No support for the More Train Less Strain group from the people that matter!

[whole diary]

[12hoursunday]

So no matter what this group has to say about the removal of the Up-Side car park it seems the people in high profile postitions think different. Let's hope that this is now put to bed!

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Fears-fatal-crush-Bath-Spa-Station-unfounded/article-593566-detail/article.html

[Tim]

It always struck me as a strange argument to pick.  I suspect that MTLS^▸ (More Train Less Strain) really don't like the fact that they wil in future be unable to walk straight from thier car to the platform.

They may well have a valid (minor) criticism but their attempt to dress it up as a safety issue rather than a matter of (in)convenience has failed.

[inspector_blakey]

Maybe I lack imagination but it's a bit of a mystery to me how removing that small ramp and car park negatively affects safety: from my observations not very many people at Bath leave the station through that gate anyway, so it seems unlikely that its closure will result in a huge increase in the number of passengers passing through the barriers, which are admittedly very cramped. The provision of lifts is surely a massive improvement for elderly and disabled passengers given the number of stairs up to the platforms from the booking hall.

It might even be possible to make an argument that the loss of the ramp and car park improves safety, by providing one less source of conflicting traffic movements immediately outside the station. I don't want to be cynical but I agree with Tim: it strikes me that the supposed safety issue may have been cooked up to try and draw attention to a fairly trivial matter.

[Phil]

Very well said, Blakey. I agree with every word.

[vacman]

MTLS^▸ (More Train Less Strain) haven't got anything else to moan about now, infact they're just clutching at straws in order to still try and serve a purpouse, why don't they be good and dissapear into the unknown quietly!

[Btline]

MTLS^▸ (More Train Less Strain) haven't got anything else to moan about now, infact they're just clutching at straws in order to still try and serve a purpouse, why don't they be good and dissapear into the unknown quietly!

They may have a good use in Kent. Govia are using their monopoly over rail and road to hike fares 35%. A fare strike would be a good way to get the government to stop these ILLEGAL rises.

[devon_metro]

I'm sorry btline, what are you rambling on about.

It works the same way as First Class. You get a better service (in this case faster) so you pay more. Simple economics really.

[Btline]

I'm sorry btline, what are you rambling on about.

It works the same way as First Class. You get a better service (in this case faster) so you pay more. Simple economics really.

Here's an explanation:

Firstly, journey times for most are going UP. Furthermore, the station is further away from where people work (West End, or The City), so convenience is DOWN.

Meanwhile, people in Greater London are having their services AXED and are paying 8% more this year for the privilege!

If SE were keeping their express and semi fast trains, as well as a good service at smaller stations; people would have a choice on whether to pay for the Javelin, or stick to normal services.

However, SE are AXING semi fast trains, and some stations are having 60% CUTS in service. This is basically FORCING people onto the Javelins, hence FORCING people to pay 35%.

I have no problem with the idea of a high speed commuter link - but SE are going to cause misery to hundreds of thousands of commuters - the season ticket fares are high enough already.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

what they gunna do pay the conjection charge and fuel for there car or get a second car....remember lifes full of evil bas***ds, this is a service people need to get to work and put food on the table..... no alternative..... LETS SCREW EM!!!!!

[Timmer]

MTLS^▸ (More Train Less Strain) seem determined not to give up on this one though and have organised a protest outside Bath Spa station for Monday morning:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/travelandtransport/Protest-station-ramp/article-621010-detail/article.html

A spokesman for the group said: "As well as creating huge discomfort for passengers using the narrow stairs at Bath, the increased overcrowding on the stairs when the ramp is removed will create a significant risk of a crush accident."

SouthGate developer Multi and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) argue there will be no risk to people from its plans, part of the creation of a new transport interchange for the city.

More details on the protest can be found on the front page of the MTLS website http://mtls.org.uk/ though I do wonder if there will be much support for this one.

[dog box]

is this to be The very first Stairs stike!!!!

[Timmer]

is this to be The very first Stairs stike!!!!

LOL^▸ (laughing out loud)!  very good dog box.

[Btline]

Sorry, am I missing something here.

They are protesting because of the removal of a ramp?

Meanwhile, millions are dying in the middle east......

Come on, at least the fare strikes had a vague justification. This seems pathetic.

[inspector_blakey]

is this to be The very first Stairs stike!!!!

I wonder if there'll be a fleet of daleks parked up outside Bath Spa on Monday morning. 

[12hoursunday]

They'll have to do their protesting on Dorchester Street, as they will not be allowed on the forecourt of the station I am glad to say. Anyone found handing out leaflets on railway property will be evicted. (ticket in possesion or not!)