"Across Europe, every other country connects its big cities by modern high-speed rail," said Greater Manchester's Labour mayor. "

From the BBC:

More Tube disruption as RMT union talks collapse


Nearly all London Underground services are suspended during the industrial action

Industrial relations on London Underground have "totally collapsed", a union leader has warned, amid a strike by Tube workers that virtually shut down the network.

It means travellers in London will continue to face disruption as thousands of members of the union take strike action over pay and working hours.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Eddie Dempsey said the negotiations became fruitless after the union uncovered Transport for London (TfL) plans to shut Elizabeth line ticket offices - something TfL denies.

Mr Dempsey said further disputes loomed over those alleged proposals as well as pay and conditions of cleaners.


Tube trains remained parked in depots on Tuesday, as the network came to a virtual standstill

With the exception of the Northern line, running a reduced timetable, all Tube services were suspended on Tuesday.

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has also shut down due to a strike by RMT union members as part of of a separate dispute.

TfL said it had made a "fair" pay offer of 3.4% and that the the union's demand for a shorter working week of 32 hours was "unaffordable".

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said she was "bitterly disappointed" the strike went ahead, calling the demands "unaffordable and impractical".

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he urged the RMT to get around the table with TfL to resolve the dispute.

Downing Street has also called on the RMT union and TfL to get back to the negotiating table to end the strike.

People trying to get around the capital turned to buses, boats, bikes, cars and walking routes, with many struggling to reach their destinations.

BBC newsgathering journalists reported Elizabeth line, Overground, rail and walking routes to be far less busy than they were on Monday.

At the start of the working week, TfL said footfall on London Overground and Elizabeth line services increased by 31%, noting that these lines had likely been absorbing displaced Tube passengers.

Long queues were seen at bus stops in central London, while bike rental schemes Lime, Forest and Santander reported increased uptake on Monday.

http://www.wellho.net/mouth/974_The-last-commuter-train-through-Melksham.html

White horse checked for any damage caused by flag



A white horse carved into a hillside is being checked for damage after it was temporarily turned into a St George's flag.

Red fabric draped over the Westbury White Horse has now been removed, after being reported to English Heritage earlier. The body said it would assess whether the 175ft (53m) tall Wiltshire landmark had been damaged by pegs used to secure the fabric.

It is not clear who put the ribbon up or why - but it is not the first time this has happened. In 2018, red plastic was put up on the monument ahead of the England men's football World Cup semi-final match.

Thousands of St George's flags have appeared across England in recent months. While some football fans were flying them to cheer on the Lionesses during the 2025 Euros, many more flags have gone up in recent weeks.

Some groups responsible for putting them up have told BBC News they are motivated by pride and patriotism. But some people have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over the issue of immigration.



Speaking about the Westbury incident before the removal, an English Heritage spokesperson said: "Red fabric has been attached to the Westbury White Horse. We'll be removing it as soon as we can and seeing whether the pegs that were used have caused any damage to this much-loved historic landmark."

Westbury's white horse is said to be the oldest in Wiltshire. It was restored in 1778, but many believe it is much older than that.

Westbury Town Council said it was aware of the incident and Wiltshire Police said no criminal offences were thought to have been committed and the force was not investigating.

Reform 'would scrap' high-speed northern rail line

A Reform UK government would scrap plans to build the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) link, its deputy leader has said.

In a report to the right-leaning Policy Exchange think tank, Richard Tice said companies considering bidding for contracts to build east-to-west high-speed rail links should "not bother".

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham rejected Tice's comments and suggested Reform UK wanted a "second-class railway" for the north of England.

The government also said northern England had been stuck with "second-rate" transport links for too long, and that this was "leaving communities cut off and holding back growth".

The NPR is a project to boost rail services going east to west across northern England, and was first proposed by former Tory chancellor George Osbourne in 2014 before being shelved under Boris Johnson's administration.

Labour is expected to announce the return of the scheme within the next few weeks.

Tice said a Reform UK government would "spend the money instead on things the country needs more". Citing the "billions in overspending" related to HS2, he described the government's expected commitment to more high-speed rail links as "insanity".

The Policy Exchange report proposed a set of alternative schemes, including a Manchester version of London's Elizabeth Line. It predicted NPR would be an "even greater train crash" than HS2, as a new line between Liverpool and Manchester could cost £30bn.

Researchers warned journeys between the cities on this line would take one minute longer than the fastest current services - which are 34 minutes - because it would also serve Manchester Airport.

Policy Exchange claimed the "crisis in HS2 is even worse than ministers admit", as the "true cost" for the line between London and Birmingham is "up to 22%" higher than the amount declared to Parliament.

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: "We do not recognise these claims. HS2 Ltd is committed to the highest levels of transparency and our accounts are extensively audited by the National Audit Office."

Tice said: "Even as the historic disaster of HS2 blows through more billions in overspending and more years of delay, even as it sucks money from things the country actually needs, even as taxes on people and business rise, ministers are about to commit to further high-speed rail schemes which could make HS2's problems and price tag look trivial."

But Burnham said Tice and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage were both "creatures of the London establishment" and he was not "surprised in the slightest" to hear of their opposition to NPR. "Across Europe, every other country connects its big cities by modern high-speed rail," said Greater Manchester's Labour mayor. "But, like the Conservatives before them, the Reform party seems to believe that this should be a privilege only conferred on the southern half of the UK. We have higher ambitions for the North than them."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "The North has been stuck with second-rate transport for too long, leaving communities cut off and holding back growth. The government is delivering the transport infrastructure needed for faster and more reliable journeys to create jobs and deliver stronger growth – such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade which is already delivering more efficient journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. We will set out our ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail in the near future."

11:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:44 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 10 minutes late.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:09/09/2025 13:53

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Malvern Link.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:09/09/2025 13:53

15:18 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:29 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:09/09/2025 14:57

Indicative Rail Scope

Future works to enable East West Rail. These are expected to include the provision
of new Platform 4/5 and a Western Entrance required to support increased train
services and passenger numbers.

Construction of remaining rail scope paused to allow full focus on re-opening
Botley Road as early as possible.

Works progressing well to re-phase future rail works. Key areas of focus:
• Validation of value for money following historic cost increase (associated
with Botley Road), whilst maintaining core functionality.
• Validation of programme and price ahead of securing funding.
• Increasing delivery certainty – undertaking additional surveys and
progressing key areas of design.

Indicative Schedule - Subject to funding release (originally a graphic)
2025   • Increase delivery confidence.
           • Validate scope, price and programme.
           • Secure funding.
 2026   • Construct Platform 4/5, Western Entrance and associated highways works.
 2027   • Complete Western Entrance design.
           • Onboard contractor.

Scope
Reference
project_43822

Description

Network Rail is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced architectural practice to lead the design and planning application for the redevelopment of Oxford Station and its surrounding area. This commission forms a critical part of the Oxford Station Masterplan, which aims to deliver a new vision for the station environment, supporting Oxford's growth as a national rail hub and global innovation centre.

Scope of Services:

• Masterplanning: Develop and evolve previous scheme proposals to create a new, mixed-use masterplan that maximises value, integrates operational railway requirements, and aligns with Oxford City's development and regeneration aspirations.

• Design Leadership: Act as lead architect for the masterplan, coordinating with specialist consultants and stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive design solution, including station entrances, public realm, multi-storey car park, cycle hub, offices, life sciences, hotel, and residential elements.

• Planning Application: Prepare and submit a detailed planning application for Phase 1, including all necessary supporting documents, reports, and stakeholder engagement as required by the local planning authority.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Network Rail, train operating companies, and other key stakeholders throughout the design and planning process.

• Sustainability: Embed best practice in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, targeting high levels of certification (e.g., BREEAM, WELL, NABERS, BNG, embodied carbon).

Key Deliverables:

• A new illustrative masterplan for the Oxford Station area, including phasing and delivery strategy.

• RIBA Stage 2+ design report for the first phase of development.

• Full planning application for Phase 1, including all required technical and supporting documentation.

• Coordination and integration of specialist inputs (e.g., transport, sustainability, heritage, engineering).

• Ongoing design and technical support through the planning determination period.

The contract will be let under the NR26 NEC4 Professional Service Short Contract (PSSC).

The scope of this procurement covers the development of the Oxford Station Masterplan and the delivery of a detailed planning application for Phase 1. Phase 2 services are entirely optional and may not be instructed. Any extension to include Phase 2 will be subject to separate approval and explicit instruction by Network Rail. The estimated total value stated in this notice is inclusive of both Phase 1 and the optional Phase 2. The initial contract will be awarded for Phase 1 only, with any extension to include Phase 2 subject to formal instruction by Network Rail.

Full details of the scope, deliverables, and requirements are provided in the procurement documents within the tender Pack.

13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57

13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 is being delayed between Melksham and Trowbridge and is now expected to be 8 minutes late.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.

Nightmare! Or those already on the motorway who don't move over a lane when approaching an on-slip so that traffic can join....nor those joining who think they can join at 30mph & pick up speed after joining.....

I know this may cause offence to some, but when I look at the picture above, I think the best thing that can be done to Birnbeck pier is to dismantle it. Of course that won’t happen because it’s listed so it will remain continuing to decay.

Work will start in the first part of next year on the 7 million pounds worth of improvements on the line to enable extra train services to be put on between Whitby and Middlesbrough.

[snip]

There's going to be work at Battersby where as there's a sort of turnaround at the moment, and there's plans to improve that situation there. So it's straight through.

When do the crew get a PNB?