We understand that in times of extreme weather and high river levels some trains have to be cancelled,  but it would be a real help to us if you could run almost all of the trains that are in your timetable please once this unusual weather event has passed. Thank you

Sinkholes, of whatever size, don't have to be caused by mining: natural running water underground can cause them.

A newly-named storm, Conall, is forecast to bring heavy rain to southern England and threaten further issues in flood-hit areas still cleaning up from Storm Bert.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rainfall in several southern areas of the UK from 22:00 GMT on Tuesday until midday on Wednesday.

Many parts of England and Wales will also see wet conditions overnight, though the worst of the storm will not hit the UK.

The storm was named by the Dutch Weather Service, which along with the Met Office and Met Eireann in Ireland, name storms for ease of communication.

BBC Weather's Tomasz Schafernaker said Conall would still be developing as it tracked across southern parts of the UK, meaning "the worst of the storm is expected to miss us".  He said the rain would be "initially quite heavy", before moving east throughout the night.

The heaviest rainfall is expected near the south coast of England and in the far southeast, with 15-20mm and possibly 30-40mm of rain forecast.  These areas did not receive the same heavy rainfall from Storm Bert as some other parts of England and Wales.

Flood-hit areas, which could see some rainfall overnight, are very sensitive to any more rain.  And while there will not be much, typically 5-15mm, it could cause more issues.



On Wednesday, the rain band is expected to curl back, with Lincolnshire, the Peak District and the Midlands likely to experience wet conditions, Schafernaker said.

Coastal areas of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent could also feel "near gale force" winds.  In the north, frost is expected in Scotland and the Lake District.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds brought by Storm Bert over the weekend led to at least five deaths, while homes, roads and rail networks faced major disruption.  Many communities are still cleaning up after homes and businesses were inundated by floodwater.

Conall is the third "named" storm of the season, after Ashley and Bert.

The storms list - first launched in 2015 - for each year generally runs from early September until late August the following year, coinciding with the beginning of autumn.

Oh, sure, you can fly to the Alps, but that’s not much fun and may take a long time when you add in airport hassles. What if you could take the Eurostar ski train and reach your favourite resort within a few hours? Wouldn’t it be nice to start your ski holiday from the moment you step onto the train?.

No budget airlines or popping ears, rather, a smooth ride out of the city, past the English countryside, with a relaxing scenic journey ahead of you. In addition, you’ll be cutting your carbon footprint by a huge 85 percent! And with many of our ski resorts at risk from climate change, that should give pause for thought.

Take the Eurostar ski train to the Alps

The Eurostar Snow train will depart from London St Pancras International every Saturday between 21 December 2024 and 1 March 2025 and return from the Alps every Sunday morning between 29 December 2024 and 2 March 2025.

Fills you full of confidence? No doubt traders and residents in west Oxford similarly.

From GWR a couple of hours ago (dusk on 26th November)

We promised to keep you updated as the impact of Storm Bert continues to be felt.
 
While most lines have now reopened, both the Barnstaple and Okehampton branch lines remain closed and are likely to remain so until at least Thursday 28 Nov. High water levels in the River Yeo to the north of Crediton means Network Rail divers aren’t yet able to ascertain the damage to a rail bridge over the river, so the lines remain closed.
 
We are operating a rail shuttle service from Exeter St Davids to Crediton, and a limited rail replacement service between Exeter and Barnstaple/Okehampton. These taxis/buses will run directly between Exeter and Barnstaple/Okehampton respectively and will not call at any intermediate stations, including Crediton. We also have ticket acceptance on certain local bus routes; more information can be found at www.gwr.com/check.
 
The line between Bristol Parkway and Swindon also remains closed due to flooding. As a result our South Wales-London service is reduced to an hourly frequency, and continues to run on a diversionary route adding around 45 minutes to journey times. Similarly we expect this to remain in place until Thursday 28 Nov at the earliest.
 
Tickets dated for travel today can be used tomorrow (Weds 27 Nov). There is also heavy rain forecast overnight this evening into tomorrow and with water levels already very high there is the chance for further disruption, so we’re advising customers to check before they travel at www.gwr.com/check, or through our social media accounts at www.x.com/gwrhelp and www.x.com/networkrailwest.
 
As ever if there’s anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Wise.

The arrival of hundreds of young people from traveller communities from all across the country to enjoy Manchester's Christmas markets has become an important date in the social calendar of those communities.

[snip]

GMP later clarified the order was 'due to intelligence' that groups of people were en route to Manchester on trains 'causing antisocial behaviour', with similar reports of trouble in the city centre already coming in.

The order was signed and the effect was that cops were dispatched to Victoria and Piccadilly railway stations under instruction to stop the groups and send them back.

Mobile footage shared widely online showed uniformed officers escorting young people into trains at Victoria, with many of them clearly unclear where exactly they were going to end up.

One girl, aged 13, who had come from Doncaster, ended up in Grimsby.

Possibly not, until the staffing is found for certain

There is no history of mining in the area.

Away from the station, how is Melksham (and how are you) faring generally with water levels this time around?

Mark

Hmm. 

A random sink hole appearing (or, more accurately, disappearing) on your petrol station forecourt is not really what you want?  I'd be straight on to the surveyor's department, regarding the searches they did before I bought the site. 

Ah yes  - know it well.  Various parties saying "something must be done" for years.  It floods regularly but this sounds like a corker!

13:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:15 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:26/11/2024 15:35

16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:26/11/2024 15:35

17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:52 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:26/11/2024 16:09

The publicity seems to have kept the momentum going at Northampton according to this report on the BBC website.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2067p12d21o.amp

Classic ‘High Speed Train’ in main line digital signalling run

Region & Route: Eastern  | Eastern: East Coast
A familiar and classic train became a new addition to digital signalling in-cab testing runs on the East Coast Main Line at the weekend.

The iconic High Speed Train (HST), a symbol of British rail heritage, has became the first older generation train to participate in main line digital signalling testing.

Two Class 43 power cars, each fitted with ETCS (European Train Control System) equipment on board, took part in testing between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin on the East Coast Main Line.

The main line testing is part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) that will transform rail operations by replacing traditional, lineside signals with continuous information displayed inside drivers’ cabs, delivering a more punctual and reliable railway.

The HST testing demonstrated the extensive collaboration involved with ECDP. The on-board Hitachi equipment was tested with the Siemens Mobility wayside system, with testing engineers from both companies involved. The train was driven and operated by specialist European rail operator RailAdventure.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), who provided the test train officer for the testing, has provided ETCS training for RailAdventure’s drivers, on both the Northern City Line and the Thameslink route through central London. 

The power cars (at the front and rear of the train) involved are normally part of Network Rail’s New Measurement Train (NMT). The NMT, affectionately known as the Flying Banana, uses technology to proactively measure the condition of the tracks. On this occasion, however, the train featured four carriages provided by RailAdventure.

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The article itself might prompt a few people to make the journey from some of the "missing" stations.  Day out in Northampton?  I'm not really aware of it being a tourist hot-spot.....but all towns tend to have their little surprises.

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.