Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Rail trespassers warned to 'stay off the tracks' by Network Rail and Police In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [380527/30982/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:33, 6th October 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Trespass incidents cause almost 10,000 minutes of delays
Trespassers are seen on the tracks at Motspur Park in south-west London in dashcam footage from a train driver's cab - Image © Network Rail
Trespass incidents caused almost 10,000 minutes of delays to South Western Railway (SWR) services for the 2025/26 period.
Data released by Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) shows that 9,437 minutes worth of delays were caused, equivalent to about six and a half days.
Across England, trespass, cable theft and obstruction caused more than 3,300 hours of delays during the same period, making it one of the railway's biggest causes of disruption, with a significant impact on customers.
The SWR network had the third-highest rate of vandalism and obstruction across Network Rail's 14 routes, including deliberately placed items such as debris and other pieces of track on the railway.
The rail firm said an additional risk on its network was the fact it uses a third rail as electricity supply. It carries 750 volts of direct current, which can cause severe or lifechanging injuries, or death.
As part of a new campaign launched by SWR and Network Rail, drones, sensors and smart CCTV are being rolled out to make it easier to catch and prevent trespassers.
The use of drones is a new strategy, which has been trialled at London Waterloo station. Further drone units have been planned for Clapham Junction, New Malden and Walton-on-Thames.
Tom Desmond, operations director for SWR, said: "Trespass is one of the leading causes of disruption on our network, delaying our customers' journeys and costing taxpayers. As part of our plan to deliver more reliable journeys, we're working with partners to reduce these types of incidents and improve our response so that we can keep services running."
Trespassers are seen on the tracks at Motspur Park in south-west London in dashcam footage from a train driver's cab - Image © Network Rail
Trespass incidents caused almost 10,000 minutes of delays to South Western Railway (SWR) services for the 2025/26 period.
Data released by Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) shows that 9,437 minutes worth of delays were caused, equivalent to about six and a half days.
Across England, trespass, cable theft and obstruction caused more than 3,300 hours of delays during the same period, making it one of the railway's biggest causes of disruption, with a significant impact on customers.
The SWR network had the third-highest rate of vandalism and obstruction across Network Rail's 14 routes, including deliberately placed items such as debris and other pieces of track on the railway.
The rail firm said an additional risk on its network was the fact it uses a third rail as electricity supply. It carries 750 volts of direct current, which can cause severe or lifechanging injuries, or death.
As part of a new campaign launched by SWR and Network Rail, drones, sensors and smart CCTV are being rolled out to make it easier to catch and prevent trespassers.
The use of drones is a new strategy, which has been trialled at London Waterloo station. Further drone units have been planned for Clapham Junction, New Malden and Walton-on-Thames.
Tom Desmond, operations director for SWR, said: "Trespass is one of the leading causes of disruption on our network, delaying our customers' journeys and costing taxpayers. As part of our plan to deliver more reliable journeys, we're working with partners to reduce these types of incidents and improve our response so that we can keep services running."
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380526/32584/10] Posted by bobm at 15:13, 6th October 2026 Already liked by IndustryInsider | |
The other thing with two 5 cars coupled is there become a range for formations. Front five in reverse, rear five not etc. etc. So far the casual traveller who sat in A last week and found it in the middle of the train, may find it is at the front this week.
| Re: 9th October 2026 - TravelWatch SouthWest, Taunton In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380525/32460/34] Posted by grahame at 15:06, 6th October 2026 | |
If anyone's attending who is equipped to sign me up as a member of the WWRUG I'd be grateful.
Mark
Mark
Message sent
| Fears grow that high diesel prices could lead to more cyclists In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [380524/32586/50] Posted by grahame at 14:51, 6th October 2026 | |
From (here)
People in the UK are terrified today after considering the possibility that high diesel prices could lead to an increase in cyclists.
With diesel prices in the UK rising above £2 a litre for the first time, many in the UK have started to consider the horrifying thought of more people picking up a bike. ...
With diesel prices in the UK rising above £2 a litre for the first time, many in the UK have started to consider the horrifying thought of more people picking up a bike. ...
Worryingly, a significant move from car, bus and train travel by large numbers of the public would be a significant problem for the government and the economy, as there's nothing apart from the basic VAT on the purchase of cycles that generates income for the government in spite of the high cost of provision and maintenance of infrastructure on cycles, and to the NHS for the repair of cyclists damaged on the road.
from The Guardian
Cyclists could be made to have registration plates and insurance
Whitehall review is also said to suggest cycling speed limits, along with licence penalty points and fines
Whitehall review is also said to suggest cycling speed limits, along with licence penalty points and fines
Registration is already required in Japan and North Korea.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380523/32456/31] Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:43, 6th October 2026 | |
By a combination of time, official announcements on the radio, and measured radiation dose rate. In marginal conditions it might be better to sleep/rest in the shelter, but emerge for essential work.
Sounds idylic. What could go wrong?
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380522/32584/10] Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:38, 6th October 2026 | |
Encouragingly, Network Rail has a planning application in earlier this year to lengthen Bath Spa station's platform 1.
*Edit* It received consent in August.
https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/planning/network-rail-extend-platform-bath-station-117137/
*Edit* It received consent in August.
https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/planning/network-rail-extend-platform-bath-station-117137/
I did hear there were plans in the pipeline, though an extension of 6.5 metres still won't enable all doors to open of course.
All it will do is give a bit more tolerance where the driver has to be extremely precise at the moment. And for 10-car units instead of the 1,2,3 and 20th door not opening, it will become doors 1,18,19 and 20 - in other words, it will be the rear vehicle which may contain wheelchair spaces that won't be platformed, rather than the front.
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380521/32584/10] Posted by a-driver at 14:26, 6th October 2026 | |
This is often a risk when a train is in reverse formation.
A train I was on yesterday was bound for Weston-super-Mare but had the first class coaches leading.
There were two parties heading for Yatton in standard class and their seat reservations were in coach B - which would normally be platformed at Yatton (and indeed Nailsea & Backwell) but with the train in reverse they would be off the back.
The train manager spotted it when he checked their tickets and suggested they got out at Temple Meads and walked down the platform to coach G.
A train I was on yesterday was bound for Weston-super-Mare but had the first class coaches leading.
There were two parties heading for Yatton in standard class and their seat reservations were in coach B - which would normally be platformed at Yatton (and indeed Nailsea & Backwell) but with the train in reverse they would be off the back.
The train manager spotted it when he checked their tickets and suggested they got out at Temple Meads and walked down the platform to coach G.
I did wonder if it all stemmed from the set being in reverse. If you paid for First Class seats, you’d understandably want to sit in those First Class seats. Being in a wheelchair should not be a barrier to that. In an ideal world, a 10-car train should be fully accommodated at all platforms and no one, staff or passenger, should be put in these sort of situations.
| Re: Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [380520/17562/23] Posted by anthony215 at 14:20, 6th October 2026 | |
Update to this.
Transport for wales , new Taith Cymru coaches service between Carmarthen and Bangor operates by Edwards and lew Jones coaches starts sunday 25th October.
Tickets can now been purchased online which has also allowed us to see the timetable.
From Carmarthen at 0215, 0715 then every 2 hours until last departure at 2115.
From Bangor at 0127, 0515 then a bit of a more.erractic timetable close enough to 2 hourly u til last coach around 1915. Journey time is 5 hours although slightly less with some southbound workings.
Free passes are not valid and I found they offering fares for.adults starting at £10 each way from Carmarthen to Bangor. The coaches actually look very nice inside so well worth a day out. I believe rail tickets say Cardiff to Aberystwyth are going to be valid on it
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380519/32584/10] Posted by bobm at 13:49, 6th October 2026 | |
This is often a risk when a train is in reverse formation.
A train I was on yesterday was bound for Weston-super-Mare but had the first class coaches leading.
There were two parties heading for Yatton in standard class and their seat reservations were in coach B - which would normally be platformed at Yatton (and indeed Nailsea & Backwell) but with the train in reverse they would be off the back.
The train manager spotted it when he checked their tickets and suggested they got out at Temple Meads and walked down the platform to coach G.
| Re: 9th October 2026 - TravelWatch SouthWest, Taunton In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380518/32460/34] Posted by Mark A at 13:03, 6th October 2026 | |
If anyone's attending who is equipped to sign me up as a member of the WWRUG I'd be grateful.
Mark
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380517/32584/10] Posted by a-driver at 12:49, 6th October 2026 | |
At Bath Spa a 9-car unit stops with front and rear door isolated, which means that the doors by the wheelchair accommodation open at both ends.
So this must have been a 10-car train and she must have been in the front carriage as it's the front three doors and rear door that don't open on a 10-car unit.
And that, coupled with the claim in the article that "Her family spoke to the assistance desk and was taken to the only designated wheelchair space on the train" makes me interested in hearing the other side of the story
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380516/32584/10] Posted by Mark A at 12:32, 6th October 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
Encouragingly, Network Rail has a planning application in earlier this year to lengthen Bath Spa station's platform 1.
*Edit* It received consent in August.
https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/planning/network-rail-extend-platform-bath-station-117137/
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380515/32584/10] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:23, 6th October 2026 | |
What's the process for organising the train to set back?
It would have needed to be drawn forward a coach length, but it would never be authorised because it would mean manually releasing the doors which is what they don't like.
It's really unusual for it not to be picked up during the journey. It's not unheard of to delay a train at a station whilst a passenger is moved do a different part of the train.
Yes, incidents like this are very rare thankfully.
At Bath Spa a 9-car unit stops with front and rear door isolated, which means that the doors by the wheelchair accommodation open at both ends.
So this must have been a 10-car train and she must have been in the front carriage as it's the front three doors and rear door that don't open on a 10-car unit.
As a-driver says, opening doors manually not at the designated stopping point on a platform is frowned upon as it imports extra risks and quite considerable delay, especially if that means setting back as the driver needs to change ends twice. Permission needs to be sought from the signaller, and everyone - Driver, TM, Despatcher's - need to come to a clear understanding of the plan.
Had it been known in advance the train could have been routed into the other platform (the 'Up' one) as that is long enough to accommodate a 10-car train, but that obviously might cause quite a few delays in itself to services coming the other way.
It would be expensive to lengthen the 'Down' platform because of the way the station is built, but it's far from ideal having such a popular station having to use SDO on one of its platforms.
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380514/32584/10] Posted by a-driver at 11:57, 6th October 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
What's the process for organising the train to set back?
It would have needed to be drawn forward a coach length, but it would never be authorised because it would mean manually releasing the doors which is what they don't like.
It's really unusual for it not to be picked up during the journey. It's not unheard of to delay a train at a station whilst a passenger is moved do a different part of the train.
| Re: Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles In "The Lighter Side" [380513/11558/30] Posted by johnneyw at 11:44, 6th October 2026 | |
Definitely, with Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park in the background on the Cornish side of the water. The landlocked residents of Wellington and Cullompton may have been left wondering if they had a stretch of coast that mysteriously only appeared, Brigadoon like, every hundred years.
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380512/32584/10] Posted by Mark A at 11:43, 6th October 2026 | |
What's the process for organising the train to set back?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [380511/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 11:16, 6th October 2026 | |
09:45 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28
09:45 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47
11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
09:45 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47
11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Journeycheck explains further
Delays to services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham
Due to a fault with the signalling system at Westbury disruption is expected until 12:15 06/10.
Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham may be delayed.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened??
-
There is a fault with the signalling in the Westbury area. The signalling system is how trains are kept a safe distance apart. When there is a fault with the signalling system trains may need to stop at the affected signals so that the Driver can speak to the Signaller to confirm if the track ahead is clear.
Due to a fault with the signalling system at Westbury disruption is expected until 12:15 06/10.
Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham may be delayed.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened??
-
There is a fault with the signalling in the Westbury area. The signalling system is how trains are kept a safe distance apart. When there is a fault with the signalling system trains may need to stop at the affected signals so that the Driver can speak to the Signaller to confirm if the track ahead is clear.
Err - is "delayed" the Newspeak for cancelled?
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [380510/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:34, 6th October 2026 | |
09:45 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28
09:45 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47
11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
| Re: Bath disabled woman had to 'crawl on hands and knees' to get off GWR train In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [380509/32584/10] Posted by PhilWakely at 10:16, 6th October 2026 Already liked by grahame, IndustryInsider | |
Phoebe and her parents had been returning to Bath, where she now lives, after attending a concert in London the night before, which she bought as a gift for her mum and dad before her diagnosis.
When they got to Bath Spa, she said they were told by staff to stay on the train and get off at Bristol Temple Meads - a 15-20 minute journey - before buying another ticket back to Bath Spa so she could get off.
When they got to Bath Spa, she said they were told by staff to stay on the train and get off at Bristol Temple Meads - a 15-20 minute journey - before buying another ticket back to Bath Spa so she could get off.
She should not have had to buy another ticket to get back to Bath having been over-carried!
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [380508/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 10:08, 6th October 2026 | |
Stocking the bunker.
WATER, keep a good stock in 1000L IBCs or similar. Suggest one IBC per person. That is about 30L per person per day.
FOOD, per person, 30 tins of tuna, 30 tins of fruit, 15 packs of sweet biscuits, 30 packs of savoury biscuits 15 L long life fruit juice. Or as preferred
Lighting, a 12 volt deep cycle battery of at least 1,000 AH.
Candles, matches, dry cells, torches oil lanterns.
Other stocks, blankets at least four per head, towels at least two each. Ten changes of underwear per head, and three changes of outer clothing.
Generous stocks of medicines.
hand tools and cordless power tools.
Geiger counters, at least three.
WATER, keep a good stock in 1000L IBCs or similar. Suggest one IBC per person. That is about 30L per person per day.
FOOD, per person, 30 tins of tuna, 30 tins of fruit, 15 packs of sweet biscuits, 30 packs of savoury biscuits 15 L long life fruit juice. Or as preferred
Lighting, a 12 volt deep cycle battery of at least 1,000 AH.
Candles, matches, dry cells, torches oil lanterns.
Other stocks, blankets at least four per head, towels at least two each. Ten changes of underwear per head, and three changes of outer clothing.
Generous stocks of medicines.
hand tools and cordless power tools.
Geiger counters, at least three.
How would you decide when it’s safe to come out again?
By a combination of time, official announcements on the radio, and measured radiation dose rate. In marginal conditions it might be better to sleep/rest in the shelter, but emerge for essential work.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [380507/31371/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 10:08, 6th October 2026 | |
Tuesday 6th October
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:43 will be diverted between Oxford and Reading.
It will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford but will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.
It has been delayed at Great Malvern and is now 74 minutes late.
This is due to signalling staff being taken ill.
Last Updated:06/10/2026 08:27
It will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford but will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.
It has been delayed at Great Malvern and is now 74 minutes late.
This is due to signalling staff being taken ill.
Last Updated:06/10/2026 08:27
| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380506/32260/8] Posted by TaplowGreen at 09:38, 6th October 2026 Already liked by grahame, Witham Bobby | |
We would be grateful if you were able to cascade this to your networks and, if you have any questions, please do get in touch.
Best wishes, Olivia & Heledd
Olivia Willett | Deputy Head of Public Affairs | Great Western Railway
E: olivia.willett@GWR.com
Heledd Iolo | Senior Public Affairs Manager | Network Rail
E: heledd.iolo@networkrail.co.uk
If I may perhaps share some of grahame's understandable frustration here: Olivia & Heledd both offer their first names, as a friendly point of contact - but then they both leave the office over the weekend.
CfN.
This type of email is known as "fire and forget" - very common amongst public/quasi-public servants on Friday afternoons (those that work on Fridays), they tend to be sent a few minutes or seconds before shutting down in order to avoid having to deal with any replies until after the weekend.
| Re: New Dorset transport vision for roads, rail and buses (3.10.2026) In "Heart of Wessex" [380505/32579/19] Posted by Witham Bobby at 09:30, 6th October 2026 | |
There is a 760 house development at Foundry Lea in Bridport currently being built.
Bridport Bubblecar now!
| Re: Engineering works 10 - 16 October 2026 In "London to Kennet Valley" [380504/32260/8] Posted by grahame at 08:28, 6th October 2026 | |
If I may perhaps share some of grahame's understandable frustration here: Olivia & Heledd both offer their first names, as a friendly point of contact - but then they both leave the office over the weekend.
My email system has asked me "follow up?" because here we are, Tuesday morning, and not even a "we'll get back to you" or "we have passed this on to [xxx] to answer" to my enquiry of last Friday afternoon taking up their invitation to engage.
| Re: Annoying / amusing use of completely irrelevant stock photos to illustrate press articles In "The Lighter Side" [380503/11558/30] Posted by Red Squirrel at 08:22, 6th October 2026 Already liked by JohnM, Marlburian, PhilWakely, johnneyw | |
: grahame link=topic=11558.msg380481#msg380481 date[i
[/i]=1791218081]
This is what Melksham will look like when it's restored
Melksham and Nailsea
This is what Melksham will look like when it's restored
I don’t know why all those people are just standing around: that train’s not going to put itself back on the rails.
| Re: 5th October 2026 - "History of Melksham Station" talk in Atworth - 5th Oct 2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380502/32416/34] Posted by JohnM at 08:06, 6th October 2026 | |
Fantastic, thanks Graham. Wish I could have been there.
Great photos. One question - from Melksham platform looking down the line towards Trowbridge, eg. slide 47, there looks to be a pretty substantial building on what I'm guessing is now the Asda site. Do you know what that was?
| Re: What's new? request stops! In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [380501/32515/52] Posted by rogerpatenall at 07:46, 6th October 2026 | |
Going one beyond request stops - flagstops - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1580858166974222
Where a train stops at any appropriate access point in the wilds. Probably not something for anywhere on the Elizabeth line, but north of Crainlarich, west of Dingwall, or from Castle Cary to Dorchester West?
Or for systems whose rolling stock have 'ground accessible' steps. I can't see it working reliably if you rely on a guard (guard?) with a set of portable steps.Where a train stops at any appropriate access point in the wilds. Probably not something for anywhere on the Elizabeth line, but north of Crainlarich, west of Dingwall, or from Castle Cary to Dorchester West?
| Re: What's new? request stops! In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [380500/32515/52] Posted by grahame at 07:03, 6th October 2026 | |
Going one beyond request stops - flagstops - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1580858166974222
Where a train stops at any appropriate access point in the wilds. Probably not something for anywhere on the Elizabeth line, but north of Crainlarich, west of Dingwall, or from Castle Cary to Dorchester West?
| Re: 5th October 2026 - "History of Melksham Station" talk in Atworth - 5th Oct 2026 In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380499/32416/34] Posted by grahame at 06:49, 6th October 2026 Already liked by JohnM, PrestburyRoad, Western Pathfinder, Chris from Nailsea | |
Slides online at https://grahamellis.uk/wsw.pdf ... and there is considerable commentary in there so you can probably get something from it without needing my voice to add context
| Re: 9th October 2026 - TravelWatch SouthWest, Taunton In "Diary - what's happening when?" [380498/32460/34] Posted by grahame at 06:46, 6th October 2026 | |
Agenda with more detail:
TravelWatch SouthWests’ General Meeting in Taunton this Friday 9th October
Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation, Trenchard Way Taunton TA1 1FH
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/travelwatch-southwest-autumn-general-meeting-2026-tickets-1999846046359 or contact admin@travelwatchsouthwest.org
Free coaches provided along routes from the SW, S and NE of the region. See below:
Agenda
10:30 Doors Open
A opportunity for networking with alongside hot drinks and snacks
11:00 Welcome, Introductions, and Headlines
11:10 Keynote
11:25 What could public transport do for us?
Ian Piper MBE, Chair of the Interim Growth Board for Marlcombe
11:55 Getting around better: SWR progress enable since nationalisation
Oliver Richards, Strategy & Business Development Director, SWR
12:20 Game-changers in Public Transport network experience
Panel Conversation
12:40 Lunch & Networking
13:20 Opportunity Knocks
Could we be tapping-into existing networks better – an opportunity to raise awareness of sustainable connections which are not being fully used.
13:25 Did you know? A slot for sharing matters of concern and congratulations
13:35 Crosscountry (XC) and Meeting Passenger Needs
Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director, CrossCountry
14:10 Socially Necessary Local Bus services
Swindon SNLS Working Group
14:50 Open-floor discussion
15:15 Close
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/travelwatch-southwest-autumn-general-meeting-2026-tickets-1999846046359
A reminder that there are FREE coach routes for attendees. Approximate routes are shown on the map below.
If you want to travel on the free coaches, you must let us know which route you need to use. The coaches start from Bournemouth, Swindon and Truro and can pick-up on route.
COACH PLACES CAN BE BOOKED WHEN YOU REGISTER OR BY CONTACTING us at admin@travelwatchsouthwest.org
Food and drink will be provided. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
We hope to see you there.
Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation, Trenchard Way Taunton TA1 1FH
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/travelwatch-southwest-autumn-general-meeting-2026-tickets-1999846046359 or contact admin@travelwatchsouthwest.org
Free coaches provided along routes from the SW, S and NE of the region. See below:
Agenda
10:30 Doors Open
A opportunity for networking with alongside hot drinks and snacks
11:00 Welcome, Introductions, and Headlines
11:10 Keynote
11:25 What could public transport do for us?
Ian Piper MBE, Chair of the Interim Growth Board for Marlcombe
11:55 Getting around better: SWR progress enable since nationalisation
Oliver Richards, Strategy & Business Development Director, SWR
12:20 Game-changers in Public Transport network experience
Panel Conversation
12:40 Lunch & Networking
13:20 Opportunity Knocks
Could we be tapping-into existing networks better – an opportunity to raise awareness of sustainable connections which are not being fully used.
13:25 Did you know? A slot for sharing matters of concern and congratulations
13:35 Crosscountry (XC) and Meeting Passenger Needs
Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director, CrossCountry
14:10 Socially Necessary Local Bus services
Swindon SNLS Working Group
14:50 Open-floor discussion
15:15 Close
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/travelwatch-southwest-autumn-general-meeting-2026-tickets-1999846046359
A reminder that there are FREE coach routes for attendees. Approximate routes are shown on the map below.
If you want to travel on the free coaches, you must let us know which route you need to use. The coaches start from Bournemouth, Swindon and Truro and can pick-up on route.
COACH PLACES CAN BE BOOKED WHEN YOU REGISTER OR BY CONTACTING us at admin@travelwatchsouthwest.org
Food and drink will be provided. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
We hope to see you there.
