Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: NPPF revisions - more homes can be built near stations? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [378435/32385/40] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 12:07, 19th August 2026 |      |
All very well having a station within easy walking distance, but without other local amenities it will tend to be nothing but a dormitory, with residents catching the train to work if it goes the right way and driving everywhere else. The main complaint from existing residents - after the loss of countryside - is often that such developments will overload local schools, doctors, sewage processing etc without any compulsion for the developer to include these things.
| Re: West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 In "South Western services" [378434/30889/42] Posted by grahame at 11:56, 19th August 2026 | |
Have written to our M.P twice in his early days of arrival.
First reply came 4 months later.
For the second enquiry, I've received no acknowledgement 6 months on!
More Parliamentary researchers than usual needing repairs perhaps?
First reply came 4 months later.
For the second enquiry, I've received no acknowledgement 6 months on!
More Parliamentary researchers than usual needing repairs perhaps?
There is no requirement on MPs to reply to - or even acknowledge emails. If they want to help make a difference, if they want you to re-elect them next time, a certain responsiveness and politeness helps. But there are some who find other ways of garnering votes more effective, or perhaps are going to retire at the next election anyway.
We have been through the whole gambit here.
Melksham was hooked into the constituency to our east when I first got involved with rail campaigning, where the big rail issues were Pewsey and Bedwyn to London and I had to draw a map of the railway network to show out MP how we fitted in.
We were then hooked into the constituency to the north and our first MP was excellent; he lost the seat on a big national swing, and his replacement for the Chippenham constituency concentrated on - err - Chippenham Station with significant service connectivity loss at Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham bumping along with a thin and unreliable service quite out of scale for a town of the size.
We are now in a constiituency named after our town, and with an MP for whom we are not a rather awkward town tacked on, and with a customer / voter care understanding and approach, and a good team. Thank goodness. All MPs are busy (a few, cynically, busy doing nothing for their MP position) and it still augers well to be polite, correct, complete and helpful - and not rant nor write too much to ask for help / support.
| Re: West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 In "South Western services" [378432/30889/42] Posted by GBM at 11:14, 19th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
IIRC West Coast Railways ran the Oxenholme to Windermere service during the covid years - why not invite them to run an Axminster to Exeter St David's shuttle? At least during the morning and afternoon peaks.
I wrote a long rant to SWR about the lack of any commuter services during either peak between Axminster and Exeter. Surprisingly, I received a response within a week. It was a long, probably cut and paste job from a press release, talking about SMD and the lack of rolling stock, but failed to even mention the possibility of a shuttle service. I await a response from my MP.
Have written to our M.P twice in his early days of arrival.I wrote a long rant to SWR about the lack of any commuter services during either peak between Axminster and Exeter. Surprisingly, I received a response within a week. It was a long, probably cut and paste job from a press release, talking about SMD and the lack of rolling stock, but failed to even mention the possibility of a shuttle service. I await a response from my MP.
First reply came 4 months later.
For the second enquiry, I've received no acknowledgement 6 months on!
More Parliamentary researchers than usual needing repairs perhaps?
| Re: NPPF revisions - more homes can be built near stations? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [378430/32385/40] Posted by GBM at 10:26, 19th August 2026 Already liked by JohnM, Mark A | |
The two line station picture (number 2) - Melksham in 2030?
| Re: Burnham urged to extend railcard discounts to over 30s In "Fare's Fair" [378429/32369/4] Posted by GBM at 10:22, 19th August 2026 | |
Hmm. 
I'm fairly (pun intended!) happy with my 'Old Gits' Senior Railcard, as I still travel by rail sometimes these days, in my retirement. My wife doesn't have one, but she only travels on trains about three times a year, so it wouldn't make financial sense for her to also buy one.
The other cards we do have are senior citizen bus passes, which are excellent - we can travel in to Bristol free, without having to run a car, pay for 'Park & Ride' or any of that malarkey, for example.
CfN.
In Cornwall, old gits passes are available to use 24x7 with no time restrictions.
I'm fairly (pun intended!) happy with my 'Old Gits' Senior Railcard, as I still travel by rail sometimes these days, in my retirement. My wife doesn't have one, but she only travels on trains about three times a year, so it wouldn't make financial sense for her to also buy one.
The other cards we do have are senior citizen bus passes, which are excellent - we can travel in to Bristol free, without having to run a car, pay for 'Park & Ride' or any of that malarkey, for example.
CfN.
However, that does NOT include the Truro Park and Ride (despite many intending passengers telling the driver it says they can use it on the website).
| NPPF revisions - more homes can be built near stations? In "Looking forward - the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years" [378427/32385/40] Posted by grahame at 08:53, 19th August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
From the Guardian
Thousands more homes could be built within 10 minutes of transport hubs, including on green belt sites, under a loosening of planning policy announced by Angela Rayner on Monday.
The housing secretary will set out changes to national planning guidance for England that will include an order for councils to have a “default yes” approach to housing developments that are within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations.
If a proposed development is on green belt land, then the government’s “golden rules” state that they must have higher levels of affordable housing, new or improved green spaces, and be supported by the right infrastructure.
The approach was put out to consultation under Rayner’s predecessor, Steve Reed, but the guidance will be confirmed as part of the new national planning policy framework (NPPF) this week.
[snip]
The new NPPF is aimed at providing clearer national policies for plan-making and decision-making, meaning that conflicting local policies will carry less weight when they are inconsistent with national policies.
Other changes will include:
* Stronger support in principle for development, meaning a more explicit presumption in favour of building in sustainable locations.
* Pubs will get protection from being turned into housing or offices with developers having to prove there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub as a going concern, including evidence that it was marketed for sale for at least a year.
* A requirement for at least 40% of homes to be accessible on bigger developments and stronger protections for community facilities.
* Stronger support for growth and infrastructure including support for AI growth zones and datacentres.
The housing secretary will set out changes to national planning guidance for England that will include an order for councils to have a “default yes” approach to housing developments that are within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations.
If a proposed development is on green belt land, then the government’s “golden rules” state that they must have higher levels of affordable housing, new or improved green spaces, and be supported by the right infrastructure.
The approach was put out to consultation under Rayner’s predecessor, Steve Reed, but the guidance will be confirmed as part of the new national planning policy framework (NPPF) this week.
[snip]
The new NPPF is aimed at providing clearer national policies for plan-making and decision-making, meaning that conflicting local policies will carry less weight when they are inconsistent with national policies.
Other changes will include:
* Stronger support in principle for development, meaning a more explicit presumption in favour of building in sustainable locations.
* Pubs will get protection from being turned into housing or offices with developers having to prove there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub as a going concern, including evidence that it was marketed for sale for at least a year.
* A requirement for at least 40% of homes to be accessible on bigger developments and stronger protections for community facilities.
* Stronger support for growth and infrastructure including support for AI growth zones and datacentres.
Lisa and I were at a meeting last night ... and from a speaker there, we understand that there is now a requirement on developers and others putting plans forward to liaise and agree (where possible?) with neighbouring plans in order to avoid or at least reduce conflicts and barriers between neighbouring developments. I also understand from other sources that powers are removed / reduced for local councillors wanting to "call in" contentious plans in their areas to planning commitees.
For major projects and for regional planning, the changes to the NPPF (this is not the first) and other planning laws and regulations are a significant nuisance and added cost. Witness the Wiltshire Local Plan which looked good ... but by the time it came to the inspectors was so out of date as to not be acceptable; a decade of work "thrown away", a gap left in local guidance, and a reduction (but not an extinguishing) of the Neighbourhood Plan.
There seems to be contradiction in the government lines here ... on one hand, it's all about devolving things to the regions, but on the other hand the regions are having their authority to decide their own direction overruled by central government.
A West Country scene to be changed by central government?
And some others ...
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [378426/31371/14] Posted by charles_uk at 08:36, 19th August 2026 | |
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:43 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: How do steam railways tackle lineside fire risks? In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [378425/32278/47] Posted by grahame at 08:02, 19th August 2026 | |
From the BBC
A heritage railway service has paused its steam engine trips after two fires, one of which was "most likely" caused by a passing train.
Two blazes broke out on Thursday - the UK's hottest day of the year so far - near Normanhurst Park in Darley Dale at 16:21 BST, and near Church Road in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the first fire spanned a grassland area of roughly 100m by five metres, while the second fire - involving vegetation at the side of railway track - was found to have likely been caused by sparks from the passing train.
Peak Rail, which run services on the Midland Railway line, said the withdrawal of steam-hauled trains would continue "until further notice".
Two blazes broke out on Thursday - the UK's hottest day of the year so far - near Normanhurst Park in Darley Dale at 16:21 BST, and near Church Road in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the first fire spanned a grassland area of roughly 100m by five metres, while the second fire - involving vegetation at the side of railway track - was found to have likely been caused by sparks from the passing train.
Peak Rail, which run services on the Midland Railway line, said the withdrawal of steam-hauled trains would continue "until further notice".
The main (Network Rail) network in England has suspended steam operation as have some heritage lines - Peak Rail, and the Bluebell (outside station areas), for example.
| Old Wiltshire pictures In "Railway History and related topics" [378424/32384/55] Posted by grahame at 07:21, 19th August 2026 Already liked by GBM | |
(from Facebook post - advert for a book, but I'm sure copyright will have expired!)
(from the Market Lavington museum)
(from the Peggy Gye collection at the Lavington museum)
| The night tube, from 19th August 2016 In "Transport for London" [378423/32383/46] Posted by grahame at 06:56, 19th August 2026 | |
Ten years ago today - The Night Tube and London Overground Night Service provides through-the-night services on Friday and Saturday nights on the Jubilee and Victoria lines, much of the Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines, and a section of the Windrush line. The service began on the night of Friday 19 August 2016. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Tube
Click on the image to get a map of the whole night tube network
Image copyright Reserved (by poster) (?) By Sameboat - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41141986
| Re: HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) - Government proposals, alternative routes, discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378420/5138/51] Posted by IndustryInsider at 23:58, 18th August 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Oxonhutch, GBM | |
HS2 Old Oak Common platform construction completed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa8PO80GIfw
Posting not only because the fact the structure of the platforms in complete for the HS2 bit, but also because the GWML station platforms are now starting to take shape and you can clearly see that from some of the drone footage contained within the video.
| Re: Burnham urged to extend railcard discounts to over 30s In "Fare's Fair" [378419/32369/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:57, 18th August 2026 | |
Hmm.
I'm fairly (pun intended!) happy with my 'Old Gits' Senior Railcard, as I still travel by rail sometimes these days, in my retirement. My wife doesn't have one, but she only travels on trains about three times a year, so it wouldn't make financial sense for her to also buy one.
The other cards we do have are senior citizen bus passes, which are excellent - we can travel in to Bristol free, without having to run a car, pay for 'Park & Ride' or any of that malarkey, for example.
CfN.
| Re: Volo TV HST carriage In "Across the West" [378418/2159/26] Posted by grahame at 22:42, 18th August 2026 | |
I was reminded of Volo by this BBC Article
American Airlines to bring back TV screens on US flights
American Airlines wants its flyers to have screens – and not just the ones its passengers bring on board with them.
The carrier says it will restore seatback displays across its domestic fleet, reversing a years-long strategy of removing them from most US routes.
[snip]
Its move follows years of complaints from passengers, who said that relying on personal devices left them with drained batteries, awkward viewing angles, and patchy Wi-Fi.
It also comes as US carriers try to steady demand in a cooling market.
American Airlines wants its flyers to have screens – and not just the ones its passengers bring on board with them.
The carrier says it will restore seatback displays across its domestic fleet, reversing a years-long strategy of removing them from most US routes.
[snip]
Its move follows years of complaints from passengers, who said that relying on personal devices left them with drained batteries, awkward viewing angles, and patchy Wi-Fi.
It also comes as US carriers try to steady demand in a cooling market.
So operators are trying to improve their product to attract more customers, even if they have to spend money to do so. Do we see the converse at times on our public transport in the UK, where trains are bursting at the seams even with poor luggage, cycle and legroom, and so improving these is deemed an unnecessary expense?
| Re: Virgin Cross Channel? In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378416/32375/51] Posted by Noggin at 22:33, 18th August 2026 | |
Second your hunch with Trenitalia.
They are supposedly planning to start services into Germany with the Frecciarossa 1000's by early next year.
If that goes to plan (and they've got deep enough pockets), then being able to combine a solid service in the London/Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam axis with eastern connections into Germany could give Trenitalia massive economies of scale and the benefit of a single ticket.
In Germany, Trenitalia would presumably have the luxury of not having to serve smaller stations (which are politically difficult for DB to drop) and might be able to pick a few cherries like a direct Amsterdam <> Hamburg service.
If all that happens, will be interesting to see how Flix responds - as for in the UK, I've long thought that a road/rail hub in Ebbsfleet would be ideal for Flix, with a counterpart in Calais or Brussels.
| Re: Burnham urged to extend railcard discounts to over 30s In "Fare's Fair" [378415/32369/4] Posted by PhilWakely at 22:32, 18th August 2026 | |
Easiest thing to do is make the Network Railcard valid across the whole network. The network in Network Railcard has been redundant since 1997 anyway; it's most confusing to people aged 30-60 who are duped into buying one and then discover is not actually valid on the network.
I am surprised at the number of people that do not read the Ts&Cs for the Network Railcard and assume it covers the entire Network. I was in Scotland a couple of years ago and a couple in front of me in the queue at Fort William Ticket Office expected a discount on a Mallaig service with that railcard.
| Re: West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 In "South Western services" [378414/30889/42] Posted by PhilWakely at 22:29, 18th August 2026 | |
IIRC West Coast Railways ran the Oxenholme to Windermere service during the covid years - why not invite them to run an Axminster to Exeter St David's shuttle? At least during the morning and afternoon peaks.
I wrote a long rant to SWR about the lack of any commuter services during either peak between Axminster and Exeter. Surprisingly, I received a response within a week. It was a long, probably cut and paste job from a press release, talking about SMD and the lack of rolling stock, but failed to even mention the possibility of a shuttle service. I await a response from my MP.
| Re: Derailment, Lewes, 13 Aug 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [378413/32362/51] Posted by grahame at 22:01, 18th August 2026 | |
From the BBC
Minister visits derailment site amid funding plea
The rail minister has visited the site of a derailment in East Sussex amid calls for more investment in transport in the South East.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy met Lewes MP James MacCleary and senior representatives from Network Rail, Greater Thameslink Railway, British Transport Police and contractors following the derailment near Lewes.
Twenty people were injured when three carriages on the 14:24 BST Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne left the tracks at Landport on Thursday.
MacCleary said while he could not pre-empt the investigation, concerns about infrastructure must be considered. Lord Hendy said regulators ensured Network Rail had enough money to maintain the railway.
[snip]
After meeting Lord Hendy, MacCleary said the South East had been overlooked "for too long" when it comes to transport investment.
"Despite repeated calls for greater support, the region has missed out in recent budget decisions," he said. "I hope this incident serves as a turning point."
Lord Hendy said funding was spread across the UK, adding: "I certainly don't think there's any cause to suppose that any particular part of the nation is disadvantaged by that."
[snip]
The RAIB is expected to give initial findings this week.
The rail minister has visited the site of a derailment in East Sussex amid calls for more investment in transport in the South East.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy met Lewes MP James MacCleary and senior representatives from Network Rail, Greater Thameslink Railway, British Transport Police and contractors following the derailment near Lewes.
Twenty people were injured when three carriages on the 14:24 BST Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne left the tracks at Landport on Thursday.
MacCleary said while he could not pre-empt the investigation, concerns about infrastructure must be considered. Lord Hendy said regulators ensured Network Rail had enough money to maintain the railway.
[snip]
After meeting Lord Hendy, MacCleary said the South East had been overlooked "for too long" when it comes to transport investment.
"Despite repeated calls for greater support, the region has missed out in recent budget decisions," he said. "I hope this incident serves as a turning point."
Lord Hendy said funding was spread across the UK, adding: "I certainly don't think there's any cause to suppose that any particular part of the nation is disadvantaged by that."
[snip]
The RAIB is expected to give initial findings this week.
| Re: Newquay Line - services, incidents and improvements (merged posts) In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [378409/19772/25] Posted by IndustryInsider at 20:52, 18th August 2026 | |
Seriously the 769/9s are still out there and might have been already in service if Alliance Rail had been given permission.
Do I sense that's a bit tongue-in-cheek given they're probably the one unit that would have been even less reliable than the 175s as they'd be forced to run on diesel 100% of the time?!
Ah, I see. Though from the initial trials on those routes IMHO they stood a very good chance of completely screwing up the North Downs Line had they been introduced.
But, as we know, the DfT put a stop to that (which was probably a blessing in itself) and pulled the plug on the Castle Class HSTs and left GWR in the position it currently finds itself in, made more acute by the crazy growth in leisure travel post-pandemic.
| Re: West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 In "South Western services" [378407/30889/42] Posted by bradshaw at 17:42, 18th August 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
The WoE main line now has a special place on the SWR website
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/travelling-with-us/west-of-england-line
SERUG have just circulated a letter from SWR about challenges and their resolution but available only to SERUG members.
If you wish to see its contents you can become a member for £8 per year.
https://sites.google.com/view/serug/home
| Re: Caledonian MacBrayne ferries in Scotland In "Buses and other ways to travel" [378406/30034/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:34, 18th August 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Ferguson shipyard to cut a quarter of its workforce
Image © Getty Images
Scotland's state-owned shipyard is to cut nearly a quarter of its total workforce while it waits for confirmation of promised new orders.
Workers at Ferguson Marine have been invited to apply for voluntary redundancy as construction draws to a close on the second of two long-delayed CalMac ferries.
The Port Glasgow firm currently employs 247 core staff, 31 agency staff and 32 apprentices - but says it expects to shed 70 posts through a voluntary redundancy process.
The Scottish government has promised to directly award the yard new orders for four smaller ships, but ministers say they are still conducting "due diligence" on the plan.
Ferguson Marine said the job losses would protect the long-term viability of the yard - but unions described the move as "a betrayal of a blameless workforce".
BBC Scotland News understands those who choose to leave the firm will receive £1,000 per completed year of service, up to £10,000.
The Ferguson shipyard faces a gap in orders despite promises of new work from the Scottish government
(BBC article continues)
Image © Getty Images
Scotland's state-owned shipyard is to cut nearly a quarter of its total workforce while it waits for confirmation of promised new orders.
Workers at Ferguson Marine have been invited to apply for voluntary redundancy as construction draws to a close on the second of two long-delayed CalMac ferries.
The Port Glasgow firm currently employs 247 core staff, 31 agency staff and 32 apprentices - but says it expects to shed 70 posts through a voluntary redundancy process.
The Scottish government has promised to directly award the yard new orders for four smaller ships, but ministers say they are still conducting "due diligence" on the plan.
Ferguson Marine said the job losses would protect the long-term viability of the yard - but unions described the move as "a betrayal of a blameless workforce".
BBC Scotland News understands those who choose to leave the firm will receive £1,000 per completed year of service, up to £10,000.
The Ferguson shipyard faces a gap in orders despite promises of new work from the Scottish government
(BBC article continues)
