Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Hundreds of GP practices lose online services after collapse of tech firm In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381445/32674/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:25, 29th October 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Hundreds of GP practices lose online services after collapse of tech firm
Patients in many parts of the country have been left unable to access their GP surgery online after a tech firm went into administration.
Silicon Practice ran digital services, including websites, online booking and consultations, for around 500 practices in England – just under 10% of the total.
Practices across the country, including in London, Gloucestershire and Norfolk, have reported problems. Services in Wales are also affected.
GP leaders said the problem would cause huge disruption, given the scale of online booking that now takes places.
Patients in areas that are affected are being advised they will have to make appointments via the phone. The NHS app is working.
Since last year, all practices in England have had to offer online appointment booking. Currently, more than 40% of appointments are made that way.
An NHS England spokesperson said while "the majority" of GP practice websites were running as normal, some using Silicon Practice will be affected. "If your GP practice website is unavailable and you need help, you should contact your practice by phone or in person as usual."
(BBC article continues)
Patients in many parts of the country have been left unable to access their GP surgery online after a tech firm went into administration.
Silicon Practice ran digital services, including websites, online booking and consultations, for around 500 practices in England – just under 10% of the total.
Practices across the country, including in London, Gloucestershire and Norfolk, have reported problems. Services in Wales are also affected.
GP leaders said the problem would cause huge disruption, given the scale of online booking that now takes places.
Patients in areas that are affected are being advised they will have to make appointments via the phone. The NHS app is working.
Since last year, all practices in England have had to offer online appointment booking. Currently, more than 40% of appointments are made that way.
An NHS England spokesperson said while "the majority" of GP practice websites were running as normal, some using Silicon Practice will be affected. "If your GP practice website is unavailable and you need help, you should contact your practice by phone or in person as usual."
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Railway bridges struck by road vehicles - many incidents, ongoing discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381444/8910/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:50, 29th October 2026 | |
Yet another incident. From the BBC:
Watch the moment bridge hit at least 45 times is driven into again
A railway bridge considered the "most bashed" in Wales, having been struck almost 50 times, has been hit again.
In 2020 Network Rail said Trafle Mill bridge in Gowerton, Swansea, had been hit 33 times in the preceding decade, the most of any bridge in Wales and the border areas. There have been 12 reported strikes since 2023.
Despite sensors being installed to alert drivers of the height restrictions, CCTV footage shows a utilities lorry with wooden poles and a crane arm colliding with the bridge on 25 October.
Swansea council said it was disappointing and the warning system was functioning normally. It urged delivery companies to remind drivers of the restrictions.
In the footage, the lorry appears to slow just as it approaches but the crane arm smacks into the underside of the 11ft (3.3m) bridge, causing a loud bang.
According to residents the driver reversed onto nearby Fairwood Terrace and then headed back on Victoria Road in the opposite direction.
(BBC article continues)
A railway bridge considered the "most bashed" in Wales, having been struck almost 50 times, has been hit again.
In 2020 Network Rail said Trafle Mill bridge in Gowerton, Swansea, had been hit 33 times in the preceding decade, the most of any bridge in Wales and the border areas. There have been 12 reported strikes since 2023.
Despite sensors being installed to alert drivers of the height restrictions, CCTV footage shows a utilities lorry with wooden poles and a crane arm colliding with the bridge on 25 October.
Swansea council said it was disappointing and the warning system was functioning normally. It urged delivery companies to remind drivers of the restrictions.
In the footage, the lorry appears to slow just as it approaches but the crane arm smacks into the underside of the 11ft (3.3m) bridge, causing a loud bang.
According to residents the driver reversed onto nearby Fairwood Terrace and then headed back on Victoria Road in the opposite direction.
(BBC article continues)
| Escalator problems at Angel - to become exit only at weekends In "Transport for London" [381443/32673/46] Posted by grahame at 18:22, 29th October 2026 | |
From The Metro
Angel Station in Islington sees almost 12,000,000 visitors each year.
But the Northern Line station, which boasts the longest escalators on the London Underground network, will become exit-only so engineers can work on extending the working life of the escalators.
In April, one of the bustling transport hub’s three 200ft escalators failed, and TfL now predicts the second could soon suffer a similar fate – a failure that could force the entire closure of the station.
The third of the 35-year-old escalators is also in need of an upgrade, according to the transport body.
The exit-only restrictions, which affect the station only on weekends and bank holidays, will be introduced on January 2, 2027, until further notice.
Analysis by TfL confirms that more people leave the station than enter it on weekends and bank holidays.
According to The Standard, TfL is exploring ways to repair or replace the escalators, but due to ongoing funding pressures limiting its options, engineers are focused on keeping the escalators running for as long as possible.
But the Northern Line station, which boasts the longest escalators on the London Underground network, will become exit-only so engineers can work on extending the working life of the escalators.
In April, one of the bustling transport hub’s three 200ft escalators failed, and TfL now predicts the second could soon suffer a similar fate – a failure that could force the entire closure of the station.
The third of the 35-year-old escalators is also in need of an upgrade, according to the transport body.
The exit-only restrictions, which affect the station only on weekends and bank holidays, will be introduced on January 2, 2027, until further notice.
Analysis by TfL confirms that more people leave the station than enter it on weekends and bank holidays.
According to The Standard, TfL is exploring ways to repair or replace the escalators, but due to ongoing funding pressures limiting its options, engineers are focused on keeping the escalators running for as long as possible.
How long should an escalator last? Angel was the closest tube station to my Uni / use it from time to time; it was a narrow platform between the two running lines in those days ...
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [381442/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 18:09, 29th October 2026 | |
17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Combe, Finstock, Charlbury, Ascott-Under-Wychwood, Shipton, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh and Evesham.
It is being delayed between Culham and Radley and is now expected to be 16 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Combe, Finstock, Charlbury, Ascott-Under-Wychwood, Shipton, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh and Evesham.
It is being delayed between Culham and Radley and is now expected to be 16 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
| Re: Transfer of historic railway estate to GBR (aka full circle) In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [381441/32667/40] Posted by grahame at 18:05, 29th October 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder, Oxonhutch | |
Covered on
Rail UK
Campaigners have welcomed a Government commitment to hand the custodianship of 3,100 legacy bridges, tunnels and viaducts to Great British Railways, the body expected to take over the operation of most of Britain’s rail infrastructure and passenger services next year.
Collectively known as the Historical Railways Estate, the structures were transferred to the Department for Transport in 2013 after British Railways Board (Residuary) was abolished as part of a quango cull. Day-to-day management responsibilities were passed to the Highways Agency, now called National Highways, which looks after the UK’s strategic road network.
In 2021, the state-owned company was embroiled in controversy after plans were revealed that would have resulted in 134 historic bridges and tunnels being infilled or demolished without any consideration of their social value or repurposing potential. The longer-term programme could have seen as many as 480 structures being lost.
Accusations of “cultural vandalism” were levelled against National Highways after it unlawfully infilled a masonry arch at Great Musgrave in Cumbria under misapplied permitted development rights, ignoring a request from the local planning authority not to start the work.
The Government intervened to pause NH’s infilling and demolition programme ... continues
Collectively known as the Historical Railways Estate, the structures were transferred to the Department for Transport in 2013 after British Railways Board (Residuary) was abolished as part of a quango cull. Day-to-day management responsibilities were passed to the Highways Agency, now called National Highways, which looks after the UK’s strategic road network.
In 2021, the state-owned company was embroiled in controversy after plans were revealed that would have resulted in 134 historic bridges and tunnels being infilled or demolished without any consideration of their social value or repurposing potential. The longer-term programme could have seen as many as 480 structures being lost.
Accusations of “cultural vandalism” were levelled against National Highways after it unlawfully infilled a masonry arch at Great Musgrave in Cumbria under misapplied permitted development rights, ignoring a request from the local planning authority not to start the work.
The Government intervened to pause NH’s infilling and demolition programme ... continues
Highways England never felt look a good home for the Historic Railway Estates. One or perhaps two cheers but not three from me - responsibility is transferred to another organisation which is a successor to one that is - err - has an imperfect record - the Pilning footbridge scandal, for example.
| Re: World Cup of Stations, 2025 In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [381440/30596/49] Posted by grahame at 17:51, 29th October 2026 | |
And for 2026, from the Warrington Guardian
Irlam station, just down the line from Warrington, was crowned the 2026 World Cup of Stations champion after securing 4,786 public votes in the competition.
The award celebrates stations that bring people together and make a positive difference in their communities.
The award celebrates stations that bring people together and make a positive difference in their communities.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [381439/31911/12] Posted by bobm at 17:08, 29th October 2026 | |
Looking at Real Time Trains a light loco came up from Laira and a short while later there was an ECS move back to Laira. Whether that was the sleeper stock I cannot tell.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381438/31017/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:05, 29th October 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Jury shown CCTV of train staff using frying pan in defence
CCTV footage of a member of train staff using a frying pan to stop a man accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers has been shown in court.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Samir Zitouni showed "sheer courage and bravery in seeking to save lives and defend others" during the mass stabbing on the Doncaster to King's Cross train.
Jurors at Cambridge Crown Court saw footage of Zitouni using the frying pan against Anthony Williams before the train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon railway station on 1 November last year.
Williams, 33, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder, including incidents in Peterborough and London the day before.
(BBC article continues)
CCTV footage of a member of train staff using a frying pan to stop a man accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers has been shown in court.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Samir Zitouni showed "sheer courage and bravery in seeking to save lives and defend others" during the mass stabbing on the Doncaster to King's Cross train.
Jurors at Cambridge Crown Court saw footage of Zitouni using the frying pan against Anthony Williams before the train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon railway station on 1 November last year.
Williams, 33, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder, including incidents in Peterborough and London the day before.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Spain - 69 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid - 28 October 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381437/32669/52] Posted by ChrisB at 14:52, 29th October 2026 | |
God forbid that the rear train's driver was given the OK to proceed past a read light at normal speed, without a chance of stopping on seeing the rear of the stopped train. Poor b*gg*r paid for that with their life....and that of the train manager.
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381436/32670/31] Posted by Clan Line at 14:07, 29th October 2026 Already liked by Mark A, GBM | |
The down side to the VOIP via FTTC or FFTH (Full Fibre to the Home) is during a power cut you loose your landline capability.
True, also if you lose your broadband (BB) service - as I did (for 4 days) a couple of weeks after changing my ISP !!
I had already given up my landline - the only calls I seemed to get were from salesmen !
If I am not teaching my Granny to suck eggs................ a couple of tips - obviously, if you have reasonable mobile signal or BB at the time.
1. When I lost my BB it only took me a few minutes to set my smart phone up as a "hotspot". Worked absolutely fine for general use. Didn't try to use it for watching 4K movies or the like, but fine for some general browsing, email and reading on line newspaper. I paid my mobile provider £5 for another 5Gb of data - as I didn't have much in my 'phone package to start with. Was using my PC set-up exactly as I would with full BB service.
2. I often turn my mobile to "aeroplane mode" when I am at home - it then uses the BB line which gives a much better signal than the mobile network - but don't forget to switch back to normal when you go out.
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381435/32670/31] Posted by Mark A at 12:13, 29th October 2026 | |
If it's any consolation, city centre mobile coverage can be far more patchy than the providers think it is. It can really struggle here, but I suspect part of that is contention when visitor numbers surge.
On the rail network, I'm wondering if the 'Southam mobile phone black hole' still persists - if it does, in due course, it'll bite HS2.
| Re: Oxford Street, London has been pedestrianised In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [381434/32663/50] Posted by Marlburian at 10:57, 29th October 2026 | |
Just as an aside from this: as a very keen ex-rider who often defended cyclists when their worst "offence" was just being on the road, I deplore the two-wheels antics I see whenever I visit my town centre - and found that it doesn't pay to remonstrate when I feel threatened.
Near me there is a street through a 1960s' housing development that retained historic rights-of-way. Two of these are legally footpaths, with "No cycling" signs at either end; yet they are wide enough for pedestrians and responsible cyclists to co-exist well enough. Another is legally a bridleway, but so narrow that many pedestrians wait before entering it if someone's already on it.
Yesterday I was about to enter the narrow stretch when a cyclist behind me on an electric bike requested, politely enough, if he could go ahead of me. Somewhat ungraciously, I stood aside, and he continued up the 10 per cent gradient, with a "thanks and have a nice day". So not a problem.
But I've seen schoolchildren on bikes whizzing towards the bridleway and wondered what would happen if they encountered someone walking up it.
Back to Oxford Street: I have wondered if provision might have been made for cyclists, such as a dedicated lane, but that would still leave the problem of riders joining it from side streets - and of pedestrians using it. My grumpiness is even-handed, and I've scowled when I've seen people walking in cycle lanes.
One final bilious rant: on Sunday I was driving in a right-hand lane through a T-junction with traffic lights and was horrified to see speeding towards me a masked rider on one of those oversized e-bikes; he was overtaking two lanes of stationary traffic; somehow he managed to squeeze in before we met head-on.
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381433/32670/31] Posted by Witham Bobby at 10:57, 29th October 2026 | |
The theory that people can remain in contact with the outside world when the broadband connection fails by using their cell phone completely falls over in places like where I live. There is no reliable 4G or 5G signal around these parts. Okay, it's a village. But it's not the back of beyond. After all these years, the mobile phone signal coverage remains very patchy outside urban sprawl
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [381432/31911/12] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:48, 29th October 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
It seems to have vanished after terminating!
The locomotive ran round and it shunted into the New Yard at Exeter at 06:20. It may well still be there!
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381431/32670/31] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:40, 29th October 2026 | |
A number of years ago, when my ISP / landline provider went to FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) the last leg from cabinet to house was left as overhead wire, it meant to retain a land line an VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) unit was required to be plugged into my router, as I only ever had cold callers on the landline I dispensed with my landline number and save on the line rental.
The down side to the VOIP via FTTC or FFTH (Full Fibre to the Home) is during a power cut you loose your landline capability.
The down side to the VOIP via FTTC or FFTH (Full Fibre to the Home) is during a power cut you loose your landline capability.
I'm moving that way too re: landline, although my provider has got me over a barrel (also get TV and broadband from them) - suspect within 10 years (or sooner) landlines for voice calls will be a thing of the past.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [381430/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:28, 29th October 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Maidenhead and London Paddington
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Maidenhead and London Paddington trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until 10:45 29/10.
| Re: Oxford Street, London has been pedestrianised In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [381429/32663/50] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:54, 29th October 2026 | |
Almost inevitably, cyclists are ignoring the new rules................
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/moment-cyclist-ignores-oxford-street-ban-as-officer-tries-to-stop-him/ar-AA2gfoq2?ocid=socialshare
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/moment-cyclist-ignores-oxford-street-ban-as-officer-tries-to-stop-him/ar-AA2gfoq2?ocid=socialshare
Reading - and not finding an answer yet - to how and whether this stretch can be accessed using powered (and unpowered) wheelchairs / wheeled mobility aids?
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2026/oct/26/what-will-a-pedestrianised-oxford-street-mean-for-transport
You will need to scroll down a bit through the article but you will see that mobility scooters will still be allowed.
| Re: Starting homeward bound In "Introductions and chat" [381428/32671/1] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:51, 29th October 2026 Already liked by Western Pathfinder | |
Thanks for posting that update, grahame.
Your photos seem to indicate that there is something of a shortage of natural water in Portugal and Spain?
CfN.
Your photos seem to indicate that there is something of a shortage of natural water in Portugal and Spain?
CfN.
Yesterday was brown and dry - comes across as semi-desert. I would characterise Portugal from what little I know as an Atlantic-facing country with most of its towns and cities close to that edge, and then with a number of river valleys cutting inland from the coast. But they are not fast flowing torrents.
The most famous is the Douro valley which I have previously visited ... and runs out at Pochino. A beautiful line along a valley that has steep slopes covered in Vinyards, with cruise ships offering a watery alternative to travel. The one that crosses the border is the Linha do Leste. The Linha da Beira Alta does not carry on into Spain, and the Ramal de Cáceras is an abandoned route on the Portugeses side, with (and I may be out of date) trains just three days a week into the core of Spain.
Maps to show some lakes ... not sure how much the water management does for them / how important they are. The flora that we see looks like it's built for the harsh dryness, so I am somewhat relieved that the whole is not the effect of global warming.
Portugese wine is criminally underrated, I hope you get the chance to try some.
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381427/32670/31] Posted by Electric train at 09:47, 29th October 2026 | |
A number of years ago, when my ISP / landline provider went to FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) the last leg from cabinet to house was left as overhead wire, it meant to retain a land line an VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) unit was required to be plugged into my router, as I only ever had cold callers on the landline I dispensed with my landline number and save on the line rental.
The down side to the VOIP via FTTC or FFTH (Full Fibre to the Home) is during a power cut you loose your landline capability.
| Bristol Industrial Museum -> M shed In "Railway History and related topics" [381426/32672/55] Posted by grahame at 08:46, 29th October 2026 Already liked by GBM, Chris from Nailsea | |
20 years ago today (29.10.2006) , the Bristol Industrial Museum closed - https://bristolindustrialmuseum.epizy.com/?i=2
but yet I am delighted that so much of it is back with us as the M Shed - good to see so much down there a few weeks ago with demonstration dockside loading and unloading via the electric cranes, a couple of the boats there, and Balmoral (but so much need for TLC to bring her up to Waverly standards) open for public view
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [381425/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:25, 29th October 2026 | |
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
Facilities on the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
Facilities on the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
| Re: Oxford Street, London has been pedestrianised In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [381424/32663/50] Posted by grahame at 08:17, 29th October 2026 | |
Almost inevitably, cyclists are ignoring the new rules................
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/moment-cyclist-ignores-oxford-street-ban-as-officer-tries-to-stop-him/ar-AA2gfoq2?ocid=socialshare
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/moment-cyclist-ignores-oxford-street-ban-as-officer-tries-to-stop-him/ar-AA2gfoq2?ocid=socialshare
Reading - and not finding an answer yet - to how and whether this stretch can be accessed using powered (and unpowered) wheelchairs / wheeled mobility aids?
| Re: Starting homeward bound In "Introductions and chat" [381423/32671/1] Posted by grahame at 07:56, 29th October 2026 | |
Thanks for posting that update, grahame.
Your photos seem to indicate that there is something of a shortage of natural water in Portugal and Spain?
CfN.
Your photos seem to indicate that there is something of a shortage of natural water in Portugal and Spain?
CfN.
Yesterday was brown and dry - comes across as semi-desert. I would characterise Portugal from what little I know as an Atlantic-facing country with most of its towns and cities close to that edge, and then with a number of river valleys cutting inland from the coast. But they are not fast flowing torrents.
The most famous is the Douro valley which I have previously visited ... and runs out at Pochino. A beautiful line along a valley that has steep slopes covered in Vinyards, with cruise ships offering a watery alternative to travel. The one that crosses the border is the Linha do Leste. The Linha da Beira Alta does not carry on into Spain, and the Ramal de Cáceras is an abandoned route on the Portugeses side, with (and I may be out of date) trains just three days a week into the core of Spain.
Maps to show some lakes ... not sure how much the water management does for them / how important they are. The flora that we see looks like it's built for the harsh dryness, so I am somewhat relieved that the whole is not the effect of global warming.
| Re: Oxford Street, London has been pedestrianised In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [381422/32663/50] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:53, 29th October 2026 | |
Almost inevitably, cyclists are ignoring the new rules................
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/moment-cyclist-ignores-oxford-street-ban-as-officer-tries-to-stop-him/ar-AA2gfoq2?ocid=socialshare
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [381421/31911/12] Posted by GBM at 07:28, 29th October 2026 | |
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
28/10/26 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be terminated at Exeter St Davids.
It will no longer call at Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth and Penzance.
This is due to a fault on this train.
It seems to have vanished after terminating!28/10/26 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be terminated at Exeter St Davids.
It will no longer call at Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth and Penzance.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion In "London to the West" [381420/31911/12] Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:04, 29th October 2026 | |
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55
28/10/26 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 will be terminated at Exeter St Davids.
It will no longer call at Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth and Penzance.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381419/32670/31] Posted by broadgage at 02:39, 29th October 2026 | |
This is discussed at length on another forum, with particular reference to telephone service in public buildings. for any emergency.https://www.blue-room.org.uk/topic/75537-emergency-phone-provision/
| Re: Spain - 69 dead after two trains collide south of Madrid - 28 October 2026 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381417/32669/52] Posted by JayMac at 23:15, 28th October 2026 | |
Protests tonight outside Spain's Transport Ministry. Given the state of Spain's high-speed rail, and with two major train crashes this year, that's not surprising. Were it not for an imminent general election in Spain this could well have seen the government fall.
Some of the photos and video from the scene give a clear sense of the speed and devastation in this incident. Running rail pierced up through a carriage. The front vehicle of the Renfe train completely embedded in the rear vehicle of the Iryo. Several other vehicles completely destroyed. Horrific.
Previous incidents like this in Spain have shown a worrying tendancy to only go after those immediately responsible. Signallers, drivers, maintenance staff etc, without overhauling the systemic issues. The EU's Agency for Railways were highly critical of the report into the 2013 derailment at Santiago de Compostela in 2013. There were undoubtedly systemic failings in that incident but no-one, other than the driver, were convicted. One ADIF manager was initially convicted, but that was overturned on appeal.
Spain's method seems to be, find a scapegoat and then stick their head in the sand. It seems this is already happening in this latest incident, with their Rail Minister already pointing fingers at individuals. God forbid it should be found that there are widespread and systemic problems with state rail entities and their political overseers...
| Re: Sydney Gardens No. 2 Tunnel, Bath. Navigation and towpath closed. In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [381416/32604/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:24, 28th October 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Calls to remove liveable neighbourhood road
A single lane closure is in place over the bridge, and engineers are "closely monitoring" the structure - Image © LDRS
Hundreds of people are calling for a road to be reopened to traffic after damage to a nearby tunnel caused further disruption on a major route.
More than 860 people have signed a petition demanding motorists be able to use Sydney Road in Bath, which was closed to traffic in 2024 as part of the city's liveable neighbourhoods scheme.
The petitioners say a single-lane closure on the alternative A36 Beckford Road, after contractors accidentally broke through the roof of a canal tunnel, has meant long queues.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson said safety was its "priority" and engineers were closely monitoring the bridge, but the lane and bridge closure would continue.
Sydney Road was previously used as a shortcut from the A36 at Beckford Road and around Sydney Gardens, until bollards were placed at the end of the road.
People living on the road say it is better for cyclists and pedestrians, but Beckford Road residents say it has pushed all the traffic past them.
Petition organiser Kay Martin said stopping traffic had caused "significant disruption and frustration". She said people using the A36 into and out of the city had been further impacted by the 200-year-old tunnel roof being damaged by contractors building a shared-path and the subsequent lane closure.
Martin said she was concerned about longer journeys, increased pollution from idling vehicles and delays for emergency services. "Reopening Sydney Road is not just a matter of convenience, but a necessity," she said.
The tunnel is closed to both boats and pedestrians on safety grounds, leaving all narrowboats south of the closure trapped on the last mile of the canal - Image © LDRS
The Kennet and Avon Canal and towpath have also been closed.
Keith, of Bath Narrowboats, said boaters could face months of disruption and backed calls to reopen Sydney Road. He said it was the time of year when river boaters moved onto the canal to avoid flooding.
"In the next couple of weeks it's all going to kick off because all those boats on the river are coming up and they've got nowhere to go," he said. "If they opened that, they would not have a queue of traffic miles back." He also raised concerns about heavy lorries continuing to cross the affected structure.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson confirmed the eastbound lane closure on Beckford Road would continue, alongside the closure of the canal and towpath at the north end of Sydney Gardens.
The BBC has contacted the council about the petition.
A single lane closure is in place over the bridge, and engineers are "closely monitoring" the structure - Image © LDRS
Hundreds of people are calling for a road to be reopened to traffic after damage to a nearby tunnel caused further disruption on a major route.
More than 860 people have signed a petition demanding motorists be able to use Sydney Road in Bath, which was closed to traffic in 2024 as part of the city's liveable neighbourhoods scheme.
The petitioners say a single-lane closure on the alternative A36 Beckford Road, after contractors accidentally broke through the roof of a canal tunnel, has meant long queues.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson said safety was its "priority" and engineers were closely monitoring the bridge, but the lane and bridge closure would continue.
Sydney Road was previously used as a shortcut from the A36 at Beckford Road and around Sydney Gardens, until bollards were placed at the end of the road.
People living on the road say it is better for cyclists and pedestrians, but Beckford Road residents say it has pushed all the traffic past them.
Petition organiser Kay Martin said stopping traffic had caused "significant disruption and frustration". She said people using the A36 into and out of the city had been further impacted by the 200-year-old tunnel roof being damaged by contractors building a shared-path and the subsequent lane closure.
Martin said she was concerned about longer journeys, increased pollution from idling vehicles and delays for emergency services. "Reopening Sydney Road is not just a matter of convenience, but a necessity," she said.
The tunnel is closed to both boats and pedestrians on safety grounds, leaving all narrowboats south of the closure trapped on the last mile of the canal - Image © LDRS
The Kennet and Avon Canal and towpath have also been closed.
Keith, of Bath Narrowboats, said boaters could face months of disruption and backed calls to reopen Sydney Road. He said it was the time of year when river boaters moved onto the canal to avoid flooding.
"In the next couple of weeks it's all going to kick off because all those boats on the river are coming up and they've got nowhere to go," he said. "If they opened that, they would not have a queue of traffic miles back." He also raised concerns about heavy lorries continuing to cross the affected structure.
A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson confirmed the eastbound lane closure on Beckford Road would continue, alongside the closure of the canal and towpath at the north end of Sydney Gardens.
The BBC has contacted the council about the petition.
