Being run by CILT as an in-person in Reading or Zoom webinar

This thread has been quiet for a week - which, sadly, does not mean that the issue has been resolved and addressed for the people who live at Dilton Marsh and used to use the train that GWR has culled in the evening peak.   While there was a chance of a resolution that worked for everyone, even for the customers, the WWRUG committee has been working the issue, and I / we have restrained from getting rather upset with GWR in public.

...I'm not convinced by accuracy of ticketing over the years

Passengers and driver flee as Liverpool bus bursts into flames

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It is not yet clear what caused the bus to burst into flames

All passengers and the driver fled from a bus in Liverpool before it burst into flames and was destroyed.

Everyone onboard the single-decker Arriva service was able to escape before it was consumed by flames on Ormskirk Road in Aintree. There were no "apparent injuries", Merseyside Fire & Rescue service said.

Dramatic pictures showed thick clouds of black smoke billowing up from the body of the vehicle, with large orange flames emerging from the windows. Two fire engines were dispatched to the scene and firefighters managed to suppress the blaze by 12:15 GMT.

Arriva has been contacted for comment.

The road was closed heading towards Switch Island, but a lane has since reopened as fire crews put out the last of the flames.

A fire service spokesperson said: "The driver and all passengers were accounted for and had evacuated the bus before the fire took hold, with no apparent injuries. The incident is likely to cause significant traffic disruption for some time, please avoid the area."

An engineer from Arriva was on scene arranging for recovery of the bus.

Rise in some bus fares called 'unwelcome'

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Some bus fares rose by 10p

A rise in some local bus fares has been called "unwelcome" by a transport users group.

Arriva North East increased its adult single fares in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland by 10p on Sunday. The firm said it had not taken the decision "lightly" and that it was determined to keep services as "affordable as we can".

The North East Public Transport Users Group (Neptug) called the increases "unwelcome" and said it hoped proposed plans to take the region's buses under public control would "protect people from increasing fares".

Arriva North East also said it was updating its adult bus fares in Durham and the Tees Valley to reflect the distance travelled on a journey. It confirmed children's fares in north-east England would remain the same.

Most bus fares in England have been capped by the government at £3 and this is expected to last until at least March 2027.

The North East Combined Authority has further discounted this cap to £2.50 in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.

A spokesperson for the bus firm said: "It's important to be clear these changes are not about generating excessive profits. The majority of fares remain below the government's £3 single fare cap, meaning bus travel continues to offer good value compared with other forms of transport. We're determined to keep services as affordable as we can, while continuing to invest in the network."

Neptug called on buses to be brought under public control. It said: "Ultimately, running bus services in the public interest is the best way to give the people of the region affordable and sustainable options for travelling to work, education, leisure, or healthcare."

Cable theft causes major delays for train travel

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ThamesLink and East Midlands Railway services are affected by the cable theft near St Albans

Theft of signalling cables has caused "major disruption" on parts of the train network, National Rail said.

The cables were stolen at Napsbury, resulting in a fault with the signalling system at nearby St Albans, Hertfordshire.

East Midlands Railway services between Sheffield, Nottingham, Corby and London St Pancras were affected as well as Thameslink services between Bedford and East Croydon, and also between Luton and Rainham, in Kent.

A spokeswoman said work to replace the cables was taking place overnight and normal services were expected to resume by the end of the day on Sunday.

The company said the theft resulted in "major disruption" meaning "at St Albans City means that fewer trains are able to run on all lines"

"As a result, trains running between Luton and London St Pancras International and may be cancelled, delayed or revised."

On National Rail's website, East Midlands Railway advised customers to expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Thameslink also told customers that services between Bedford and East Croydon were reduced to two trains running in each direction per hour and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton (via both Mitcham Junction and Wimbledon) it will be reduced to one train running in each direction per hour.

Alternative arrangements for travel have been posted on the National Rail site.

Highways bosses review A5's most bashed bridge solution

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Lorries regularly misjudge the A5 Watling Street bridge's height

Highways officials are reviewing a long-awaited scheme aimed at stopping tall vehicles hitting a low bridge dubbed "Britain's most bashed".

Work to lower the road under the rail bridge over the A5 Watling Street, near Hinckley, was initially due to be carried out in March 2024, but has yet to begin.

National Highways has said a technical review of the road-lowering plan would progress in the coming weeks and it was hoped work could begin later this year. However, councillors fear the "highly complex" scheme might be unviable.

The road-lowering plan was approved when permission was granted for a large logistics park near the bridge in June 2023. Developer Mountpark said it would fund the project and is working with National Highways on final proposals.

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National Highways said delays to the scheme had been frustrating

Hinckley and Bosworth borough councillor Paul Williams said: "The developer is prepared to pay for the scheme, but it still needs to be confirmed by National Highways."

"The issue is that if you lower the road you could get down into the water table and then there is the risk of flooding on a very busy road," he added. "That's complicated it and is the main cause of the delays. If they decide, after this review, that the scheme can't go ahead, we are back to square one."

Network Rail figures have shown the A5 bridge was struck 22 times between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, confirming its status as the most bashed bridge in the country.

Williams said each strike caused massive traffic jams on nearby roads and said lorry drivers themselves had a responsibility to avoid the bridge if they have very tall vehicles.

Ann Pendlebury, a borough councillor for Hinckley and a county councillor, said: "We have to get on with something to solve this problem and I fear the logistics park will be completed and in use long before the bridge work happens."

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Officials said they needed to be sure the complex road lowering could be carried out safely

National Highways programme development manager, Ian Doust, said: "Our priority for this, as with all of our roads, is safety, which is why we have worked closely with the developer to ensure this is carried out to the highest design and technical specifications and is delivered without unacceptable levels of disruption.

"This is not a quick fix to the issues at this location, it is a highly complex engineering solution and lowering the road must not adversely impact the bridge or drainage system, particularly with changing weather patterns. Taking into account traffic levels, we must be certain work can be delivered safely and without unacceptable levels of disruption.

"We work closely with the developers and the design is now ready for technical approval consideration, with work scheduled to start this year. While the time taken may be frustrating, this level of scrutiny and assurance is essential to ensure that the road will be safe, serviceable and resilient for years to come."

Mountpark has been contacted for comment.

Plans to excavate 'world's oldest train platform'

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The building was bought by the charity in 2025

Plans are being drawn up to excavate what is believed to be the world's oldest train platform.

Last year Heighington Station, which dates to back to 1827 and was part of the first passenger railway to use steam trains in the world, was bought by the charity Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The group's chair Niall Hammond said the excavation of a small train platform located near the site was planned. He said it was presumed it was the "original for the building" because it looked the right size and shape. He said plans were still in the early stages, but that the group hoped to attract lots of volunteers to the dig over the summer.

Hammond said the platform, which is next to the station, was "tiny" and had cobbles. He said ideally the team would find a "Georgian penny" at the bottom of the platform during the dig which would confirm its age.

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The charity plans to make the site accessible to the public

The charity has owned the building since September after buying it for £285,000 following a fundraising drive.

Hammond said it hoped to make the site accessible to the public. "We want to refurbish it so that it feels like it's 1827 again," he said. "Staff will be in appropriate clothes and costumes - it'll be candle lit and the decor will be 1827."

He estimated that restoration work would cost £3m and that most of the year would be spent filling out grant applications.

10:34 London Paddington to Paignton due 13:44
12:34 London Paddington to Paignton due 15:49
14:53 Paignton to London Paddington due 18:05
16:54 Paignton to London Paddington due 20:05

16:54 Paignton to London Paddington due 20:05 will be started from Newton Abbot.
It will no longer call at Paignton, Torquay and Torre.
This is due to a points failure.

An interesting question is what percentage of Severn Beach residents get off the train at intermediate stations before Temple Meads?

If a new north-to-east chord was put in place, would many actually prefer a train to Temple Meads via Brabazon and Filton Abbey Wood, particularly if it was faster?

Looking at Google earth there is a catch point there and probably what failed. The view also show the shocking state of the network rail side compared with the Dartmouth Steam Railway

Well .... it's complicated. While the the train derailed on top of the crossover that links the two railways (but not because of the points), the whole crossover is Network Rail's. They also own/are responsible for a short stretch of the DSR's route (the Down Torbay) including the crossover and the level crossing (so they have the whole of both). Consequently DSR have running powers over that six chains or so!

Access to platforms from a footbridge at Nottingham railway station will be stopped at weekends in a bid to reduce crime and reduce fare dodging.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said passengers will not be able to use the bridge to enter platforms on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 February.

The rail company said new safety data, which showed a 45% drop in assaults and abuse on staff and customers, had reinforced an earlier decision to limit use of the bridge overnight.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at EMR, said the move would "improve safety both on our trains and at our stations".

In August, EMR restricted access to platforms via the footbridge from 19:00 to 06:00 each day in a bid to reduce crime as well as slips and falls.

Cresswell said data collected during the previous closure found that crime at the station fell, as did the number of trips, which dropped by 38%.

The new move will see access to platforms stopped from 19:00 on Fridays to 06:00 on Mondays.

"Our primary responsibility is to ensure Nottingham station remains a safe, accessible and welcoming place for all customers," Cresswell said.

"Restricting access at these times will improve safety both on our trains and at our stations. It will also protect against fare evasion – which is effectively taxpayers' money."

During the closures, the bridge will remain a public right of way between Station Street and Queen's Road.

EMR will also still be able to open the gates during major events, periods of crowding, or in response to emergencies.

The company said it had also improved signage and guidance for those accessing nearby taxi ranks and services.

Downstairs at The Three Guineas, Reading Station
Tuesday (next) Jan 20 from 6pm to 8pm GMT

Overview
An update on Great Western Railways Developments 2025-2026 as GBR approaches
When: 20 January 2026

In-Person to start: 18:00 - 20:00 - Refreshments to be served 18:00 - 18:30PM
Online to start at: 18:30 - 20:00
Where: Firefly Lounge, Reading Station, Station Approach, RG1 1LY and Online

Speaker: Barry Milsom, Programme Director, GWR

The Thames Valley Group is privileged to welcome Barry Milson - Programme Director and previously Performance and Train Service Delivery Director for GWR.

A Business update will be provided including, Operational Performance, our approach and next steps aligned to the public ownership transfer. How we will work even closer with Network Rail as we move closer to Great British Railway. An update will also be provided on our fleet strategy (replacing our old regional trains - class 150’s, 158s and 165’s). The update including an update on our work to improve our Intercity Express Trains with Hitachi Rail.

Barry Milsom is Programme Director for Great Western Railway and has several decades of railway experience, working for Network Rail and several train operators. Barry has a broad range of experience including Operations, Train Service Delivery and Performance. Within his career, Barry has been involved in major transformation schemes across rail. He has overseen programmes and projects that have included complete reconstruction of stations, introduction of rolling stock along with transformation strategies that have improved train service reliability and experience for customers.

Booking for Members - Free & Non-Members -£5.00 inc. VAT

Note: If you are not a current Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, please be aware our membership team may be in touch with you using your email address provided regards membership opportunities. If you do not wish to be contacted please email and let us know at regions@ciltuk.org.uk

Freedom Pass saved! Councils block threat to over-65s' free travel

Labour council leaders in London have blocked a proposed review of the Freedom Pass that could have restricted the free travel benefits currently enjoyed by 1.2m older Londoners.

The sensational development comes a week after The Standard revealed that a review of the scheme had been requested by councillors concerned at its soaring cost - set to reach £372m in the year from April.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening that was backed by London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, the Labour council leaders effectively detonated a bomb under the plans to limit access to, or the benefits provided by, the Freedom Pass.

Cllr Claire Holland, leader of London Councils’ Labour Group, said: “The previous Conservative government slashed funding for the Freedom Pass scheme, leaving councils to foot the bill.

“It’s clear that we need to ensure the Freedom Pass is funded sustainably, but this cannot be done at the expense of older Londoners.

“We know the Freedom Pass is a vital lifeline for our older residents and we must defend it. Labour councils will oppose any changes that would see restrictions placed on who can use it and which modes of transport it applies to.”

Sir Sadiq said: “The Freedom Pass is crucial for older Londoners, enabling them to travel around the city and stay connected to friends and family.

“While I have no control over the 66+ pass, Labour councils have my full support in committing to keep it.

“As Mayor, I am ensuring hundreds of thousands of older Londoners are also able to enjoy free travel by continuing to provide the 60+ Oyster card alongside other concessions for Londoners.

“The previous Tory government wanted to get rid of the 60+ Oyster card. It’s clear that only Labour can be trusted to protect concessionary travel for Londoners.”

The Standard first revealed the threat to the Freedom Pass last week.

Councillors on London Councils’ transport committee asked for officials to establish the impact on Londoners of changing the rules on who qualifies for a Freedom Pass - currently all London residents aged 66 or older and disabled Londoners.

There was also a plan to consider whether the Freedom Pass could be limited to providing only free bus travel, rather than also Tube and train travel (other than during the morning peak) across Greater London.

On Tuesday The Standard revealed that more than 50,000 people had signed a petition opposing the review.

Police have released dramatic video of the moment they arrested a man in an investigation into more than £250,000 worth of graffiti damage on the London Underground.

The arrest follows an investigation into around 245 offences of criminal damage to Northern Line trains between February 2022 and January 2026.

The man was arrested on Friday in an early-morning raid at an address in Barnet, north London, on suspicion of criminal damage.

He was taken to police custody for questioning and has since been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue, the force said.

BTP Superintendent John Loveless said: “This arrest is a significant moment in our ongoing investigation into the vandalism of a huge number of trains, with the cost of repairing the damage running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“We are committed to working with our rail partners to stamp out this destruction of rail property which has huge financial implications for the rail industry.

“Far from being a victimless crime, graffiti damage has a knock-on effect for rail users and commuters causing frustrating delays and inconvenience while trains are taken out of service to be cleaned. It is also extremely dangerous to access a live railway and can result in serious injury or, in some cases, death.

“Our officers carry out proactive patrols and specialised operations to target and arrest offenders, including the use of wide-reaching CCTV across the network to identify suspects.

“Investigations like this are at the forefront of BTP’s mission to tackle graffiti across the network.”

In December, Transport for London (TfL) boss Andy Lord revealed up to £11 million is being spent annually on cracking down on graffiti on Tube trains.

He said a “spike” in tagging Tube carriages – especially on the Bakerloo and Central Lines – was costing TfL “between £10m and £11m”.

Buying a first-class train ticket in Britain feels increasingly extortionate - but standard-class passengers can actually access that premium experience for a modest £40 fee.

On some routes, many will find the cost of a first-class ticket isn't justified by what is actually offered on board.

Those travelling last minute on a first-class fare from London Paddington to Plymouth may pay around £230 for a comfortable seat, a snack and a drink - a far cry from what many would expect at that price point.

However, there's a little-known hack passengers in any carriage can utilise to enjoy a full restaurant experience in first-class surroundings.

Travellers on select Great Western Railway services who hold a standard ticket can pay £40 to upgrade to Pullman Dining - one of the few remaining dining cars on Britain's mainline trains.

The dining experience includes table service, linen-covered tables and meals cooked by an onboard chef.

Rather than pre-packaged or reheated food, diners can enjoy fresh, seasonal food from a menu that changes each month.

A three-course meal costs £49, while a two-course option will set diners back £40.

Recent menu options have included dishes such as Thai-spiced pumpkin and coconut soup, poached hake with burnt caper butter, and chocolate and cherry delice with vanilla cream and toasted almonds, as reported by The Telegraph.

Access is not limited to first-class ticket holders, making it a rare opportunity to enjoy a fine dining experience on today's notoriously costly rail network.

When combined with a standard ticket - which can cost as little as £74 on the London to Plymouth route - the total cost for travel and dining is nearly half the price of a first-class ticket.

However, there is one downside to the service - it's not something passengers will stumble across on most trains.

Pullman Dining is available on just six trains a day. Services operate from London Paddington to Plymouth at 13.03 and 19.04, and to Swansea at 17.48.

In the opposite direction, dining is offered on the 12.22 from Swansea and the 13.15 and 18.16 from Plymouth.

Passengers can use the restaurant on journeys lasting more than 50 minutes, though guaranteed reservations are only available to those who book first class more than an hour before departure. Others must enquire on board - and hope there is space.