This story is also hitting the 'national news' pages of our local newspapers, due to interesting local implications.

For example, see http://www.thisisclevedon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=224107&command=displayContent&sourceNode=223485&contentPK=20923615&folderPk=104671&pNodeId=224162

Rail bosses are to look at the possibility of building five new high-speed main lines as part of a review of the network's future, Network Rail said.

Network Rail said it was to commission a study which would look into the feasibility of new lines along the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s busiest routes in what would amount to the largest track build since the 19th century.

The review, which will be announced on Monday, will also assess the need for high speed trains similar to the French TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse) to cope with Britain's growing number of rail users.

Over the last decade, the network has seen passenger numbers increase by about 40%. More people are using the service than at any time since 1946.

Numbers are expected to swell by a further 30% in the next ten years, adding to the burden on the current network.

The study being commissioned by Network Rail will look at the service in the post-2014 period, with all options "on the table".

If given the go-ahead, the new lines are likely to run alongside some of the UK's busiest existing routes.

They include the West Coast line to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, the East Coast line to Edinburgh, the Great Western to Bristol, the Midland main line to Sheffield and the Chiltern route to Birmingham.

The London to Penzance line will also be looked at as part of the review.

If the proposals are adopted, the new tracks are thought likely to be built with high-speed passenger trains in mind.

The story has now appeared in the local press: see http://www.thisisclevedon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=223432&command=displayContent&sourceNode=241560&home=yes&more_nodeId1=224152&contentPK=20907456

Steam-powered summer specials at West Somerset Railway are under threat after problems with tracks and trains have thrown one of the West's biggest tourist attractions into crisis just before the school holidays.

Only one of the railway's four steam locomotives is in operation after a severe fault on the track damaged wheels of other engines, making them unsafe for passengers. Sources close to the railway say maintenance work carried out free of charge by Network Rail as a training exercise is at the root of the problems - a claim West Somerset Railway manager Paul Conibeare denies.

He said: "The Network Rail train was used to grind the top of the tracks and did not cause this. What we have found on some stretches is an unusual lipping on the side of some of the tracks. When trains travel over tracks, over time some lipping will appear but this is something we haven't encountered before so it has been a learning curve for us."

Maintenance teams are now working through the night to grind down the rails by hand as time is running out before thousands of holiday makers arrive hoping to hop on board one of the iconic steam trains. The extra lipping of the tracks has damaged the trains' wheel flanges and tyres and the railway had no option but to withdraw the engines as the fault could cause engines to derail.

Mr Conibeare said: "Safety is paramount to us which is why we are working hard to sort these problems out."

Diesel trains will be used to substitute steam and ensure ordinary services are not interrupted but some people believe trade will still be hit when disappointed passengers hoping for steam decide to spend their money elsewhere.

The railway's annual family fun days are due to be held on the weekend of July 5 and 6 and although fears have been raised that the technical problems could put the event in jeopardy, Mr Conibeare says it will go ahead as normal.

The railway is running one steam train and one diesel engine to keep to its published timetables. See west-somerset-railway.co.uk for more information.

Full article in Western Daily Press: see
http://www.westpress.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145786&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231644&home=yes&more_nodeId1=145795&contentPK=20921924

Welcome to the coffee shop forum, Sprog! 

Hi, Karl and oooooo!

As I'm looking at this from way outside your local area, I must say that I didn't find an online map particularly helpful in trying to work out what the issue is at Halloon Crossing.  However, Google Earth is absolutely brilliant at this!

To anyone who isn't familiar with central Cornwall, try doing a Google Earth search for 'Halloon Crossing' - or look up 50^o 23' 55.30" N, 4^o 56' 41.50" W 

I did, and I think I can see the problem: road traffic on a straight piece of road, leaving the 'A' road, will be travelling fairly fast, approaching a level crossing. 

I see what you mean, oooooo, about re-routing the road under the track to the east of the station - but from what Karl mentioned previously, that has been considered and discounted in the past?

I'm obviously very sorry to have to correct you on a couple of points, Phil but I've done a bit of 'bean counting' on this one, one evening when I had a few minutes to spare at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI))!

It's actually on platform 3 where there are, to be fair, plenty of racks provided - and at a rough count, I made it 320 bikes.

If any of them are actually vandalised, I'd take it as a pretty shocking indictment of BTP^▸ (British Transport Police): their office overlooks the bike racks, about six feet away!   

Agreed, John: just three miles of track to relay (the trackbed is still there), a station to build, and a bit of planning to do with timetables and allocations - and maybe provide some car parking!

It could all be done, if the money - and the will - was there.

Further details are available on the North Somerset Council website, at http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Transport/news-20080618-portisheadraillink.htm

Ah!  I had considered that, John! 

My case is that it wouldn't be the same local drivers each day that get 'stung'!  And there are still lots of drivers from Yatton who drive and park at Nailsea - to avoid FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s charges at Yatton station!

However, I do accept your point that, over time, North Somerset Council will see some sort of 'law of diminishing returns' on their decision to fine people for parking outside the marked bays.

However, as you also say - there's still the lake car park ... ! 

Good points, SDA!

Firstly, parking at Nailsea & Backwell is still free - provided you park within the marked bays: otherwise, it's ^70 per day. 

Secondly, parking on the double yellow lines at Nailsea & Backwell is apparently still free: by the way, that's where the police personnel carrier parks. 

Interestingly, despite the appearance of a cheery notice informing drivers that they will incur a ^70 fine if they park outside the marked bays (or park an 'unauthorised vehicle' - not defined!), I noted eighteen cars in the car park at 08:58 this morning, all 'illegally' parked.

Now, my schoolboy maths is a bit rusty, but: assuming 260 weekdays in a year, and 18 cars fined ^70 each per day - wow! that's ^327,600.  That will pay for quite a few layers of new tarmac, eh? 

... and, rather belatedly, northwesterntrains, welcome to the coffee shop forum!

Chris 

Yes, I saw that on the website, before I left work this evening, John, and decided things might be a bit dodgy - that's my beloved 17:53 from BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI))!

So, I caught the 18:22 instead this evening: sorry to rub it in, but it arrived from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) early, and left BTM dead on time! 

Good for you! 

I used to buy my ticket from 'Dave' at Nailsea & Backwell each morning, at least partly in the hope that it would keep ours as a manned station.

It didn't - and it isn't now.   

A supportive article in the Bristol Evening Post today: see http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=20884129&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

No, I haven't.  Sorry, but could I ask you to elaborate?