Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Landslips and landslides on the transport networks In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372824/29849/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:23, 26th February 2026 |      |
Another example, from the BBC:
Hoarwithy family 'lucky' to be out when landslip hit
The landslip happened on Friday evening, one of the property owners said
A homeowner whose house was partially destroyed by a landslip said she felt lucky her family were out when it happened.
The slip in Hoarwithy, Hereford, at about 21:00 GMT last Friday, damaged two properties in total.
One of the affected owners, Suzanne, said she was still trying to make sense of what had happened. "Every time I come out here I end up crying," she said.
Herefordshire Council said it was awaiting the results of a survey of a nearby rock face to see whether the road adjacent to the properties could safely reopen. "In the meantime, we ask all motorists and residents to respect the road closure and follow the diversions that have been put in place," a spokesperson said.
Suzanne said a lorry driver was the first to notice an electrical cable was down and alert their neighbours, who called emergency services. But the end wall of her house was taken out, leaving her in shock.
"They secured the property as best they could to keep things safe and that's been it really since Friday," she said. "We're just trying to make sense of a new normal for us as a family and where we go from here, because obviously it's going to be a really long time to put this right."
The second property, Withy Cottage, has been undergoing building work, said ward councillor David Davis, who has visited the site to speak to those affected. He explained a previous landslip further up the road just over a year ago had caused the route to shut for months.
(BBC article continues)
The landslip happened on Friday evening, one of the property owners said
A homeowner whose house was partially destroyed by a landslip said she felt lucky her family were out when it happened.
The slip in Hoarwithy, Hereford, at about 21:00 GMT last Friday, damaged two properties in total.
One of the affected owners, Suzanne, said she was still trying to make sense of what had happened. "Every time I come out here I end up crying," she said.
Herefordshire Council said it was awaiting the results of a survey of a nearby rock face to see whether the road adjacent to the properties could safely reopen. "In the meantime, we ask all motorists and residents to respect the road closure and follow the diversions that have been put in place," a spokesperson said.
Suzanne said a lorry driver was the first to notice an electrical cable was down and alert their neighbours, who called emergency services. But the end wall of her house was taken out, leaving her in shock.
"They secured the property as best they could to keep things safe and that's been it really since Friday," she said. "We're just trying to make sense of a new normal for us as a family and where we go from here, because obviously it's going to be a really long time to put this right."
The second property, Withy Cottage, has been undergoing building work, said ward councillor David Davis, who has visited the site to speak to those affected. He explained a previous landslip further up the road just over a year ago had caused the route to shut for months.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness train hits van on level crossing - 13 Sep 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372823/30737/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:11, 26th February 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Delivery driver who hit Cumbria train spared jail
(Click on the above link to view this 12 seconds BBC video news clip)
No-one was injured in the crash, which happened at a level crossing in September
A delivery driver who crashed into a train at a level crossing has been spared jail.
William Backhouse had previously admitted dangerous driving and endangering the safety of people travelling on a railway.
The 30-year-old was delivering parcels in Braystones, near Egremont, Cumbria, on 13 September when he crossed the railway without following the right protocol. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
CCTV footage shows the front of his van being struck by a train travelling southbound at 49mph (79kph). No-one was injured but the line was closed for several hours.
Backhouse, who lived in Carlisle at the time but later moved to Bury St Edmunds, must comply with a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months and pay £1,500 compensation.
The level crossing crash in Braystones caused delays for hours
A plea hearing in January heard Backhouse had opened the level crossing gates by hand without ringing the signaller to seek permission to cross.
The train was carrying 10 passengers at the time and the driver managed to hit the emergency brakes.
Sentencing was moved to Ipswich Magistrates' Court because Backhouse had moved from Cumbria.
PC Stewart Simpson, of British Transport Police, said there was "never an excuse for ignoring safety protocols" at crossings. "Backhouse's careless actions and wanton disregard for safety put his own life and the lives of everyone on the train at risk," Stewart said. "We will continue to take action against those who try to beat the system or wilfully misuse level crossings."
Network Rail, which manages the railway, said the crash had cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.
Clare Waller, the company's route director for the North West, said: "Everyone involved was lucky to escape injury. We will continue to work with our partners to manage level crossings as safely as possible."
(Click on the above link to view this 12 seconds BBC video news clip)
No-one was injured in the crash, which happened at a level crossing in September
A delivery driver who crashed into a train at a level crossing has been spared jail.
William Backhouse had previously admitted dangerous driving and endangering the safety of people travelling on a railway.
The 30-year-old was delivering parcels in Braystones, near Egremont, Cumbria, on 13 September when he crossed the railway without following the right protocol. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
CCTV footage shows the front of his van being struck by a train travelling southbound at 49mph (79kph). No-one was injured but the line was closed for several hours.
Backhouse, who lived in Carlisle at the time but later moved to Bury St Edmunds, must comply with a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months and pay £1,500 compensation.
The level crossing crash in Braystones caused delays for hours
A plea hearing in January heard Backhouse had opened the level crossing gates by hand without ringing the signaller to seek permission to cross.
The train was carrying 10 passengers at the time and the driver managed to hit the emergency brakes.
Sentencing was moved to Ipswich Magistrates' Court because Backhouse had moved from Cumbria.
PC Stewart Simpson, of British Transport Police, said there was "never an excuse for ignoring safety protocols" at crossings. "Backhouse's careless actions and wanton disregard for safety put his own life and the lives of everyone on the train at risk," Stewart said. "We will continue to take action against those who try to beat the system or wilfully misuse level crossings."
Network Rail, which manages the railway, said the crash had cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.
Clare Waller, the company's route director for the North West, said: "Everyone involved was lucky to escape injury. We will continue to work with our partners to manage level crossings as safely as possible."
| Re: OTD - 26th February (2022) - On this day nothing rail has happened? In "News, Help and Assistance" [372822/26088/29] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:47, 26th February 2026 | |
At the back of my mind, I had a hazy memory of an amuzing ceramic plaque fixed outside one of my delivery addresses:
... and, from a plaque on the wall at another of my delivery addresses:
Here, on 14 October 1782
nothing happened
CfN.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372821/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 15:50, 26th February 2026 | |
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be delayed between Trowbridge and Westbury and is expected to be 10 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be delayed between Trowbridge and Westbury and is expected to be 10 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: Recycling rubbish and charity shops - something of a minefield? Ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [372820/30854/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:47, 26th February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Westmorland and Furness Council say 'Keep sorting recycling' despite bin lorry mixing
Residents in parts of Cumbria are concerned their sorted recycling is being mixed into bin lorries
Residents hitting out at their council for mixing separated waste into bin lorries have been told to keep recycling.
Westmorland and Furness Council is urging people to continue to separate their rubbish, despite people reporting bins being mixed into the same wagon when collected.
Angela Jones, director for thriving places at the Liberal Democrat-led authority, admitted some older lorries had a single compartment, meaning recycling is thrown in together. She said: "I just want to give reassurance that all of that recycling is sorted, it goes to be separated from general waste and what we do ask people to do, is to please continue to separate it, because it does reduce the contamination."
Jones said the council was in the process of changing how it deals with waste and insisted there were only "a small number" of bin lorries with a single compartment. Most of them had two sections to keep paper separated from plastic, glass and aluminium, she added.
The issue was highlighted as part of a day of coverage across the BBC in England, which is taking a closer look at what happens to the rubbish we all create.
According to government figures, recycling rates across the Westmorland and Furness area are at 53% - above the England average of 42%. "In terms of what you put out on your doorstep, in terms of the recycling materials, most of that is fully recycled," Jones told BBC Radio Cumbria. "There is some small amount of wastage because of contamination."
However, the area has the eighth highest amount of household waste thrown away per person. The most recent figures available show people living in the local authority area threw away 460.2kg in a year. The highest figure was 592.8kg in the Isles of Scilly.
The council said people putting recycling materials into non-recycling waste was to blame.
Jones said the authority spent £30m a year in dealing with bin collections. She added non-recyclable household waste was diverted away from landfill and made into fuel. "We do pretty well here in Cumbria for recycling," she added.
Residents in parts of Cumbria are concerned their sorted recycling is being mixed into bin lorries
Residents hitting out at their council for mixing separated waste into bin lorries have been told to keep recycling.
Westmorland and Furness Council is urging people to continue to separate their rubbish, despite people reporting bins being mixed into the same wagon when collected.
Angela Jones, director for thriving places at the Liberal Democrat-led authority, admitted some older lorries had a single compartment, meaning recycling is thrown in together. She said: "I just want to give reassurance that all of that recycling is sorted, it goes to be separated from general waste and what we do ask people to do, is to please continue to separate it, because it does reduce the contamination."
Jones said the council was in the process of changing how it deals with waste and insisted there were only "a small number" of bin lorries with a single compartment. Most of them had two sections to keep paper separated from plastic, glass and aluminium, she added.
The issue was highlighted as part of a day of coverage across the BBC in England, which is taking a closer look at what happens to the rubbish we all create.
According to government figures, recycling rates across the Westmorland and Furness area are at 53% - above the England average of 42%. "In terms of what you put out on your doorstep, in terms of the recycling materials, most of that is fully recycled," Jones told BBC Radio Cumbria. "There is some small amount of wastage because of contamination."
However, the area has the eighth highest amount of household waste thrown away per person. The most recent figures available show people living in the local authority area threw away 460.2kg in a year. The highest figure was 592.8kg in the Isles of Scilly.
The council said people putting recycling materials into non-recycling waste was to blame.
Jones said the authority spent £30m a year in dealing with bin collections. She added non-recyclable household waste was diverted away from landfill and made into fuel. "We do pretty well here in Cumbria for recycling," she added.
From my personal observations, on Wednesday mornings here in Nailsea, North Somerset Council's recycling contractors also toss our carefully sorted bags of soft plastic and food waste into the food compartment on the lorry, despite there being a separate compartment for 'soft plastics':
Image from the BBC, quoted in a previous post here
| Re: Sharp Brewery's Doom Bar from Rock, Cornwall? Apparently not! In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [372819/15849/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:15, 26th February 2026 | |
With thanks to grahame for that update from the BBC, I have now dug up a previous topic related to Doom Bar and merged it here.
My understanding is that the bottled and canned versions of Doom Bar have been brewed elsewhere for years: it is only the keg version which is still brewed in Rock, Cornwall.
From the BBC:
Sharp's Brewery to close with loss of 50 jobs
Molson Coors said 50 jobs would be lost at Sharp's Brewery
A Cornish brewery is set to close with the loss of 50 jobs.
The US brewing firm Molson Coors said it was proposing to shut Sharp's Brewery in Rock by the end of the year because the site was "no longer financially sustainable".
Managing director Simon Kerry said 200 staff would be made redundant across Molson Coors and 50 would be staff at the Rock brewery.
Kerry said the firm was in the process of exploring a number of alternative production routes, including the possibility of producing Sharp's brands in partnership. He said it "has not been an easy decision" to make and the Sharp's team at Rock had been "an exceptional and committed team who take such huge pride in their craft".
In a statement, Molson Coors said it had invested more than £20m in Sharp's Brewery since it acquired it in 2011 to expand capacity, upgrade equipment and strengthen the Sharp's portfolio.
Kerry said: "We have invested significantly in the site and the Sharp's brands over that time and have taken every step we can to try and avoid this outcome. However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network. Our focus now is on supporting our Rock-based colleagues in every way we can throughout this process."
(BBC article continues)
Molson Coors said 50 jobs would be lost at Sharp's Brewery
A Cornish brewery is set to close with the loss of 50 jobs.
The US brewing firm Molson Coors said it was proposing to shut Sharp's Brewery in Rock by the end of the year because the site was "no longer financially sustainable".
Managing director Simon Kerry said 200 staff would be made redundant across Molson Coors and 50 would be staff at the Rock brewery.
Kerry said the firm was in the process of exploring a number of alternative production routes, including the possibility of producing Sharp's brands in partnership. He said it "has not been an easy decision" to make and the Sharp's team at Rock had been "an exceptional and committed team who take such huge pride in their craft".
In a statement, Molson Coors said it had invested more than £20m in Sharp's Brewery since it acquired it in 2011 to expand capacity, upgrade equipment and strengthen the Sharp's portfolio.
Kerry said: "We have invested significantly in the site and the Sharp's brands over that time and have taken every step we can to try and avoid this outcome. However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network. Our focus now is on supporting our Rock-based colleagues in every way we can throughout this process."
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372818/231/28] Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:01, 26th February 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
I never understand the obsession with making it suitable for 5car trains, not 6car. Especially as the rumours are that Project Churchward (or whatever the class 158, 165, 166 diesel unit replacement is now called) is likely to be 3car suburban units and 5car regional units. The last I heard was going to be no 2car units.
So if the suburban trains are going to be 3car, or multiples (6, 9 etc) why make the platforms 5car.
My understanding is that stations like Parson Street & Bedminster were rebuilt in 1930s with platforms over 200m long (although part is now not used) so why have some platforms only about 125m long, not nearer 145m
So if the suburban trains are going to be 3car, or multiples (6, 9 etc) why make the platforms 5car.
My understanding is that stations like Parson Street & Bedminster were rebuilt in 1930s with platforms over 200m long (although part is now not used) so why have some platforms only about 125m long, not nearer 145m
Totally agree with this if it restricts 6-car operation in the future.
However, new units are very likely to have SDO fitted and so therefore as long as six cars can be operated in the future using that I’m not so concerned.
It would also be very useful to have passive provision for extension to six (or even nine) carriages built into the design of Pill and Portishead.
In both cases that does mean making sure platform furniture and starting signals are positioned in a way that doesn’t affect those things from happening.
I can’t imagine Portishead will have a starting signal and the only signals on the branch will be those protecting the route back onto the main line.
| Can I make a guest post on the Coffee Shop? In "News, Help and Assistance" [372817/31675/29] Posted by grahame at 11:54, 26th February 2026 | |
From my mailbox to our official admin address:
Hey! I hope you are keeping well.
I am reaching out as I would be interested in a guest post/s or niche edit/s on the following...
firstgreatwestern.info
We would provide genuine and high-quality content for a guest post, or for a niche edit/link insertion.
Would you be interested in working on this together, as I would love to build a long-term relationship with a high-quality site like yours?
Let me know your thoughts either way!
I am reaching out as I would be interested in a guest post/s or niche edit/s on the following...
firstgreatwestern.info
We would provide genuine and high-quality content for a guest post, or for a niche edit/link insertion.
Would you be interested in working on this together, as I would love to build a long-term relationship with a high-quality site like yours?
Let me know your thoughts either way!
Not the first such request - and these requests are often made by people looking to get wide exposure to their content. Provided they are within the membership agreement and guidelines, they are welcome to post - anyone is, but the "proviso" is one that may put many people off.
Dear [name redacted]
Anyone is welcome to register for the forum - free of charge - and we are delighted if members provide relevant high quality content under the terms of the forum agreeement which you sign up to on registration.
Graham
Anyone is welcome to register for the forum - free of charge - and we are delighted if members provide relevant high quality content under the terms of the forum agreeement which you sign up to on registration.
Graham
| Re: SWR improvements under GBR In "South Western services" [372816/31227/42] Posted by CyclingSid at 07:46, 26th February 2026 | |
Will this involve an update to the regulations of the carriage of livestock?
| Re: SWR improvements under GBR In "South Western services" [372815/31227/42] Posted by John D at 07:39, 26th February 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Timmer | |
25% ! An absolutely splendid increase in capacity. Indeed shorter trains could be used and STILL provide "a useful increase in seating capacity".
Ah, the narrower seat, and less legroom approach.
What next, a variation of Ryanair style bag width checking frames, just step in that Sir, if you don't fit, then need to buy extra ticket because will overlap onto next seat.
Meanwhile airlines are rapidly increasing Premium Economy seating proportion having found it is the most profitable per square metre of cabin space (even more than business or First which takes up lots of space per seat)
| Re: OTD - 26th February (2022) - On this day nothing rail has happened? In "News, Help and Assistance" [372814/26088/29] Posted by grahame at 05:45, 26th February 2026 | |
Following up "Midwinter Lull" On This Day - I have noted on our disruption map "nothing to report" a couple of times in recent days, and JourneyCheck reporting merely 7 lifts out of action. This morning, all we have is a three car diagram on the Reading to Basingstoke reduced to two cars - hardly the end of the earth. Nothing on the Looe line, I note - back in action, or gone so long it doesn't even make JourneyCheck?
| Closure of Doom Bar brewery in Cornwall In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [372813/15849/31] Posted by grahame at 05:32, 26th February 2026 | |
Doom Bar maker Sharp's Brewery in Cornwall to close. From Cornwall Live
One of Cornwall's best known and biggest breweries is set to close.
Canadian-American owner Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced that it is looking to close Sharp's Brewery in Rock and has now entered consultation with staff.
The brewery is known as the home of Doom Bar which has been a staple beer at pubs, restaurants and supermarkets up and down the country for years and is the UK's best-selling cask ale.
Canadian-American owner Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced that it is looking to close Sharp's Brewery in Rock and has now entered consultation with staff.
The brewery is known as the home of Doom Bar which has been a staple beer at pubs, restaurants and supermarkets up and down the country for years and is the UK's best-selling cask ale.
| Re: SWR improvements under GBR In "South Western services" [372811/31227/42] Posted by broadgage at 01:36, 26th February 2026 | |
25% ! An absolutely splendid increase in capacity. Indeed shorter trains could be used and STILL provide "a useful increase in seating capacity".
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372810/31359/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 22:00, 25th February 2026 | |
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12
22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
| Re: SWR improvements under GBR In "South Western services" [372809/31227/42] Posted by Clan Line at 21:20, 25th February 2026 | |
SWR have issued a tender to fit USB C sockets at every seat on their class 158 and 159 trains
Does this increase the legroom ?
No of course not. Plans are probably underway to "increase capacity" which is railway code for reducing legroom and tables
You forgot the GWR method.........replacing 4 abreast rolling stock with 5 abreast - instant 25% capacity increase !
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372808/231/28] Posted by Mark A at 18:51, 25th February 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
It's illuminating to compare Portishead's forthcoming provision with Scotland's newish terminus at Leven, opened 2024 with two platforms of 205 metres in length.
Mark
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372807/231/28] Posted by John D at 17:59, 25th February 2026 Already liked by Mark A, eightonedee | |
I attended the Portishead Railway Group (PRG) AGM last evening.
It was confirmed that the current plan is to run trains from Portishead through to Henbury, and that Pill and Portishead will be able to accommodate 5-car trains.
It was confirmed that the current plan is to run trains from Portishead through to Henbury, and that Pill and Portishead will be able to accommodate 5-car trains.
I never understand the obsession with making it suitable for 5car trains, not 6car. Especially as the rumours are that Project Churchward (or whatever the class 158, 165, 166 diesel unit replacement is now called) is likely to be 3car suburban units and 5car regional units. The last I heard was going to be no 2car units.
So if the suburban trains are going to be 3car, or multiples (6, 9 etc) why make the platforms 5car.
My understanding is that stations like Parson Street & Bedminster were rebuilt in 1930s with platforms over 200m long (although part is now not used) so why have some platforms only about 125m long, not nearer 145m
| Re: Electronic Travel Authorisation if coming in to the UK In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372806/29537/51] Posted by Mark A at 15:52, 25th February 2026 | |
Was it Douglas Adams addressed the 'Not reading' element of this rather well in HHGTG?
Mark
| Re: Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372805/11010/28] Posted by grahame at 13:43, 25th February 2026 | |
From The BBC
Plans for a new rail service in Wiltshire and Somerset could derail, unless crucial funding can be found in the coming weeks.
Go-op Co-operative have plans to "compete with Great Western Railway" and offer more stops at stations such as Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Westbury, Swindon and Frome through use of diesel rolling stock.
The company needs to raise £3.6m by May 2026 to make their plans a reality - but have been unable to reach their target.
Go-op operations director Alex Lawrie said there is "one last chance to make this happen in this decade" and added the opportunity "is available for only a matter of weeks" before support from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is withdrawn.
Go-op Co-operative have plans to "compete with Great Western Railway" and offer more stops at stations such as Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Westbury, Swindon and Frome through use of diesel rolling stock.
The company needs to raise £3.6m by May 2026 to make their plans a reality - but have been unable to reach their target.
Go-op operations director Alex Lawrie said there is "one last chance to make this happen in this decade" and added the opportunity "is available for only a matter of weeks" before support from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is withdrawn.
Alex offer his explanations
When plans for the new service were approved last year, the ORR said the decision created the"opportunity to bring the first co-cooperatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK".
But since then, Lawrie claims investors "large and small" say "factors outside Go-op's control are making it impossible for them to commit to the investment that is required."
Lawrie added: "People have a right to know why this such a struggle.
But since then, Lawrie claims investors "large and small" say "factors outside Go-op's control are making it impossible for them to commit to the investment that is required."
Lawrie added: "People have a right to know why this such a struggle.
He goes on to look, perhaps, further ahead
"Regardless of the outcome of this particular contract, Go-op will continue to work towards public transport that is accountable to its users; and will explore more innovative approaches to mobilising investment in the Taunton-Swindon corridor."
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372804/231/28] Posted by Andy at 13:32, 25th February 2026 | |
It's great that the group is there to identfy how it can provide ongoing support. It seems that one key role will be to provide information and clarification to the public as the works go forward
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372803/231/28] Posted by grahame at 12:49, 25th February 2026 Already liked by Andy, Mark A | |
I attended the Portishead Railway Group (PRG) AGM last evening.
PRG is 'recalibrating' as its purpose, which had been to get the railway rebuilt, changes to looking at how it is delivered and then how it is run. The mood was not quite an outright celebration (I think everyone had seen too many false dawns for that!) It was more a case of rolling up sleeves for what comes next.
PRG is 'recalibrating' as its purpose, which had been to get the railway rebuilt, changes to looking at how it is delivered and then how it is run. The mood was not quite an outright celebration (I think everyone had seen too many false dawns for that!) It was more a case of rolling up sleeves for what comes next.
Yes - and that makes sense.
It may feel that a huge amount has been done already (and it has), but that may be but a drop in the ocean compared to the work the railway group can do later in the community - and it will be very different work too.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [372802/231/28] Posted by Red Squirrel at 11:47, 25th February 2026 | |
I attended the Portishead Railway Group (PRG) AGM last evening.
PRG is 'recalibrating' as its purpose, which had been to get the railway rebuilt, changes to looking at how it is delivered and then how it is run. The mood was not quite an outright celebration (I think everyone had seen too many false dawns for that!) It was more a case of rolling up sleeves for what comes next.
There have already been challenges - preparatory roadworks have caused significant delays in Portishead, for example, and some residents have not understood the need to remove trees for the works to proceed. To those of us who have followed this for many years, it is surprising that people may not appreciate how much ecological gain this project is bringing, but this is clearly something the project is going to have to make a bit more noise about.
The main works contract is expected to be signed in April.
It was confirmed that the current plan is to run trains from Portishead through to Henbury, and that Pill and Portishead will be able to accommodate 5-car trains.
| Re: SWR improvements under GBR In "South Western services" [372801/31227/42] Posted by broadgage at 11:35, 25th February 2026 Already liked by Clan Line | |
SWR have issued a tender to fit USB C sockets at every seat on their class 158 and 159 trains
Does this increase the legroom ?
No of course not. Plans are probably underway to "increase capacity" which is railway code for reducing legroom and tables
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [372800/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 10:43, 25th February 2026 Already liked by matth1j | |
Frustrating this morning. The Gloucester-Southampton service that I catch at Melksham 06:29 to Trowbridge 06:38 left Melksham on time, but then had to wait before joining the line down from Bath outside Trowbridge due to the delayed Portsmouth Harbour service - not unusual. However after it got going again it crawled along, eventually arriving at Trowbridge just in time to wave goodbye to the 06:46 Bristol service I was supposed to be connecting with departing the other platform.
Not a disaster - the next Bristol service was 07:05. But RealtimeTrains shows the Portsmouth Harbour service left Trowbridge at 06:42, while my Southampton one departed at 06:47. That 5 minute gap seems longer than it needed to be - is it the minimum allowed between consecutive trains?
Also, at one point the National Rail app was giving estimated times at Trowbridge for both the Southampton and Portsmouth trains as 06:42. Obviously it's using a simple algorithm to calculate those times - a potential use for AI? Earlier it had also been showing the Southampton service as being in front of the delayed Portsmouth one, whereas I knew from experience we would have to wait - again, something AI would be able to work out.
Not a disaster - the next Bristol service was 07:05. But RealtimeTrains shows the Portsmouth Harbour service left Trowbridge at 06:42, while my Southampton one departed at 06:47. That 5 minute gap seems longer than it needed to be - is it the minimum allowed between consecutive trains?
Also, at one point the National Rail app was giving estimated times at Trowbridge for both the Southampton and Portsmouth trains as 06:42. Obviously it's using a simple algorithm to calculate those times - a potential use for AI? Earlier it had also been showing the Southampton service as being in front of the delayed Portsmouth one, whereas I knew from experience we would have to wait - again, something AI would be able to work out.
I - suspect - that the Portsmouth train "has to" go first because of a lack of platforms available at Westbury at that time of the morning. Platform 2 is occupied by the train that's about to start its day on the way to Weymouth, and Platform 3 by the Frome to Cardiff train that stops in Westbury for around 10 minutes. Leaving only platform 1. This morning, the two trains seem to have approached Bradford Junction at about the same time anyway. Yes, there are limited signals between Trowbridge and Westbury - and the 5 minute headway is probably correct.
AI in the customer and industry information systems feel like AU sometimes - Automate Unintelligence, where data is extrapolated in isolation from other factors that are known. "Hideously simplified" at times, to the extent that you and I can often do far better ...
| Re: Electronic Travel Authorisation if coming in to the UK In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [372799/29537/51] Posted by grahame at 10:24, 25th February 2026 | |
This change was made and notified in October....people go around not reading....
I agree with you, ChrisB. 
That's why I posted this update - just to try to raise this issue among those affected who are still apparently so unaware.
That's why I posted this update - just to try to raise this issue among those affected who are still apparently so unaware.
We have information overload these days ... and it is so easy to miss things. Thank you, Chris and Chris for bumping this topic.
The Coffee Shop is not, ever, going to be a major reach to members who'll be travelling to the UK on none-UK passports, but never the less it is good to have the issue covered here. However, we do rank on search engines and in AI sources, and that helps a little in informing guests.
And - I suspect - we may have rather more members who's families include dual nationals, some of whom have travelled very rarely in recent years out of the UK, so may not find that the news of changes as they come into the UK comes up on their news feed. "Declaration of Interest" - two family members who are dual nationals. Having said that, for two different reasons neither needs to take rapid action to ensure they can re-enter the UK, but the news of this change had not been exactly headline news for us.
