fatality today - use of diversionary routes

[whole diary]

[John R]

There was another fatality today around 1.30pm, this time between Standish Jn and Westerleigh Jn, which resulted in closure of the line.  At least one southbound service from Newcastle to the South West appeared to terminate at Gloucester and passengers were recommended to travel via Swindon and Westbury. It's fair to say that those passengers I spoke to on the Transwilts service were frustrated at the lack of advice that had received at Gloucester and Swindon, although understood the situation was not of the railway's making.

Two questions - why didn't it run via Lydney as that is a regular diversionary route and indeed other services did? With reversal now possible at STJ^▸ (Severn Tunnel Junction railway station), the time penalty would have been much less than the time and disruption the passengers actually endured.  Second question, should CC now include Swindon to Standish as a possible diversionary route. I recall they have run between Temple Meads and Parkway via Swindon in the past, though not sure whether it's usual for them to have drivers signed for those routes.  But it would appear to make sense to have an alternative option, and since the redoubling is complete north of Swindon, capacity is no longer an issue.

As ever, thoughts with all affected by today's fatality, family, railway staff, and the emergency services. 

[JayMac]

Perhaps the driver of the service which terminated at Gloucester didn't have up to date diversionary route knowledge to travel via Lydney.

When there are planned diversions the diagrams can be drawn up to take advantage of those drivers that can, at that particular time, drive the diversionary route. Also with planned diversions you can roster 'route conductors' to pilot drivers who don't have the route knowledge.