Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Line closure Swindon - Bristol Parkway 6 July - 2 August & 8-9 Aug In "London to South Wales" [377744/32047/11] Posted by grahame at 13:08, 3rd August 2026 |      |
From Rail Technology Magazine
Passengers travelling between Bristol Parkway and Swindon are once again benefiting from direct rail services following the successful completion of a four-week programme of engineering work by Network Rail aimed at improving reliability and long-term resilience on one of the Great Western route's key railway corridors.
The extensive works focused on and around Chipping Sodbury Tunnel, where engineers delivered a series of infrastructure improvements designed to support both passenger and freight operations while reducing the impact of extreme weather on the railway.
As part of the project, teams installed more than 3,000 yards of new rail, sleepers and ballast within the tunnel, creating a stronger and more dependable track structure. Engineers also carried out essential tunnel repairs and upgraded drainage systems to improve water management and help prevent future infrastructure issues.
The extensive works focused on and around Chipping Sodbury Tunnel, where engineers delivered a series of infrastructure improvements designed to support both passenger and freight operations while reducing the impact of extreme weather on the railway.
As part of the project, teams installed more than 3,000 yards of new rail, sleepers and ballast within the tunnel, creating a stronger and more dependable track structure. Engineers also carried out essential tunnel repairs and upgraded drainage systems to improve water management and help prevent future infrastructure issues.
| Bath to Melksham on a Sunday In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377743/32317/5] Posted by Mark A at 13:05, 3rd August 2026 | |
A friend was reminded (by an intrusion of reality into a sunny day full of type 3 fun) that on Sunday only the last Faresaver bus from Bath to Devizes leaves Bath just before 7pm. He *did* manage to catch that service after heading for the bus stop at a trot.
(After that, there's an option by train, the 9.13pm from Bath into a somewhat relaxed connection to Melksham which sort-of shows the value of having a train service that's more than the bare-bones one as first re-introduced.)
Mark
| Platform 24 In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [377742/32316/47] Posted by grahame at 12:54, 3rd August 2026 Already liked by Oxonhutch | |
The first and only previous time I passed through Leipzig I changed trains in 3 minutes. On this visit, a little more time to look around, including platform 24
| Re: West Midlands boaters race against clock as drained canals close - August 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377741/32315/51] Posted by Mark A at 12:51, 3rd August 2026 | |
Thanks, not unlikely, and it's J.K. Jerome's interminable pound too.
Mark
| Re: West Midlands boaters race against clock as drained canals close - August 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377740/32315/51] Posted by eightonedee at 12:46, 3rd August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
In particular, I'm trying to recall whether it's the pound above Days lock that's not deep and the bed of the river is solid rock. If its that one, it's also the pound that the navigation authority was disappointed during a previous drought to find that the amount of water entering the pound from the weir upstream was substantially more than the flow over the weir downstream - as well as evaporation, some was disappearing via the bed of the river.
I'd guess it's the one between Benson and Cleeve. It's long, and at the southern end (and between Cleeve and Goring, the shortest pound) it passes across the band of permeable chalk that runs across the country, forming the Berkshire/North Wessex Downs to the west and Chilterns to the east. If the water table in the chalk is low, I'd imagine that water percolates through the river bed at any point where the alluvial bed above it is thin. I see that the river traffic control measures that EA is bringing in cover both such pounds at their southern/downstream end.
| Re: An example that perhaps Bristol and Bath should follow? In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [377739/32311/21] Posted by stuving at 11:40, 3rd August 2026 | |
There are two separate questions here: one about trams per se, on-road in the city centre and segregated outside, and the other about sharing lines with heavy rail. The first has been done, e.g.Croydon (where heavy rail lines were transferred rather than shared) or to a limited extent in other cities. And even in the USA - MAX in Portland, Oregon.
Sharing has been suggested (some time ago - before Sheffield - I forget when) but I recall that the idea fell foul of the issue of "buffing load". I have found little on this on line, or in old newspapers, but I think the standards required railway vehicles to sustain an end load (static?) of 200 tonnes. For trams the requirement was much lower, perhaps 20 tonnes. The Germans must have had a way round this.
| Re: West Midlands boaters race against clock as drained canals close - August 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377738/32315/51] Posted by grahame at 11:35, 3rd August 2026 | |
I have often wondered in the event of a drought what the practicality would be of fitting boats with pumps which they could use when descending to pump the water back over the upper gates rather than letting out through paddles below.
If this is a new idea, I claim patent and trademark rights, and will sell them to help supplement my pension
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377737/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 11:29, 3rd August 2026 | |
Perhaps "congestion" was passengers at Bath Spa and they needed an extra train from there to Bristol?
I considered that. Not impossible, although there were no obvious rail-related causes such as cancellations or short-forms at Bath in the relevant time period.
We will probably never know ... and in the great run of things it was just (yet) another cancellation leaving a four hour plus gap in services at short notice without easily-forgiven external explanation or alternative advertised.
| Re: Reopening former rail line between Hythe and Totton - ongoing discussion, merged topic In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377736/10308/28] Posted by johnneyw at 11:27, 3rd August 2026 | |
A whole new set of proposals have been submitted to the ORR for reopening the Marchwood line. Most notably it proposes reducing the number of through services to London but increasing the local service frequency.
The "could be open by 2027" claims though may have been written through rose tinted glasses. Still, nice to see it's not a dead duck. Here's the link to the local news story in full:
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/26426736.marchwood-passenger-rail-plans-move-forward-60-years/
Edit to correct from DfT to ORR.
| Re: West Midlands boaters race against clock as drained canals close - August 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377735/32315/51] Posted by Mark A at 10:48, 3rd August 2026 | |
If you're in London and notice the passenger vessel 'Connaught', she's always worth more than a glance, and also, she has an interesting hull, as her propeller is in a tunnel beneath her hull to keep it out of harms way on the waters for which she was built - the run between Kingston and Oxford. In particular, I'm trying to recall whether it's the pound above Days lock that's not deep and the bed of the river is solid rock. If its that one, it's also the pound that the navigation authority was disappointed during a previous drought to find that the amount of water entering the pound from the weir upstream was substantially more than the flow over the weir downstream - as well as evaporation, some was disappearing via the bed of the river.
Mark
| Re: Interrail trip 4 - the journey continues In "Introductions and chat" [377734/32275/1] Posted by grahame at 09:58, 3rd August 2026 | |
And so onwards to what I saw describe somewhere as "the biggest station ... in Europe" - not sure how accurate that definition is, nor how they measure "biggest". Certainly the most modern coffee machine I have ever see, with your real bean coffee made by a robot:
And from around the station
Leipzig has an association with Wagner ... and the musical interest continues with piano at the station.
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? In "South Western services" [377733/32312/42] Posted by bradshaw at 08:35, 3rd August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
SWR Class 158/9 fleet starting C6 overhaul which suggests they will be around for many years yet
Our engineering teams at Bournemouth Depot have begun a major overhaul of our Class 158 and 159 diesel fleet, which run on the parts of our network which aren’t electrified such as the West of England line and on the Romsey Rounder services.
The work, known as a C6, involves overhauling all the customer facing elements of the train, with the entire interior stripped out and either refurbished or replaced if needed. Apart from a few components such as air conditioning, CET/toilet tanks, and door valves, all the work is being carried out by the Bournemouth depot team.
During the works the team will be the removing and repainting interior panelling, refitting windows with new rubber seals and replacing any damaged windows, fitting new seat covers, installing new flooring, including Axminster carpets, and overhauling the toilets, including inspection for corrosion. The exterior of the train will also be repainted by the team, including a lighter roof colour to deflect heat in the summer and improve the reliability of the air conditioning system.
The work, known as a C6, involves overhauling all the customer facing elements of the train, with the entire interior stripped out and either refurbished or replaced if needed. Apart from a few components such as air conditioning, CET/toilet tanks, and door valves, all the work is being carried out by the Bournemouth depot team.
During the works the team will be the removing and repainting interior panelling, refitting windows with new rubber seals and replacing any damaged windows, fitting new seat covers, installing new flooring, including Axminster carpets, and overhauling the toilets, including inspection for corrosion. The exterior of the train will also be repainted by the team, including a lighter roof colour to deflect heat in the summer and improve the reliability of the air conditioning system.
The fleet last had an overhaul in 2015, and this programme of works is expected to last until 2030, with each train taking up to six weeks to be completed.
https://careers.southwesternrailway.com/blogs/SWR-Blog/diesel-fleet-overhaul-begins
Edit to fix hyperlink. CfN.
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? In "South Western services" [377732/32312/42] Posted by bradshaw at 08:18, 3rd August 2026 | |
The SWR Class 158 and 159 are just starting a C6 overhaul at Bournemouth, each unit will take six weeke to turn around. This suggest that they will be around for some considerable time yet
Our engineering teams at Bournemouth Depot have begun a major overhaul of our Class 158 and 159 diesel fleet, which run on the parts of our network which aren’t electrified such as the West of England line and on the Romsey Rounder services.
The work, known as a C6, involves overhauling all the customer facing elements of the train, with the entire interior stripped out and either refurbished or replaced if needed. Apart from a few components such as air conditioning, CET/toilet tanks, and door valves, all the work is being carried out by the Bournemouth depot team.
During the works the team will be the removing and repainting interior panelling, refitting windows with new rubber seals and replacing any damaged windows, fitting new seat covers, installing new flooring, including Axminster carpets, and overhauling the toilets, including inspection for corrosion. The exterior of the train will also be repainted by the team, including a lighter roof colour to deflect heat in the summer and improve the reliability of the air conditioning system.
https://careers.southwesternrailway.com/blogs/SWR-Blog/diesel-fleet-overhaul-The work, known as a C6, involves overhauling all the customer facing elements of the train, with the entire interior stripped out and either refurbished or replaced if needed. Apart from a few components such as air conditioning, CET/toilet tanks, and door valves, all the work is being carried out by the Bournemouth depot team.
During the works the team will be the removing and repainting interior panelling, refitting windows with new rubber seals and replacing any damaged windows, fitting new seat covers, installing new flooring, including Axminster carpets, and overhauling the toilets, including inspection for corrosion. The exterior of the train will also be repainted by the team, including a lighter roof colour to deflect heat in the summer and improve the reliability of the air conditioning system.
| Re: East West Rail Timetable In "Chiltern Railways services" [377731/29004/44] Posted by Electric train at 07:24, 3rd August 2026 | |
I'm informed that these additional staff are NOT safety-critical (I thought they were?) and Bletchley-MKC is not DOO compliant, which I did know.
Bletchley (EWR platform) would be DOO, I would be surprised if it is not.
MKC there are platform dispatch staff already so I suspect there is no need for DOO as the platform staff will give the "CD" and depart indications to the Driver
| Re: West Midlands boaters race against clock as drained canals close - August 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377730/32315/51] Posted by Electric train at 07:16, 3rd August 2026 | |
On the River Thames the Environment Agency have placed some restrictions -
Dry Weather and Low Flow Restrictions -
St Johns Lock to Osney Lock: Restricted to one upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes, with overnight lock closures from 6:00 PM to 9:30 AM starting July 25 until further notice.
Goring Lock to Culham Lock: Prolonged dry weather restrictions took effect on Monday, August 3, with specific timing rules listed on local notices.
Penton Hook Lock to Shepperton Lock: Dry weather restrictions also began on Monday, August 3.
St Johns Lock to Osney Lock: Restricted to one upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes, with overnight lock closures from 6:00 PM to 9:30 AM starting July 25 until further notice.
Goring Lock to Culham Lock: Prolonged dry weather restrictions took effect on Monday, August 3, with specific timing rules listed on local notices.
Penton Hook Lock to Shepperton Lock: Dry weather restrictions also began on Monday, August 3.
A friend of mine who is a lockkeeper said they have been asked to ensure within a reasonable wait that Locks are full of boats before operating the Lock, so if you are boating on the Thames you may be sitting waiting a Locks longer than usual
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? In "South Western services" [377729/32312/42] Posted by Electric train at 07:03, 3rd August 2026 | |
From Will Foster, MP for Woking
Has he heard something we have not?
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931
South Western Railway’s diesel trains will soon be replaced by electric trains.
With cancellations and delays already a big issue on the network serving #Woking, I’ve asked the Government to ensure that the rollout of new trains don’t add to the problem.
With cancellations and delays already a big issue on the network serving #Woking, I’ve asked the Government to ensure that the rollout of new trains don’t add to the problem.
Has he heard something we have not?
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931
The way I heard the question by Will Foster MP was "when" and not soon.
While I was still working a year ago I was involved in traction power supply discussions as part of the plans being prepared by GBR to replace the 1990's / early 2000's passenger rolling stock both diesel and electric with units with battery power. For non electrified areas the GWR technology is an option along with "gap" electrification (this is an area, of a few miles to charge the batteries on the move and some sidings, platforms, electrified).
My guess is from Will Foster MP question is that he is raising concerns over outline timetable changes possibly being floated by DfT following the introduction of new rolling stock or leading up to the introduction
| Re: [otd] 8th August (1898) - opening of the Waterloo and City line In "Transport for London" [377728/32307/46] Posted by grahame at 06:44, 3rd August 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_%26_City_line
Thank you ... to confirm that first public trains date from that article:
The Waterloo and City Railway opened to the public at 8 a.m. on Monday 8 August 1898, with a train leaving each terminal simultaneously. The fares were 2d one class only, payable at a turnstile, but returns and season tickets, and add-ons to surface tickets were available. From 1900, the turnstiles were removed and conductors travelled on the trains, carrying Bell Punch ticket machines.
| Re: Looking and learning - but where? In "The Lighter Side" [377727/32306/30] Posted by grahame at 06:31, 3rd August 2026 | |
Well, we now know where you were yesterday because you told us - Chemnitz!
Yeah - the train->tram story was too good not to post, and experiences are coming so thick and fast that if I don't write them up quickly, I fear I never will.
The day also saw me catching trains at Hof, Zwickau, Schwarzenberg and Aue
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377726/31359/18] Posted by Trowres at 23:00, 2nd August 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Perhaps "congestion" was passengers at Bath Spa and they needed an extra train from there to Bristol?
I considered that. Not impossible, although there were no obvious rail-related causes such as cancellations or short-forms at Bath in the relevant time period.
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? In "South Western services" [377725/32312/42] Posted by eightonedee at 21:53, 2nd August 2026 | |
That's a different answer to a different question.
Clearly, the training he's been given about how to answer a question when he's no idea has worked....
| Re: Network Rail press release: passengers and luggage In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377724/32295/51] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 21:47, 2nd August 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea, Witham Bobby | |
For equally obscure reasons, some 50 years ago a fellow pupil and I needed to take a rolled-up carpet to school. It fitted nicely along a row of 6 seats in a compartment in a dmu. One of us at each end, quickly onto the train at Denham before the guard spotted us, a couple of friends helping block the view, then out at High Wycombe carrying it low down and waving our season tickets high up to divert attention. Process reversed some days later. Mission accomplished.
| Re: [otd] 8th August (1898) - opening of the Waterloo and City line In "Transport for London" [377723/32307/46] Posted by ChrisB at 21:15, 2nd August 2026 | |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_%26_City_line
| Re: Okehampton In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [377722/18334/24] Posted by ChrisB at 20:58, 2nd August 2026 | |
I've noted on some of the videos that were recorded that the platform information signs were still indicating no services on opening day.
That's because "opening day" was Friday - and there were no public services - they started on Saturday. One or two videographers were invited on Friday.
| Re: West Wilts Rail User Group - 16th September 2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [377721/32313/34] Posted by ChrisB at 20:00, 2nd August 2026 | |
Indeed he is. But he's still responsible for ordering & specifying the IET....
| Re: Looking and learning - but where? In "The Lighter Side" [377720/32306/30] Posted by stuving at 19:45, 2nd August 2026 Already liked by grahame | |
Well, we now know where you were yesterday because you told us - Chemnitz!
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377719/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 19:00, 2nd August 2026 | |
Congestion
Hmm...
The only thing I can see that might be termed "congestion" is that trains between Paddington and South Wales are running via Chippenham today (and are also a bit off booked times due to yesterday's fire west of Newport).
Perhaps "congestion" was passengers at Bath Spa and they needed an extra train from there to Bristol?
| Re: West Wilts Rail User Group - 16th September 2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [377718/32313/34] Posted by grahame at 18:22, 2nd August 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
It should be a very interesting evening. I have met Peter a number of times - both during and after his time with the Department for Transport; he was always very professional, and since his DfT days my respect for him has grown further.
| Re: Lineside fire 01/08/2026 In "London to South Wales" [377717/32309/11] Posted by Trowres at 17:39, 2nd August 2026 | |
Yes, the GWR info on Journeycheck was clear and a fair representation of the plan being followed.
TfW have abandoned Journeycheck; their website gave the following on Sunday afternoon (2/8/26):
Update: Incident due to a fire next to the track between Newport (South Wales) (NWP) and Cardiff Central (CDF) until 20:00.
Due to a fire next to the track between Newport (South Wales) (NWP) and Cardiff Central (CDF):
Services will be delayed by up to 60 minutes.
Services will be cancelled in both directions between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Newport (South Wales) (NWP).
We expect the incident to last until 20:00 and disruption to services is expected from 14:00 on 01/08/2026 until 00:00 on 03/08/2026.
What's Happened?
Following a lineside fire in the Marshfield area between Cardiff Central and Newport.
Fewer services are able to run, but residual delays of around 60 minutes are to be expected.
We apologise for the disruption caused to your journey.
Your ticket can be used on the following alternative routes to help you complete your journey, with the Train Operating Companies listed below at no extra cost:
Great Western Railway by any reasonable route
CrossCountry between Cardiff Central and Cheltenham Spa
These arrangements are in place on services until the end of the day.
If you decide to travel from a different station due to this disruption and need to return to that station later, you will also be able to use your existing ticket to do this at no extra cost.
You can use the following local bus services to help you complete your journey, at no extra cost:
X24 / 23 provided by Stagecoach South Wales between Newport and Pontypool via Cwmbran.
Route 30 provided by Cardiff Bus between Cardiff and Newport.
Route X30 provided by Newport Bus between Newport and Cardiff.
You may use your ticket on the following alternative dates at no extra cost:
02/08/2026
03/08/2026
Due to a fire next to the track between Newport (South Wales) (NWP) and Cardiff Central (CDF):
Services will be delayed by up to 60 minutes.
Services will be cancelled in both directions between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Newport (South Wales) (NWP).
We expect the incident to last until 20:00 and disruption to services is expected from 14:00 on 01/08/2026 until 00:00 on 03/08/2026.
What's Happened?
Following a lineside fire in the Marshfield area between Cardiff Central and Newport.
Fewer services are able to run, but residual delays of around 60 minutes are to be expected.
We apologise for the disruption caused to your journey.
Your ticket can be used on the following alternative routes to help you complete your journey, with the Train Operating Companies listed below at no extra cost:
Great Western Railway by any reasonable route
CrossCountry between Cardiff Central and Cheltenham Spa
These arrangements are in place on services until the end of the day.
If you decide to travel from a different station due to this disruption and need to return to that station later, you will also be able to use your existing ticket to do this at no extra cost.
You can use the following local bus services to help you complete your journey, at no extra cost:
X24 / 23 provided by Stagecoach South Wales between Newport and Pontypool via Cwmbran.
Route 30 provided by Cardiff Bus between Cardiff and Newport.
Route X30 provided by Newport Bus between Newport and Cardiff.
You may use your ticket on the following alternative dates at no extra cost:
02/08/2026
03/08/2026
Meanwhile the local e-rag has provided the following advice from TfW:
In a series of updates this morning, August 2, Transport for Wales Rail said the incident “is expected to last until further notice and disruption to services is expected until further notice”, confirming that trains between Cardiff Central (CDF) and Newport (NWP) are cancelled in both directions and that fewer services are able to run across the wider network.
(my highlighting).
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377716/31359/18] Posted by Trowres at 17:18, 2nd August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
Congestion
Hmm...
The stock for the 1404 Frome-Swindon (1M11) comes from Westbury as an ECS (5M11), departing Westbury sidings at 1325.
Today, it appears not to have run.
Instead, there was a Very-short-term-planning (VST) passenger service from Westbury to Bristol TM, scheduled to depart from Westbury at 1330. Coincidence that its reporting code was 1Z11?
It returned from Bristol to Westbury as 1Z12, arriving a little earlier than the scheduled 1523 at platform 2.
This suggests it was in the right place to form the rump end to Frome of the otherwise cancelled 1544 Swindon-Frome.
The only thing I can see that might be termed "congestion" is that trains between Paddington and South Wales are running via Chippenham today (and are also a bit off booked times due to yesterday's fire west of Newport).
| West Midlands boaters race against clock as drained canals close - August 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377715/32315/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:11, 2nd August 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Boaters race against clock as drained canals close
Repair work is under way at a lock on the Hatton flight near Warwick - Image © Nici Griffin
Boaters are racing against the clock to beat canal closures as waterways run dry due to extreme heat.
Some channels connecting large parts of the Midlands and the North of England have lost several inches of water, leaving narrowboats stuck and those already on the canals facing being stranded miles from home for weeks on end.
Campaigner George Seward said he was getting up at 05:00 BST and cruising until dark to get his narrowboat through the Atherstone flight of locks, after a sudden closure was announced. "They're unlikely to be open again for many weeks and I want to make sure I get through that flight so I can get my boat safely home," he said.
The locks on the Coventry Canal in Warwickshire are due to shut on Tuesday morning, with last entry on Monday afternoon, as the Canal and River Trust (CRT) tries to conserve dwindling supplies.
For Seward, who is Midlands regional chair of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, the deadline is the difference between getting his boat home to Hinckley in Leicestershire and being potentially marooned for an unspecified period.
(BBC article continues)
Repair work is under way at a lock on the Hatton flight near Warwick - Image © Nici Griffin
Boaters are racing against the clock to beat canal closures as waterways run dry due to extreme heat.
Some channels connecting large parts of the Midlands and the North of England have lost several inches of water, leaving narrowboats stuck and those already on the canals facing being stranded miles from home for weeks on end.
Campaigner George Seward said he was getting up at 05:00 BST and cruising until dark to get his narrowboat through the Atherstone flight of locks, after a sudden closure was announced. "They're unlikely to be open again for many weeks and I want to make sure I get through that flight so I can get my boat safely home," he said.
The locks on the Coventry Canal in Warwickshire are due to shut on Tuesday morning, with last entry on Monday afternoon, as the Canal and River Trust (CRT) tries to conserve dwindling supplies.
For Seward, who is Midlands regional chair of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, the deadline is the difference between getting his boat home to Hinckley in Leicestershire and being potentially marooned for an unspecified period.
(BBC article continues)
