Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377328/11010/28] Posted by IndustryInsider at 11:28, 23rd July 2026 |      |
Operations director Alex Lawrie said the co-operative had "not been ambitious enough" with its previous plans...
Yes, that was clearly the issue!
Though, for what it's worth, I think the latest complete and utter change in strategy and direction actually might have a bit of promise.
There's still a very high chance it won't end up going anywhere tangible though.
| Re: WOMAD comes to Wiltshire - nearest station, Melksham, July 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377327/31642/18] Posted by JohnM at 10:47, 23rd July 2026 | |
Looking at the A365 near the festival on google maps with traffic colouring, there's quite a lot of yellow, but no red, yet...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YRt54qNFQ1vNdK9z7
| Re: WOMAD comes to Wiltshire - nearest station, Melksham, July 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377326/31642/18] Posted by grahame at 10:17, 23rd July 2026 | |
Perhaps it would have been worth suggesting to the organisers, or one of the local operators that a shuttle bus from Melksham station may have been a good idea?
I guess the main reason Chippenham was chosen in preference to Melksham was Melksham's lack of capacity - low service frequency by short trains?There was a danger of trying to put a gallon into a pint pot. Even with extra trains (from where? how on the line?) only 3 carriage platform then a lack of turning spaces for buses and no station loos.
| 42 million hours wasted on train delays In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377325/32270/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:02, 23rd July 2026 | |
An interesting take!
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/revealed-the-42-million-wasted-hours-caused-by-train-delays/ar-AA28uStt?ocid=socialshare
| Re: WOMAD comes to Wiltshire - nearest station, Melksham, July 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377324/31642/18] Posted by JohnM at 08:32, 23rd July 2026 | |
Perhaps it would have been worth suggesting to the organisers, or one of the local operators that a shuttle bus from Melksham station may have been a good idea?
I guess the main reason Chippenham was chosen in preference to Melksham was Melksham's lack of capacity - low service frequency by short trains?| Re: WOMAD comes to Wiltshire - nearest station, Melksham, July 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Salisbury" [377323/31642/18] Posted by Phil at 07:51, 23rd July 2026 | |
Perhaps it would have been worth suggesting to the organisers, or one of the local operators that a shuttle bus from Melksham station may have been a good idea?
I used Melksham station a couple of times yesterday (Wednesday) and whilst there wasn't exactly a bus, there were definitely more than one MPVs meeting and greeting people associated with Womad (staff and performers at a guess, since a couple were carrying either musical instruments or well disguised machine guns...)
| Re: SWR timetable consultation - a suggestion In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [377322/32168/20] Posted by grahame at 06:08, 23rd July 2026 Already liked by Mark A, Clan Line | |
On 21st, Wiltshire Council passed a motion calling for through services from Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge to London (Waterloo) to be provided by the SWR timetable revision, linking the Bristol -> Salisbury local service into the Salisbury -> Waterloo service. And important considering especially that Wiltshire Council is the LTA (Local Transport Authority).
Unanimous - Cross party
A "friendly amendment" from Cllr Holder, saying [the] motion had "missed a trick" and added that there should be a letter to Heidi Alexander too
| Re: Ryanair - routes, schedules, incidents and issues (merged posts) In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [377321/29076/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:38, 22nd July 2026 | |
I don't think it's very wise for an airline boss ...
Just to say, we are referring to Michael O'Leary here ...
That's my personal opinion, not the official view of the Coffee Shop forum.
CfN.
| Wreckage of Pan American plane that shaped aviation safety found 74 years on In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377320/32269/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:20, 22nd July 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Wreckage of Pan Am plane that shaped aviation safety found 74 years on
The wreckage of a Pan American Airways plane has been found 74 years after it plunged into the Atlantic Ocean in a crash that prompted mandatory airline safety briefings.
The Clipper Endeavor was found 2,000ft (610m) below sea level off the coast of Puerto Rico with a sonar-equipped drone. It went down on 11 April 1952 following multiple-engine failure shortly after take-off.
Everyone onboard survived the impact - but passengers struggled to locate life vests and rafts as the plane rapidly sank. Of the 69 passengers and crew onboard, just 17 survived.
The disaster led to sweeping reforms in aviation safety, including compulsory pre-flight safety briefings on every commercial flight.
(BBC article continues)
The wreckage of a Pan American Airways plane has been found 74 years after it plunged into the Atlantic Ocean in a crash that prompted mandatory airline safety briefings.
The Clipper Endeavor was found 2,000ft (610m) below sea level off the coast of Puerto Rico with a sonar-equipped drone. It went down on 11 April 1952 following multiple-engine failure shortly after take-off.
Everyone onboard survived the impact - but passengers struggled to locate life vests and rafts as the plane rapidly sank. Of the 69 passengers and crew onboard, just 17 survived.
The disaster led to sweeping reforms in aviation safety, including compulsory pre-flight safety briefings on every commercial flight.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Severn Valley Railway - public (not tourist) service trial In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377319/32267/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:46, 22nd July 2026 | |
Not to mention Taunton - Minehead
After all, the people of West Somerset have only been waiting 55 years so far
One particular resident of Minehead has indeed been remarkably patient. However, I think he takes a much broader view.
CfN.
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377318/26638/5] Posted by Mark A at 22:25, 22nd July 2026 | |
Ah, it was. Silly me.
Mark
https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/politics/new-prime-minister-bath-launch-bus-fare-cap-118874/
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377317/26638/5] Posted by Mark A at 22:22, 22nd July 2026 | |
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cdx7z2wwe7qt
Thank you. What about a train fare cap, or is that different?
Looks like Mark A missed a photo opportunity with the new PMPrime Minister Andy Burnham says no one should be "priced out" or "left behind" when it comes to affordable transport links after announcing bus fares in England will be capped at £2.
"For too long people have said that cheaper transport isn't an option. I don't accept that. I've done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country," he says in a statement.
"Lower fares will help people get to where they need to - giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living."
"For too long people have said that cheaper transport isn't an option. I don't accept that. I've done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country," he says in a statement.
"Lower fares will help people get to where they need to - giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living."
Thank you. What about a train fare cap, or is that different?
Drat. But his visit can't have been connected with public transport surely, Bath's network is irredeemable for the foreseeable future.
Mark
| Re: Severn Valley Railway - public (not tourist) service trial In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377316/32267/28] Posted by JayMac at 21:53, 22nd July 2026 | |
After all, the people of West Somerset have only been waiting 55 years so far
Most of that in traffic!
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [377315/593/9] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:47, 22nd July 2026 | |
You should always be pessimistic: that way, you'll never be disappointed.
| Re: Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377314/11010/28] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:44, 22nd July 2026 | |
As ever, I wish them every success - subject only to their being able to raise the necessary cash.
| Re: Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377313/11010/28] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 21:28, 22nd July 2026 | |
Operations director Alex Lawrie said the co-operative had "not been ambitious enough" with its previous plans
Well… that's certainly a view.
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [377312/593/9] Posted by IndustryInsider at 20:48, 22nd July 2026 | |
Oops. I should’ve known not to be optimistic!
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [377311/593/9] Posted by ChrisB at 19:50, 22nd July 2026 | |
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/26401626.furious-oxford-mp---botley-road-reopening-delay-confirmed/?ref=rss
| Re: Severn Valley Railway - public (not tourist) service trial In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377310/32267/28] Posted by grahame at 17:32, 22nd July 2026 | |
A blueprint for, amongst others, Bodmin General-Parkway, and Kingswaer-Paignton perhaps?
Not to mention Taunton - Minehead
After all, the people of West Somerset have only been waiting 55 years so far
I like that ... but yet the Severn Valley does not use any Network Rails track, nor do the Bodnin or Kingswear suggestions. Others similar are services to Chinnor and Wallingford. Running onto Network Rail lines - Minehead and Swanage, please.
| Re: Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts In "London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury" [377309/593/9] Posted by TonyN at 17:24, 22nd July 2026 Already liked by eightonedee | |
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/network-rail-provides-update-on-status-of-botley-road-project
And it was on a Wednesday when the Gas man came to call.
| Re: Severn Valley Railway - public (not tourist) service trial In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377308/32267/28] Posted by Witham Bobby at 15:08, 22nd July 2026 Already liked by Oxonhutch, grahame, Chris from Nailsea | |
A blueprint for, amongst others, Bodmin General-Parkway, and Kingswaer-Paignton perhaps?
Not to mention Taunton - Minehead
After all, the people of West Somerset have only been waiting 55 years so far
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377307/26638/5] Posted by TonyN at 13:56, 22nd July 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cdx7z2wwe7qt
Thank you. What about a train fare cap, or is that different?
Looks like Mark A missed a photo opportunity with the new PMPrime Minister Andy Burnham says no one should be "priced out" or "left behind" when it comes to affordable transport links after announcing bus fares in England will be capped at £2.
"For too long people have said that cheaper transport isn't an option. I don't accept that. I've done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country," he says in a statement.
"Lower fares will help people get to where they need to - giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living."
"For too long people have said that cheaper transport isn't an option. I don't accept that. I've done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country," he says in a statement.
"Lower fares will help people get to where they need to - giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living."
Thank you. What about a train fare cap, or is that different?
| Re: Station fire at Paignton. Footbridge? In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [377306/32262/24] Posted by bradshaw at 13:40, 22nd July 2026 | |
From the BBC website
Three boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a major fire that tore through Paignton railway station.
British Transport Police said the boys, aged 13, 15 and 16, were arrested in the Paignton area on Tuesday evening and taken into custody to be questioned by detectives. They were later released on conditional bail while inquiries continued, officers said
British Transport Police said the boys, aged 13, 15 and 16, were arrested in the Paignton area on Tuesday evening and taken into custody to be questioned by detectives. They were later released on conditional bail while inquiries continued, officers said
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20e5qx42gpo
| Re: Paddington <-> Bristol: service updates and amendments - ongoing discussion In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [377305/18525/10] Posted by JohnM at 13:05, 22nd July 2026 | |
14:30 Bristol-Paddington cancelled due to fault on train.
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377304/26638/5] Posted by ChrisB at 12:32, 22nd July 2026 | |
Thank you. What about a train fare cap, or is that different?
Nope. Standard walk-up fares frozen / capped this year at current levels
| Re: Severn Valley Railway - public (not tourist) service trial In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [377303/32267/28] Posted by Andy at 12:30, 22nd July 2026 | |
A blueprint for, amongst others, Bodmin General-Parkway, and Kingswaer-Paignton perhaps?
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377302/26638/5] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 12:14, 22nd July 2026 | |
Here we go again. It's a populist move but a very coarse approach that does little for anyone who needs to change buses during a journey. It doesn't take any account of significantly different types of journey, whether short in-town or longer distance, or help operators launch new routes/buy larger buses to cope with extra demand.
This is all true, but as a first step within two days of coming to power, it's pretty good. Yes, I'd prefer it if a journey from here to Carterton required one £2 ticket rather than two £2 tickets, but it's still better than two £3 tickets.
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377301/26638/5] Posted by Fourbee at 12:00, 22nd July 2026 | |
After Stagecoach's latest price increases some short fares exceeded £2, so this will effectively make £2 a flat fare regardless of distance e.g. one stop or the whole route in some cases.
| GWR days out Family ticket summer 2026 In "Fare's Fair" [377300/32268/4] Posted by John D at 11:48, 22nd July 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
GWR have launched a new day out ticket, valid for 2 adults and upto 4 children
make it a summer to remember with GWR. With our Family Day Out offer, you can explore more of our network together – whether it’s seaside escapes, city adventures or countryside discoveries.
For up to 2 adults and 4 children*, travel on selected Monday – Friday services (same-day return) and enjoy a full day of possibilities.
For up to 2 adults and 4 children*, travel on selected Monday – Friday services (same-day return) and enjoy a full day of possibilities.
https://www.gwr.com/your-tickets/ways-to-save/family-day-out
| Re: Bus fare cap - ongoing issue, merged posts In "Buses and other ways to travel" [377299/26638/5] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 11:46, 22nd July 2026 | |
Here we go again. It's a populist move but a very coarse approach that does little for anyone who needs to change buses during a journey. It doesn't take any account of significantly different types of journey, whether short in-town or longer distance, or help operators launch new routes/buy larger buses to cope with extra demand.
