Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Bus deregulation - on this day 26th October 1986 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [381334/29361/5] Posted by grahame at 16:32, 26th October 2026 |      |
The late 1980s and early 1990s were the Wild West of bus deregulation.
I remember the town routes in Taunton having THREE competing operators. ...
I remember the town routes in Taunton having THREE competing operators. ...
A more recent example from Royal Wootton Bassett in 2017.
In just the last couple of years, GoAhead and First have run summer services from Weymouth to and via Lulworth Cove, so close to each other other that they were overtaking each other to pick up at alternate stops.
In Melksham, we had experience on both the 234 / x34 Chippenham to Trowbridge and Frome, and on the Bath / Melksham / Devizes corridor with D3, 271, 272, 273, x71 and x72. In both cases, First Bus v Faresaver, and in both cases the service we are left with is Faresaver who have come forward into being a company doing a good job even though they came from a cherry-picking start. We can and do work with them and (these days) they are far more responsive to the community that than the rail network is. There are also good people at Wiltshire Council who have helped out county to no longer be the basket case of public transport. That's not to say that all is perfect on the buses, nor that First who lost locally did not have some excellent people on their team.
| Re: Bus deregulation - on this day 26th October 1986 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [381333/29361/5] Posted by bobm at 16:20, 26th October 2026 | |
A more recent example from Royal Wootton Bassett in 2017.
When Go Ahead first took over Thamesdown Transport it started a route R1 from Swindon to Bassett every 15 minutes in competition with the established Stagecoach route 55. Unsurprisingly Stagecoach responded by increasing its service to every 10 minutes. Having 10 buses an hour between the towns was not going to be sustainable and after three months Thamesdown withdrew. It wasn't long before Stagecoach reverted to its previous service of a bus every 20 minutes.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381332/10737/21] Posted by grahame at 16:18, 26th October 2026 | |
[snip]
Personally as a fellow disabled person, if I knew I had to speak with someone face to face, and I knew I could not gain access through the station, I would make the correct plans to enter as I would have done at Temple Meads for the past years.
People need to remember that the station is not a right of passage, and just because we have a disabled pass, that does not give us a free pass to break rules etc, sometimes we have to take a bit of responsinilty
Personally as a fellow disabled person, if I knew I had to speak with someone face to face, and I knew I could not gain access through the station, I would make the correct plans to enter as I would have done at Temple Meads for the past years.
People need to remember that the station is not a right of passage, and just because we have a disabled pass, that does not give us a free pass to break rules etc, sometimes we have to take a bit of responsinilty
Personally, so would I; you and I and most members here have the knowledge of the local systems and geography to help us.
It's very interesting to - observe - different treatment of people younger/older, "disabled"/able, and if disabled visibly/invisibly. It starts getting very personal for us these days and potentially something that should go into "Frequent Posters"; we appreciate help these days, sometimes it's misguided to the extent of being counterproductive and only if we or one of us cannot manage the standard product do we require special treatment. Sometimes it comes, unnecessarily, from our apparance. And the attitude / approach of staff is typically excellent if we are friendly and not demanding, whereas fellow passengers are very much in "survival of the fittest" mode - especially the occasional travellers ...
| Re: Cross Country say that they will seriously consider stopping at Bridgwater In "Cross Country services" [381331/32647/43] Posted by JayMac at 16:14, 26th October 2026 | |
Stopping in Bridgwater, generally, requires serious consideration.
| Re: Bus deregulation - on this day 26th October 1986 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [381330/29361/5] Posted by JayMac at 16:04, 26th October 2026 | |
The late 1980s and early 1990s were the Wild West of bus deregulation.
I remember the town routes in Taunton having THREE competing operators. There was the legacy NBC operator, Southern National, privatised and management bought in 1988. Along came local coach operator Berrys, with a fleet of second hand Bristol VRs, to compete directly on town and feeder routes. Of course they had no interest in competing on the longer distance rural services. Southern National responded by acquiring a fleet of minibuses, with cheaper drivers, to force out Berrys. At one point my Grandparents on a Taunton housing estate were served by SIX buses an hour. Two per hour each for Southern National using Carlyle or Iveco bodied Ford Transits, with Berrys Beaverbus using double deckers. At this time there was also Taunton Bus with a mix of old single deckers and hoppa types. Fares went down to as low as 10p for a trip into town, which is around 30p today. Bonkers. The current single fare into town is £2.60!
Southern National could absorb the losses. The upstarts couldn't. It wasn't long before town and feeder services reverted to a single operator.
Today, the same housing area my Grandparents lived in, is served by Firstbus (Southern National successor) only. One single decker bus an hour.
| Re: Earley Station, Reading - facilities, footbridge, improvements In "South Western services" [381329/31384/42] Posted by Mark A at 15:01, 26th October 2026 | |
The work to Earley footbridge should be under way now:
https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/roads/roads/major-projects/earley-station-footbridge-refurbishment
| Re: Work begins to replace Havant station's ageing footbridge In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [381328/32558/20] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:46, 26th October 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Cranes begin removing ageing rail footbridge
Hampshire County Council said the new crossing would be "more accessible for cyclists, wheelchair and mobility scooter users" - Image © Hampshire County Council
A major crane operation has began to replace a 79-year-old footbridge with a modern accessible crossing.
Hampshire County Council said removing the ageing structure at Havant train station, located between Elmleigh Road and North Street, was scheduled between Monday and Thursday and would be "one of the most significant and visible stages of the project".
The authority said two large cranes would dismantle and remove the 185-metre-long bridge and connecting ramps in a series of planned lifts.
The replacement is expected to take up to 12 months to complete and the new crossing is envisioned to be more accessible for cyclists, wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
(BBC article continues)
Hampshire County Council said the new crossing would be "more accessible for cyclists, wheelchair and mobility scooter users" - Image © Hampshire County Council
A major crane operation has began to replace a 79-year-old footbridge with a modern accessible crossing.
Hampshire County Council said removing the ageing structure at Havant train station, located between Elmleigh Road and North Street, was scheduled between Monday and Thursday and would be "one of the most significant and visible stages of the project".
The authority said two large cranes would dismantle and remove the 185-metre-long bridge and connecting ramps in a series of planned lifts.
The replacement is expected to take up to 12 months to complete and the new crossing is envisioned to be more accessible for cyclists, wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [381327/31371/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 13:44, 26th October 2026 | |
10:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 12:23 will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham and Hanborough.
It will be starting late from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
It will be starting late from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
43 minutes Shrub Hill to Charlbury, 59 minutes Shrub Hill to Oxford, 1hr54 Shrub Hill to Paddington. That's pretty good.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381326/10737/21] Posted by Phantom at 12:07, 26th October 2026 | |
Perhaps best explained by Chuff rather than people looking for the worst scenario
Personally as a fellow disabled person, if I knew I had to speak with someone face to face, and I knew I could not gain access through the station, I would make the correct plans to enter as I would have done at Temple Meads for the past years.
People need to remember that the station is not a right of passage, and just because we have a disabled pass, that does not give us a free pass to break rules etc, sometimes we have to take a bit of responsinilty
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo: modified rail services In "Across the West" [381325/32650/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 11:30, 26th October 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
I'm surprised the report didn't also mention that it got quite breezy in Taplow.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381324/10737/21] Posted by JohnM at 11:14, 26th October 2026 | |
Just seen on the National Rail website that "The ticket office is closed at Bristol Temple Meads station". Presumably that doesn't happen very often on a weekday, does it?
| Re: Caledonian MacBrayne ferries in Scotland In "Buses and other ways to travel" [381323/30034/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:25, 26th October 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Body found in search for man who fell overboard from ferry
The body of a missing ferry passenger who fell overboard has been found on a beach in North Ayrshire.
HM Coastguard responded to a report of a man going overboard from the MV Caledonian Isles near Arran about 20:30 on Sunday 18 October.
The man was later named as 82-year-old Jim Wither, who was reported missing from Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
Police Scotland earlier received a report that the body of a man had been found in the Largs beach area on Sunday. Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of Jim Wither has been informed.
Two helicopters, a coastguard aircraft, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats and rescue teams from the surrounding area were sent to find the passenger, but the search was called off at 16:55 on Monday.
Officers said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.
The body of a missing ferry passenger who fell overboard has been found on a beach in North Ayrshire.
HM Coastguard responded to a report of a man going overboard from the MV Caledonian Isles near Arran about 20:30 on Sunday 18 October.
The man was later named as 82-year-old Jim Wither, who was reported missing from Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
Police Scotland earlier received a report that the body of a man had been found in the Largs beach area on Sunday. Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of Jim Wither has been informed.
Two helicopters, a coastguard aircraft, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats and rescue teams from the surrounding area were sent to find the passenger, but the search was called off at 16:55 on Monday.
Officers said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [381322/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 10:12, 26th October 2026 | |
10:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 12:23 will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham and Hanborough.
It will be starting late from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
20:52 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 23:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
It will be starting late from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
20:52 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 23:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Devon Metro (railway network around Exeter) - merged posts, ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [381321/1070/24] Posted by bradshaw at 08:44, 26th October 2026 | |
Resolved by 08.38 according to Journey Check.
| Re: Devon Metro (railway network around Exeter) - merged posts, ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [381320/1070/24] Posted by John D at 07:53, 26th October 2026 | |
After the closures due to fallen trees last week on Oakhampton and Barnstaple lines, seems both are closed today due to faulty signalling.
Is it really necessary to completely close 2 lines, and why does it take a whole day to come up with a workaround if not able to fix. These are lightly used branch lines, not some London main line with 20+ trains per hour.
| Re: Serbia - 16 killed in Novi Sad railway station roof collapse - 1 November 2024 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [381319/29398/52] Posted by broadgage at 05:41, 26th October 2026 | |
A new government has won Serbian elections, ousting the previous government, which was said to pro putin.
It is reported that the protest movement that led to the change of government, was founded on protests over the tragedy reported above.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [381318/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 05:25, 26th October 2026 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Shrub Hill due 09:31
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Shrub Hill due 09:31 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a broken down train.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Shrub Hill due 09:31 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a broken down train.
| Re: Bus deregulation - on this day 26th October 1986 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [381317/29361/5] Posted by grahame at 03:34, 26th October 2026 | |
From WikiPedia
Bus deregulation in Great Britain involved the abolition of Road Service Licensing for bus services outside of Greater London. It began in 1980 with long-distance bus services and was extended to local bus services in 1986 under the Transport Act 1985. The abolition of Road Service Licensing removed the public sector's role in fare-setting, routes, and bus frequencies and returned those powers to bus operators.
40 years ago today. For the most part, the early days of commercially run buses rushing to pick up passengers on core trunk routes while the vital but much thinner branched languishes and lost service are over. The legal requirement to not work with other operators because that might form an anti-competitive cartel has been broadly overcome by Enhanced Partnerships. So many socially necessary services have been lost due to lack of either commercial balance or local authority money to buy them back. Tricky subsidising decisions that must show clear water (or a crevasse) between commercial and supported services such that a supported service must not abstract substantive traffic from a commercial one lead to both services being the poorer and less passenger appropriate.
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo: modified rail services In "Across the West" [381315/32650/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 00:16, 26th October 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Two men killed by falling trees as Storm Boelo leaves 160,000 properties without power
Two men have been killed by falling trees on Sunday as Storm Boelo continues to bring severe weather to the UK.
A man in his 20s was pronounced dead in north London after the car he was driving was hit by a falling tree. It came hours after a 60-year-old man died in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The harsh weather battering the UK had left 161,400 properties without power as of 15:00 GMT on Sunday afternoon, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) said. Those still without electricity have faced delays as the dangerous conditions were "limiting network engineers' opportunities to safely start the work", the ENA added.
The Metropolitan Police were called to Dollis Road in Finchley at around 12:40 GMT to reports a tree had fallen onto a moving car, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chief Inspector Guy Ellwood, from the North West Command Unit, said: "This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young man who lost his life." A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said it sent incident response officers, paramedics from its hazardous area response team, and a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance to the scene.
Earlier, Police Scotland said a man died after being hit by a falling tree in southern near Castle Douglas.
During Storm Boelo and the earlier Storm Austen, which hit the UK on Friday, 838,700 properties across the country faced power cuts, according to the ENA.
Wind gusts peaked on Sunday morning at 85mph in Machrihanish, in Argyll and Bute, and 84mph in both Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, and Capel Curig in north Wales.
An amber wind warning issued by the Met Office was in place until 21:00 on Sunday across Scotland and parts of northern England.
A yellow warning that also covered other areas of the north of England, including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as parts of the East and West Midlands and North Wales, also expired at 21:00.
The Met Office urged people to "stay indoors as much as possible", adding: "If you do go out, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings and trees."
The strongest gusts have continued to spread eastwards across the UK on Sunday.
(BBC article continues)
Two men have been killed by falling trees on Sunday as Storm Boelo continues to bring severe weather to the UK.
A man in his 20s was pronounced dead in north London after the car he was driving was hit by a falling tree. It came hours after a 60-year-old man died in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The harsh weather battering the UK had left 161,400 properties without power as of 15:00 GMT on Sunday afternoon, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) said. Those still without electricity have faced delays as the dangerous conditions were "limiting network engineers' opportunities to safely start the work", the ENA added.
The Metropolitan Police were called to Dollis Road in Finchley at around 12:40 GMT to reports a tree had fallen onto a moving car, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chief Inspector Guy Ellwood, from the North West Command Unit, said: "This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young man who lost his life." A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said it sent incident response officers, paramedics from its hazardous area response team, and a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance to the scene.
Earlier, Police Scotland said a man died after being hit by a falling tree in southern near Castle Douglas.
During Storm Boelo and the earlier Storm Austen, which hit the UK on Friday, 838,700 properties across the country faced power cuts, according to the ENA.
Wind gusts peaked on Sunday morning at 85mph in Machrihanish, in Argyll and Bute, and 84mph in both Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, and Capel Curig in north Wales.
An amber wind warning issued by the Met Office was in place until 21:00 on Sunday across Scotland and parts of northern England.
A yellow warning that also covered other areas of the north of England, including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as parts of the East and West Midlands and North Wales, also expired at 21:00.
The Met Office urged people to "stay indoors as much as possible", adding: "If you do go out, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings and trees."
The strongest gusts have continued to spread eastwards across the UK on Sunday.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo: modified rail services In "Across the West" [381313/32650/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:36, 25th October 2026 | |
It is not alone in being hard to find. Stand in the centre of Westbury or Melksham and ask a bod on the street ...
Hmm
. To be fair, that rather depends upon whether you are seeking such guidance 'from a bod on the street' in Westbury or Melksham.In Westbury, this particular 'bod' would be struggling to provide accurate guidance - but in Melksham, these days, I could offer some very accurate directions, if I were to be so asked.
| Re: From northern Spain - the bit the Brits don't reach In "Introductions and chat" [381312/32662/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:25, 25th October 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
Refreshing! That's not to say Graham's posts are not good to read also.
I absolutely agree!
I think it would be also great if Lisa (who is already a signed up member of the Coffee Shop forum) could please be encouraged to post her own observations on their travels in Spain and Portugal here directly.
Chris from Melksham - it's a long story.
| Re: Cross Country say that they will seriously consider stopping at Bridgwater In "Cross Country services" [381311/32647/43] Posted by ChrisB at 21:21, 25th October 2026 | |
If they can book split tickets then yes, it's the same method to pick your seats
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo: modified rail services In "Across the West" [381310/32650/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:04, 25th October 2026 | |
I have expanded the heading of this topic, to reflect the fact that both of these named storms are so closely related - purely in the interests of clarity and continuity here on the Coffee Shop forum, as ever.
Hope this helps. CfN.
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo: modified rail services In "Across the West" [381309/32650/26] Posted by bobm at 19:45, 25th October 2026 | |
All Caledonian sleepers cancelled between Glasgow/Edinburgh and London Euston.
The Highland sleepers will run as far as Glasgow.
Passengers can spend the night in their cabins in either Glasgow or London until the morning and then join a day train (assuming they run).
All passengers will get a full refund.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381308/32456/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:23, 25th October 2026 | |
(I have, however, bought a "reserve" bottle of Port, just in case!) 
I am not panic buying, I prudently stocked up long ago.
Only minor additions are expected and of course replacements for supplies that are consumed.
Only minor additions are expected and of course replacements for supplies that are consumed.
I agree with those particular precautions being taken: you can never have an excess of 'reserve Port' stored in the cellar / garage / bunker.
CfN.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381307/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 18:34, 25th October 2026 | |
I am not panic buying, I prudently stocked up long ago.
Only minor additions are expected and of course replacements for supplies that are consumed.
| Re: Storms Austen and Boelo: modified rail services In "Across the West" [381306/32650/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:17, 25th October 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Man killed by falling tree as Storm Boelo batters Scotland
Gary Gallagher said this boat broke free from its mooring in Gourock and was thrown on to Cove Road during the stormy weather - Image © Gary Gallagher
A 60-year-old man has died after being struck by a falling tree as Storm Boelo brought strong winds and heavy rain to Scotland.
Police said the man was on a minor road at Mid Kelton, near Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway. Emergency services were alerted at about 10:30 and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The storm has left more than 50,000 properties without power, with winds gusting to 85mph at Machrihanish in Argyll and Bute.
(BBC article continues)
Gary Gallagher said this boat broke free from its mooring in Gourock and was thrown on to Cove Road during the stormy weather - Image © Gary Gallagher
A 60-year-old man has died after being struck by a falling tree as Storm Boelo brought strong winds and heavy rain to Scotland.
Police said the man was on a minor road at Mid Kelton, near Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway. Emergency services were alerted at about 10:30 and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The storm has left more than 50,000 properties without power, with winds gusting to 85mph at Machrihanish in Argyll and Bute.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [381305/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 13:34, 25th October 2026 | |
15:44 Swindon to Frome due 16:38
15:44 Swindon to Frome due 16:38 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
