Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| School coach crash with bus leaves 18 injured in Reading - 7 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370687/31397/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:43, 7th January 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
School coach crash with bus leaves 18 injured
Emergency services were seen at the slip road following the crash
Nine school children have been injured following a crash between a bus and a coach on a slip road that saw two people taken to hospital.
The children on a school coach in Reading, Berkshire, suffered minor injuries, along with the coach's driver.
Eight adults on a bus were also injured in the incident on the A3290 slip road onto the Sutton Seeds Roundabout at about 08:25 GMT.
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said two people were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment, while three adults and three children were still being assessed for minor injuries. The other 10 people were discharged at the scene.
Several ambulances were on the scene of the crash that injured 18 people
A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) spokesperson said it was initially called to a vehicle fire on the slip road and that it found the crash and the bus's engine on fire on arrival. Firefighters left at about 10:45.
RBFRS, SCAS and Thames Valley Police asked people to avoid the area as there is likely to be disruption while emergency services are at the scene.
Another two-car collision on the same slip road on Wednesday morning resulted in no injuries, SCAS added.
Emergency services were seen at the slip road following the crash
Nine school children have been injured following a crash between a bus and a coach on a slip road that saw two people taken to hospital.
The children on a school coach in Reading, Berkshire, suffered minor injuries, along with the coach's driver.
Eight adults on a bus were also injured in the incident on the A3290 slip road onto the Sutton Seeds Roundabout at about 08:25 GMT.
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said two people were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment, while three adults and three children were still being assessed for minor injuries. The other 10 people were discharged at the scene.
Several ambulances were on the scene of the crash that injured 18 people
A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) spokesperson said it was initially called to a vehicle fire on the slip road and that it found the crash and the bus's engine on fire on arrival. Firefighters left at about 10:45.
RBFRS, SCAS and Thames Valley Police asked people to avoid the area as there is likely to be disruption while emergency services are at the scene.
Another two-car collision on the same slip road on Wednesday morning resulted in no injuries, SCAS added.
| Road safety strategy - 2026 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370686/31396/5] Posted by CyclingSid at 12:42, 7th January 2026 | |
The long awaited updated road safety strategy has been finally released https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy
Comments in the press release https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-lives-to-be-saved-under-bold-new-road-safety-strategy are mainly from motoring organisations, which gives an indication of the main area of interest, nothing seen yet from cycling sources.
| Re: Man who died on Tube was run over by four trains - 26 Dec 2023 In "Transport for London" [370685/29772/46] Posted by CyclingSid at 12:22, 7th January 2026 | |
I think you will find there are limitations to Prevention of Future Death reports by coroners
| Re: Public asked to vote on name for new Liverpool railway station In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370684/25927/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:22, 7th January 2026 | |
A couple of (rather belated) updates to this topic, which I adding here in the interests of continuity and completeness.
From the BBC:
Liverpool Baltic: Public vote for Merseyrail station's new name
A new Merseyrail station, which will stand on the site of one which closed more than a century ago, will be called Liverpool Baltic, the city region's mayor has revealed.
The name was chosen by public vote and references the surrounding Baltic Triangle area in Liverpool. It will be built on the site of St James station, which closed in 1917.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said it was "a testament" to the success of the area's regeneration. He said the Baltic Triangle had "undergone a true renaissance over the last few years, transforming itself from a forgotten industrial area into a vibrant, creative and thriving place".
"The station's name is a testament to that success - and will unlock a host of new opportunities... boost footfall and improve connectivity to the rest of the city region."
The original St James station opened in 1874 and was named after the nearby parish church, but closed as a cost-cutting measure during World War One.
It was decided the new station, near Parliament Street and on the Merseyrail Northern Line, would need a new name to avoid confusion with the existing James Street station in the city centre. Liverpool Baltic won 78% of the public vote, with Liverpool Parliament Street in second and Liverpool Riverside third.
It will be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick stations and due to open in 2025 as part of Mr Rotheram's wider ambition to extend the Merseyrail network.
A new Merseyrail station, which will stand on the site of one which closed more than a century ago, will be called Liverpool Baltic, the city region's mayor has revealed.
The name was chosen by public vote and references the surrounding Baltic Triangle area in Liverpool. It will be built on the site of St James station, which closed in 1917.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said it was "a testament" to the success of the area's regeneration. He said the Baltic Triangle had "undergone a true renaissance over the last few years, transforming itself from a forgotten industrial area into a vibrant, creative and thriving place".
"The station's name is a testament to that success - and will unlock a host of new opportunities... boost footfall and improve connectivity to the rest of the city region."
The original St James station opened in 1874 and was named after the nearby parish church, but closed as a cost-cutting measure during World War One.
It was decided the new station, near Parliament Street and on the Merseyrail Northern Line, would need a new name to avoid confusion with the existing James Street station in the city centre. Liverpool Baltic won 78% of the public vote, with Liverpool Parliament Street in second and Liverpool Riverside third.
It will be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick stations and due to open in 2025 as part of Mr Rotheram's wider ambition to extend the Merseyrail network.
A further update, from the BBC:
Councillors back £100m plans for railway station
It is hoped the new Liverpool Baltic station will be finished before the end of 2027
Plans for a new £100m railway station in Liverpool have been backed by councillors.
Liverpool City Council hopes Liverpool Baltic station will "stimulate further development" in the city's Baltic Triangle district.
Work on improving roads in the area is expected to commence in the autumn, while construction work on the new station is due to begin in early 2026.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was delighted that "another major milestone" in the project had been passed. Rotheram said it was part of a wider vision to improve the public transport network. He said the project complements existing rail projects including a new £500m fleet of trains, accessibility improvements across the network, and future plans for three more new stations at Daresbury in Halton, Woodchurch in Wirral and Carr Mill in St Helens.
The target date for opening the new Liverpool Baltic station is the end of 2027.
"For decades there were no new stations built on our network," said Rotheram. "It's not just about improving connectivity – it's about creating new opportunities, connecting our communities to jobs, education, and each other, and contributing to a healthier, greener Liverpool City Region."
The mayor said passengers at the new station would have step-free access from pavement to train, modern facilities, toilets and secure cycle storage.
The station, set to be located on Merseyrail's Northern Line, will serve one of the city's most dynamic districts. The Baltic Triangle was named the "11th coolest neighbourhood in the world" by Time Out magazine in 2023.
It is hoped the new Liverpool Baltic station will be finished before the end of 2027
Plans for a new £100m railway station in Liverpool have been backed by councillors.
Liverpool City Council hopes Liverpool Baltic station will "stimulate further development" in the city's Baltic Triangle district.
Work on improving roads in the area is expected to commence in the autumn, while construction work on the new station is due to begin in early 2026.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was delighted that "another major milestone" in the project had been passed. Rotheram said it was part of a wider vision to improve the public transport network. He said the project complements existing rail projects including a new £500m fleet of trains, accessibility improvements across the network, and future plans for three more new stations at Daresbury in Halton, Woodchurch in Wirral and Carr Mill in St Helens.
The target date for opening the new Liverpool Baltic station is the end of 2027.
"For decades there were no new stations built on our network," said Rotheram. "It's not just about improving connectivity – it's about creating new opportunities, connecting our communities to jobs, education, and each other, and contributing to a healthier, greener Liverpool City Region."
The mayor said passengers at the new station would have step-free access from pavement to train, modern facilities, toilets and secure cycle storage.
The station, set to be located on Merseyrail's Northern Line, will serve one of the city's most dynamic districts. The Baltic Triangle was named the "11th coolest neighbourhood in the world" by Time Out magazine in 2023.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370683/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 12:20, 7th January 2026 | |
Popped out at Newtown and cleaned a patch.
The trai divides as it alwys does,, and despite the clear instructions around 70% of he passengers who join dd it sat dow in he wrong section, most of them with copious lugagage.
Mark
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370681/31163/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:04, 7th January 2026 | |
You're only as strong as your weakest point.
Indeed. That's kind of what I meant by..."Though that fragile area is the most important unfortunately!"
What's the nature of today's problem?
It was a broken bridle, which is part of the OHLE.
TfL drivers this evening are telling passengers that the OLE won’t be fixed tonight and not to bother travelling tomorrow.
It was fixed overnight (the overnight services starting/turning back at Ealing Broadway) and all lines reopened just gone 6am, though there were knock-on delays and cancellations for a couple of hours after that, mostly on the Elizabeth Line.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370679/10737/21] Posted by johnneyw at 11:37, 7th January 2026 | |
Hadn't realised quite how long this scaffolding has been there - looks like they put it up in April 2021!
Blinkin' flip, can that be true? Was that in the main shed or was there smaller scale scaffolding put up first to repair/rewire outer platform canopies? I really can't remember.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370678/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 11:31, 7th January 2026 | |
Pwllheli portion has the filthiest windows ever. Photo on Bluesky.
Mark
https://bsky.app/profile/markannand.bsky.social/post/3mbte65fdgs2v
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370677/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 11:28, 7th January 2026 | |
Haha, nailed it!
Mark
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370676/10737/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 10:40, 7th January 2026 | |
Hadn't realised quite how long this scaffolding has been there - looks like they put it up in April 2021!
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370675/31395/1] Posted by grahame at 10:39, 7th January 2026 | |
Heading for a station with a long name. (Not *that* long though)
Penrhyndeudraeth? Dolwyddelan?
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370674/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 10:34, 7th January 2026 | |
TfW first class availability, a useful summary and would be even more useful with daily updates.
https://tfw.wales/service-status/first-class-service-availability
Mark
https://tfw.wales/service-status/first-class-service-availability
Mark
Catering crew with no chef and struggled to get ahead of things, to their credit they knuckled down and turning out very competent bacon butties.
Mark
| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370673/22894/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:28, 7th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Airport drop-off charges: how does yours compare?
The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport has increased to £8.50, making it one of the most expensive in England.
The charge to park for 10 minutes in the drop-off area has risen a number of times in recent years, with a spokesperson for the airport saying the latest increase was due to the chancellor's recent budget - which would see its business rates bill rise.
In response to the news, Clive Wratten from the Business Travel Association said airports were "pulling the easiest revenue lever" by increasing their parking fees. He added public transport was often not an alternative option, especially at airports outside London. "Pricing people out at the kerbside does not suddenly make public transport viable - it just pushes more cost onto workers, businesses and the taxi community," he said.
Take a look at how airport drop-off charges compare across England.
Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport offers a range of parking options as well as links to public transport.
Short Stay car park: Located eight to 10 minutes walk from the terminal. It charges £8.50 for up to 15 minutes or £10.50 for 15 to 30 minutes parking.
Bristol Airport Flyer: £15 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare.
Free shuttle bus: Passengers can board the shuttle from the waiting zone, which offers free parking for up to an hour. The shuttle drops passengers off at the Transport Interchange which is located a short walk away from the terminal.
London Heathrow
Parking fees cost the same at all Heathrow terminals. There are also links to public transport like the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express and free transportation between terminals.
Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7.50 for up to 29 minutes parking.
Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes. Motorists can park for up to 29 minutes for free.
London Gatwick
From Tuesday, London Gatwick will overtake Bristol and become the most expensive for drop-off and pick-up parking when its fees increase by £3.
Parking fees are the same at both North and South terminals.
Drop-off area: £10 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking.
Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses. Parking is free for up to two hours.
London Stansted
Drop-off area: £7 for 15 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking. Located a short walk away from the terminals.
Long stay car parks: Free parking for up to two hours. Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses.
London Luton
Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car park: £15 for 30 minutes parking. Reduced tariff for blue badge holders and fully electric vehicles.
Long stay car park: Located further from the terminal, but served by free shuttle buses. Free parking for up to two hours.
London City
London City Airport will introduce a drop-off charge for the first time from Tuesday. Blue badge holders will be exempt from the fees.
Drop-off area: £8 for up to five minutes, then £1 per minute. Maximum stay is 10 minutes.
Short stay car park: £6.90 for up to 20 minutes parking.
Long stay car park: £74.90 for eight to 24 hours parking.
London Southend
Drop-off area: £8 for up to ten minutes.
Short stay car park: £45 for one to two hours.
Long stay car park: £65 for four to 24 hours. £65 for each additional 24 hours or part thereof.
Birmingham
Drop-off area: Free for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay car park: Ranges from £2.50 to £10.50 for up to one hour depending on car park.
Long stay car park: Ranges from £49 to £64 for up to 24 hours, depending on car park.
Manchester
Paid drop-off area: £5 for five minutes at terminals one, two and three.
Free drop-off area: Located in JetParks 1. Passengers can travel to the terminals for free on a shuttle bus service, with the journey taking about six minutes.
Short stay car park: £12.80 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: £61.40 per 24 hours.
East Midlands
Drop-off area: £5 for up to 15 minutes.
Short stay car park: £8 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: from £40 for 24 hours.
Newcastle International
Newcastle Airport scrapped its free drop-off parking in December.
90 minutes' free parking at Callerton Parkway, next to the Metro station, with a free shuttle bus running every 30 minutes.
Drop-off area: £5 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay 1 car park: £18 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: £40 for one day, £25 per day or part thereafter.
Liverpool John Lennon
Express drop-off area: £6 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay for non-booked parking: £8 for up to 30 minutes.
Long stay for non-booked parking: £12 for up to one hour, £50 per day and £25 per day or part thereafter.
Leeds Bradford
Drop-off area: £7 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay for non-booked parking: £83 per day, £48 per additional day.
Long stay for non-booked parking: £57 per day, £18 per additional day.
Teesside International
Drop-off area: £2.50 for up to 10 minutes, rising to £5 for 60 minutes, and £7 per hour thereafter.
Longer stays: £24 up to 24 hours if booked in advance, £36 for 24 hours for non-booked parking.
Norwich
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
Longer stays: £10 for up to 4 hours in car park 2, £35 for 24 hours in car park 2.
Southampton
Drop-off area: £7 for up to 20 minutes in the short stay car park.
Short stay: £15 for up to one hour.
Longer stay: £60 for up to 24 hours.
Bournemouth
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
Short stay: £10 for up to two hours.
Longer stay: £40 for one day.
Exeter
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 14 minutes in car park 1, closest to the airport. Free for up to 30 minutes in car park 4, further away.
Short stay: £10 for up to 2 hours in car park 1.
Long stay: £45 for one day in car park 1, £30 in car park 4.
Cornwall Airport Newquay
Drop-off area: free for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay: £7.50 for up to 2 hours.
Long stay: £26 for up to 24 hours on the day, £20 if booked in advance.
The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport has increased to £8.50, making it one of the most expensive in England.
The charge to park for 10 minutes in the drop-off area has risen a number of times in recent years, with a spokesperson for the airport saying the latest increase was due to the chancellor's recent budget - which would see its business rates bill rise.
In response to the news, Clive Wratten from the Business Travel Association said airports were "pulling the easiest revenue lever" by increasing their parking fees. He added public transport was often not an alternative option, especially at airports outside London. "Pricing people out at the kerbside does not suddenly make public transport viable - it just pushes more cost onto workers, businesses and the taxi community," he said.
Take a look at how airport drop-off charges compare across England.
Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport offers a range of parking options as well as links to public transport.
Short Stay car park: Located eight to 10 minutes walk from the terminal. It charges £8.50 for up to 15 minutes or £10.50 for 15 to 30 minutes parking.
Bristol Airport Flyer: £15 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare.
Free shuttle bus: Passengers can board the shuttle from the waiting zone, which offers free parking for up to an hour. The shuttle drops passengers off at the Transport Interchange which is located a short walk away from the terminal.
London Heathrow
Parking fees cost the same at all Heathrow terminals. There are also links to public transport like the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express and free transportation between terminals.
Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7.50 for up to 29 minutes parking.
Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes. Motorists can park for up to 29 minutes for free.
London Gatwick
From Tuesday, London Gatwick will overtake Bristol and become the most expensive for drop-off and pick-up parking when its fees increase by £3.
Parking fees are the same at both North and South terminals.
Drop-off area: £10 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking.
Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses. Parking is free for up to two hours.
London Stansted
Drop-off area: £7 for 15 minutes parking.
Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking. Located a short walk away from the terminals.
Long stay car parks: Free parking for up to two hours. Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses.
London Luton
Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
Short stay car park: £15 for 30 minutes parking. Reduced tariff for blue badge holders and fully electric vehicles.
Long stay car park: Located further from the terminal, but served by free shuttle buses. Free parking for up to two hours.
London City
London City Airport will introduce a drop-off charge for the first time from Tuesday. Blue badge holders will be exempt from the fees.
Drop-off area: £8 for up to five minutes, then £1 per minute. Maximum stay is 10 minutes.
Short stay car park: £6.90 for up to 20 minutes parking.
Long stay car park: £74.90 for eight to 24 hours parking.
London Southend
Drop-off area: £8 for up to ten minutes.
Short stay car park: £45 for one to two hours.
Long stay car park: £65 for four to 24 hours. £65 for each additional 24 hours or part thereof.
Birmingham
Drop-off area: Free for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay car park: Ranges from £2.50 to £10.50 for up to one hour depending on car park.
Long stay car park: Ranges from £49 to £64 for up to 24 hours, depending on car park.
Manchester
Paid drop-off area: £5 for five minutes at terminals one, two and three.
Free drop-off area: Located in JetParks 1. Passengers can travel to the terminals for free on a shuttle bus service, with the journey taking about six minutes.
Short stay car park: £12.80 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: £61.40 per 24 hours.
East Midlands
Drop-off area: £5 for up to 15 minutes.
Short stay car park: £8 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: from £40 for 24 hours.
Newcastle International
Newcastle Airport scrapped its free drop-off parking in December.
90 minutes' free parking at Callerton Parkway, next to the Metro station, with a free shuttle bus running every 30 minutes.
Drop-off area: £5 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay 1 car park: £18 for up to one hour.
Long stay car park: £40 for one day, £25 per day or part thereafter.
Liverpool John Lennon
Express drop-off area: £6 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay for non-booked parking: £8 for up to 30 minutes.
Long stay for non-booked parking: £12 for up to one hour, £50 per day and £25 per day or part thereafter.
Leeds Bradford
Drop-off area: £7 for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay for non-booked parking: £83 per day, £48 per additional day.
Long stay for non-booked parking: £57 per day, £18 per additional day.
Teesside International
Drop-off area: £2.50 for up to 10 minutes, rising to £5 for 60 minutes, and £7 per hour thereafter.
Longer stays: £24 up to 24 hours if booked in advance, £36 for 24 hours for non-booked parking.
Norwich
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
Longer stays: £10 for up to 4 hours in car park 2, £35 for 24 hours in car park 2.
Southampton
Drop-off area: £7 for up to 20 minutes in the short stay car park.
Short stay: £15 for up to one hour.
Longer stay: £60 for up to 24 hours.
Bournemouth
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
Short stay: £10 for up to two hours.
Longer stay: £40 for one day.
Exeter
Drop-off area: £6 for up to 14 minutes in car park 1, closest to the airport. Free for up to 30 minutes in car park 4, further away.
Short stay: £10 for up to 2 hours in car park 1.
Long stay: £45 for one day in car park 1, £30 in car park 4.
Cornwall Airport Newquay
Drop-off area: free for up to 10 minutes.
Short stay: £7.50 for up to 2 hours.
Long stay: £26 for up to 24 hours on the day, £20 if booked in advance.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370672/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 09:59, 7th January 2026 | |
TfW first class availability, a useful summary and would be even more useful with daily updates.
https://tfw.wales/service-status/first-class-service-availability
Mark
| Re: Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion, bus services and infrastructure - ongoing discussion In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370671/22894/5] Posted by Noggin at 09:56, 7th 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.
For many older and mobility-impaired people, being dropped off is often the only practical option, particularly for those with wheelchairs.
The airport does give a blue-badge discount on drop-off, but it's only something like £1.50
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370670/30562/5] Posted by Noggin at 09:44, 7th January 2026 | |
As a long-time glasses wearer with a family history of macular degeneration, it seems to me that an annual sight test for everyone should be the norm, particularly under 18's and over 50's. It's only a 20 minute job and can pick up on a lot of other health problems including brain tumour, diabetes, high blood pressure etc.
I know a surprising number of people who discovered relatively late that their children were short-sighted and realised how much it must have impacted their schooling, ability to play sports etc.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370669/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 09:42, 7th January 2026 | |
Good to be hearing from you on these trips, Mark. I am looking at following in your footsteps (metaphorically) over the next few months, and loving your experiences.
I was wondering if you're catching the 07:04 off Bath Spa on any of your days - the "Parly" over the Rhubarb loop.
The Paddington <-> Bristol <-> Penzance through trains seem to be very much "high risk" trains if you need to be on time. Before the evening buses from Chippenham to Melksham were withdrawn, there was a 5 minute change off the train from Penzance to the bus at Chippenham - 22:11 to 22:16, and it worked on 2 evenings out of 3 ...
Where are ou headed today?
I was wondering if you're catching the 07:04 off Bath Spa on any of your days - the "Parly" over the Rhubarb loop.
The Paddington <-> Bristol <-> Penzance through trains seem to be very much "high risk" trains if you need to be on time. Before the evening buses from Chippenham to Melksham were withdrawn, there was a 5 minute change off the train from Penzance to the bus at Chippenham - 22:11 to 22:16, and it worked on 2 evenings out of 3 ...
Where are ou headed today?
Ah, the rhubarb loop train: on the first day it got under the feet of the Newport train as it was first to the climb up Filton. Then, yesterday, it almost left Bath before the late running Swansea train.
Heading for a station with a long name. (Not *that* long though)
Mark
Mark
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370668/31395/1] Posted by bobm at 09:24, 7th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
The lowest point in the Severn tunnel: is it marked by a pair of blue lights?
Mark
Mark
It is - shows the drivers where the gradient changes. I have walked past them!
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370667/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 09:22, 7th January 2026 | |
On to the 9:07 to Manchester as far as Shrewsbury.
Mark
| Re: Cornish mainline and branch line delays - ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370666/28556/25] Posted by REVUpminster at 09:17, 7th January 2026 | |
First train to from Newquay cancelled today. Second train is a 4 car 150. Falmouth only a hourly service.
Only 12 150s on the Devon and Cornwall branches and that's with Looe and St Ives closed. The others seem to be on the mainline covering the old HSTs.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370665/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 09:07, 7th January 2026 | |
Enough time at Newport to observe that the new part of the station is bit of a maintenance ' mare.
Mark
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370664/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 08:50, 7th January 2026 | |
Ice rink surfaces today. Newport ststion staff trying to source more aalt. Please no one need a&e this morning as they'll be beseiged.
Mark
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370663/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 08:45, 7th January 2026 | |
The lowest point in the Severn tunnel: is it marked by a pair of blue lights?
Mark
| Re: Driving licences and tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370662/19893/51] Posted by Timmer at 08:43, 7th January 2026 | |
That would end the week long intense courses of driving lessons followed by the driving test, though I would imagine trying to book a test to match when you’d have a week of lessons may be tricky these days.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370661/31395/1] Posted by grahame at 08:34, 7th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Good to be hearing from you on these trips, Mark. I am looking at following in your footsteps (metaphorically) over the next few months, and loving your experiences.
I was wondering if you're catching the 07:04 off Bath Spa on any of your days - the "Parly" over the Rhubarb loop.
The Paddington <-> Bristol <-> Penzance through trains seem to be very much "high risk" trains if you need to be on time. Before the evening buses from Chippenham to Melksham were withdrawn, there was a 5 minute change off the train from Penzance to the bus at Chippenham - 22:11 to 22:16, and it worked on 2 evenings out of 3 ...
Where are ou headed today?
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370660/30562/5] Posted by grahame at 08:03, 7th January 2026 | |
With these compulsory eye tests will the tests start with the oldest driving licence holders first.
From the age of 70, driving licenses are issues for three years at a time. My guess is that license renewal would require an entry on the computer system to say a test had been passed, very much like a car tax renewal checks on a vehicle's passing an MOT.
There is already a mechanism in place of this.
I have glaucoma and require a DVLA eye test every 3 years when I renew my licence. I strongly support this proposal.
| Re: Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370659/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 07:36, 7th January 2026 Already liked by johnneyw | |
Travelling with the rucksack. Fond memories of the time when fetching it down from the rack at Newport one of its fastenings took the opportunity to lock itself to the metal grill in the roof. On we went to Cardiff where staff rightly found the whole thing hilarious, which was rather more supportive that the carriage full of passengers who witnessed the debacle and went into po-faced mode.
Anyway, it's not going in the rack this time...
Mark
| Wales explorer 4 in 8 ticket: trip 3 In "Introductions and chat" [370658/31395/1] Posted by Mark A at 07:19, 7th January 2026 | |
At Bath Spa for the 7:30 to Newport for which destination I'm now wondering if I should have bought a season ticket. On the opposite platform, a train proudly announced as 'The Bristolian' has arrived and the departed, while the Penzance train has been delayed in a similar way to the Swansea train yesterday.
Mark
