Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: OOO - Odd One Out - which, and why? AQ18/25 In "The Lighter Side" [369705/31281/30] Posted by Oxonhutch at 08:37, 18th December 2025 |      |
5: Dilton Marsh - it receives more than one 'parliamentary' train per day
| Re: OOO - Odd One Out - which, and why? AQ18/25 In "The Lighter Side" [369704/31281/30] Posted by PrestburyRoad at 08:08, 18th December 2025 | |
4. Acton. There is no station called just 'Acton'. All the others have a station with both the single word name and a two-word name the begins the same. For example, there is both Catford and Catford Bridge, which is the example I'm familiar with.
There's a good Geoff Marshall video on YouTube celebrating Catford and Catford Bridge as a rare example of a pair of stations between which no ticket is available: would-be passengers have to walk the 100 yards between them. As they also have to do if they get a ticket for a journey such as Bellingham to Lewisham, which I remember in the days of Edmondson tickets as including the printed text 'via Catford and Catford Bridge'.
As for the memory test to name all the Action stations ... I leave that to the reader as an alternative to counting sheep on a sleepless night.
| Re: OOO - Odd One Out - which, and why? AQ18/25 In "The Lighter Side" [369703/31281/30] Posted by ellendune at 07:55, 18th December 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
8 - Woburn Sands is the only one of these Marston Vale stations that will remain open in EWR proposals
| You're in the wrong place In "Transport for London" [369702/31282/46] Posted by grahame at 07:26, 18th December 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | |
From myLondon
The sign reads: "Unfortunately you are the wrong Abbey Road. However, we can work it out and help you get back to the correct location. So, let's come together and take the DLR one stop to West Ham and change to a Jubilee line train to St John's Wood station. Passengers need a ticket to ride."
| OOO - Odd One Out - which, and why? AQ18/25 In "The Lighter Side" [369701/31281/30] Posted by grahame at 07:21, 18th December 2025 | |
Odd one out - which and why? And, yes, there are probably multiple answers in each case.
1.
Westbury
Cardiff Central
Doncaster
Haymarket
2.
Corrour
Trowbridge
Kildonan
Dorchester West
3.
Bristol Temple Meads
Sheffield
Cheltenham Spa
Liverpool Lime Street
4.
Barry
Catford
Burscough
Acton
5.
Brigg
Dilton Marsh
Snaith
Clifton
6.
Melksham
Arram
Pontardulais
Northwich
7.
Chetnole
Sandplace
Severn Tunnel Junction
Thornford
8.
Woburn Sands
Bow Brickhill
Millbrook
Fenny Stratford
9.
Dairycoates
Cowlairs
Sheephill
Lovers Walk
10.
Blackburn
Lincoln
Bedford
Shipley
| Re: Man who died on Tube was run over by four trains - 26 Dec 2023 In "Transport for London" [369700/29772/46] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:32, 18th December 2025 | |
To be run over by one train may be regarded as a misfortune.....seven looks like carelessness.
| Re: Man who died on Tube was run over by four trains - 26 Dec 2023 In "Transport for London" [369699/29772/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 06:16, 18th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Man hit by seven Tubes died accidentally - inquest
Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing
A man who stumbled and fell on to tracks at a London Underground station while drunk before being struck by seven Jubilee line trains died accidentally, an inquest has concluded.
Brian Mitchell, 72, was killed by a train terminating at Stratford in east London on 26 December 2023 at 14:50 GMT, East London Coroner's Court heard. The emergency brakes were not applied by any of the four incoming train operators (TOs).
CCTV showed Mr Mitchell trying to climb back on to the platform for about a minute at 14:45 before appearing to lie down on the tracks. He had 272mg of alcohol in his system, more than three times the legal driving limit.
Claire Mann, Transport for London (TfL)'s chief operating officer, said: "We will respond to the coroner's prevention of future deaths report and are taking action to prevent incidents like this from happening again."
Three of the four incoming trains which struck Mr Mitchell at platform 13 also departed the station. Following the first, fatal, strike, subsequent trains arrived at 14:56, 15:05 and 15:16. The operator of the third train misidentified the body as an inflatable doll, the jury concluded. The fourth TO did not apply the emergency brake due to being in shock. No signal was given to stop the trains, the jury found.
Addressing Mr Mitchell's family who attended virtually, Graeme Irvine, senior coroner for east London, said: "I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family. All deaths are tragic in their own way: Brian's death is particularly harrowing and the CCTV is something I'll think about for a long time. The images probably compound the grief felt by the family and for that I'm truly sorry."
Thanking the jury and coroner for "their thorough investigation", Mr Mitchell's family said they "found it almost unbelievable" that he was struck seven times.
Thomas Jervis, a partner from the law firm Leigh Day which represented the family, said: "People who use the TfL network assume the right processes are in place to ensure safety. The coroner has been clear – he has ongoing concerns that further lives could be at risk, and he will be issuing a prevention of future deaths report. While this legal case will not bring Brian back, his family sincerely hope that meaningful change will be introduced so that this cannot happen again."
Mr Mitchell, who was wearing dark clothing, had spent nearly an hour at the far end of the platform with his bag before falling forwards on to the track.
A post-mortem examination found multiple injuries caused by blunt-force trauma to the chest and head were primary cause of death. His face was stained with soot.
Jubilee line drivers are known as train operators (TOs) because the trains use automatic train operation, which automatically accelerates and applies the brakes for signals and stops, jurors heard.
The TOs "did not see, hear or feel anything unusual", the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said. Because Mr Mitchell's body was underneath the rear incoming carriage, none of the three outgoing drivers would have seen him.
The inquest heard that the RAIB was told by each of the four arriving TOs that they had not been preparing to leave their cabins as they arrived at Stratford.
Mr Mitchell, who had spent Christmas Day visiting a friend in Bushy, took two buses to Stanmore station where he boarded the Jubilee line, using his Freedom Pass to travel to the other end of the line before sitting on a bench at Stratford station. Mr Mitchell was living in Hanwell, west London, at the time of his death but was born in Edinburgh. He was known to be homeless in 2017 and 2019.
Ms Mann added: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Mitchell... We are committed to learning from this tragic incident and assisted the coroner during the inquest."
Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing
A man who stumbled and fell on to tracks at a London Underground station while drunk before being struck by seven Jubilee line trains died accidentally, an inquest has concluded.
Brian Mitchell, 72, was killed by a train terminating at Stratford in east London on 26 December 2023 at 14:50 GMT, East London Coroner's Court heard. The emergency brakes were not applied by any of the four incoming train operators (TOs).
CCTV showed Mr Mitchell trying to climb back on to the platform for about a minute at 14:45 before appearing to lie down on the tracks. He had 272mg of alcohol in his system, more than three times the legal driving limit.
Claire Mann, Transport for London (TfL)'s chief operating officer, said: "We will respond to the coroner's prevention of future deaths report and are taking action to prevent incidents like this from happening again."
Three of the four incoming trains which struck Mr Mitchell at platform 13 also departed the station. Following the first, fatal, strike, subsequent trains arrived at 14:56, 15:05 and 15:16. The operator of the third train misidentified the body as an inflatable doll, the jury concluded. The fourth TO did not apply the emergency brake due to being in shock. No signal was given to stop the trains, the jury found.
Addressing Mr Mitchell's family who attended virtually, Graeme Irvine, senior coroner for east London, said: "I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family. All deaths are tragic in their own way: Brian's death is particularly harrowing and the CCTV is something I'll think about for a long time. The images probably compound the grief felt by the family and for that I'm truly sorry."
Thanking the jury and coroner for "their thorough investigation", Mr Mitchell's family said they "found it almost unbelievable" that he was struck seven times.
Thomas Jervis, a partner from the law firm Leigh Day which represented the family, said: "People who use the TfL network assume the right processes are in place to ensure safety. The coroner has been clear – he has ongoing concerns that further lives could be at risk, and he will be issuing a prevention of future deaths report. While this legal case will not bring Brian back, his family sincerely hope that meaningful change will be introduced so that this cannot happen again."
Mr Mitchell, who was wearing dark clothing, had spent nearly an hour at the far end of the platform with his bag before falling forwards on to the track.
A post-mortem examination found multiple injuries caused by blunt-force trauma to the chest and head were primary cause of death. His face was stained with soot.
Jubilee line drivers are known as train operators (TOs) because the trains use automatic train operation, which automatically accelerates and applies the brakes for signals and stops, jurors heard.
The TOs "did not see, hear or feel anything unusual", the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said. Because Mr Mitchell's body was underneath the rear incoming carriage, none of the three outgoing drivers would have seen him.
The inquest heard that the RAIB was told by each of the four arriving TOs that they had not been preparing to leave their cabins as they arrived at Stratford.
Mr Mitchell, who had spent Christmas Day visiting a friend in Bushy, took two buses to Stanmore station where he boarded the Jubilee line, using his Freedom Pass to travel to the other end of the line before sitting on a bench at Stratford station. Mr Mitchell was living in Hanwell, west London, at the time of his death but was born in Edinburgh. He was known to be homeless in 2017 and 2019.
Ms Mann added: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Mitchell... We are committed to learning from this tragic incident and assisted the coroner during the inquest."
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [369698/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 05:36, 18th December 2025 | |
Thursday December 18
Wednesday December 17
And bad news for tomorrow morning:
And bad news for tomorrow morning:
Facilities on the 21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:01.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:17/12/2025 06:27
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:17/12/2025 06:27
Also, not mentioned on JourneyCheck, Realtime Trains is showing the five car 802006 booked for tonight's 19:53 Paddington to Hereford sevice which will mean a second consecutive short-form in tomorrow's London bound peak.
1P10 0523 Hereford to London Paddington (08:24)
1P12 0643 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (08:44)
both reported on RTT as being 5-car sets. No mention on JourneyCheck.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [369697/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 05:27, 18th December 2025 | |
Wednesday December 17
Late-running continues:
1P36 1726 Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington : held Norton (+12), saves 10 at Moreton, held Charlbury (+15), arrived Oxford +13 and cancelled thereafter (RTT : "due to an issue with the train crew (TG)").
Stock in Oxford platform 3 19:13-19:47, then ran empty to Paddington.
1P38 1802 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington : held Charlbury (+12), Oxford (+22 - baulked by 1P36), arrived +16.
1W03 1734 London Paddington to Hereford : Oxford +15, held Evesham (+32), arrived +33.
1W34 1757 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street : held Wolvercote (+12) and Evesham (+20), arrived +35.
1W41 2052 London Paddington to Great Malvern : delayed near Acton, Oxford +19, held Evesham (+37), arrived +40.
| Re: Temple Meads station approach road In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [369696/31280/21] Posted by infoman at 05:15, 18th December 2025 | |
In my opinion there are two many "cross over" movements.
I would ban private cars from entering the incline,if they "inadvertently" gain access to the bottom part of the incline,
another banning point could be where the airport bus routes turn round and continue their journey.
Private cars could drop near Wetherspoons entrance.
Taxis should use the left hand side of the incline and 8/9 bus's should use the space where the airport bus, use to stop,
by the W.H.Smith goods delivery doors on the right hand side.
Traffic lights are the biggest problem when coming off the incline,when the lights go green to come off the incline
the traffic lights on the City bound side turn straight to red and you get just six cars off the incline
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 01 Nov 25 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369695/31017/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 01:43, 18th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
King greets those who showed bravery during Huntingdon train knife attack
King Charles greets rail worker Samir Zitouni and his wife Eleni Sakkoulei
King Charles has met a group of rail staff and passengers who had shown bravery during the Huntingdon train knife attack last month.
The group included railway worker Samir Zitouni, who was hailed for his efforts to save passengers, train driver Andrew Johnson, and Stephen Crean, who was stabbed in the hand when he intervened.
Eleven people were treated in hospital for injuries after the attack on the London-bound train, that had been diverted to Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder related to the train attack.
Driver Andrew Johnson has been praised for his quick thinking in diverting the train
There was much praise for the response of passengers and train crews during the incident on the service between Doncaster and London King's Cross on a Saturday evening.
In Parliament, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood paid tribute to the "breathtaking bravery" of those who had helped, including the "heroic acts of the passengers and train crew who intercepted the attacker". MPs had called for the highest civilian medal, the George Cross, to be awarded to those who had shown great bravery.
King Charles gave his own recognition with an audience at the Palace, where he posed for photographs with the visitors. They included Andrew Johnson, the train driver who was praised by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander for diverting the train from the fast to the slow track after the alarm was raised.
A short hearing in the case against Mr Williams was adjourned at Cambridge Crown Court earlier this month and proceedings are due to resume on 28 January 2026.
King Charles greets rail worker Samir Zitouni and his wife Eleni Sakkoulei
King Charles has met a group of rail staff and passengers who had shown bravery during the Huntingdon train knife attack last month.
The group included railway worker Samir Zitouni, who was hailed for his efforts to save passengers, train driver Andrew Johnson, and Stephen Crean, who was stabbed in the hand when he intervened.
Eleven people were treated in hospital for injuries after the attack on the London-bound train, that had been diverted to Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder related to the train attack.
Driver Andrew Johnson has been praised for his quick thinking in diverting the train
There was much praise for the response of passengers and train crews during the incident on the service between Doncaster and London King's Cross on a Saturday evening.
In Parliament, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood paid tribute to the "breathtaking bravery" of those who had helped, including the "heroic acts of the passengers and train crew who intercepted the attacker". MPs had called for the highest civilian medal, the George Cross, to be awarded to those who had shown great bravery.
King Charles gave his own recognition with an audience at the Palace, where he posed for photographs with the visitors. They included Andrew Johnson, the train driver who was praised by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander for diverting the train from the fast to the slow track after the alarm was raised.
A short hearing in the case against Mr Williams was adjourned at Cambridge Crown Court earlier this month and proceedings are due to resume on 28 January 2026.
| Temple Meads station approach road In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [369694/31280/21] Posted by froome at 21:44, 17th December 2025 | |
The approach road at Temple Meads, I understand, is not part of the council's highway network and so belongs to whichever arm of the rail network controls the station.
I have always felt that the design of the approach road is very poor from the point of view of public transport movements, and this year I have often had to catch the number 8 bus here so have had more experience of it. That bus stops closer to the station entrance than other services, which is good (especially when the weather is inclement), but it means that the bus then has to follow the road past the entrance and back down to the traffic lights at the bottom of the approach road. In doing that, it has to compete with all the taxis and also with all the private cars that have to drive past the entrance to reach the drop off point.
Allowing private cars to come right up to the entrance to reach the drop off area has always seemed a particularly foolish bit of design, as they will inevitably block public transport. Last week, on a visit here, it took 15 minutes from when the bus left the stop to reach the traffic lights, as the whole road around the station entrance was in gridlock. I also noticed that this meant that taxis were using the drop off driveway as a means of avoiding the gridlock and then joining the approach road halfway down the road, and by doing so getting ahead of the vehicles that stuck to the approach road route, including buses.
In busy times, it must be impossible to run the number 8 bus to anything like the timetable, and must be very frustrating for its passengers and their drivers.
Will this all change once the new rear entrance to the station opens? I assume there must be some sort of liaison between the rail operators and bus operators about the traffic arrangements here.
| Re: Total journey connections - what if they miss outside the national rail network? In "Smoke and Mirrors" [369693/31104/3] Posted by Hafren at 20:48, 17th December 2025 | |
I wonder if the TOC would be willing to provide a taxi if the last bus is missed on a through ticket. Or indeed if the bus misses a last train. If we're serious about integrated public transport this ought to be considered!
Pushing it further... what if my lift isn't available and I have to make my own way, or if a nervous or vulnerable person who usually walks the 'last mile' is left having to find their way home at 10pm instead of 8pm because of a severe delay...? Subtle things that seem well out of scope of the contract but which will make a big difference to the person affected.
| Re: Making sure the information you might need is easily available In "Smoke and Mirrors" [369692/31262/3] Posted by Hafren at 20:44, 17th December 2025 | |
The toilet door thing is quite a common scene on the TfW Flirts. The actual open button is in the middle (with an 'extra time' door for wheelchair users et al below - not sure if it is interlocked with something or triggers an indicator, but staff also seem able to trigger it with a key on the outside)... if the open button pressed early and nothing happens, the next step is to open the toilet door. One could ask why the toilet door button isn't on the other side, as seen on some stock, but that would mean going into a narrower area to find it so it's a non-starter.
I do wonder what people think the door release sounds and visuals are when they press the button and then do nothing when the door is released!
| Re: Making sure the information you might need is easily available In "Smoke and Mirrors" [369691/31262/3] Posted by Oxonhutch at 18:53, 17th December 2025 Already liked by grahame, Mark A | |
On in-train door open buttons, I will admit (not sure what the stock was) to opening the train loo door on one occasion rather than the door to get off ...
Been there and got the T-shirt - IET stock, Carriage K or E and open the disabled toilet to attempt an exit to platform. Ooops!
| Re: Eastern Airways - regional airline, now in administration - merged posts (Nov 2025) In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369690/29761/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:39, 17th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Plan for flights connecting Wick with Aberdeen and Edinburgh
People in the north Highlands could be able to fly to Edinburgh next year under a proposed expansion of the subsidised air service at Wick John O' Groats Airport.
Eastern Airways entered administration in November, grounding regular flights between Wick and Aberdeen.
Highland Council hopes to find a new airline to run the public service obligation (PSO) route, which is supported by the local authority and Scottish government. A spokesperson said the initial two-year contract would be for operating services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said the publication of an invitation to companies to bid for the contract represented a "major step" forward in efforts to secure the future of Wick's air services.
He added: "I have long made the case that not just continuation, but expansion of these services is needed to best serve people living and working in the north Highlands. I am also keenly aware of the local demand for restored air connectivity to Edinburgh."
Transport Scotland said it was considering the business case from Highland Council on a future Wick to Aberdeen/Edinburgh route and would confirm next steps in due course.
People in the north Highlands could be able to fly to Edinburgh next year under a proposed expansion of the subsidised air service at Wick John O' Groats Airport.
Eastern Airways entered administration in November, grounding regular flights between Wick and Aberdeen.
Highland Council hopes to find a new airline to run the public service obligation (PSO) route, which is supported by the local authority and Scottish government. A spokesperson said the initial two-year contract would be for operating services from Wick to both Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said the publication of an invitation to companies to bid for the contract represented a "major step" forward in efforts to secure the future of Wick's air services.
He added: "I have long made the case that not just continuation, but expansion of these services is needed to best serve people living and working in the north Highlands. I am also keenly aware of the local demand for restored air connectivity to Edinburgh."
Transport Scotland said it was considering the business case from Highland Council on a future Wick to Aberdeen/Edinburgh route and would confirm next steps in due course.
| Re: Disused rail viaduct over the Spey at Garmouth fails In "Railway History and related topics" [369689/31260/55] Posted by ChrisB at 17:36, 17th December 2025 | |
Fund repairs for the Spey Viaduct - Change.org petition
From the BBC
Replacing collapsed bridge 'nigh on impossible' cost for council
Replacing a historic former railway bridge across the River Spey would be "nigh on impossible" due to the cost, a councillor has said
The 350ft (107m) Spey Viaduct - an iron girder structure near Garmouth - partially collapsed at the weekend.
Moray Council said initial inspections suggested scour - fast-moving water eroding foundations - appeared to be the cause.
Councillor Marc Macrae said the cost of a replacement for the 1886 bridge would be beyond the council's means.
Moray Council said that at the time of the last inspection report by a specialist contractor, in 2023, there was no evidence of scour.
The Speyside Way - a long-distance trail which traces the River Spey from the Moray Firth to the Cairngorms National Park - passes one end of the bridge.
It is also part of the National Cycle Network.
Councillor Macrae represents the local Fochabers and Lhanbryde ward and is also chairman of Moray Council's economic development and infrastructure services committee.
He told BBC Scotland News he had felt a "state of shock" at what had happened, as the structure had been part of daily life for so long.
After the railway line closed in the 1960s the bridge remained popular with walkers, cyclists and tourists.
"I think the important thing at the minute is to assess the damage that has been done, we need a plan for how we remove the two deck sections that are now in the river," he said.
"And then look to investigate the rest of the structure of the bridge.
"I wouldn't even like to guesstimate a figure to repair the bridge, let alone replace the bridge if necessary."
He said it would be challenging to find the funding to replace the bridge, when competing with other services for money.
"In the current financial climate, it's going to be nigh on impossible," he said.
"I would hope national government if anything would step in here because it's a project way beyond the means of the local authority and the constrained budgets we have at this time."
Mr Macrae said the bridge had been relied on for well over a century, so it was important to find some kind of solution.
"It might not be the iconic bridge because of the cost. But I think the fact these two communities have been linked together for such a long period of time, people will look to see a solution put in place," he said.
"I am very sad that this has happened."
Roddy Robertson, the chairman of Garmouth and Kingston Community Association, said concerns had been raised for more than a decade.
"One of our fears was it would get to this position that we are in today, that the bridge would become unsafe, it would be too expensive to fix, and we would lose that bridge," he said.
"So it's extremely frustrating to see the bridge lost when it possibly could have been saved. Who knows, we won't know that, that's hindsight now I suppose.
"The community is absolutely devastated, yesterday (Sunday) was a bit of grief almost if you like, I know it's a structure, today is now asking questions about why did it happen and where do we go from here."
He said although it was not a road bridge, it brought people to the local communities.
"It's now a nine-mile trek round to get to the same place," he said.
"It's an ideal place to walk.
"Part of me always thinks every cloud has a silver lining, we will see what we can build from this, whether it's a replacement, hopefully something good will come from this."Moray Council has maintained the bridge since 1968 when the railway line was closed.
The local authority said in a statement on Monday evening: "Engineers have now assessed the Garmouth Viaduct and on initial inspection can confirm the collapse appears to be due to scour.
"It appears that over the last year the river flow path has changed, which may have contributed to a change of impact on the piers.
"We're in the process of instructing a specialist engineer to undertake a more detailed inspection and assessment and hope that this can be progressed before Christmas or early in the new year."
Options will be presented to councillors "as soon as practicably possible".
The statement added: "We're well aware of the strength of feeling in the local community, and further afield, for this bridge and how well used it is by walkers and cyclists."
The bridge will remain closed until further notice.
Replacing a historic former railway bridge across the River Spey would be "nigh on impossible" due to the cost, a councillor has said
The 350ft (107m) Spey Viaduct - an iron girder structure near Garmouth - partially collapsed at the weekend.
Moray Council said initial inspections suggested scour - fast-moving water eroding foundations - appeared to be the cause.
Councillor Marc Macrae said the cost of a replacement for the 1886 bridge would be beyond the council's means.
Moray Council said that at the time of the last inspection report by a specialist contractor, in 2023, there was no evidence of scour.
The Speyside Way - a long-distance trail which traces the River Spey from the Moray Firth to the Cairngorms National Park - passes one end of the bridge.
It is also part of the National Cycle Network.
Councillor Macrae represents the local Fochabers and Lhanbryde ward and is also chairman of Moray Council's economic development and infrastructure services committee.
He told BBC Scotland News he had felt a "state of shock" at what had happened, as the structure had been part of daily life for so long.
After the railway line closed in the 1960s the bridge remained popular with walkers, cyclists and tourists.
"I think the important thing at the minute is to assess the damage that has been done, we need a plan for how we remove the two deck sections that are now in the river," he said.
"And then look to investigate the rest of the structure of the bridge.
"I wouldn't even like to guesstimate a figure to repair the bridge, let alone replace the bridge if necessary."
He said it would be challenging to find the funding to replace the bridge, when competing with other services for money.
"In the current financial climate, it's going to be nigh on impossible," he said.
"I would hope national government if anything would step in here because it's a project way beyond the means of the local authority and the constrained budgets we have at this time."
Mr Macrae said the bridge had been relied on for well over a century, so it was important to find some kind of solution.
"It might not be the iconic bridge because of the cost. But I think the fact these two communities have been linked together for such a long period of time, people will look to see a solution put in place," he said.
"I am very sad that this has happened."
Roddy Robertson, the chairman of Garmouth and Kingston Community Association, said concerns had been raised for more than a decade.
"One of our fears was it would get to this position that we are in today, that the bridge would become unsafe, it would be too expensive to fix, and we would lose that bridge," he said.
"So it's extremely frustrating to see the bridge lost when it possibly could have been saved. Who knows, we won't know that, that's hindsight now I suppose.
"The community is absolutely devastated, yesterday (Sunday) was a bit of grief almost if you like, I know it's a structure, today is now asking questions about why did it happen and where do we go from here."
He said although it was not a road bridge, it brought people to the local communities.
"It's now a nine-mile trek round to get to the same place," he said.
"It's an ideal place to walk.
"Part of me always thinks every cloud has a silver lining, we will see what we can build from this, whether it's a replacement, hopefully something good will come from this."Moray Council has maintained the bridge since 1968 when the railway line was closed.
The local authority said in a statement on Monday evening: "Engineers have now assessed the Garmouth Viaduct and on initial inspection can confirm the collapse appears to be due to scour.
"It appears that over the last year the river flow path has changed, which may have contributed to a change of impact on the piers.
"We're in the process of instructing a specialist engineer to undertake a more detailed inspection and assessment and hope that this can be progressed before Christmas or early in the new year."
Options will be presented to councillors "as soon as practicably possible".
The statement added: "We're well aware of the strength of feeling in the local community, and further afield, for this bridge and how well used it is by walkers and cyclists."
The bridge will remain closed until further notice.
| Re: Man arrested after London train hits buffers - London Bridge, 13 Dec 2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369688/29636/51] Posted by bobm at 17:14, 17th December 2025 | |
The RAIB report (no login required) - https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-09-slash-2025-buffer-stop-collision-at-london-bridge-station
| Re: Making sure the information you might need is easily available In "Smoke and Mirrors" [369687/31262/3] Posted by CyclingSid at 16:44, 17th December 2025 | |
explaining how to open train doors, given the number of times I've seen people struggle.
It would help if there was a national standard so the same button is always at the top. I have been found wanting pressing the button to open the doors when all the other trains on the journey it has been the other way round.
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369686/31273/30] Posted by CyclingSid at 16:27, 17th December 2025 | |
If you haven't been there before you might try Het Scheepvaart (National Maritime) Museum https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.com/
No steam trains but they have a steam icebreaker.
| Re: New West Yorkshire bus fleet criticised over single-door access In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369685/31274/51] Posted by Mark A at 16:12, 17th December 2025 | |
Many of the buses to the University in Bath have separate entrance and exit doors, which are an odd match with the bus shelter at at least one of the stops - leaving the bus at the one by the abbey, I found out the hard way that the bus stops with its exit by (and close to) the clear glass screen wall of the bus shelter and how I didn't go through its glass I do not know.
Mark
| Re: Man arrested after London train hits buffers - London Bridge, 13 Dec 2024 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369684/29636/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:06, 17th December 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Train crashed into buffer due to driver microsleep
A train crashed into a buffer at London Bridge railway station due to a driver's microsleep caused by fatigue, the rail safety regulator has said.
At 15:45 GMT on 13 December 2024, the Southern service struck the buffer on platform 12 despite the emergency brake having been applied, a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report found. Nobody was injured.
The driver had less than their normal amount of sleep the night before and the rota "was constructed in a way that increased the risk of fatigue", the report says. The driver had worked many of their rostered rest days before the accident.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) says it now uses "robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts".
The report also found that none of the engineered protection systems fitted to the train intervened to prevent the collision because the train was travelling too slowly for them to be deployed.
One underlying factor was was that GTR's fatigue risk management "was not sufficiently effective and that it had not adopted some elements of industry good practice", inspectors found.
A second underlying factor concluded "there are no safety systems currently fitted to mainline trains which can detect and mitigate short losses in driver alertness".
The Rail Safety and Standards Board has been urged "to provide guidance when seeking external advice about medical conditions and working hours that may increase the risk of fatigue in safety-critical staff".
The RAIB has recommended GTR improves its fatigue risk management and follow best industry practice.
Samantha Facey, GTR's safety, health and security director, said efforts were being made to meet the recommendations. She said: "Safety is always our number-one priority and we're determined to learn from every incident to improve our safety standard for our people and our customers.
"We're committed to making sure our staff are fit and alert when they're at work – in August we updated and improved our fatigue risk management standard to help us manage fatigue more effectively, which includes reports from staff related to tiredness. We've also set up stronger working groups with staff representatives and we're now using robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts so we can spot and prevent fatigue before it becomes a risk."
A train crashed into a buffer at London Bridge railway station due to a driver's microsleep caused by fatigue, the rail safety regulator has said.
At 15:45 GMT on 13 December 2024, the Southern service struck the buffer on platform 12 despite the emergency brake having been applied, a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report found. Nobody was injured.
The driver had less than their normal amount of sleep the night before and the rota "was constructed in a way that increased the risk of fatigue", the report says. The driver had worked many of their rostered rest days before the accident.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) says it now uses "robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts".
The report also found that none of the engineered protection systems fitted to the train intervened to prevent the collision because the train was travelling too slowly for them to be deployed.
One underlying factor was was that GTR's fatigue risk management "was not sufficiently effective and that it had not adopted some elements of industry good practice", inspectors found.
A second underlying factor concluded "there are no safety systems currently fitted to mainline trains which can detect and mitigate short losses in driver alertness".
The Rail Safety and Standards Board has been urged "to provide guidance when seeking external advice about medical conditions and working hours that may increase the risk of fatigue in safety-critical staff".
The RAIB has recommended GTR improves its fatigue risk management and follow best industry practice.
Samantha Facey, GTR's safety, health and security director, said efforts were being made to meet the recommendations. She said: "Safety is always our number-one priority and we're determined to learn from every incident to improve our safety standard for our people and our customers.
"We're committed to making sure our staff are fit and alert when they're at work – in August we updated and improved our fatigue risk management standard to help us manage fatigue more effectively, which includes reports from staff related to tiredness. We've also set up stronger working groups with staff representatives and we're now using robust scientific modelling to plan staff shifts so we can spot and prevent fatigue before it becomes a risk."
| MOVED: London Bridge Bufferstop collision 13 December 2024 - report In "Across the West" [369683/31279/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:55, 17th December 2025 | |
This topic has been moved to The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom and merged with an existing topic there:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=29636.msg369677#msg369677
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [369682/29711/14] Posted by charles_uk at 14:34, 17th December 2025 | |
Wednesday December 17
And bad news for tomorrow morning:
And bad news for tomorrow morning:
Facilities on the 21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:01.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:17/12/2025 06:27
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:17/12/2025 06:27
Also, not mentioned on JourneyCheck, Realtime Trains is showing the five car 802006 booked for tonight's 19:53 Paddington to Hereford sevice which will mean a second consecutive short-form in tomorrow's London bound peak.
| Re: 16th August 2025 - Buses to Imber In "Buses and other ways to travel" [369681/29807/5] Posted by Clan Line at 14:33, 17th December 2025 | |
I want that bus's numberplate.
My initials and my day of birth.
My initials and my day of birth.
The bus spent much of its life in Swindon, hence the "local" number plate.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369680/16141/14] Posted by ChrisB at 14:28, 17th December 2025 | |
It is a council car park. Leased by GWR & APCOA are sub-contracted to collect payments.
| Re: Worcestershire Parkway Station project - ongoing discussion In "London to the Cotswolds" [369679/16141/14] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:26, 17th December 2025 | |
Confirmed: see https://www.apcoa.co.uk/find-parking/locations/worcestershire/worcestershire-parkway-worcestershire
| Trip Report: 13-15/12/25 European Rugby In Paris In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369678/31278/51] Posted by Bob_Blakey at 14:11, 17th December 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Oxonhutch | |
13/12/25 - Exeter To Paris
DIG 0845 (0844)>EXD▸ 0858 (0857) : 2T10 EXM>PGN : 2 x 150/2 (4 Cars)
EXD 0916 (0917)>PAD 1200 (1207) : 1A56 PNZ>PAD▸ : 1 x 802/1 (9 Cars)
TfL Underground Paddington > King's Cross St. Pancras (H&C Line)
Eurostar STP 1431 (OT)>PBN 1758 (OT) : Train 9032
Tickets: DIG>PAD Senior Railcard Advance Single £40.25, Railcard TfL Underground £1.85, Eurostar £51.00
2T10 was fairly well loaded on arrival at DIG where 13 pax boarded. Tickets/Railcards not checked.
1A56 was already busy on arrival at EXD and was full & standing - as it was all the way to PAD - on departure, this being slightly delayed due to the extended loading time, a situation exacerbated by the absence of on-board reservation data. I do not understand why on GWR trains reservation data is so frequently absent. Standard class trolley service announced as cancelled for obvious reasons. First delay on the approach to Hele & Bradninch where the train came to a short complete halt - TM announced a line obstruction so I would guess, but cannot confirm, fouling of the level crossing. Train was diverted via BRI (planned CLC line closure) from where it departed 2 late but was then further delayed on the approach to, and at, BTH by the late running 1F11 CDF>PMH and the significant passenger exchange (last day of the Bath Christmas Market according to the TM). Service ran late for the remainder of the journey and arrived at PAD 7 minutes down.
Tickets / Railcards not checked.
Absolute scrum at the PAD Platform 10 gateline to the extent that just before I got there the GWR staff surrendered and opened all the gates. So free travel for anybody prepared to chance it!
I had given myself a little extra time in London given the expectation that there might be queuing for EES Registration at STP. However I was told that the full rollout doesn't start until January and a small number of random pax, including me, were being processed by the existing French Border Police.
Uneventful, timely Eurostar journey to Paris followed by the delights of a completely rammed Paris Metro system to the 12th Arrondissment.
14/12/25 - Le Match Followed By Paris To Basingstoke
Breakfast, a leisurely stroll around the 12th & 13th Arrondissments on a chilly but sunny morning, and then the Metro to Stade Dominique Duvauchelle in Creteil for the 12:00 Racing 92 v Exeter Chiefs (EPCR Challenge Cup) contest. A very entertaining game which ended in a 31-31 draw although Chiefs would have won had their discipline not disintegrated in the second half.
I was travelling with our eldest son who needed to be back at home for work on Monday morning so we had decided in advance on a return to the UK that evening. A local bus took us to a nearby RER station for a quick run back to Gare du Nord, a much better option than the significantly slower Metro service.
Eurostar PBN 1909 (OT)>STP 2030 (2049) : Train 9055
TfL Underground King's Cross St. Pancras>Warren Street (Victoria Line) & Warren Street>Waterloo (Northern Line)
WAT 2135 (OT)>BSK 2226 (OT) : 1Z71 WAT>BSK : 2 x 450/0 (8 Cars)
Tickets: Eurostar £65.00, Railcard TfL Underground £1.85, WAT>BSK Senior Railcard Sunday Out Single £16.10
All seemed to be going to plan until our Eurostar stopped at Stratford International. After a short delay the TM announced that our train could not be accepted by STP 'because the passengers on a previous service were being subjected to a full customs check'. Personally I think this was cobblers and it was more likely the fact that the pax from the 30 minute late 9157 Bruxelles Midi train hadn't yet cleared the station exits. Once that was sorted we proceeded to STP arriving 19 minutes late. However, regardless of the root cause, if STP cannot handle those alighting from more than one international train at a time this needs to be seriously looked at before more services start running.
The remainder of the journey was as expected.
15/12/25 - Basingstoke To Exeter
BSK 1108 (OT)>EXC 1338 (1419) : 1L25 WAT>EXD (Terminated at EXC) : 2 x 159/0 (6 Cars)
EXC 1355>DIG 1400 : 2F19 PGN>EXM Missed Connection
EXC 1455 (OT)>DIG 1500 (OT) : 2F21 PGN>EXM : 1 x 150/2 (2 Car)
Tickets: BSK>EXC Senior Railcard Advance Single £12.15, EXC>DIG Senior Railcard Anytime Day Single £2.65
1L25, which was very well loaded, ran to time as far as the Tisbury Loop where it had to wait for the late running 1L40 to pass and departed 12 minutes down. It was further delayed, by 23 minutes, at HON waiting for the on-time London-bound 1L52 and departed towards Exeter 40 late. In the vicinity of Cranbrook it was announced that the train would be terminated at EXC (Platform 1). Pax for EXD and beyond were directed to the following 2T21 GWR EXM>PGN service. Exmouth branch pax such as myself were ignored. Which I didn't really care about having already checked the time of my next train to DIG but what about individuals who are not completely au fait with rail travel?
Anyway, not for the first time recently, my BSK>DIG journey will be the subject of a 100% Delay Repay refund.
And another of my favourite gripes; on departure from BSK the 1L25 on-board PIS showed the Next Station as Woking all the way to Exeter.
Tickets/Railcards not checked on either service.
| London Bridge Bufferstop collision 13 December 2024 - report In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [369677/29636/51] Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:07, 17th December 2025 | |
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fatigued-driver-experienced-microsleep-before-london-bridge-buffer-stop-collision
Almost certain fatigued driver "experienced microsleep" before buffer stop collision - RAIB
From Rail Briefing
| Re: AQ17 - where would you of within a daytime journey from Amsterdam? In "The Lighter Side" [369676/31273/30] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 14:05, 17th December 2025 Already liked by Mark A, froome | |
Or a few kilometres further inland, Ghent is just as special - partly for strolling around, and partly for transport geeks to see how they have reclaimed the city centre from cars.
