Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 21:35 28 Mar 2024
* Bus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 45
* Easter getaways hit by travel disruption
- Where Baltimore bridge investigation goes now
- How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?
- Family anger at sentence on fatal crash driver, 19
- Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
28th Mar (1988)
Formal end to carrying coffins by BR (link)

Train RunningCancelled
18:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
18:36 London Paddington to Plymouth
19:33 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill
19:35 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington
19:59 Gatwick Airport to Reading
20:29 Gatwick Airport to Reading
20:54 Reading to Gatwick Airport
20:56 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington
21:16 Bedwyn to Newbury
21:30 Shalford to Reading
21:53 Newbury to Bedwyn
22:25 Bedwyn to Newbury
22:30 Gatwick Airport to Reading
22:47 Newbury to Bedwyn
Short Run
17:03 London Paddington to Penzance
17:36 London Paddington to Plymouth
18:03 London Paddington to Penzance
19:04 Paignton to London Paddington
20:03 London Paddington to Plymouth
20:11 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads
20:42 Bedwyn to London Paddington
21:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
21:20 Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach
22:10 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads
23:04 Reading to Bedwyn
23:17 Bedwyn to Reading
Delayed
16:15 Penzance to London Paddington
Additional 17:26 Castle Cary to Penzance
19:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
21:30 Gatwick Airport to Reading
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 28, 2024, 21:36:54 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[104] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[103] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[78] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[56] If not HS2 to Manchester, how will traffic be carried?
[41] Return of the BRUTE?
[25] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
 
News: the Great Western Coffee Shop ... keeping you up to date with travel around the South West
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Linked Events
  • Removal of Severn Bridge Tolls: December 17, 2018
Pages: 1 [2]
  Print  
Author Topic: 17th December 2018 - the start of toll free Severn Bridges  (Read 6155 times)
martyjon
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 1941


View Profile
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2018, 16:47:00 »

Don't worry.

When the Welsh who have never visited Bristol belore and those paying a return visit have found they have to pick their way past open air dormitories of the street sleepers hostel, past occupied concrete bedrolls alongside concrete bedside cabinets the tops are which are cluttered with empty cans of what was the dormitories occupants last refreshment in a restricted area in which consumption of certain refreshments as those contained in the empty cans is prohibited demonstrates the bye-law is clearly not being monitored plus having to walk past further street dwellers requesting 'any change' for their next 4-pack purchase  and street buskers playing out of tune instruments those visitors from tother side of the Severn will say, "Visit Bristol, never again".

I think there's a little more to Bristol than that (and I speak as a Plymothian!). Unless you live in a bubble, you'll find similar scenes in all large cities (and not so large towns). People tend to understand that.

And when they've experienced the daily traffic congestion and gridlocked central area even on a Sunday, what then ?
Logged
TaplowGreen
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7746



View Profile
« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2018, 16:49:09 »

Don't worry.

When the Welsh who have never visited Bristol belore and those paying a return visit have found they have to pick their way past open air dormitories of the street sleepers hostel, past occupied concrete bedrolls alongside concrete bedside cabinets the tops are which are cluttered with empty cans of what was the dormitories occupants last refreshment in a restricted area in which consumption of certain refreshments as those contained in the empty cans is prohibited demonstrates the bye-law is clearly not being monitored plus having to walk past further street dwellers requesting 'any change' for their next 4-pack purchase  and street buskers playing out of tune instruments those visitors from tother side of the Severn will say, "Visit Bristol, never again".

I think there's a little more to Bristol than that (and I speak as a Plymothian!). Unless you live in a bubble, you'll find similar scenes in all large cities (and not so large towns). People tend to understand that.

And when they've experienced the daily traffic congestion and gridlocked central area even on a Sunday, What then ?

…...I would hope they'd tread carefully to avoid falling down the holes left by the goalposts which you just moved!  Smiley
Logged
martyjon
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 1941


View Profile
« Reply #17 on: December 15, 2018, 16:51:52 »

Don't worry.

When the Welsh who have never visited Bristol belore and those paying a return visit have found they have to pick their way past open air dormitories of the street sleepers hostel, past occupied concrete bedrolls alongside concrete bedside cabinets the tops are which are cluttered with empty cans of what was the dormitories occupants last refreshment in a restricted area in which consumption of certain refreshments as those contained in the empty cans is prohibited demonstrates the bye-law is clearly not being monitored plus having to walk past further street dwellers requesting 'any change' for their next 4-pack purchase  and street buskers playing out of tune instruments those visitors from tother side of the Severn will say, "Visit Bristol, never again".

I think there's a little more to Bristol than that (and I speak as a Plymothian!). Unless you live in a bubble, you'll find similar scenes in all large cities (and not so large towns). People tend to understand that.

And when they've experienced the daily traffic congestion and gridlocked central area even on a Sunday, What then ?

…...I would hope they'd tread carefully to avoid falling down the holes left by the goalposts which you just moved!  Smiley

A sports pitsh usually has two goalposts.  Grin
Logged
Western Pathfinder
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1528



View Profile
« Reply #18 on: December 15, 2018, 16:59:35 »

That's a good point, but there seems to be enough on street parking in the vicinity. There also seems to be a lot of space to put a car park if needed, although I suppose that would then need to be paid for, so would reduce the savings a bit.

To be fair to the good people who live in the vicinity Of Severn Beach ,yes there is a fair amount of on street parking which they use when going about their daily lives, in truth it gets very congested around the station ,and I for one would not like to see any more on street parking by rail users, not too mention the increase in passenger numbers which I wonder given its poor performance of late,the Beach could cope with.
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #19 on: December 15, 2018, 19:04:38 »

Plenty of derelict railway land at The Beach for car parking though.
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
Celestial
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 674


View Profile
« Reply #20 on: December 15, 2018, 19:36:41 »

To be fair to the good people who live in the vicinity Of Severn Beach ,yes there is a fair amount of on street parking which they use when going about their daily lives, in truth it gets very congested around the station ,and I for one would not like to see any more on street parking by rail users, not too mention the increase in passenger numbers which I wonder given its poor performance of late,the Beach could cope with.
I get your point, but if people can save £49 a week then, human nature what it is,  appealing to their better nature not to clutter up your streets and trains is likely to fall on deaf ears don't you think?
Logged
Red Squirrel
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 5190


There are some who call me... Tim


View Profile
« Reply #21 on: December 17, 2018, 15:24:34 »

Today is the first day of toll-free crossings of the Severn - and the Bristol Post has found a typically positive angle to report:

Quote

Crossing the Severn Bridge could now cost you £100 as new speed cameras are installed


The £5.60 toll has now been scrapped but new speed cameras have already been installed to ensure people follow the new speed restrictions and narrow lanes.

You won't have to pay to simply cross the Severn Bridge anymore but not paying attention to the new layout could mean you end up paying a lot more than £5.60.

Because observant motorists have noticed new speed cameras being installed even before the toll booths were finished being removed.

The new cameras, which are now in place on the approach to both bridges, are there to enforce the temporary speed limits on the narrow lanes which will be in place until work is finished next year.

From this morning, anyone who does not follow the rules of the new lanes and exceeds the new 50mph limit could be slapped with a £100 fine and three points on their driving licence.

[and on and on and on...]


You gotta love 'em...
Logged

Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
patch38
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 653


View Profile
« Reply #22 on: December 17, 2018, 16:27:07 »

You gotta love 'em...

...and their grasp of the English language.
Logged
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 40690



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #23 on: December 17, 2018, 16:30:20 »

You gotta love 'em...

...and their grasp of the English language.

Quote
Gallai croesi Pont Hafren nawr costio £ 100 i chi wrth i gamerâu cyflymder newydd gael eu gosod

Mae'r doll o £ 5.60 bellach wedi'i ddileu ond mae camerâu cyflymder newydd eisoes wedi'u gosod i sicrhau bod pobl yn dilyn y cyfyngiadau cyflymder a'r lonydd cul.

Ni fydd yn rhaid i chi dalu er mwyn croesi Bont Hafren nawr ond ni allai roi sylw i'r cynllun newydd olygu eich bod yn dal i dalu llawer mwy na £ 5.60.

Oherwydd bod modurwyr arsylwi wedi sylwi bod camerâu cyflymder newydd yn cael eu gosod hyd yn oed cyn i'r bwthi tollau gael eu tynnu.

Mae'r camerâu newydd, sydd bellach yn eu lle ar yr ymagwedd at y ddau bont, yno i orfodi'r terfynau cyflymder dros dro ar y lonydd cul a fydd yn eu lle nes bydd y gwaith wedi'i orffen y flwyddyn nesaf.

O'r bore yma, gallai unrhyw un nad yw'n dilyn rheolau'r lonydd newydd ac yn fwy na'r terfyn 50mya newydd gael ei gipio â dirwy o £ 100 a thri phwynt ar eu trwydded yrru.

I have learned to be very careful when talking to journalists ... some are excellent but others look to make a story from nothing ...
Logged

Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
SandTEngineer
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 3485


View Profile
« Reply #24 on: December 17, 2018, 17:55:37 »

...lucky for some.  The Tamar Bridge tolls are going up in the new year from £1.50 to £2.....
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #25 on: December 21, 2018, 03:05:45 »

Another example of road transport getting cheaper or better, whilst trains become more expensive, and in many cases less satisfactory.

Think of all that extra traffic and all the fuel burnt, and climate changing emissions therefrom.
Logged

A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
Celestial
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 674


View Profile
« Reply #26 on: December 21, 2018, 09:03:05 »

Now the bridge has been paid for the cost of maintenance is quoted at 6m a year, so about 25p per journey. So continuing to toll would effectively be a tax. It would be unfair to continue to place the burden of tolls on the welsh economy simply for environmental reasons whilst other regions enjoy free use of the motorway don't you think?


I agree that there is concern about increased traffic and how the roads will cope especially the Brynglas Tunnels. But the powers that be on both sides of the bridge have known for years that the bridge would be fully paid by about now, and (at least on the welsh side) all they have done so far is talk about a new road.


I can't see the problem with building a new M4 given the traffic on the existing one.  The environmentalists talk about it going over ecologically special land.  Really?  It's some mud flats south of where the steelworks once was, and if built there will still be more than enough mud on either side for the birds, newts, bats or whatever.
Logged
Bmblbzzz
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4256


View Profile
« Reply #27 on: February 06, 2019, 09:54:56 »

Quote
An increase in traffic caused by the axing of the Severn Bridge tolls has led to plans for a new bypass.

Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and the Forest of Dean councils are working together to find a solution which will alleviate the number of vehicles driving through Chepstow.

Quote
In January, Highways England said a record number of vehicles came to Wales after the charges were scrapped on December 17.

Between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, 194,631 made westbound crossings on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, an 18 per cent increase on the same week in 2017.

There were 59,854 crossings westbound over the old Severn Bridge between 25 December and 31 December compared with 44,752 in 2017.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/m48-traffic-severn-bridge-toll-2511928
Logged

Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: 1 [2]
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page