The signalling in this area has been 'fragile' for quite a while.
 Hardly surprising then it has finally failed, fortunately I no longer commute
 via this route, taking the option to drive.

 If they do change their mind, the 'old' footbridge is still at Totnes.
 Rusting away in the old Dairy site.

 Reminded of one of my old school reports many years ago ' Gentle decline continues'.

 Excuse my ignorance, but this 'overhead line problem' seems to be a regular occurance into
 Paddington.
 Does Euston/Kings Cross etc. have the same problems, or are their OHL^▸ (Over-Head Line) any different to the one's
 at Paddington ?
 Once again, excuse my ignorance but being a 'Southern Man' my knowledge of OHL is limited !

..

 ''Ticket Offices will still close but instead of in a big bang it will be by stealth; over the next few years TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)▸ will apply to reduce hours and or close ticket offices.  It could be based on reduced revenue over the counter or due to the lack of staff, I wonder how keen they will be to recruit new staff as existing staff retire or leave.''

 Totally agree,  anyone using Totnes, for example will probably think this has started already !

 Actually managed a trip on one today, purely by accident and due to the incompetance of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

 Booked on the 1140 from Totnes this morning, short formed (5 coaches), no seat reservations, so full/Standing
 subsequently fast Plymouth to Exeter St Davids.
  Decided to take a refreshment break in the 'Signal Box' cafe,  also busy but the usual, efficient friendly service.
  When noticing the 1253 was a 'proper train' decided to forgo the pleasure of the 1240 IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train), spending a pleasant hour
  enjoying the pleasant, ambience of a XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) HST^▸ (High Speed Train).
  Talking to some enthusiasts on the journey, informed me that some of the HST's  are to be exported to Mexico !

 Perhaps you could argue that the current signalling system is 'not fit for purpose'.
 
  I'm sure that with all the modern technology their must be a more efficient way to
  manage the safe movement of trains ?

 

 Spent a 'delightful'  3hrs 15mins at Cam and Dursley this morning. 
 
 No sign of the 'Great Experience Makers'  GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) brag about.
 Watching both XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) and GWR flying through, (perhaps a special stop order might have been appropriate).
 So my thanks to the local passengers who kept my declining spirits up.

 Is this one of the disadvantages of having one large signalling centre ?

 Staff earning less than £30,000 it was not a dreadful offer, approx 11%  with back-pay for 2022.
  A lot of RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) members did not get to vote as it was not a postal ballot, but an open vote by social media I believe.
 
 

 Not the first time this has happened at Hook.
 
 Seem to remember in the 1990's a landslip on the upside disrupted services.
 

 Still quite an increase, I'd have thought the 'government' might have had a freeze on the
 increase. As they occasionally do with fuel duty.
 
  Certainly does not help someone spending £100 per week/month having their fares increase £5/£6.
 

 Or perhaps the favoured day (Saturday ) for industrial action, should the dispute remain unresolved.