We already have a Platform 1, which will presumably be extended into the Old Station if that ever happens; the other one would become Platform 0 - which will make it one of the few but growing numbering systems that starts in the right place!

Renumbering 15 to 14 would break the convention that London-bound platforms are odd whilst Exeter-bound are even - which might confuse some people. A hang on, 0 is an even number!

...and here are some general photos looking south from the footbridge:
1. Looking from Platform 1 to Platform 4;
2. From the other side, looking towards Platform 1. There's Four Platforms, Now!

A sequence of photos taken at Filton Abbey Wood today:
1. The Orangemen take on the old signage;
2. Gone...
3. And here's the new one!

Some photos taken today at Temple Meads:

First, Bonaparte's Gate (adjacent to the Old Station);
Next is the new outdoor bike park. Some people may be lucky enough to get under cover of the canopy; most won't. To the left is the new Queen Anne's Gate;
Finally, a close-up of Queen Anne's Gate.

All looks ready to open!

I'm not sure that would be Mr Rutherford's style.

Moderately amused by his description of Chris Grayling as '...train-spotter-cum-part-time Transport Secretary'... wow; that's an interesting view!

As are prudent passengers

Dunno why, but this makes me think of 'Box Signal Box' and 'Junction Road Junction'...

If we're looking at the same site - which seems likely - then no. Application goes into some detail about the road access onto the A403; if there was to be rail access they'd mention it, but they don't.

Probably me being naïve, but I am assuming that the two coming weekend blockades are there at least in part to fix any snags...

I must stop this; it's not big and it's not clever...

Can't do it until they update the Electronic Live Block Overlays?

Balfour Beatty put in a planning application for a Bioenergy facility at Chittening (14/03210/F) but this was refused on air quality grounds. Maybe this is related?

Edit: I'm having trouble following this, but it looks like they may have got permission on appeal. No indication of a rail connection that I can see though.

Interesting that the same piece also mentions Brexit. You may see a parallel; I couldn't possibly comment.


Then the Tories will sell it next time they get back in. Who knows; by then they may have rediscovered to concept of 'competence', and actually make some money...

Exciting news from the Evening Bristol. However did they find out about this?


Good choice of picture: GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Driver Mr Sydney Gardens drives an InterCity Express train through Lockleaze. How many tracks can you see?

HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) is an investment, whereby you borrow money in order to make a greater return. There is no 'budget' to save; that'd be like applying to take out a mortgage on a house and then saying actually you'd like spend the money on school fees instead.

A lot of these local improvements are more difficult to see as obvious moneyspinners. This is probably more indicative that the powers that be are not good at measuring social benefit (or, indeed, of understanding any justification for spending money on public transport outside the M25) than that these schemes are not worthy. But it's not a zero sum game - you can do both, if you accept that it is a legitimate thing for governments to spend our money on things that are good for us.