ones eg Cardiff - Portsmouth are down to just 2cars
Also appears a number of these short trains are losing 10, 20, even 30 minutes presumably due to alighting and boarding delays whilst very crowded.
Some of the Bristol-Westbury stopping trains (which are often used as alternative park and ride locations) are also just 2cars, and losing time too.
1F16 11:23 from Portsmouth has been cancelled due to late inbound service.
| Re: 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368712/31168/51] Posted by rogerw at 12:20, 29th November 2025 | |
I have read somewhere that Network Rail have withdrawn the authorisation for this passenger service because of congestion. However the stock still has to get to Euston
| Re: Cheltenham Road Viaduct - scope for possible redoubling (split topic, ongoing discussion) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368711/31161/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:17, 29th November 2025 | |
Thanks, stuving. CfN.
| Re: Cheltenham Road Viaduct - scope for possible redoubling (split topic, ongoing discussion) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368710/31161/21] Posted by stuving at 12:13, 29th November 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Mark A | |
It is Cheltenham Road there - hence the term 'Cheltenham Road arches'.
Now that we've solved the topic drift issue, I'd like to pose the question I was originally going to ask.
Until I retired, I spent some ten years driving delivery vans through this junction, generally waiting minutes for the lights to change so I could turn right from North Road onto Cheltenham Road. To while away the time, I looked around at various historic features, including this old building.
Can anyone tell me what it used to be?
It was a public toilet. The door facing the street was the ladies', and had a sign until ca. 2008. The gents' entrance must have been round the side. It was built after 1912, since at that date there was an open-air multi-stall urinal there, along the base of the pier!
| Re: West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 In "South Western services" [368709/30889/42] Posted by Timmer at 12:12, 29th November 2025 Already liked by GBM, JayMac | |
Mr Duncan said moving forward, they will be looking at long term plans to "mitigate the ongoing impacts of climate change".
Redoubling the entire line between Wilton Junction and Pinhoe would be a good place to start but…..ooooozzzz gonna pay for it?| Re: Suggestions from Campaign for Better Transport for the budget In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [368708/31049/40] Posted by GBM at 12:07, 29th November 2025 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
We are told by every new Prime Minister/Chancellor/Government recently that things will be tough, but we must 'suck it up', pay more and work harder and longer for a few years. We should then start to see improvements.
Before we see any improvement, there's a change of Government/Prime Minister/Chancellor with a different outlook.
More taxes, etc.
Doesn't seem to matter who is in charge these days.
And don't get me started on the youngsters who are so aware of mental health issues these days, many go sick on leaving College, thus increasing our benefits bill.
This is no way takes away the issues for those with real health problems.
| Re: West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 In "South Western services" [368707/30889/42] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:04, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Normal rail service resumes after embankment work
Hourly rail services are being reinstated on the London Waterloo to Exeter St David's service following work to remedy issues caused by dry embankments.
South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail said the service, which passes through Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset will be back to a normal timetable, and journey times, from Saturday. Trains had been running on a reduced timetable with speed restrictions since August, after dry soil disturbed tracks above the embankments.
Bruce Duncan, Chair of the Salisbury-Exeter Rail User Group, said he is "absolutely delighted" at the return to normal timetabling after a "very challenging few months for students, commuters and leisure travellers."
The dry conditions in the summer caused clay embankments between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon to shrink, an issue known as "soil moisture deficit", a spokesperson for SWR and Network Rail said. Due to the single line sections of track between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids, trains were then unable to pass each other in their usual locations, resulting in an amended timetable.
Tom Desmond, Network Rail's Wessex Route Operations Director, said: "We can confirm that we are set to restore the full timetable on the West of England Line on Saturday. We are very grateful to our customers for their continued patience and would like to sincerely apologise for the disruption they have experienced since August."
Mr Duncan said moving forward, they will be looking at long term plans to "mitigate the ongoing impacts of climate change".
Hourly rail services are being reinstated on the London Waterloo to Exeter St David's service following work to remedy issues caused by dry embankments.
South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail said the service, which passes through Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset will be back to a normal timetable, and journey times, from Saturday. Trains had been running on a reduced timetable with speed restrictions since August, after dry soil disturbed tracks above the embankments.
Bruce Duncan, Chair of the Salisbury-Exeter Rail User Group, said he is "absolutely delighted" at the return to normal timetabling after a "very challenging few months for students, commuters and leisure travellers."
The dry conditions in the summer caused clay embankments between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon to shrink, an issue known as "soil moisture deficit", a spokesperson for SWR and Network Rail said. Due to the single line sections of track between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids, trains were then unable to pass each other in their usual locations, resulting in an amended timetable.
Tom Desmond, Network Rail's Wessex Route Operations Director, said: "We can confirm that we are set to restore the full timetable on the West of England Line on Saturday. We are very grateful to our customers for their continued patience and would like to sincerely apologise for the disruption they have experienced since August."
Mr Duncan said moving forward, they will be looking at long term plans to "mitigate the ongoing impacts of climate change".
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [368706/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 11:54, 29th November 2025 | |
Friday November 28
Quite a good day - well, apart from things running late as a result of the problem with the engines. Only one short working:
1W41 2052 London Paddington to Great Malvern : arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +10 and cancelled therafter (RTT: "due to an issue with the train crew (TG)".)
| Car driver crashes into caravan after drinking on train - Newark, 2 May 2024 In "Across the West" [368705/31169/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:39, 29th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Heather Allmond's car became lodged underneath a caravan after the crash
A woman who got into her car after drinking on a train crashed into a caravan less than 200m (656 ft) from the station where she alighted, police have said.
Heather Allmond, 38, consumed alcohol while on a train from London to Nottinghamshire in May 2024, before deciding to drive away from Newark Station. Shortly after leaving the site, she crashed and became stuck underneath a parked caravan from which she was freed by members of the public.
Allmond, of Marshalls Rise, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and drink driving, and was given a community order at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Nottinghamshire Police said it was called to the crash on Lincoln Street shortly after 18:00 BST on 2 May of last year. Officers arrested Allmond, who they suspected was drunk, before taking her to hospital to be checked over.
Appearing at court, Allmond was sentenced to a 12-month community order and was banned from driving for a year. She was also told she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay both a £114 fine and £1,000 in court costs.
Jon Skilling, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Heather Allmond is incredibly lucky that her decision to drive that day didn't lead to her or someone else being severely injured. She should count herself exceptionally fortunate that her actions didn't lead to more severe consequences."
| Re: Cheltenham Road Viaduct - scope for possible redoubling (split topic, ongoing discussion) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [368704/31161/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:25, 29th November 2025 | |
It is Cheltenham Road there - hence the term 'Cheltenham Road arches'.
Now that we've solved the topic drift issue, I'd like to pose the question I was originally going to ask.
Until I retired, I spent some ten years driving delivery vans through this junction, generally waiting minutes for the lights to change so I could turn right from North Road onto Cheltenham Road. To while away the time, I looked around at various historic features, including this old building.
Can anyone tell me what it used to be?
| Re: Suggestions from Campaign for Better Transport for the budget In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [368703/31049/40] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:10, 29th November 2025 | |
The very notion that you can tax a nation into prosperity is laughable
Except it's not funny. We have had years of governments that think exactly this
Except it's not funny. We have had years of governments that think exactly this
The notion that you can tax a nation into prosperity is an oversimplification. It has a corollary that you can cut taxes (and in practice also spending) to make a nation prosperous. Both are wrong as it is more nuanced.
Keynesian economics, which promotes public spending to boost the economy, is proven to work (Roosevelt's New Deal is a classic example). This relies on most of the money going into the pockets of ordinary people who spend most of it rather than keep it in the bank. It then gets recycled to other ordinary people. But if you go too far there is more demand than supply and you get inflation as we did in the 1970's.
If you take the corollary and cut taxes for the rich it generally goes into savings and doesn't get recycled. The theory of trickle down has been shown not to happen for the reasons stated above. The argument against this is that the wealthy will invest it in industry and that is good, except most people who save don't invest in shares and so it does not have that effect. Banks have not been too good at investing in business either which is why keeping the money in the bank doesn't work.
Where I would have issue with Rachel from accounts is keeping tax allowances stable. This means the amount of taxes paid by the ordinary person, who would otherwise spend it, will increase. In that sense you indeed cannot tax a nation into prosperity. But taxing those with so much money they don't recycle it into the economy can indeed make a contribution to making a nation prosperous if government uses that money well.
On the expenditure side there are the arguments about big and small government. If you cut both taxes and public services, but instead people have to pay for those services privately, they are no better of and many, especially the poor, will be worse off.
It is said that our productivity is low. This is partly a skilled labour shortage and partly an investment issue.
In my own industry (the water industry) we have an acute shortage of skilled professional engineers, at a time when investment is massively increasing to clean up our environment. I would suggest that student fees have not helped this, as civil engineering is generally a 4 year course. As a result most of the major engineering consultancies have offshored a lot of the detailed design abroad. This is money out of the economy. In the next year as more projects move into the build stage it will be a shortage of skilled labour to build these projects.
The number of working aged people who are not able to work due to illness is too high. Yet we have a vicious circle because those left in work are worked so hard that by the time they get near to retiring age they are burned out! A properly funded health service would go a long way to help with this. For this of course we need more skilled doctors and nurses etc. But these people are some of the most overworked! Raising the retirement age is unpopular, I am blessed that despite my infirmities the nature of my work means I am still able to work part time beyond retirement age and enjoy it. If my job involved manual labour I would not be able to do that. If I was still working in the demanding job I had when it was full time I would have fully retired by now.
Industry also wants good transport links and a decent power grid. People and industry need water whether it is private or public investment in these utilities it still needs paying for (either taxes or increased charges) and governments have through regulators stifled this investment over the last 20 years through demands to keep down bills.
Which brings us back to transport. East West Rail is justified in government by allowing movement of labour from areas around Oxford and Cambridge where the housing market is highly priced and where water resources are limited (especially in Cambridge) to commute from places like Milton Keynes and Bedford. A better rail network is therefore positive for the economy.
Irrespective of Keynes, or their motivations, Labour demonstrably lied in their manifesto, and equally irrespective of "YeahbuttheTories", I think we were all led to believe by Starmer that we could expect better than that.
| Re: Suggestions from Campaign for Better Transport for the budget In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [368702/31049/40] Posted by ellendune at 09:38, 29th November 2025 | |
The very notion that you can tax a nation into prosperity is laughable
Except it's not funny. We have had years of governments that think exactly this
Except it's not funny. We have had years of governments that think exactly this
The notion that you can tax a nation into prosperity is an oversimplification. It has a corollary that you can cut taxes (and in practice also spending) to make a nation prosperous. Both are wrong as it is more nuanced.
Keynesian economics, which promotes public spending to boost the economy, is proven to work (Roosevelt's New Deal is a classic example). This relies on most of the money going into the pockets of ordinary people who spend most of it rather than keep it in the bank. It then gets recycled to other ordinary people. But if you go too far there is more demand than supply and you get inflation as we did in the 1970's.
If you take the corollary and cut taxes for the rich it generally goes into savings and doesn't get recycled. The theory of trickle down has been shown not to happen for the reasons stated above. The argument against this is that the wealthy will invest it in industry and that is good, except most people who save don't invest in shares and so it does not have that effect. Banks have not been too good at investing in business either which is why keeping the money in the bank doesn't work.
Where I would have issue with Rachel from accounts is keeping tax allowances stable. This means the amount of taxes paid by the ordinary person, who would otherwise spend it, will increase. In that sense you indeed cannot tax a nation into prosperity. But taxing those with so much money they don't recycle it into the economy can indeed make a contribution to making a nation prosperous if government uses that money well.
On the expenditure side there are the arguments about big and small government. If you cut both taxes and public services, but instead people have to pay for those services privately, they are no better of and many, especially the poor, will be worse off.
It is said that our productivity is low. This is partly a skilled labour shortage and partly an investment issue.
In my own industry (the water industry) we have an acute shortage of skilled professional engineers, at a time when investment is massively increasing to clean up our environment. I would suggest that student fees have not helped this, as civil engineering is generally a 4 year course. As a result most of the major engineering consultancies have offshored a lot of the detailed design abroad. This is money out of the economy. In the next year as more projects move into the build stage it will be a shortage of skilled labour to build these projects.
The number of working aged people who are not able to work due to illness is too high. Yet we have a vicious circle because those left in work are worked so hard that by the time they get near to retiring age they are burned out! A properly funded health service would go a long way to help with this. For this of course we need more skilled doctors and nurses etc. But these people are some of the most overworked! Raising the retirement age is unpopular, I am blessed that despite my infirmities the nature of my work means I am still able to work part time beyond retirement age and enjoy it. If my job involved manual labour I would not be able to do that. If I was still working in the demanding job I had when it was full time I would have fully retired by now.
Industry also wants good transport links and a decent power grid. People and industry need water whether it is private or public investment in these utilities it still needs paying for (either taxes or increased charges) and governments have through regulators stifled this investment over the last 20 years through demands to keep down bills.
Which brings us back to transport. East West Rail is justified in government by allowing movement of labour from areas around Oxford and Cambridge where the housing market is highly priced and where water resources are limited (especially in Cambridge) to commute from places like Milton Keynes and Bedford. A better rail network is therefore positive for the economy.
| Re: 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368701/31168/51] Posted by Mark A at 09:05, 29th November 2025 | |
“If Avanti operates the service as empty coaching stock, [it] can be run more flexibly – delayed or rerouted – than a booked passenger service. This can assist with performance management and service recovery during disruption.”
Well of course the railway runs more to time without passengers. But...
If I were the secretary of state for transport I'd be planning an intervention this morning.
Mark
| 07:00 Manchester - Euston In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [368700/31168/51] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 07:52, 29th November 2025 | |
From the December timetable change, this train will run to Euston empty : see https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/29/avanti-axed-7am-manchester-london-train-will-run-without-passengers.
You couldn't make it up.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368699/29726/18] Posted by Timmer at 07:31, 29th November 2025 | |
After a few better days, here we go (or don't go) again. I wake to 4 cancellations, with no alternative travel plans offered or suggestsetd. Two successive trains each way, leaving a six hour gap inn the schedule.
I have left the 16:27 Exeter to Penzance in the whole GWR area cancellation list - the only other train they have cancelled in this period across their entire patch. Next train Exeter to Penzance is at 17:14. After the 16:23 from Westbury to Swindon, the next train is at 20:08. The GWR website will offer you travel via Bath if you are going to Chippenham and beyond, for which their website cheekily charged £19.80 rather that £9.80 (single) and if you have mobility issues "
The lifts are out of order between platform 1 and the subway at Bath Spa station."
Three words: Bath Christmas Market.I have left the 16:27 Exeter to Penzance in the whole GWR area cancellation list - the only other train they have cancelled in this period across their entire patch. Next train Exeter to Penzance is at 17:14. After the 16:23 from Westbury to Swindon, the next train is at 20:08. The GWR website will offer you travel via Bath if you are going to Chippenham and beyond, for which their website cheekily charged £19.80 rather that £9.80 (single) and if you have mobility issues "
The lifts are out of order between platform 1 and the subway at Bath Spa station."
| Re: Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary In "Who's who on Western railways" [368698/29546/2] Posted by grahame at 07:16, 29th November 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Well, at least she had some company!
The transport secretary has said she has sat on the floors of overcrowded trains as she vowed to improve the rail network.
And at least she had a train to sit on the floor of.
From her own constituency:
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
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.
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.
Previous train - 15:14, next train 21:10, no instructions as to how to get home if - for example - you live in Melksham
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368697/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 07:11, 29th November 2025 | |
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
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew
Thank you for that string of reports and your consistent help - really useful. I have woken and left my double post following yours, exceptionally, because it gave me a chance to explain the alternatives and what they mean - which GWR haven't done on JourneyCheck ...
I am in the Leekes superstore today and tomorrow with members of the Melksham Transport User Group handing out printed December to May timetables that came from the printers yesterday. I hope we have made a wise decision to encourage users along.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2025 In "TransWilts line" [368696/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 07:07, 29th November 2025 Already liked by matth1j, Mark A | |
16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
16:27 Exeter St Davids to Penzance due 19:40
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.
16:27 Exeter St Davids to Penzance due 19:40
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.
After a few better days, here we go (or don't go) again. I wake to 4 cancellations, with no alternative travel plans offered or suggestsetd. Two successive trains each way, leaving a six hour gap inn the schedule.
I have left the 16:27 Exeter to Penzance in the whole GWR area cancellation list - the only other train they have cancelled in this period across their entire patch. Next train Exeter to Penzance is at 17:14. After the 16:23 from Westbury to Swindon, the next train is at 20:08. The GWR website will offer you travel via Bath if you are going to Chippenham and beyond, for which their website cheekily charged £19.80 rather that £9.80 (single) and if you have mobility issues "
The lifts are out of order between platform 1 and the subway at Bath Spa station."
| Re: Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary In "Who's who on Western railways" [368695/29546/2] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:03, 29th November 2025 Already liked by GBM, Witham Bobby | |
Well, at least she had some company!
