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Title: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 20, 2013, 15:24:01 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-24585000):
Quote First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises rail works timing (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/70570000/jpg/_70570569_severn-tunnel2-grab.jpg) The Severn Tunnel will be closed to trains in and out of south Wales for the Rugby League World Cup and Womex weekend The first minister has criticised Network Rail over the closure of the Severn Tunnel during two major events in Cardiff. The tunnel will close for maintenance work on the same weekend as the opening ceremony for the Rugby League World Cup, and the Womex music festival. Speaking to BBC's Sunday Politics Wales programme, Carwyn Jones said Network Rail had not consulted the Welsh government over the closure. Network Rail said it was vital work. But Mr Jones said: "They've got form on this. It's an important point here - when we've got events in Cardiff, why do maintenance work on the Severn Tunnel when those events are taking place? If there were events taking place every single week in the Millennium Centre, the Millennium Stadium or the [Cardiff] City Stadium, you might say 'okay, there are some weekends when that's inevitable' but for some reason they choose weekends when there are big events taking place in Cardiff." The Severn Tunnel - which runs under the River Severn on the south Wales-London mainline - will be closed for maintenance on the weekend of 26-27 October - the same weekend as the Rugby League World Cup opening ceremony at the Millennium Stadium and Womex world music festival at the Millennium Centre. Mr Jones believes the closures will cause travel problems, having a negative impact on the world-wide image of Wales. He said a similar closure in 1999 caused problems for fans travelling to and from the Wales v England rugby international at Wembley Stadium in London. Mr Jones added that he recognised the need for maintenance and regretted that an alternative rail route was not considered when the second Severn bridge was built. "The big problem is of course that a rail deck wasn't put on the Severn Bridge in 1993 - other countries would have done that - and we wouldn't have these problems with the Severn Tunnel," said the first minister. "Yes it needs maintenance. It's a very wet tunnel [I know] having been through there in a cab of a 125 [train], but let's do it when there's not a big game on in Cardiff." In a statement Network Rail told Sunday Politics Wales: "There is never a good time to do work on the Severn Tunnel and we thoroughly investigated the Welsh government's request. In this instance, this six-week works package was planned two years in advance and had already been put back a week to accommodate the one-day cricket match between England and Australia in September. This vital project cannot be put back any further and to cancel it would have a negative impact on services from south Wales to London." Network Rail added it had assured the organisers of the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup that it would not schedule any disruptive work during the period the tournament was on at the Millennium Stadium. Title: Re: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: John R on October 20, 2013, 15:49:02 I have a degree of sympathy with Carwyn Jones on the subject. It's not often that a city gets to host the Opening Ceremony of a World Cup of any description, and it will have been in the diary for over a year. And England are playing as well, so more reason to have good services into the Principality on that day.
However, mindful of the fact that much support for Rugby League is based in the north, it's not obvious to me what additional services have been laid on from the north of England either. The only direct trains to and from Brum appear to be the usual Cardiff to Nottingham services - I expect they may be a little cosier than usual. Title: Re: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: paul7575 on October 20, 2013, 16:04:04 I have a degree of sympathy with Carwyn Jones on the subject. It's not often that a city gets to host the Opening Ceremony of a World Cup of any description, and it will have been in the diary for over a year. That wouldn't be long enough. NR plan well over 2 years ahead. The politicians ought to realise that there is a nationally managed workforce for this sort of NR stuff, (even if many are subcontractors) but they just aren't available on other 6 week slots because they are already booked up for work of similar importance elsewhere in the country. Paul Title: Re: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: John R on October 20, 2013, 16:27:39 Having researched, it was announced on 22 March 2012, so 19 months ago. I think most people would regard that as ample time for both parties to get together and sort something out.
Title: Re: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 23, 2013, 15:19:26 From an e-mail press release I've just received from First Great Western:
Quote Travel information for Rugby League World Cup With just days to go before the Rugby League World Cup First Great Western is advising customers to check before they travel, as Network Rail carry out essential engineering work in the Severn Tunnel. The railway between Bristol and Newport will be closed on Saturday 26 October and Sunday 27 October for the essential improvement works. Network Rail will be renewing two miles of life-expired track in Severn tunnel and a junction at Patchway, which will significantly improve the reliability of rail services between Bristol and Newport. Trains from London will be diverted between Swindon and Newport towards Cardiff and journey times will be extended by up to an hour. Rail replacement bus services will be in operation between Bristol Parkway and Newport. Services between Bristol and South Wales Trains between the South West, Soach Coast and Bristol Temple Meads to and from Cardiff Central will start and terminate at Bristol Parkway for bus connections. Travelling to and from Bristol Parkway A limited number of services will link London Paddington and Bristol Parkway. Frequent connections are also available from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway. From South Wales change at Newport for bus services. Travelling to and from Patchway and Pilning Rail replacement bus services will link these stations with Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway for onward train connections. Title: Re: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: Tim on October 24, 2013, 11:49:52 If only they had build the second Severn crossing with a rail-deck like over the Oresund.
Title: Re: First Minister Carwyn Jones criticises Severn Tunnel rail works timing Post by: welshman on October 24, 2013, 21:24:40 Obviously the WRU are responsible for the closure because it's the rugby league world cup.
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