Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Lelant Saltings, twinned with Pilning? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [363698/30509/25] Posted by RichardB at 22:38, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It's 10-15 minutes walk from Lelant Saltings to Lelant. There's a back road. I did it years ago.
Re: Lelant Saltings, twinned with Pilning? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [363696/30509/25] Posted by Mark A at 21:55, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In its defence, the one up train of the day from Lelant Saltings, the 9:12, makes a squeaky connection at St Erth into the 9:20 to deliver the traveller to Paddington just before 2:30pm...
Mark
Gulls (but not Minehead) and rails In "The Lighter Side" [363694/30510/30] Posted by grahame at 20:14, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Two pictures from today ... if you think Minehead has gull problems ....


Re: 16th August 2025 - Buses to Imber In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363693/29807/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:11, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
To me, that conjures up an image of an artillery officer, looking out over the range and shouting "Open fire! No, that's not an order - it's a warning!!

Re: 16th August 2025 - Buses to Imber In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363691/29807/5] Posted by CyclingSid at 19:33, 29th July 2025 Already liked by Mark A, Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Could also do with some rain. The plain is very dry and a repeat of previous events in the year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70nnnnz0ldo could put the event at risk. Especially the section that goes across the top of the Larkhill/Westdown range to Brazen Bottom and the Lavingtons. The civilian Fire and Rescue Service won't get involved because the risk in military areas. I would imagine with cut backs the nearest MoD fire service will be Boscombe Down, and probably not suited to wild fires on the ranges.
Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363690/29073/31] Posted by johnneyw at 18:50, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The seagulls, or the water pistols? 

The water pistols unfortunately. The local seagulls seem now to have latched on to the opportunity presented to them at Victoria Quay where the holidaymakers go crabbing when the tide is favourable. The moment you discard the bait from the net before going home, they're on to it in a flash.
Re: Lelant Saltings, twinned with Pilning? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [363689/30509/25] Posted by bradshaw at 18:43, 29th July 2025 Already liked by Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I presume that the concentration of parking at St Erth station has led to the decision. Lelant Saltings opened in 1978 as the P&R station for St Ives. That function has now been taken by St Erth.
Whether the decision to reduce services was the correct one is another thing.
Lelant Saltings, twinned with Pilning? In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [363688/30509/25] Posted by Mark A at 18:34, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Heard an anecdote from someone local to the station, checked on a map, and yes, Lelant Saltings Station's adjacent housing might also be served by buses on the main road - said main roads also sever walking routes to the likes of St Erth.
Despite this, the station's timetable (07:52 to St Ives, 9:12 to St Erth and that's it... that is designed simply to ensure that the timetable of their local station does not meet the travel needs of people living within walking distance.)
Then, if you group the station with Lelant - you now have what's listed as a population of nearly 4000 - the rail service there is a somewhat better but heaven forbid that anyone might need, say, an evening train or first train of the day...
Mark
Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363687/29073/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:20, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The seagulls, or the water pistols?

I flew from Newcastle to Bristol last Wednesday morning....40 minutes from take off to touchdown for £23. Then found myself using the new Passenger terminal it was 5 minutes from aircraft steps to A! bus seat. Compared to my experience in the reverse direction in October 2023 it could not have been more different.
I can also highly recommend Newcastle Quayside Travelodge...a new build, floor to ceiling windows with a great view over the Tyne. Almost opposite a flight of some 120 steps that cuts the journey to Newcastle Central by half for the metro to the airport.
Arrest after girl raped in train toilet - Woolwich Arsenal, 19 July 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [363685/30508/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:25, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the BBC:

A man has been arrested after a teenager was raped in a toilet on a train in south-east London, British Transport Police (BTP) said.
The 17-year-old girl was attacked after boarding a Thameslink train towards Abbey Wood from Woolwich Arsenal railway station at about 06:10 BST on 19 July, having been sexually assaulted on the platform five minutes beforehand.
The man left the network at Abbey Wood while the girl continued to Slade Green station and later reported the incident to police.
BTP said a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody. He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
Officers are appealing for anyone who was at Woolwich Arsenal station and may have seen the pair on the platform, or anyone who saw them on the train, to contact police immediately.
Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363684/30497/31] Posted by stuving at 08:45, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
These fairs have to have a council-led HSE inspection before they are allowed to open each time - the council issues a licence to operate.
I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....
I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....
I doubt the Local Authority safety inspection would involve a in depth mechanical, electrical inspection, observing full operation by all the operators, setting up etc. More likely it will be an audit of the HS File, inspection, maintenance and repair reports, records of operator training, management of safety policy. The Local Authority would unlikely have the skill staff, resources and time to carry out a full inspection of every ride and machine.
And that's how the system works. Under HSE's overall responsibility for how regulation and enforcement is applied, as they say:
Under the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998, the local authority is generally the enforcing authority for leisure activities.
The LA inspects general site safety and management, but for rides they check documentation of inspections, the main one being annual and by a member of NAFLIC:
National Association for Leisure Industry Certification
NAFLIC is the UK trade association for amusement ride inspectors and other companies and individuals who provide inspection and maintenance services to ride owners, controllers and operators. Members are qualified in all aspects of amusement ride inspection and all are registered with ADIPS, the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme, which is fully endorsed and supported by the Health and Safety Executive.
The membership also includes others who provide valuable input into the inspection and maintenance aspects of rides and attractions, such as manufacturers and suppliers. Additionally, NAFLIC provides technical assistance and advice to the amusement park and travelling fairground industry.
NAFLIC is the UK trade association for amusement ride inspectors and other companies and individuals who provide inspection and maintenance services to ride owners, controllers and operators. Members are qualified in all aspects of amusement ride inspection and all are registered with ADIPS, the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme, which is fully endorsed and supported by the Health and Safety Executive.
The membership also includes others who provide valuable input into the inspection and maintenance aspects of rides and attractions, such as manufacturers and suppliers. Additionally, NAFLIC provides technical assistance and advice to the amusement park and travelling fairground industry.
Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363683/30497/31] Posted by Electric train at 06:34, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
These fairs have to have a council-led HSE inspection before they are allowed to open each time - the council issues a licence to operate.
I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....
I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....
I doubt the Local Authority safety inspection would involve a in depth mechanical, electrical inspection, observing full operation by all the operators, setting up etc. More likely it will be an audit of the HS File, inspection, maintenance and repair reports, records of operator training, management of safety policy. The Local Authority would unlikely have the skill staff, resources and time to carry out a full inspection of every ride and machine.
Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363682/30503/52] Posted by grahame at 04:28, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Not being an engineer:
regarding the Portishead line crossing the river to the Severn Beach line,
how far back down the line to Portishead line would the climb have had to start to get level with the current road bridge
and how far down the Severn beach rail line be to get it level towards Bristol.
regarding the Portishead line crossing the river to the Severn Beach line,
how far back down the line to Portishead line would the climb have had to start to get level with the current road bridge
and how far down the Severn beach rail line be to get it level towards Bristol.
Answered (somewhat) yesterday ...
The Avonmouth M5 bridge has a 30m clearance over the river (not sure at what tide state) so you would need about 1km ramps on each side at 1 in 30, or 2 km for 1 in 60.
What ruling gradient you would select and how you would transition to and from level would depend on the type of traffic to be carried. You would also need to consider the "x" and "y" dimensions - where on a map the ramp structures would go, and whose homes and businesses they would tower above. At this stage - an open and busy M5, a bridge not built to take the weight of a train, and a structure that rises and falls within its length, I suspect adding a rail deck (on top, to avoid reducing ships clearance) is impractical. Better (IMHO and uneducated and probably just as impractical), a lift / swing / slide bridge at about ///farmer.pool.enjoy with a junction off the `Severn Beach line curving left just after leaving Sea Mills to the left to cross the Severn and after the bridge running pretty much straight into the existing Portbury freight line well before Ham Green.
Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363681/30503/52] Posted by infoman at 01:01, 29th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Not being an engineer:
regarding the Portishead line crossing the river to the Severn Beach line,
how far back down the line to Portishead line would the climb have had to start to get level with the current road bridge
and how far down the Severn beach rail line be to get it level towards Bristol.
Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363680/29073/31] Posted by johnneyw at 21:21, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On the outside terrace at The Idle Rocks hotel in St Mawes there are water pistols on the tables which are very effective in deterring seagulls landing on the wall and eyeing up your food.
Ditto The Ferry Inn, Salcombe..... except some of them seem to have a strange habit of going missing after a while.
Re: Man in life-threatening condition after bus crash - Regent Street, 28 July 2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363677/30506/5] Posted by TaplowGreen at 20:07, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I walked past about 20 mins before it happened. To be honest I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often in that area.
Re: Several reported killed in German train derailment - 27 July 2025 In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363676/30501/52] Posted by ChrisB at 18:07, 28th July 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Stonehaven, German-style

Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion In "Across the West" [363675/18719/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 17:43, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Was staffed and trains calling from 10am AIUI.
Man in life-threatening condition after bus crash - Regent Street, 28 July 2025 In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363674/30506/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:41, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the BBC:

A man in his 80s has been taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition after he was struck by a bus in central London.
Emergency services were called at around 12:50 BST following the crash at the junction of Margaret Street and Regent Street.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) said paramedics treated two people at the scene, with one taken to a major trauma centre as a priority. The Met Police said his condition was "thought to be life-threatening".
The other person was assessed and discharged at the scene, LAS said.
The service sent ambulance crews, paramedics, and a hazardous area response team to the scene, as well as dispatching the air ambulance.
Police said no arrests had been made, and bus services in the area have been diverted.
Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363673/30497/31] Posted by ChrisB at 15:23, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
These fairs have to have a council-led HSE inspection before they are allowed to open each time - the council issues a licence to operate.
I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....
Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363670/30503/52] Posted by Oxonhutch at 13:19, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
...
If you want a really extreme example of sharing, Google Gisbourne Airport where the railway line crosses the runway.
If you want a really extreme example of sharing, Google Gisbourne Airport where the railway line crosses the runway.
Plus RAF Ballykelly in Northern Ireland when it was still an active airfield.
Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363669/30497/31] Posted by broadgage at 13:10, 28th July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Very sad, though fairgrounds are known, in general, for a rather flexible approach to safety. Any attempt to improve standards is often considered to be an attack on fairground industry, and on those who run it.