Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370487/22894/5] Posted by Timmer at 22:02, 2nd January 2026 |      |
The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport.
But they’ve just spent a small fortune building a new drop-off car park!They know full well that despite hiking up the charges that people will still use the drop-off car park and they can watch the cash roll in. People will moan about the cost but will still use it as it’s quick and convenient.
Parking and retail is where airports, particularly regional ones make their money.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370484/31378/12] Posted by grahame at 21:17, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Now that this is on its way to being cleared, I look back at the gap between trains and see that it's far less than I'm used to when a single train through my local station is cancelled. The difference - by several orders of magnitude - is the number of people inconvenienced, and also the number of trains left in the wrong places.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370483/31355/51] Posted by John D at 21:13, 2nd January 2026 | |
Wiltshire has named its 18 Gritters too
Grit Me Baby One More Time
Gritty Gritty Bang Bang
Sir David Attenbrrrr
Gritty Rascal
Buzz Saltyear
Licensed to Grit
Moonraker
Snowood House
Wiltshire Born and Spread
Saul T Roads
Ready Spready Go
Thaw Enforcement
Grit Happens
Grittersaurus
Anneka Ice
Arnold Schwarzegritter
Usain Salt
Spready Mercury
| Re: Point to point passenger numbers since the pandemic In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370482/31376/51] Posted by grahame at 21:11, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by Timmer | |
To the South of London, the London Chatham and Dover has termini at Victoria and Holborn Viaduct for the West End and City. The South Eastern Railway had termini at Charing Cross. The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway had termini at Victoria and London Bridge. The London South Western Railway had a terminus at Waterloo and then The Drain to take people to Bank. By contrast, to the west of London, the Great Western Railway petered out rather in W2 with everyone headed for the Wet End or the City needing onward travel.
Lessons
- no great surprise that with trains running once again through Paddington (they use to on the Met), passenger numbers ending at Paddington have plummeted
- Paddington is not Waterloo - far from it, a different place and case - and it was a dis-service to withdraw Bristol and Bath trains to Waterloo.
| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370481/22894/5] Posted by Mark A at 21:02, 2nd January 2026 | |
Ransom strip, much?
Mark
| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370480/22894/5] Posted by grahame at 21:01, 2nd January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport. The Bristol Airport flyer is one option for passengers, with the bus costing £9 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare.
How much does Bristol Airport charge each bus that comes in, and how much will that rise?
| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370479/22894/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:34, 2nd January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Bristol Airport drop-off charges to increase
The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport will increase by £1.50 after a series of yearly rises.
From Monday, it will cost £8.50 to park for 10 minutes at the Drop Off & Pick Up car park next to the terminal, as well as the Short Stay car park a short walk away.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said the increase was due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent budget, which it said would see the airport's business rates bill significantly increase.
A spokesperson for the Treasury said it had delivered a £4.2bn support package to cap business rates, adding airports must follow consumer law and justify their charges.
The charge for the car parks has risen a number of times in recent years, going from £5 to £6 in 2024 and up to £7 in 2025.
Bristol Airport said the prices for parking in the Minibus and Over Height car park would be increasing from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes, and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes. Blue badge holders dropping off family and friends will still be allowed to use the drop-off car park for up to 40 minutes, but for an increased cost of £8.50.
A recent analysis of government figures by news agency PA Media found regional airports were among those facing the sharpest increases in business rates of any sector.
A government spokesperson said: "Airports are responsible for setting their own parking terms but must follow consumer law and justify their charges. We're delivering a £4.3bn support package to cap business rates bill increases at 30% before other reliefs for the largest properties, including airports. Without intervention those would be up to 500%."
The airport said the new rates would become its "single biggest non-operational cost".
"Unfortunately, like other airports, some of the cost will be passed on to consumers," they said, adding that the decision was "needed to balance protecting people's jobs as well as its commitment to improving the customer journey" with plans to reach net zero targets by 2030.
The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport. The Bristol Airport flyer is one option for passengers, with the bus costing £9 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare. The airport spokesperson said passengers could also make use of a free shuttle bus from its waiting zone, with the zone's capacity set to double.
The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport will increase by £1.50 after a series of yearly rises.
From Monday, it will cost £8.50 to park for 10 minutes at the Drop Off & Pick Up car park next to the terminal, as well as the Short Stay car park a short walk away.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said the increase was due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent budget, which it said would see the airport's business rates bill significantly increase.
A spokesperson for the Treasury said it had delivered a £4.2bn support package to cap business rates, adding airports must follow consumer law and justify their charges.
The charge for the car parks has risen a number of times in recent years, going from £5 to £6 in 2024 and up to £7 in 2025.
Bristol Airport said the prices for parking in the Minibus and Over Height car park would be increasing from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes, and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes. Blue badge holders dropping off family and friends will still be allowed to use the drop-off car park for up to 40 minutes, but for an increased cost of £8.50.
A recent analysis of government figures by news agency PA Media found regional airports were among those facing the sharpest increases in business rates of any sector.
A government spokesperson said: "Airports are responsible for setting their own parking terms but must follow consumer law and justify their charges. We're delivering a £4.3bn support package to cap business rates bill increases at 30% before other reliefs for the largest properties, including airports. Without intervention those would be up to 500%."
The airport said the new rates would become its "single biggest non-operational cost".
"Unfortunately, like other airports, some of the cost will be passed on to consumers," they said, adding that the decision was "needed to balance protecting people's jobs as well as its commitment to improving the customer journey" with plans to reach net zero targets by 2030.
The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport. The Bristol Airport flyer is one option for passengers, with the bus costing £9 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare. The airport spokesperson said passengers could also make use of a free shuttle bus from its waiting zone, with the zone's capacity set to double.
| Re: Point to point passenger numbers since the pandemic In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370478/31376/51] Posted by Electric train at 20:33, 2nd January 2026 | |
Very interesting
Taplow to Paddington shows a 54.2% drop and (perhaps a better representation!) Maidenhead to Paddington a 36.6% drop - I think that'd almost certainly be due to increased WFH in the Thames Valley.
Taplow to Paddington shows a 54.2% drop and (perhaps a better representation!) Maidenhead to Paddington a 36.6% drop - I think that'd almost certainly be due to increased WFH in the Thames Valley.
Yet the MAI to FZP show an overal trend of 36.1%
And if you look at MAI to CWX (Canary Wharf) 257.1% and TAP to CWX 285.8% And looking at Farringdon you get some wacky % my point is the traditional journeys patterns of the pre pandemic on the TV line are skewed because the Elizabeth Line did not exist, terminating destinations will have altered from PAD to many others
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370477/31355/51] Posted by stuving at 20:03, 2nd January 2026 | |
If you are affected by the rather inclement weather, and choose to stay at home rather than venturing out, you may find some idle amusement in tracking the many gritter lorries in Scotland.
No, really: they all have some rather apt names, and you can see where each of them is, realtime, at https://www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-tracker .
Well, it kept me quiet for a few minutes.
No, really: they all have some rather apt names, and you can see where each of them is, realtime, at https://www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-tracker .
Well, it kept me quiet for a few minutes.
That's not all the gritters in Scotland - just the ones doing the trunk network, operated by Transport Scotland. There are also all the local authorities' ones, which I guess will be more numerous (but may lack this kind of official fan club).
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370476/31378/12] Posted by John D at 20:01, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by GBM, Mark A, eightonedee | |
If ever there was a case for clearing the IETs via Basingstoke, Andover, Salisbury and Warminster today was good example for alternative emergency route (even if needing pilots as outside normal route knowledge)
I think they are already cleared Reading, Basingstoke, Eastleigh works, but possibly only as empty as not all platforms checked
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370475/31378/12] Posted by Timmer at 20:00, 2nd January 2026 | |
Line reopened:
Following a safety inspection on a train earlier today between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading has now reopened.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
(Snip)
Network Rail have now fixed the fault, and trains are able to run, but at a reduced speed.
While we can now run trains, we expect there to be significant disruption until the end of the day as our trains and crew are no longer in the right place, and there will be further cancellations and alterations.
Our advice remains to not attempt to travel on the following routes today:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
(Snip)
Network Rail have now fixed the fault, and trains are able to run, but at a reduced speed.
While we can now run trains, we expect there to be significant disruption until the end of the day as our trains and crew are no longer in the right place, and there will be further cancellations and alterations.
Our advice remains to not attempt to travel on the following routes today:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370474/31378/12] Posted by Timmer at 19:29, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
As this has caused major disruption out of Paddington, here’s the last trains that ran to Bristol/South Wales and WoE
15.31 Paddington to Swansea via Bristol
15.59 Paddington to Taunton via Bristol
16.23 Paddington to Plymouth
The 18.59 Paddington to Weston-super-Mare is the first train to leave Paddington since the 16.23. Looks like the 19.52 will be the next service to Plymouth from London.
In the up direction, the 18.29 Weston-super-Mare to Paddington is the first train via Bristol running to London. From the WoE it’s the 16.50 from Plymouth.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370470/31355/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:04, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
Another update, from the BBC:
Weather warnings extended as ice and snow blanket parts of UK
Snow and ice blanketing the UK could last into the weekend and beyond as the Met Office extends weather warnings.
The most severe conditions will be seen in Scotland, where amber snow warnings came into effect from midday Friday. Yellow snow and ice warnings are in place elsewhere until Monday.
Up to 40cm (15in) of snow could hit parts of Scotland on Friday, while the Met Office predicts as much as 5cm in areas across England and Wales.
Delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, disruption on the roads and power cuts are all expected as a result of the wintry conditions, the weather service added.
(BBC article continues)
Snow and ice blanketing the UK could last into the weekend and beyond as the Met Office extends weather warnings.
The most severe conditions will be seen in Scotland, where amber snow warnings came into effect from midday Friday. Yellow snow and ice warnings are in place elsewhere until Monday.
Up to 40cm (15in) of snow could hit parts of Scotland on Friday, while the Met Office predicts as much as 5cm in areas across England and Wales.
Delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, disruption on the roads and power cuts are all expected as a result of the wintry conditions, the weather service added.
(BBC article continues)
I chose to quote just the headlines from that latest BBC weather news item: please click on the BBC link to read more.
If you are affected by the rather inclement weather, and choose to stay at home rather than venturing out, you may find some idle amusement in tracking the many gritter lorries in Scotland.
No, really: they all have some rather apt names, and you can see where each of them is, realtime, at https://www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-tracker .
Well, it kept me quiet for a few minutes.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370468/31378/12] Posted by Timmer at 19:02, 2nd January 2026 | |
The last trains to make it through to London were:
11.27 Carmathan to Paddington (Bristol 14.30)
13.15 Plymouth to Paddington
Nothing since with disruption expected to end of service. Obviously this has had a major impact on services in the down direction out of Paddington.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370466/31378/12] Posted by Mark A at 18:28, 2nd January 2026 | |
Ticket acceptance via Salisbury does now get a mention on National Rail's site.
Mark
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370465/31378/12] Posted by John D at 18:18, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Interesting there is no suggestion of travelling via Salisbury and Basingstoke.
Maybe DfT controlled SWR doesn't want the extra passengers due to lack of capacity on 158s and 159s
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370464/31378/12] Posted by Mark A at 17:34, 2nd January 2026 | |
This doesn't sound good, and personally it risks scuppering my plan 'D'...
Mark
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370463/31378/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:28, 2nd January 2026 | |
Latest;
Network Rail have staff making their way to site to inspect the line.
-
You are advised not to attempt to travel on the following routes:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
-
Until the line reopens we have had to effectively suspend our services between London, South Wales, Bristol and the West of England, in both directions.
-
What are your options?
-
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. You are advised not to attempt to travel on the affected routes today.
| Re: Out with a Wales Explorer ticket, 2 January 2026 In "Introductions and chat" [370462/31377/1] Posted by Mark A at 17:20, 2nd January 2026 | |
So... the rail disruption now announced as two separate incidents, points failure at Sutton Bridge and a wider issue with the signalling system. The disruption has been pushed out to 17:30. All thought of meeting friends went out of the window. The train I was on was terminated at Newtown, together I think with a couple of subseqent ones too and road transport being sourced. Previous to that, I'd headed for the... 16:06 T4 bus to Merthyr Tydfil.
Catchiing one of those from Newtown turns out to be interesting, as the stop's a few minutes canter from the station and there's absolutely nothing on the road to say it's a bus stop. However, the T4 turned up, left with me on it, took a curious 'off route' route via Llangurig and Rhayader and has currently just threaded a slightly snowy Llandrindod Wells. The pavements in Newtown were evil, and there's a bit of snow on the ground here but I'm sure this will work out. I think. The bus started off with three passengers and now has about 15.
For some reason the sky has an impressive afterglow and the nearly full moon, once again in the sky, is doing a good job of making maximum play with that too.
Mark
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [370461/31359/18] Posted by Timmer at 17:15, 2nd January 2026 | |
I suspect the 16.23 to Swindon, a 2 car 158, was rather cozy as it would have had passengers off 13.55 Paignton to London. This train terminated at Westbury because of the track issue between Westbury and Pewsey. See:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31378.msg370461#new
Transwilts to the rescue!
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370460/31378/12] Posted by Timmer at 17:07, 2nd January 2026 | |
From Journeycheck for the record:
Cancellations to services between Westbury and Reading
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading bound high speed is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 18:00 02/01.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
We have had a report of a defect between Westbury and Pewsey. Trains cannot run over the affected line until it has been inspected.
Owing to planned engineering work and services being diverted this is affecting the following routes:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
What are we doing about it?
Network Rail have staff making their way to site to inspect the line.
What are your options?
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible.
The only route available between South Wales and the West of England towards London Paddington is via Swindon. From Swindon to Didcot Parkway and Reading planned rail replacement is in operation. Given the increased number of customers that will now be travelling this way, you may have an extended wait to be able to board a coach at Swindon. We are trying to source additional coaches.
You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on CrossCountry services between Plymouth and Bristol Parkway, there services are not affected by this problem.
Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading bound high speed is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 18:00 02/01.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
We have had a report of a defect between Westbury and Pewsey. Trains cannot run over the affected line until it has been inspected.
Owing to planned engineering work and services being diverted this is affecting the following routes:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
What are we doing about it?
Network Rail have staff making their way to site to inspect the line.
What are your options?
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible.
The only route available between South Wales and the West of England towards London Paddington is via Swindon. From Swindon to Didcot Parkway and Reading planned rail replacement is in operation. Given the increased number of customers that will now be travelling this way, you may have an extended wait to be able to board a coach at Swindon. We are trying to source additional coaches.
You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on CrossCountry services between Plymouth and Bristol Parkway, there services are not affected by this problem.
Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
| Re: Out with a Wales Explorer ticket, 2 January 2026 In "Introductions and chat" [370459/31377/1] Posted by TonyN at 17:05, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Now on the T1 bus from Carmarthen, which as it turns out is electric.
The Old Diesel buses have been transfered to First Worcestershire. After a couple of years they have removed the screens inside that said this is a Traws Cymru T1 but not which way it was going or what the next stop is.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 In "London to the West" [370458/31378/12] Posted by Timmer at 17:02, 2nd January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Because of engineering work between Swindon and Didcot, everything from Bristol, South Wales and the WoE is going via the Berks and Hants today.
Whilst I was out for my afternoon walk that overlooks Westbury, I saw the 1500 Bristol to London come to a stop at Heywood Road Junction. Looking at RTT I could see that it wasn’t waiting for the another train so thought it was either train or line issue.
Looks like the wheels have well and truly come off with cancellations and trains terminating well short of London mounting. GWR are encouraging everyone to travel via Swindon to get a bus to either Didcot or Reading. Hope they can source some additional road transport.
