Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371586/22771/12] Posted by ChrisB at 12:31, 26th January 2026 |      |
Long planned Engineering work
| Re: Standedge railway tunnel: fire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371585/31521/51] Posted by Mark A at 12:27, 26th January 2026 | |
Ah, thanks. The comms staff concerned, restricted by the options in the drop-downs provided by Tyrell, are perhaps struggling to convey that situation.
Mark
https://www.nexusalpha.com/tyrell-io
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371584/22771/12] Posted by Fourbee at 12:21, 26th January 2026 | |
I could be wrong, but it looks as if there's bus replacement Tiverton Parkway - Plymouth from Saturday 21st February - Sunday 8th March inclusive. Edit: but does not appear related so the sea wall as trains are running as far as Totnes
| Re: Standedge railway tunnel: fire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371583/31521/51] Posted by stuving at 12:21, 26th January 2026 | |
Anticipated closed for a couple of days. Noooooh idea what managed to catch fire.
Mark
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5e5lj595o
Mark
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5e5lj595o
An RRV caught fire - while doing maintenance, obviously. Some of the masonry (or at least its surface layers) has been fragilised, so bits keep falling off.
| Standedge railway tunnel: fire In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371582/31521/51] Posted by Mark A at 12:17, 26th January 2026 | |
Anticipated closed for a couple of days. Noooooh idea what managed to catch fire.
Mark
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5e5lj595o
| Indra Group to take over operation of ticketing and access control systems In "Transport for London" [371581/31520/46] Posted by ChrisB at 11:54, 26th January 2026 | |
From Interchange
Transport for London (TfL) has awarded Indra Group a major contract to operate, maintain, and develop the ticketing and access control systems across London’s public transport network, covering the Tube, buses, trams, ferries, and other services in the metropolitan area.
The contract, initially valued at £524m and potentially rising to £845m if extension options are exercised, runs until 2034 with possible extensions through 2039. Indra will manage turnstiles, ticket vending machines, validators, retail sales terminals, portable inspection equipment, and the central back-office, payment, and cybersecurity systems that support the network.
The award marks a transition from Cubic Transportation Systems, which has been the long-term operator of London’s Oyster card system and associated ticketing infrastructure. Following an almost two-year transition period, Indra will assume full responsibility, becoming TfL’s sole provider for ticketing and access systems. The company will also work with TfL on future upgrades, including the implementation of account-based ticketing.
TfL’s ticketing ecosystem handles approximately 8.6m journeys per day, totaling over 3.6bn journeys annually, making it one of the world’s most complex urban transport ticketing networks.
In a statement, Indra said the project would ensure the reliability and security of London’s ticketing systems while supporting the digital transformation of public transport services.
TfL director of technology strategy and revenue, Shashi Verma, said, “Millions of journeys are made on our public transport system every day, and it is vital that customers can trust the ticketing system to ensure they are charged the correct fare.
“We look forward to working with Indra group on the next evolution of our Oyster and contactless ticketing system.
“I also want to thank everyone at Cubic Transportation Systems for their work and innovation in delivering, maintaining and improving the Oyster and contactless system over the past decades. The hard work and innovation by Cubic helped make the system as instantly recognisable and successful as it is.”
The contract, initially valued at £524m and potentially rising to £845m if extension options are exercised, runs until 2034 with possible extensions through 2039. Indra will manage turnstiles, ticket vending machines, validators, retail sales terminals, portable inspection equipment, and the central back-office, payment, and cybersecurity systems that support the network.
The award marks a transition from Cubic Transportation Systems, which has been the long-term operator of London’s Oyster card system and associated ticketing infrastructure. Following an almost two-year transition period, Indra will assume full responsibility, becoming TfL’s sole provider for ticketing and access systems. The company will also work with TfL on future upgrades, including the implementation of account-based ticketing.
TfL’s ticketing ecosystem handles approximately 8.6m journeys per day, totaling over 3.6bn journeys annually, making it one of the world’s most complex urban transport ticketing networks.
In a statement, Indra said the project would ensure the reliability and security of London’s ticketing systems while supporting the digital transformation of public transport services.
TfL director of technology strategy and revenue, Shashi Verma, said, “Millions of journeys are made on our public transport system every day, and it is vital that customers can trust the ticketing system to ensure they are charged the correct fare.
“We look forward to working with Indra group on the next evolution of our Oyster and contactless ticketing system.
“I also want to thank everyone at Cubic Transportation Systems for their work and innovation in delivering, maintaining and improving the Oyster and contactless system over the past decades. The hard work and innovation by Cubic helped make the system as instantly recognisable and successful as it is.”
This could lead to having Oyster loaded on your phone, along with your railcard.
| UK Rail Industry to Expand Eligibility for Disabled Persons Railcard In "Fare's Fair" [371580/31519/4] Posted by ChrisB at 11:40, 26th January 2026 | |
From Railway-News
The UK rail industry has announced both the expansion of the eligibility criteria and the simplification of the application process for the Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC).
The card, which offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult, will have its eligibility expanded across two phases in 2026 to better recognise and support both visible and non-visible disabilities.
Changes to the system have been made following a recent review of the DPRC undertaken by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Department for Transport (DfT) and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which deemed the Railcard’s current eligibility criteria insufficient when reflecting the modern understanding of disability.
The two phases have been designed to bring benefits where evidence requirements are straightforward, as well as introduce robust assessment for more complex cases later in the year.
Phase 1 is set to begin from 01 March 2026, and will expand eligibility to a broader range of customers who are able to demonstrate their need for the card through any existing documentation (i.e. Blue Badge holders).
Phase 2, which will begin in September 2026, will extend eligibility further to include conditions requiring either clinical or professional evidence, including long-term or degenerative medical conditions, as well as neurodiversity where it may have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.
Full details of evidentiary requirements and application guidance will be published ahead of each phase.
The card, which offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult, will have its eligibility expanded across two phases in 2026 to better recognise and support both visible and non-visible disabilities.
Changes to the system have been made following a recent review of the DPRC undertaken by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Department for Transport (DfT) and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which deemed the Railcard’s current eligibility criteria insufficient when reflecting the modern understanding of disability.
The two phases have been designed to bring benefits where evidence requirements are straightforward, as well as introduce robust assessment for more complex cases later in the year.
Phase 1 is set to begin from 01 March 2026, and will expand eligibility to a broader range of customers who are able to demonstrate their need for the card through any existing documentation (i.e. Blue Badge holders).
Phase 2, which will begin in September 2026, will extend eligibility further to include conditions requiring either clinical or professional evidence, including long-term or degenerative medical conditions, as well as neurodiversity where it may have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.
Full details of evidentiary requirements and application guidance will be published ahead of each phase.
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371579/31355/51] Posted by ChrisB at 11:20, 26th January 2026 | |
From BBC Weather
UK braces for severe wind and rain as Storm Chandra named
Severe weather warnings for wind and rain have been issued ahead of the expected arrival of Storm Chandra.
Chandra has been named by the UK Met Office and is due to hit the UK on Tuesday.
It is the third major storm to hit the UK this month after Goretti and Ingrid, which caused significant damage and disruption.
Chandra will be accompanied by multiple hazards, widely heavy and persistent rain, and gales or even severe gales in exposed areas.
The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Northern Ireland to accompany Storm Chandra, external.
The warning is in place for eastern parts of Northern Ireland, from 05:00 on Tuesday until 21:00.
Winds will escalate with coastal gales, even severe gales and damaging gusts of up to 75mph (120km/h).
These sort of wind speeds will lead to large coastal waves which are likely to overtop the sea walls and promenades.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
It has also issued an amber warning for heavy rain from 17:00 Monday until 09:00 Tuesday for south-west England.
30-50mm rainfall is likely widely, with 60-80mm across some higher ground, especially south Dartmoor.
These areas have already had a large amount of rain, so there is a risk of flooding as more rain falls on ground that is currently saturated.
Yellow warnings - the least severe level of warning - are more numerous:
Northern Ireland, valid from 12:00 Monday until 18:00, for persistent rain and flood risk with 10 to 20mm widely, up to 40mm over the hills.
South-west England and Wales, valid from 15:00 Monday until 12:00 Tuesday, for 20 to 30mm widely, but as much as 80mm over Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
South-east England, valid from midnight Tuesday until midday and mentions 15 to 25mm of rain widely, with twice as much over higher ground such as the Chilterns.
Northern Ireland, valid Tuesday 02:00 until 21:00, for damaging winds, gusts in exposed parts up to 70mph (113km/h) accompanied by another 15 to 25mm of rain widely, 40 to 50mm over the hills.
Storm Chandra is hitting hot on the heels of Goretti and Ingrid, bringing more soaking rains with little time between for the water to flow away and the rivers fully recover.
This continuing rain really heightens the flood risk.
The wind will also be a threat, as strong winds from Goretti and Ingrid have already battered parts of the UK this month, notably in south-west England.
As a result, many structures may have been weakened, trees may have been left vulnerable as well as power lines.
Severe weather warnings for wind and rain have been issued ahead of the expected arrival of Storm Chandra.
Chandra has been named by the UK Met Office and is due to hit the UK on Tuesday.
It is the third major storm to hit the UK this month after Goretti and Ingrid, which caused significant damage and disruption.
Chandra will be accompanied by multiple hazards, widely heavy and persistent rain, and gales or even severe gales in exposed areas.
The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Northern Ireland to accompany Storm Chandra, external.
The warning is in place for eastern parts of Northern Ireland, from 05:00 on Tuesday until 21:00.
Winds will escalate with coastal gales, even severe gales and damaging gusts of up to 75mph (120km/h).
These sort of wind speeds will lead to large coastal waves which are likely to overtop the sea walls and promenades.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
It has also issued an amber warning for heavy rain from 17:00 Monday until 09:00 Tuesday for south-west England.
30-50mm rainfall is likely widely, with 60-80mm across some higher ground, especially south Dartmoor.
These areas have already had a large amount of rain, so there is a risk of flooding as more rain falls on ground that is currently saturated.
Yellow warnings - the least severe level of warning - are more numerous:
Northern Ireland, valid from 12:00 Monday until 18:00, for persistent rain and flood risk with 10 to 20mm widely, up to 40mm over the hills.
South-west England and Wales, valid from 15:00 Monday until 12:00 Tuesday, for 20 to 30mm widely, but as much as 80mm over Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
South-east England, valid from midnight Tuesday until midday and mentions 15 to 25mm of rain widely, with twice as much over higher ground such as the Chilterns.
Northern Ireland, valid Tuesday 02:00 until 21:00, for damaging winds, gusts in exposed parts up to 70mph (113km/h) accompanied by another 15 to 25mm of rain widely, 40 to 50mm over the hills.
Storm Chandra is hitting hot on the heels of Goretti and Ingrid, bringing more soaking rains with little time between for the water to flow away and the rivers fully recover.
This continuing rain really heightens the flood risk.
The wind will also be a threat, as strong winds from Goretti and Ingrid have already battered parts of the UK this month, notably in south-west England.
As a result, many structures may have been weakened, trees may have been left vulnerable as well as power lines.
And the yellow warning for wind - From the Met Office
0500 tomorrow till 1600 tomorrow
South to southwesterly winds, associated with Storm Chandra, will become very strong during Tuesday morning with peak gusts typically of 50-60 mph inland and 60-70 mph along exposed coasts. There is a small chance of gusts up to 80 mph for parts of the Isles of Scilly and Pembrokeshire. Winds should gradually ease later in the afternoon.
South West England
Cornwall
Devon
Isles of Scilly
South to southwesterly winds, associated with Storm Chandra, will become very strong during Tuesday morning with peak gusts typically of 50-60 mph inland and 60-70 mph along exposed coasts. There is a small chance of gusts up to 80 mph for parts of the Isles of Scilly and Pembrokeshire. Winds should gradually ease later in the afternoon.
South West England
Cornwall
Devon
Isles of Scilly
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371578/28982/26] Posted by Noggin at 11:04, 26th January 2026 | |
Have we got any green ones yet?
| Re: Canals: not 'the lighter side', but I do commend this to our readers In "Introductions and chat" [371576/31515/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:47, 26th January 2026 | |
Thanks, grahame. [Image from here is not available to guests]
... like Frome ...
... or Bath, which I really struggle with, in terms of where best to put a post or topic: it could be equally appropriate being placed on any one of some half-dozen boards, depending on the context. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire - HST derailment: three dead - 12 August 2020 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371574/23891/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:34, 26th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Inquiry into fatal Stonehaven train derailment to begin
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough died in 2020
A fatal accident inquiry into a train derailment which killed three men in the north east of Scotland is due to begin.
The Aberdeen to Glasgow train came off the rails at Carmont in Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020 after it hit a landslide following heavy rain.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the crash. Network Rail was later fined £6.7m in court for a series of failings.
The inquiry in Aberdeen - which is expected to last between three and four weeks - is due to get under way from 11:00.
During the court case in 2023, Network Rail admitted a number of maintenance and inspection failures before the crash.
It also admitted failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe, or tell him to reduce his speed.
At the High Court in Aberdeen, Lord Matthews said no penalty could compensate for the loss suffered by the families of those who died and the people injured.
Law firm Digby Brown later said that a total of nearly £1m in civil actions against Network Rail had been settled.
(BBC article continues)
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Christopher Stuchbury, Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough died in 2020
A fatal accident inquiry into a train derailment which killed three men in the north east of Scotland is due to begin.
The Aberdeen to Glasgow train came off the rails at Carmont in Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020 after it hit a landslide following heavy rain.
Driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the crash. Network Rail was later fined £6.7m in court for a series of failings.
The inquiry in Aberdeen - which is expected to last between three and four weeks - is due to get under way from 11:00.
During the court case in 2023, Network Rail admitted a number of maintenance and inspection failures before the crash.
It also admitted failing to warn the driver that part of the track was unsafe, or tell him to reduce his speed.
At the High Court in Aberdeen, Lord Matthews said no penalty could compensate for the loss suffered by the families of those who died and the people injured.
Law firm Digby Brown later said that a total of nearly £1m in civil actions against Network Rail had been settled.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371573/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 10:32, 26th January 2026 Already liked by matth1j, Mark A | |
I am delighted that the 07:21 in the mornings has consistently been on time, so (Thingley Junction traffic allowing) will allow a good connection into Bristol.
I wish you hadn't said that - I'm going to be testing it out later... [Image from here is not available to guests]BTW the (unofficial) connection at Chippenham is even tighter than it used to be, isn't it? Has the Paddington Weston-super-Mare service crept forward a minute?
07:30 - 07:31 Salisbury to Worcester train calls at Chippenham
07:31 - 07:33 London to Weston-super-mare train calls at Chippenham
A year ago, yes, it was 07:34 departure from Chippenham in the public timetable, with the 07:31 departure to Worcester unchanged and I would assume (data no longer easily to hand) that the arrival from Salisbury was at 07:30. So 4 minutes has indeed become 3.
I am - disappointed - that this has just slipped in, bearing in mind requests to move it to 07:35 as GWR have been known to do for their own convenience when engineering works have been taking place. At the least, I would have hoped to have received a notification of changes as has happened with so many changes in the past. However, the GWR team could be characterised at present by being operational rather than customer responsive. Ask passengers who used to finish work at Salisbury at the end of a conventional 9-to-5 day and catch the 17:42 home to Dilton Marsh, and suddenly found on 15th December that the train that had called at Dilton Marsh was now running empty, and their alternative didn't leave Salisbury until 19:13.
Conversations are being had, but in reality the passengers and the regulators are pretty toothless. There are times that changes make sense and occasionally that will inconvenience some people - we have accepted a number of such changes in the past - but at present changes are being put in more, it seems, with a view to improving performance stats than to serving the customer. Frustrating, as there are ways of doing both at the same time.
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371572/22771/12] Posted by ChrisB at 10:08, 26th January 2026 | |
More torrential rain for Cornwall and Devon tomorrow and Tuesday, also into next week.
Less windy, that said.
Less windy, that said.
Hmmm. Forecast this morning was for more gale-force winds, maybe from a slightly different direction though.
| Re: Canals: not 'the lighter side', but I do commend this to our readers In "Introductions and chat" [371571/31515/1] Posted by grahame at 10:07, 26th January 2026 | |
This is another topic which doesn't fit neatly into any of our existing boards or topics. However, I remain determined not to start another new one - purely in the interests of simplicity, here on the forum.
It makes sense not to start another board - but they may be sense in moving a few boundaries and descriptions. Rather like Frome which really should be in Wiltshire, and Cricklade which might more logically be in Swindonshire. There may be some boards that merge / simplify.
It will never be straightforward. We have been line / service based which gets awkward when we want to discuss a multisevice station, and there are so many more general topics which are - ALL - "Across the West" and that becomes a bit big. Things like "passenger experience" - everything from wheelchair access to catering, softness of seats, ticket office closures and fellow passengers putting their feet up and passing wind all seem to end up "Across the West" or "Wider Picture" .... and then we have corollary topics which ARE of interest to a lot of members. "Chat" seems logical ....
| Re: Dawlish - permanent resilience work - ongoing discussions In "London to the West" [371570/22771/12] Posted by Mark A at 10:00, 26th January 2026 | |
That installation needed to have been designed by a nautical architect.
Me: not experienced as a nautical architect, but aware that, say, farm animals, in poor weather, do not by choice stand facing the prevailing wind: wishing I'd had more input into the design than just the opportunity given (and taken) to comment on the planning application.
Mark
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK, with implications for infrastructure - ongoing discussion, 2 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371569/30953/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:55, 26th January 2026 | |
Another update, from the BBC:
Body found believed to be missing antiques dealer
[Image from here is not available to guests]
A body recovered from the sea is believed to be missing antiques dealer Matthew Upham
The body of a man recovered from the sea is thought to be antiques shop owner Matthew Upham, one of two swimmers who went missing on Christmas Day.
Devon and Cornwall Police said emergency services were called to Exmouth Beach in Devon just before 15:00 GMT on Sunday following a report of a body seen near the shore. Formal identification is yet to be carried out, but officers said the family of a 64-year-old man from Budleigh Salterton had been informed.
The body of a 47-year-old man, thought to be the other swimmer who went missing, was recovered on Tuesday.
Upham, 64, owner of an antiques shop in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, was previously named by his family as one of the swimmers. According to his friend, singer-songwriter Kate Bush, he had gone into the sea to help a woman in difficulty. "Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed," said his family, thanking emergency services who responded.
Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton shortly after 10:25 GMT on 25 December after two men could not be located. The coastguard search operation was called off at about 17:00.
RNLI crews as well as coastguard helicopters carried out extensive shoreline and offshore searches and a number of people were safely brought back to shore. They were checked either by paramedics at the scene or taken to hospital as a precaution.
Organisers of some Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall had postponed or cancelled events due to a yellow weather warning for wind.
[Image from here is not available to guests]
A body recovered from the sea is believed to be missing antiques dealer Matthew Upham
The body of a man recovered from the sea is thought to be antiques shop owner Matthew Upham, one of two swimmers who went missing on Christmas Day.
Devon and Cornwall Police said emergency services were called to Exmouth Beach in Devon just before 15:00 GMT on Sunday following a report of a body seen near the shore. Formal identification is yet to be carried out, but officers said the family of a 64-year-old man from Budleigh Salterton had been informed.
The body of a 47-year-old man, thought to be the other swimmer who went missing, was recovered on Tuesday.
Upham, 64, owner of an antiques shop in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, was previously named by his family as one of the swimmers. According to his friend, singer-songwriter Kate Bush, he had gone into the sea to help a woman in difficulty. "Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed," said his family, thanking emergency services who responded.
Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton shortly after 10:25 GMT on 25 December after two men could not be located. The coastguard search operation was called off at about 17:00.
RNLI crews as well as coastguard helicopters carried out extensive shoreline and offshore searches and a number of people were safely brought back to shore. They were checked either by paramedics at the scene or taken to hospital as a precaution.
Organisers of some Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall had postponed or cancelled events due to a yellow weather warning for wind.
| Re: Class 175s to Great Western Railway (GWR) In "Across the West" [371568/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 09:14, 26th January 2026 | |
175002 un-refurbished being used on a training run then to make up passenger 1340 to Penzance. 175001 refurbished also out training.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371567/31503/31] Posted by broadgage at 09:09, 26th January 2026 | |
I can see the merits of a national force to deal with terrorism, and organised/large scale crime. One caveat is the risk of the local force declining to deal with say shoplifting, by stating "we believe that a large organised gang are responsible and are therefore leaving it the national police"
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [371566/31503/31] Posted by Electric train at 07:10, 26th January 2026 | |
The proposals seem to mirror those proposed in 2005 which were described by the BBC here:
If so it would be between 12 and 18 police forces
If so it would be between 12 and 18 police forces
East Midlands - Either one East Midlands force; or two forces - one covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and another for Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
I could see an option of a Kent and Essex joining in a combined force, there is a lot of crime across the Thames with the bad guys making use of the Thames crossings and the current disconnection of the policing
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line" [371565/31359/18] Posted by matth1j at 06:10, 26th January 2026 | |
I am delighted that the 07:21 in the mornings has consistently been on time, so (Thingley Junction traffic allowing) will allow a good connection into Bristol.
I wish you hadn't said that - I'm going to be testing it out later... [Image from here is not available to guests]BTW the (unofficial) connection at Chippenham is even tighter than it used to be, isn't it? Has the Paddington Weston-super-Mare service crept forward a minute?
| Re: The Two Ronnies, The Little Trains of Wales In "The Lighter Side" [371564/31303/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 04:14, 26th January 2026 | |
They even got 'GWR' badges to put on their caps. That's quality comedy. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Burns Night in Scotland - topical military music, related post In "Introductions and chat" [371562/31516/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 03:07, 26th January 2026 | |
From YouTube:
One of my favourite comments there, from a military perspective, is "You want to hear this beside you - not in front of you!"
CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Melksham Station - "InfoStation" / loos / snack bar / info point opportunity? In "TransWilts line" [371561/31510/18] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 02:20, 26th January 2026 | |
Over the years, I have used Melksham station a fair few times, as a visitor [Image from here is not available to guests]. On many such occasions, I found the help from a knowledgeable local volunteer (grahame, in my case [Image from here is not available to guests]) to be very useful ...
I saw the cafe and thought that was an excellent facility ...
I saw the cafe and thought that was an excellent facility ...
Years ago now ... I last met Peter and Margaret Blackburn there, they were sitting outside enjoying a coffee, on that occasion. My respects to both of them, RIP. CfN. [Image from here is not available to guests]
Looking forward, I could see me enjoying either of:
1. In the summer, a cold drink - the MTUG proposal suggests £1.50 for a can, which I regard as good value, with the option of adding a pack of locally sourced packet snack products;
2. In the winter, a hot drink - again, the MTUG proposal suggests £3.00 for a coffee or £2.00 for a tea (not sure whether they would / could provide mugs, rather than 'bring your own', to avoid having to use recycling cardboard or plastic items).
I commend the concept. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Canals: not 'the lighter side', but I do commend this to our readers In "Introductions and chat" [371560/31515/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 00:34, 26th January 2026 Already liked by rogerw | |
This is another topic which doesn't fit neatly into any of our existing boards or topics. However, I remain determined not to start another new one - purely in the interests of simplicity, here on the forum.
I am an avid follower of 'cruising the cut': I thank David there for his posts.
This one particularly resonated with me - classical music, on the canals - and with a very sad update.
Chris. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: The most annoying habit for UK train passengers revealed In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [371559/31513/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:46, 25th January 2026 Already liked by eightonedee, johnneyw | |
I really don't know what the issue is with putting on makeup though...fear of face powder fallout?
That rather depends: if it was Donald Trump sitting opposite me, I'd leave that train at the next available station stop. [Image from here is not available to guests]
