Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Driving tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [360967/30200/51] Posted by JayMac at 13:45, 27th April 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea |      |
I was extremely happy for my daughter after she passed her test at the first attempt. She'd waited nearly 7 months for her practical test date after passing her theory. Had she failed it would probably have meant a similar long wait.
Learning to drive can be a stressful time for young people. Having to wait so long for a test doesn't help. It can also be a financial burden. You may be test ready after a handful of lessons, but then need to keep taking lessons to keep your skills sharp in preparation for your test.
The only positive from my daughter's interminable wait for a test was the chance to really hone her driving skills, and do plenty of mock tests. It certainly worked for my her.
That and the fact she had an excellent teacher for much of her learner driving. Me! Nearer her test date she had lessons with an instructor, but they were mainly focused on learning to pass her test, rather than learning to drive.
We started off road at Upottery Airfield learning basic car control, manoeuvres, vehicle checks and basic maintenance. Then on to quiet streets and out of town B roads, and finally busy town traffic and 70mph dual carriageways.
Since passing her test I've accompanied her a couple of times onto the M5 for continued learning.
| Stop orders as cover for cancelled services In "Heart of Wessex" [360966/30201/19] Posted by WSW Frome at 13:26, 27th April 2025 | |
As well as the exciting news that IETs may now call at Melksham, I have noticed a recent use of extra stops on long-distance services to cover cancelled (local) trains. Unsure if this is a new effort to provide a better service or has been commonplace before.
Two weeks ago I returned to Westbury from Fratton to find the PAD (1808) to Frome service cancelled. The connection was instead provided by the following PAD (1837) to PLY which had also called at the Kennet Valley stations. This only incurred an 18 min delay for my journey - which I am still contesting on Delay Repay! Tonight I notice that the early evening service from Bruton and Frome will be provided by extra stops on a Paignton to PAD service. This is to cover a missing local service which is frequently canned on Sundays.
So at least Control is now considering these missing services which can only be a good thing.
| Re: Driving tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [360965/30200/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:24, 27th April 2025 | |
Also from the BBC:
Driving instructor shortage 'adding to test delays'
A shortage of training instructors is contributing to the backlog of learner drivers waiting to sit their practical test.
Instructors have said delays in booking their own exams, "astronomical" costs and a "convoluted" testing process are deterring people from the industry.
The UK government's department of transport said it was aiming to double examiner training capacity by summer 2026. But instructors have questioned the plans and fear the system is at risk of "grinding to a halt". Three quarters of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain have hit the maximum average waiting time of 24 weeks to book a practical test, the BBC has found. Among the problems is fewer instructors.
The number of registered approved driving instructors (ADIs) has seen a 10% fall over the past decade, while the number of new registrations for 2024-25 (1,553) was half that of the previous year, according to Department of Transport figures.
Trainee instructors have two years from the date of sitting the first of four tests to qualify, but often have to wait months for an exam date, leaving many struggling to complete the course in the required timeframe.
"There are just not enough examiners to go around," said Elwyn Marfell-Jones, 60, principal instructor of Auto Learners driving school in Swansea. "Many are being pulled across to help clear the backlog of driver tests but that is having a knock-on effect for teaching new instructors and examiners. We're in a mess when you consider this problem has been getting steadily worse since Covid and nothing has been done about it. It's been coming and the system is going to come to a grinding halt. The expense can now be astronomical with the cost of tests and paying £50 an hour for at least 40 hours training. And the tests are prohibitively difficult. When you have a very low pass rate of about 28%, you have to ask if something is wrong with the tests."
Mr Marfell-Jones is teaching four trainee instructors but fears not all will complete the course. "One instructor had her test cancelled on the morning of the test and had to wait four months for a new date," he said. "The stress and expense of getting through the training in an ever diminishing window could well prove too much for her. She has worked really hard to get a new career while also being a carer at home, but has been hugely frustrated by the lack of tests available. I think she is seriously questioning whether to carry on, which would be a real shame because we don't have enough instructors, let alone female instructors in the industry."
There are also concerns that instructors are unable to undergo a standards check every four years - sometimes waiting up to twice that long.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has instructed the DVSA, external to intensify efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests. That will include doubling examiner training capacity by summer 2026 to ensure newly recruited driving examiners can qualify "as quickly as possible".
Lynne Barrie, president of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council, is sceptical. "The seven-point plan, which they started to introduce in December 2024, just is not working," she said. "Some 25% of it was about consultations but that's not action, and whilst we are getting new examiners in, there are a large number leaving the profession as well." She added: "We can have as many driving examiners and tests as we like but until we stop people selling on test slots for fraudulent amounts of money then the situation will remain challenging."
A shortage of training instructors is contributing to the backlog of learner drivers waiting to sit their practical test.
Instructors have said delays in booking their own exams, "astronomical" costs and a "convoluted" testing process are deterring people from the industry.
The UK government's department of transport said it was aiming to double examiner training capacity by summer 2026. But instructors have questioned the plans and fear the system is at risk of "grinding to a halt". Three quarters of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain have hit the maximum average waiting time of 24 weeks to book a practical test, the BBC has found. Among the problems is fewer instructors.
The number of registered approved driving instructors (ADIs) has seen a 10% fall over the past decade, while the number of new registrations for 2024-25 (1,553) was half that of the previous year, according to Department of Transport figures.
Trainee instructors have two years from the date of sitting the first of four tests to qualify, but often have to wait months for an exam date, leaving many struggling to complete the course in the required timeframe.
"There are just not enough examiners to go around," said Elwyn Marfell-Jones, 60, principal instructor of Auto Learners driving school in Swansea. "Many are being pulled across to help clear the backlog of driver tests but that is having a knock-on effect for teaching new instructors and examiners. We're in a mess when you consider this problem has been getting steadily worse since Covid and nothing has been done about it. It's been coming and the system is going to come to a grinding halt. The expense can now be astronomical with the cost of tests and paying £50 an hour for at least 40 hours training. And the tests are prohibitively difficult. When you have a very low pass rate of about 28%, you have to ask if something is wrong with the tests."
Mr Marfell-Jones is teaching four trainee instructors but fears not all will complete the course. "One instructor had her test cancelled on the morning of the test and had to wait four months for a new date," he said. "The stress and expense of getting through the training in an ever diminishing window could well prove too much for her. She has worked really hard to get a new career while also being a carer at home, but has been hugely frustrated by the lack of tests available. I think she is seriously questioning whether to carry on, which would be a real shame because we don't have enough instructors, let alone female instructors in the industry."
There are also concerns that instructors are unable to undergo a standards check every four years - sometimes waiting up to twice that long.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has instructed the DVSA, external to intensify efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests. That will include doubling examiner training capacity by summer 2026 to ensure newly recruited driving examiners can qualify "as quickly as possible".
Lynne Barrie, president of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council, is sceptical. "The seven-point plan, which they started to introduce in December 2024, just is not working," she said. "Some 25% of it was about consultations but that's not action, and whilst we are getting new examiners in, there are a large number leaving the profession as well." She added: "We can have as many driving examiners and tests as we like but until we stop people selling on test slots for fraudulent amounts of money then the situation will remain challenging."
| Driving tests - ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [360964/30200/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:31, 27th April 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Driving test backlog: 'It's easier to pass a test than book one'
Some people used the Easter Monday bank holiday as a chance to have a much-needed lie-in.
Not Stephen Dawes, who set his alarm for 05:45. It wasn't to start work or to catch a train - he just wanted to book his driving test. When he logged into the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website, he entered an online queue "almost like buying a festival ticket", he says. "I was number 11,000 in the queue."
The 26-year-old, who lives in Newcastle, started learning to drive in February. His instructor told him about a month ago to book his practical test, but each time Stephen looked, the only slots available were in Berwick-upon-Tweed or Scarborough, both more than an hour's drive away. After looking online, he discovered the trick was to log on at 06:00 on Mondays, when the DVSA releases new slots. But some people say it takes several weeks of trying to secure one.
Stephen's experience reflects those of other learner drivers across the UK, who tell BBC News they're on a road to nowhere with getting a driving exam booked during an ongoing test backlog. Some are even paying for apps that alert them when slots become available.
BBC Verify found this week that the average waiting time across the 319 driving test centres in Great Britain was 22 weeks, with three-quarters of centres hitting the maximum average wait time of 24 weeks.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has pledged to reduce the average waiting time to no more than seven weeks by summer 2026, a deadline the government had previously set for the end of 2025. She said the current situation was "totally unacceptable" and that ministers would aim to clear the backlog with measures such as doubling examiner training capacity and reintroducing overtime pay incentives.
Pauline Reeves, the DVSA's director of driver services, told the BBC the organisation had "made significant progress" in reducing wait times since last December but customers were not yet seeing this.
Jodie Johnston, a driving instructor in Exeter, likens booking a test to the infamous annual scramble to buy tickets for Glastonbury Festival - and says some learners in London, where demand can be even higher, are travelling 200 miles to take their tests in Devon. "It's easier to pass a test than book a test at the moment," adds Ali Slade, a driving instructor in Farnham.
One consequence of the long wait list is that many learners are trying to book their practical exam far in advance, despite DVSA advice stating that learner drivers should book it when they're "test-ready". And when learners eventually get a slot, for some it's so far in advance that they're having to fork out extra money on refresher lessons. Some learners say they're also worried about their theory tests expiring as they only last for two years - and you need one to take a practical test.
Many driving schools have long waiting lists for lessons - Ali says hers is about seven months. It can therefore be difficult for learner drivers to align finding an instructor, passing their theory test, and booking a practical exam.
This was the experience of Ella Davis, 26, from Leeds, who says her instructor told her to book her test as soon as she started learning. "I had to book way before I was ready for a test and just guess when I would be ready," she says. Even then, when she looked, she struggled to find any slots in her area or at the right time. In the end, she booked a test for several months away, and then paid £18 for a mobile app that allowed her to change her test to an earlier date, in April 2024, so she wouldn't have to keep paying for more lessons when she already felt ready.
Apps like these alert users when slots become available through other learners cancelling their tests. The DVSA says it does not endorse any apps that find cancellations.
"It just felt like the only way," Ella says.
Lauren Devlin had put off using these apps, but she's worried she will soon be left with little choice. "It felt a bit scammy to me… but at this point, I may just have to try," she says. Lauren, 37, got her driving licence in New Jersey, US, when she was 16. When she first moved to the UK, she relied on public transport to get around - but she's decided she would now like the freedom of being able to drive. Lauren estimates she's already spent about £2,000 on driving lessons, two theory tests and one practical test in summer 2024 that she failed. She has another test scheduled for August, for which she had to wake up early on multiple Monday mornings to join the online queue before she was able to book. But she's worried about what happens if it gets cancelled, or if she fails, as her theory certificate only lasts until next March.
So, what's the cause of the current situation? A DVSA spokesperson has blamed an "increase in demand and a change in customers' booking behaviour" for the backlog.
DVSA data shows that the number of people taking practical driving tests plummeted during waves of lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. There was then a surge in between September 2023 and March 2024, but the number of tests being taken is now similar to pre-pandemic levels. Just under 450,000 practical driving tests were taken between July and September 2024, the most recent data shows.
The DVSA also says that bots have been buying up some test slots and then reselling them at inflated prices. The agency says a high-speed consultation in May will aim "to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests".
For some people, the difficulty of booking a test is just too much stress. Libby Murphy says she's "just given up" after failing her test in February, having had two previous tests cancelled by the test centre (the DVSA says it only cancels tests in "exceptional circumstances" and then offers the first available test in the area). Libby, who is 26 and lives in Liverpool, says she's had more than 100 hours of lessons and feels her decision to abandon it will harm her career aim of being a runner in the film industry. As she puts it: "I've spent grands and grands and I've gotten nowhere."
Some people used the Easter Monday bank holiday as a chance to have a much-needed lie-in.
Not Stephen Dawes, who set his alarm for 05:45. It wasn't to start work or to catch a train - he just wanted to book his driving test. When he logged into the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website, he entered an online queue "almost like buying a festival ticket", he says. "I was number 11,000 in the queue."
The 26-year-old, who lives in Newcastle, started learning to drive in February. His instructor told him about a month ago to book his practical test, but each time Stephen looked, the only slots available were in Berwick-upon-Tweed or Scarborough, both more than an hour's drive away. After looking online, he discovered the trick was to log on at 06:00 on Mondays, when the DVSA releases new slots. But some people say it takes several weeks of trying to secure one.
Stephen's experience reflects those of other learner drivers across the UK, who tell BBC News they're on a road to nowhere with getting a driving exam booked during an ongoing test backlog. Some are even paying for apps that alert them when slots become available.
BBC Verify found this week that the average waiting time across the 319 driving test centres in Great Britain was 22 weeks, with three-quarters of centres hitting the maximum average wait time of 24 weeks.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has pledged to reduce the average waiting time to no more than seven weeks by summer 2026, a deadline the government had previously set for the end of 2025. She said the current situation was "totally unacceptable" and that ministers would aim to clear the backlog with measures such as doubling examiner training capacity and reintroducing overtime pay incentives.
Pauline Reeves, the DVSA's director of driver services, told the BBC the organisation had "made significant progress" in reducing wait times since last December but customers were not yet seeing this.
Jodie Johnston, a driving instructor in Exeter, likens booking a test to the infamous annual scramble to buy tickets for Glastonbury Festival - and says some learners in London, where demand can be even higher, are travelling 200 miles to take their tests in Devon. "It's easier to pass a test than book a test at the moment," adds Ali Slade, a driving instructor in Farnham.
One consequence of the long wait list is that many learners are trying to book their practical exam far in advance, despite DVSA advice stating that learner drivers should book it when they're "test-ready". And when learners eventually get a slot, for some it's so far in advance that they're having to fork out extra money on refresher lessons. Some learners say they're also worried about their theory tests expiring as they only last for two years - and you need one to take a practical test.
Many driving schools have long waiting lists for lessons - Ali says hers is about seven months. It can therefore be difficult for learner drivers to align finding an instructor, passing their theory test, and booking a practical exam.
This was the experience of Ella Davis, 26, from Leeds, who says her instructor told her to book her test as soon as she started learning. "I had to book way before I was ready for a test and just guess when I would be ready," she says. Even then, when she looked, she struggled to find any slots in her area or at the right time. In the end, she booked a test for several months away, and then paid £18 for a mobile app that allowed her to change her test to an earlier date, in April 2024, so she wouldn't have to keep paying for more lessons when she already felt ready.
Apps like these alert users when slots become available through other learners cancelling their tests. The DVSA says it does not endorse any apps that find cancellations.
"It just felt like the only way," Ella says.
Lauren Devlin had put off using these apps, but she's worried she will soon be left with little choice. "It felt a bit scammy to me… but at this point, I may just have to try," she says. Lauren, 37, got her driving licence in New Jersey, US, when she was 16. When she first moved to the UK, she relied on public transport to get around - but she's decided she would now like the freedom of being able to drive. Lauren estimates she's already spent about £2,000 on driving lessons, two theory tests and one practical test in summer 2024 that she failed. She has another test scheduled for August, for which she had to wake up early on multiple Monday mornings to join the online queue before she was able to book. But she's worried about what happens if it gets cancelled, or if she fails, as her theory certificate only lasts until next March.
So, what's the cause of the current situation? A DVSA spokesperson has blamed an "increase in demand and a change in customers' booking behaviour" for the backlog.
DVSA data shows that the number of people taking practical driving tests plummeted during waves of lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. There was then a surge in between September 2023 and March 2024, but the number of tests being taken is now similar to pre-pandemic levels. Just under 450,000 practical driving tests were taken between July and September 2024, the most recent data shows.
The DVSA also says that bots have been buying up some test slots and then reselling them at inflated prices. The agency says a high-speed consultation in May will aim "to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests".
For some people, the difficulty of booking a test is just too much stress. Libby Murphy says she's "just given up" after failing her test in February, having had two previous tests cancelled by the test centre (the DVSA says it only cancels tests in "exceptional circumstances" and then offers the first available test in the area). Libby, who is 26 and lives in Liverpool, says she's had more than 100 hours of lessons and feels her decision to abandon it will harm her career aim of being a runner in the film industry. As she puts it: "I've spent grands and grands and I've gotten nowhere."
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [360963/18719/26] Posted by Timmer at 10:55, 27th April 2025 | |
This sort of cancellation/reinstatement** dance, when it involves the last train of the day, must do a disproportionate amount of damage to the confidence that intending travellers hold in the railway as a travel mode.
Mark
**Not yet reinstated, but let's see.
Now completely cancelled Mark
**Not yet reinstated, but let's see.
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [360962/18719/26] Posted by Mark A at 10:34, 27th April 2025 | |
This sort of cancellation/reinstatement** dance, when it involves the last train of the day, must do a disproportionate amount of damage to the confidence that intending travellers hold in the railway as a travel mode.
Mark
**Not yet reinstated, but let's see.
| Re: Taplow-Hassocks In "Fare's Fair" [360961/30198/4] Posted by Timmer at 10:23, 27th April 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Split ticketing doesn’t tend to work very well when the journey is entirely in the old Network Southeast area.
| Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [360960/18719/26] Posted by Timmer at 10:20, 27th April 2025 | |
And the most useless train of the day award goes to:
20:00 London Paddington to Plymouth due 23:35 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Newbury, Pewsey, Westbury, Castle Cary, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes and Plymouth.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Let’s hope it gets reinstated as it’s the last train of the day from London to a lot of the above stations including Plymouth.It will no longer call at Newbury, Pewsey, Westbury, Castle Cary, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes and Plymouth.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Penryn to Melksham - summary and some pictures from 25.4.2025 In "Introductions and chat" [360959/30189/1] Posted by froome at 10:19, 27th April 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
Found myself in Penryn earlier this month, accompanying grandson for his University interview. It was his first long train journey.
I was ... a little surprised ... by the high proportion of passengers arriving at Penryn, apparently long distance and with substantial luggage, the other afternoon. Really big flow to Penmere too, and a lot more to Falmouth Town; hardly anyone left on the train down to Docks. Really shouldn't be surprised if I look at the ticket sales stats.
I have now travelled to or through every National Rail station bar one in Cornwall in the first 4 months of this year - not all stopping - and all except the "top" of one branch in Devon. Through all passenger stations in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and all stations bar one in Gloucestershire within the last 9 months. Been on quite a lot of buses too. Tired, but at least some (statistically insignificant) views and thoughts. I am suspecting I won't be on a train again for the whole of the rest of this month.
which is all of... 4 days!
| Re: Taplow-Hassocks In "Fare's Fair" [360958/30198/4] Posted by Mark A at 10:12, 27th April 2025 | |
£34.20 with an annual Network Railcard (£35), so that initial journey will cost you £69.20 but after that, you and up to 3 accompanying adults then have 363 days use of your shiny network railcard.
As well as the generous benefits, be aware of the subtle and not-so-subtle restrictions.
https://www.network-railcard.co.uk/about-the-railcard/using-your-railcard/
A thing: the Network Map on that link cannot be displayed at a resolution at which the information on it is readable. The linked PDF is better though took me a moment to notice the link - and it would be straightforward to provide a graphic on the page itself at a resolution that can be read which would be useful for users of mobile devices.
Mark
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360957/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:30, 27th April 2025 | |
14:22 Frome to Swindon due 15:34
14:22 Frome to Swindon due 15:34 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
15:44 Swindon to Frome due 16:38
15:44 Swindon to Frome due 16:38 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34
16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Frome.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Solar panels between the rails in Switzerland In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [360956/30196/52] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:18, 27th April 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
Topics now merged here.
CfN.
| Re: Solar panels between the rails in Switzerland In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [360955/30196/52] Posted by GBM at 09:04, 27th April 2025 | |
Ah!
Covered here in 2023
Solar panels between the rails in Switzerland
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=30199.0
| Re: Taplow-Hassocks In "Fare's Fair" [360954/30198/4] Posted by ChrisB at 08:36, 27th April 2025 Already liked by TaplowGreen, Mark A | |
Agree that splitting doesn't appear possible to save anything & that £51.40 is the fare.
Buy a Network Card?.....it'll last you a year.
| Taplow-Hassocks In "Fare's Fair" [360953/30198/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:58, 27th April 2025 | |
Good morning all, after a bit of advice - I am visiting a friend in Hassocks next weekend travelling Saturday, returning Sunday- being quoted £51.40 return via London - not a trip I have made before but it just seems really expensive - don't seem able to split.
Any thoughts? Am I missing something?
| Re: Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts In "Heart of Wessex" [360951/587/19] Posted by Timmer at 07:11, 27th April 2025 | |
Quite a lot of push back at the council, both in the planning application comments and also elsewhere about *that* decision, and from a wide geographical area too. Weymouth Super Snail ride to be found on Youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8QBtk88SVs
Mark
The only place you will find the Super Snails this year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8QBtk88SVs
Mark
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360950/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 06:13, 27th April 2025 | |
18:11 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:33
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Solar panels between the rails in Switzerland In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [360949/30196/52] Posted by johnneyw at 23:02, 26th April 2025 Already liked by GBM | |
Rail Avent carries an article about an experiment in Switzerland placing solar panels down the middle of railway lines. It's hoped that success would generate enough power for 300,000 households or 30% of the power needed for public transport.
Article link below.
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2025/04/switch-on-for-worlds-first-on-track-solar-power.html
| Re: Penryn to Melksham - summary and some pictures from 25.4.2025 In "Introductions and chat" [360948/30189/1] Posted by bradshaw at 20:11, 26th April 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
Three photos I took at the time. I will look for the Cl 31 I took from the top of the chimney that day
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360947/29726/18] Posted by Mark A at 19:38, 26th April 2025 | |
The lineside fire related disruption bit Bath rugby going home time, a bit of a queue outside the station and at least one bus driver being generous to people travelling back to places that suddenly had no train service. The bus station wasn't quite coping with the volume of people some of which were displaced from the trains and some *waves at the bus to Wells* definitely weren't.
Mark
| Re: Penryn to Melksham - summary and some pictures from 25.4.2025 In "Introductions and chat" [360946/30189/1] Posted by grahame at 19:22, 26th April 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Found myself in Penryn earlier this month, accompanying grandson for his University interview. It was his first long train journey.
I was ... a little surprised ... by the high proportion of passengers arriving at Penryn, apparently long distance and with substantial luggage, the other afternoon. Really big flow to Penmere too, and a lot more to Falmouth Town; hardly anyone left on the train down to Docks. Really shouldn't be surprised if I look at the ticket sales stats.
I have now travelled to or through every National Rail station bar one in Cornwall in the first 4 months of this year - not all stopping - and all except the "top" of one branch in Devon. Through all passenger stations in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and all stations bar one in Gloucestershire within the last 9 months. Been on quite a lot of buses too. Tired, but at least some (statistically insignificant) views and thoughts. I am suspecting I won't be on a train again for the whole of the rest of this month.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360945/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 18:17, 26th April 2025 | |
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 is being delayed between Swindon and Chippenham and is now expected to be 15 minutes late.
This is due to a fire next to the track earlier today.
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 is being delayed between Swindon and Chippenham and is now expected to be 15 minutes late.
This is due to a fire next to the track earlier today.
| Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs In "North Downs Line" [360944/30190/16] Posted by Noggin at 18:08, 26th April 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
Indeed - and maybe too extractive....I wonder what rolling stock they have identified?
For a lot of the route Arriva would be abstracting revenue from Arriva...
Which is excellent if your government XC contract runs out in 202x and you want to continue to use your expertise in providing train services to a customer base with similar metrics - snd indeed the same customer base.
And if you're canny, your best members of staff too.
| Re: BBC TV Licensing - ongoing discussion In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [360943/6737/49] Posted by Oxonhutch at 16:12, 26th April 2025 Already liked by GBM, Western Pathfinder | |
Happy to pay for a BBC licence.
Having lived and worked around the world with generally chaotic TV (Australia was by far the worst), I will gladly keep paying the licence fee if that keeps the mind-killing commercials off the screen.
| Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs In "North Downs Line" [360942/30190/16] Posted by ChrisB at 15:27, 26th April 2025 | |
Indeed - and maybe too extractive....I wonder what rolling stock they have identified?
For a lot of the route Arriva would be abstracting revenue from Arriva...
Rather.....the DfT/taxman.....
| Re: Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts In "Heart of Wessex" [360941/587/19] Posted by Mark A at 15:10, 26th April 2025 | |
As mentioned above, the Super Snails aren’t returning to the beach this year:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4grege0e0zo
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4grege0e0zo
A Super Snails ride, that has been a "much-loved" tourist attraction in a seaside town for nearly 25 years, will not return this summer.
Owner, Cesar Palucsis, says his business has suffered as a result of the decision.
Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but says that stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.
The merged site will have seven rides from one company and will include trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter-skelter.
Mr Palucsis says people were saddened when they heard his ride had not been given a licence: "They brought their kids and second-generation kids and it carries on.
"We did have some people being upset seeing that there will not be a pitch for the snails.
"I tried to reassure people that we are trying to look forward, to make some way a pitch, or try to come to a conclusion with the council in a forward direction."
Owners at the resort have to apply for a seasonal contract to get a pitch on the beach from March to October.
A statement from Weymouth Town Council says the licenses expired in October and that "in November we contacted all stakeholders to make them aware of the tender renewal in the new year, and possible changes to attraction sites".
Owner, Cesar Palucsis, says his business has suffered as a result of the decision.
Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but says that stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.
The merged site will have seven rides from one company and will include trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter-skelter.
Mr Palucsis says people were saddened when they heard his ride had not been given a licence: "They brought their kids and second-generation kids and it carries on.
"We did have some people being upset seeing that there will not be a pitch for the snails.
"I tried to reassure people that we are trying to look forward, to make some way a pitch, or try to come to a conclusion with the council in a forward direction."
Owners at the resort have to apply for a seasonal contract to get a pitch on the beach from March to October.
A statement from Weymouth Town Council says the licenses expired in October and that "in November we contacted all stakeholders to make them aware of the tender renewal in the new year, and possible changes to attraction sites".
Quite a lot of push back at the council, both in the planning application comments and also elsewhere about *that* decision, and from a wide geographical area too. Weymouth Super Snail ride to be found on Youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8QBtk88SVs
Mark
| Re: Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts In "Heart of Wessex" [360940/587/19] Posted by Mark A at 14:51, 26th April 2025 Already liked by Timmer | |
What a curious place to dump that. It'll suit the council, mind. There's an entire chapter to be written on visitor attraction retendering processes and not all good, as the operators of, for example, a certain miniature railway knows to their cost, having had a narrow escape from oblivion, though I can't recall if it was a retendering or simply a lease renewal.
Mark
| Re: Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts In "Heart of Wessex" [360939/587/19] Posted by Timmer at 13:59, 26th April 2025 | |
As mentioned above, the Super Snails aren’t returning to the beach this year:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4grege0e0zo
A Super Snails ride, that has been a "much-loved" tourist attraction in a seaside town for nearly 25 years, will not return this summer.
Owner, Cesar Palucsis, says his business has suffered as a result of the decision.
Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but says that stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.
The merged site will have seven rides from one company and will include trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter-skelter.
Mr Palucsis says people were saddened when they heard his ride had not been given a licence: "They brought their kids and second-generation kids and it carries on.
"We did have some people being upset seeing that there will not be a pitch for the snails.
"I tried to reassure people that we are trying to look forward, to make some way a pitch, or try to come to a conclusion with the council in a forward direction."
Owners at the resort have to apply for a seasonal contract to get a pitch on the beach from March to October.
A statement from Weymouth Town Council says the licenses expired in October and that "in November we contacted all stakeholders to make them aware of the tender renewal in the new year, and possible changes to attraction sites".
Owner, Cesar Palucsis, says his business has suffered as a result of the decision.
Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but says that stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.
The merged site will have seven rides from one company and will include trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter-skelter.
Mr Palucsis says people were saddened when they heard his ride had not been given a licence: "They brought their kids and second-generation kids and it carries on.
"We did have some people being upset seeing that there will not be a pitch for the snails.
"I tried to reassure people that we are trying to look forward, to make some way a pitch, or try to come to a conclusion with the council in a forward direction."
Owners at the resort have to apply for a seasonal contract to get a pitch on the beach from March to October.
A statement from Weymouth Town Council says the licenses expired in October and that "in November we contacted all stakeholders to make them aware of the tender renewal in the new year, and possible changes to attraction sites".
| Re: Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts In "Heart of Wessex" [360938/587/19] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:42, 26th April 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Construction of seaside observation wheel begins
Work has begun to build an observation wheel on a beach in a seaside resort.
The white Ferris wheel on the Esplanade in Weymouth will stand up to 33m (108ft) tall and is planned to be in place until October.
The BBC understands the structure, set to be installed opposite the Sir Henry Edwards statue, was manufactured in Turkey and delivered by a company named Miran Lojistik.
Just before the Easter weekend, foundations in the form of concrete blocks, were placed on to the beach. It is not clear when construction will be finished and Weymouth Town Council said it cannot provide a date.
The observation wheel is being paid for and managed by Spencer Hall and family.
The family-run business owns seven other rides on the beach, including trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter skelter. Not returning this summer is the Super Snails ride, which had been on the beach for nearly 25 years.
Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but said stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.
Dorset Council approved the plans for the observation wheel in February. The resort previously had a £3.5m 53m-high (174ft) rotating viewing platform.
Jurassic Skyline opened in June 2012 ahead of the London Olympics sailing events held in nearby Portland Harbour but closed in 2019 due to falling visitor numbers.
Work has begun to build an observation wheel on a beach in a seaside resort.
The white Ferris wheel on the Esplanade in Weymouth will stand up to 33m (108ft) tall and is planned to be in place until October.
The BBC understands the structure, set to be installed opposite the Sir Henry Edwards statue, was manufactured in Turkey and delivered by a company named Miran Lojistik.
Just before the Easter weekend, foundations in the form of concrete blocks, were placed on to the beach. It is not clear when construction will be finished and Weymouth Town Council said it cannot provide a date.
The observation wheel is being paid for and managed by Spencer Hall and family.
The family-run business owns seven other rides on the beach, including trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter skelter. Not returning this summer is the Super Snails ride, which had been on the beach for nearly 25 years.
Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but said stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.
Dorset Council approved the plans for the observation wheel in February. The resort previously had a £3.5m 53m-high (174ft) rotating viewing platform.
Jurassic Skyline opened in June 2012 ahead of the London Olympics sailing events held in nearby Portland Harbour but closed in 2019 due to falling visitor numbers.
