Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Man who died on Tube was run over by four trains - 26 Dec 2023 In "Transport for London" [370646/29772/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:49, 6th January 2026 |      |
From the BBC:
Action needed after man hit by Tube, warns coroner
A coroner has warned that Sir Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) must take action to prevent future deaths after a man was struck by seven Jubilee line trains at an Underground station.
Brian Mitchell, 72, was killed by a train terminating at Stratford on 26 December 2023. The emergency brakes were not applied by any of the four incoming train operators, the inquest into his death heard.
Mitchell had spent almost an hour at the end of the platform before he fell on to the track. He had 272mg of alcohol in his system, more than three times the legal driving limit.
TfL said it was "taking action to prevent incidents like this from happening again". Sir Sadiq was contacted for comment.
In his report, senior coroner Graeme Irvine said that in the two years since Mitchell's death, "there is no clear evidence to demonstrate that risks of fatal harm have been mitigated".
He said: "Recommended technological measures to detect and alert staff to the presence of persons on the tracks have not been implemented at Stratford station."
Irvine added that there was no clear data available to demonstrate that train operator and station staff training had improved performance in emergency circumstances.
He concluded in his report to Sir Sadiq, TfL and the Department for Transport: "In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."
Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Mitchell, who sadly died at Stratford Tube station. We are committed to learning from this tragic incident and assisted the coroner during the inquest. We will respond to the coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report and are taking action to prevent incidents like this from happening again. "
A coroner has warned that Sir Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) must take action to prevent future deaths after a man was struck by seven Jubilee line trains at an Underground station.
Brian Mitchell, 72, was killed by a train terminating at Stratford on 26 December 2023. The emergency brakes were not applied by any of the four incoming train operators, the inquest into his death heard.
Mitchell had spent almost an hour at the end of the platform before he fell on to the track. He had 272mg of alcohol in his system, more than three times the legal driving limit.
TfL said it was "taking action to prevent incidents like this from happening again". Sir Sadiq was contacted for comment.
In his report, senior coroner Graeme Irvine said that in the two years since Mitchell's death, "there is no clear evidence to demonstrate that risks of fatal harm have been mitigated".
He said: "Recommended technological measures to detect and alert staff to the presence of persons on the tracks have not been implemented at Stratford station."
Irvine added that there was no clear data available to demonstrate that train operator and station staff training had improved performance in emergency circumstances.
He concluded in his report to Sir Sadiq, TfL and the Department for Transport: "In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."
Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Mitchell, who sadly died at Stratford Tube station. We are committed to learning from this tragic incident and assisted the coroner during the inquest. We will respond to the coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report and are taking action to prevent incidents like this from happening again. "
| Re: Tamar Crossing tolls may be increased In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370645/1251/25] Posted by plymothian at 19:47, 6th January 2026 | |
How would the fee increase by 80p a month? At present there is no service charge, and from their website the only charge mentioned is 50% discount on each crossing.
Is this 80p a month going to be a service charge, or each crossing have a few pence added to it, although this latter permutation would mean it would be a different charge for each user dependent on number of crossings.
Is this 80p a month going to be a service charge, or each crossing have a few pence added to it, although this latter permutation would mean it would be a different charge for each user dependent on number of crossings.
80p per month is the current service charge - which comes off your tag account balance, they want to make it £2 per month.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370644/31163/26] Posted by NickB at 19:26, 6th January 2026 | |
TfL drivers this evening are telling passengers that the OLE won’t be fixed tonight and not to bother travelling tomorrow.
| Re: Swansea and back: 6/1/26 In "Introductions and chat" [370643/31389/1] Posted by Mark A at 19:17, 6th January 2026 | |
Thanks, appreciated. I'll check if things are running to time and if so, route via Parkway and arrive on the same train at Bath if things fall into place.
Mark
| Re: Swansea and back: 6/1/26 In "Introductions and chat" [370642/31389/1] Posted by grahame at 19:11, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
On the 18:23 home from Swansea at Port Talbot on a reasonably wet evening and glad not to be driving it. Wondering if my day return Bath - Newport allows travel via Bristol Parkway.
Mark
Mark
Off Peak Day Return Bath Spa to Newport does allow you to change trains at Bristol Parkway - gwr.com offers it where it's the fastest journey.
I'm glad you're not driving the 18:23 from Swansea as well - sorry, I couldn't resist reading that into your post.
| Re: Swansea and back: 6/1/26 In "Introductions and chat" [370641/31389/1] Posted by Mark A at 18:44, 6th January 2026 | |
On the 18:23 home from Swansea at Port Talbot on a reasonably wet evening and glad not to be driving it. Wondering if my day return Bath - Newport allows travel via Bristol Parkway.
Mark
| Elderly may lose free travel over Sadiq Khan’s fare rises In "Transport for London" [370640/31392/46] Posted by ChrisB at 18:32, 6th January 2026 | |
From the Telegraph, via MSN
Thousands of pensioners could lose free travel in London after Sir Sadiq Khan put up bus and Tube fares.
Last month, the London Mayor announced that fares would rise by 7.1 per cent across the capital – twice the rate of inflation.
On Monday, the capital’s boroughs warned that this could force them to restrict funding for free travel for those aged 66 and over.
The group London Councils, which represents the 33 boroughs, said possibilities included increasing the qualifying age or means-testing it. They could also restrict the free fares to buses and the London Underground, excluding rail fares.
Londoners aged 66 and over are given a Freedom Pass that provides free transport on all Transport for London services and national rail services within Greater London.
It is funded by the London boroughs, but its annual cost is expected to rise by 11.8 per cent to £372m next year. The increase is down to the impact of Sir Sadiq’s fares rise and the growing number of Londoners entitled to a Freedom Pass.
Some 1.2 million pensioners in London have a pass and the cost of each journey taken is borne by the borough in which it starts. London Councils expects to foot the bill for more than 279 million free journeys from April.
tephen Boon, the chief operating officer, told the London Standard that the Freedom Pass was a “more generous” travel benefit than that enjoyed by pensioners in the rest of the country.
“It’s more than a bus pass, which is what it is in the rest of the country,” he said. “It’s costing more than boroughs can afford.”
He added that officials would conduct a comprehensive review of the Freedom Pass to help councillors to “understand what the options are and what the consequences could be”.
Ian Manders, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Kingston, south-west London, said the pass was an “expensive burden”. He said the borough had increased car parking charges but “it still doesn’t match how much we are spending on concessionary fares”.
Last month, the London Mayor announced that fares would rise by 7.1 per cent across the capital – twice the rate of inflation.
On Monday, the capital’s boroughs warned that this could force them to restrict funding for free travel for those aged 66 and over.
The group London Councils, which represents the 33 boroughs, said possibilities included increasing the qualifying age or means-testing it. They could also restrict the free fares to buses and the London Underground, excluding rail fares.
Londoners aged 66 and over are given a Freedom Pass that provides free transport on all Transport for London services and national rail services within Greater London.
It is funded by the London boroughs, but its annual cost is expected to rise by 11.8 per cent to £372m next year. The increase is down to the impact of Sir Sadiq’s fares rise and the growing number of Londoners entitled to a Freedom Pass.
Some 1.2 million pensioners in London have a pass and the cost of each journey taken is borne by the borough in which it starts. London Councils expects to foot the bill for more than 279 million free journeys from April.
tephen Boon, the chief operating officer, told the London Standard that the Freedom Pass was a “more generous” travel benefit than that enjoyed by pensioners in the rest of the country.
“It’s more than a bus pass, which is what it is in the rest of the country,” he said. “It’s costing more than boroughs can afford.”
He added that officials would conduct a comprehensive review of the Freedom Pass to help councillors to “understand what the options are and what the consequences could be”.
Ian Manders, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Kingston, south-west London, said the pass was an “expensive burden”. He said the borough had increased car parking charges but “it still doesn’t match how much we are spending on concessionary fares”.
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370639/30562/5] Posted by TonyK at 17:47, 6th January 2026 | |
I too am now on the Mk II human eyeballs. I am due a test soon, and will let that inform my imminent licence renewal. Last time, which was the first without cataracts, I was told I no longer need to wear glasses when driving.
Failing eyesight is a bit of a frog boiler. There wasn't a day when I went to bed with clear vision and woke up with it blurred the following morning. Cataracts actually improved my vision to a point - they make you short-sighted, thus correcting my long sight. For a few months, I could once again read the paper without my bins. Which was just as well as I had sat on them, having adopted the habit of taking them off to watch TV, placing them on the sofa beside me in case I needed them. After the first cataract was done, I found the world a brighter place, to the point where I thought there was something wrong with the butter I had just bought. It was a surprise also to find what colour my living room is really painted.
| Re: Tamar Crossing tolls may be increased In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370638/1251/25] Posted by matth1j at 17:06, 6th January 2026 | |
I appreciate it affects some more than others, but if people are crossing by car, isn't that £1.20 per month pretty insignificant compared to fuel costs?
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026 In "London to the Cotswolds" [370637/31371/14] Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 16:57, 6th January 2026 | |
1523 from Paddington now doing a non-stop run from Oxford to Worcestershire Parkway in an attempt to make up time, having been caught up by the following train!
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P22892/2026-01-06/detailed
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370636/30562/5] Posted by Clan Line at 16:41, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Saying that though I am just 51 and my eyes have gotten much worse in the past 12 months
I am well past the 70 mark and have to agree with the above. I am not convinced that 3 years isn't too long a period between tests.
I had a (second) cataract removed just over two years ago, leaving me with 6/6 in both eyes. In the last few weeks I noticed some fogginess in the more recently "repaired" eye. A visit to the optician confirmed my thoughts of PCO (had it in the other eye a few years back), he gave me 6/12 for that eye. I am having laser treatment on Friday which should cure the problem - but I am surprised how quickly the vision in that eye has deteriorated in the less than 4 weeks since I saw the optician.
| Re: Tamar Crossing tolls may be increased In "Shorter journeys in Plymouth and Cornwall" [370635/1251/25] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:37, 6th January 2026 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Tamar crossing charges 'critical' for commuters
Regular travellers with a Tamar Tag pay discount crossing fees
MPs are calling for a rethink to a proposed 150% increase in the monthly fee for the discounted toll and ferry scheme over the Tamar.
The proposal would see the Tamar Tag admin cost rise from 80 pence to £2 a month for the service which costs between £15m and 18m a year to run.
South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd said the increase proposed by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee would affect "predominantly local people" and wanted to see them pay cheaper tolls.
Speaking ahead of a debate about the proposal at Plymouth City Council on Monday 12 January she said a solution needed to consider "critical growth" in Devon and Cornwall.
Gelderd is one of three Labour MPs calling for a rethink and said constituents told her "this is critical" for them.
The proposal came seven months after toll fees went up to plug a hole in finances.
The committee said it proposed the changes as it needed to maintain a "prudent reserve" of £3m.
Campaigners said the crossing was crucial for people who cross the river for work, education and appointments at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
The committee told the MPs it rejected other options including reducing the TSG discount, increasing the toll or reducing the number of ferries or toll booths.
Co-chair Andrew Long said the Tamar Crossings Company had to cover the bridge and ferry costs as they do not get funded by either Plymouth City Council or Cornwall Council and the Department of Transport does not contribute to the bridge's maintenance.
He called on the councils and central government to "step up" and support the service. "We've got to get the income from somewhere," he said. "At the moment the only way of getting through doing that is charging tolls."
He added the public will be able to submit questions about the proposals at this month's meeting when councillors would be "looking at all the costs, all the income".
Regular travellers with a Tamar Tag pay discount crossing fees
MPs are calling for a rethink to a proposed 150% increase in the monthly fee for the discounted toll and ferry scheme over the Tamar.
The proposal would see the Tamar Tag admin cost rise from 80 pence to £2 a month for the service which costs between £15m and 18m a year to run.
South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd said the increase proposed by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee would affect "predominantly local people" and wanted to see them pay cheaper tolls.
Speaking ahead of a debate about the proposal at Plymouth City Council on Monday 12 January she said a solution needed to consider "critical growth" in Devon and Cornwall.
Gelderd is one of three Labour MPs calling for a rethink and said constituents told her "this is critical" for them.
The proposal came seven months after toll fees went up to plug a hole in finances.
The committee said it proposed the changes as it needed to maintain a "prudent reserve" of £3m.
Campaigners said the crossing was crucial for people who cross the river for work, education and appointments at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
The committee told the MPs it rejected other options including reducing the TSG discount, increasing the toll or reducing the number of ferries or toll booths.
Co-chair Andrew Long said the Tamar Crossings Company had to cover the bridge and ferry costs as they do not get funded by either Plymouth City Council or Cornwall Council and the Department of Transport does not contribute to the bridge's maintenance.
He called on the councils and central government to "step up" and support the service. "We've got to get the income from somewhere," he said. "At the moment the only way of getting through doing that is charging tolls."
He added the public will be able to submit questions about the proposals at this month's meeting when councillors would be "looking at all the costs, all the income".
| Re: Binned sausage rolls served to rail passengers In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370634/31380/51] Posted by ChrisB at 15:27, 6th January 2026 | |
Doesn't apply to H&S Food rules. Housewives tale basically
| Re: Weather updates from across the UK and implications for infrastructure - 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370633/31355/51] Posted by ChrisB at 15:23, 6th January 2026 | |
FRom the Met Office
Storm Goretti likely to bring heavy snow leading to disruption and difficult travelling conditions.
A deep area of low pressure will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday bringing a mixture of rain, snow and strong winds.
A spell of heavy snow is likely to develop over higher ground in south Wales later on Thursday before rain turns to snow more widely over parts of England and Wales during Thursday night. In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground. Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow. Rain and snow will then clear eastwards during Friday.
This system has been named by Meteo France as the strongest winds associated with Storm Goretti are most likely over northern France.
London & South East England
Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes
Oxfordshire
West Berkshire
South West England
Bath and North East Somerset
Bristol
Gloucestershire
North Somerset
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Wiltshire
Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan
Wrexham
++
A deep area of low pressure will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday bringing a mixture of rain, snow and strong winds.
A spell of heavy snow is likely to develop over higher ground in south Wales later on Thursday before rain turns to snow more widely over parts of England and Wales during Thursday night. In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground. Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow. Rain and snow will then clear eastwards during Friday.
This system has been named by Meteo France as the strongest winds associated with Storm Goretti are most likely over northern France.
London & South East England
Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes
Oxfordshire
West Berkshire
South West England
Bath and North East Somerset
Bristol
Gloucestershire
North Somerset
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Wiltshire
Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan
Wrexham
++
Thursday 1800 - Friday midday
| Birmingham trains delayed after wartime bomb found - 6 Jan 2026 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370632/31391/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:17, 6th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Trains delayed after wartime bomb found
Rail passengers have been warned of delays and cancellations after a suspected unexploded wartime bomb was found near a line in Birmingham.
An old mortar device was discovered at Duddeston Mill Trading Estate, on Duddeston Mill Road, Washwood Heath, at about 09:45 GMT on Tuesday.
A bomb disposal team attended and put a 100m exclusion zone in place which included the line.
There were delays and cancellations on services between Tamworth, Derby and Sheffield, and although lines later reopened, National Rail said disruption through Birmingham New Street was expected to last until 15:00 GMT.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "We are currently supporting West Midlands Police as they deal with an incident in Duddeston. As a result some train services are currently disrupted. We will keep you updated with information as we receive it."
Rail passengers have been warned of delays and cancellations after a suspected unexploded wartime bomb was found near a line in Birmingham.
An old mortar device was discovered at Duddeston Mill Trading Estate, on Duddeston Mill Road, Washwood Heath, at about 09:45 GMT on Tuesday.
A bomb disposal team attended and put a 100m exclusion zone in place which included the line.
There were delays and cancellations on services between Tamworth, Derby and Sheffield, and although lines later reopened, National Rail said disruption through Birmingham New Street was expected to last until 15:00 GMT.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "We are currently supporting West Midlands Police as they deal with an incident in Duddeston. As a result some train services are currently disrupted. We will keep you updated with information as we receive it."
| Re: 175s to GWR In "Across the West" [370631/28982/26] Posted by REVUpminster at 15:10, 6th January 2026 | |
175001 doing it's passenger run to Penzance and back. 1340 off Plymouth. It did a training run to Penzance coupled with 175009 beforehand. 175009 went back to Laira at 1340.
175001 seems to be the only train they trust in passenger service despite three other refurbished units at Laira. It was cancelled yesterday due to a fire alarm.
Today a planned drag from Ely to Penzance was cancelled due to locomotive failure. It was to be repaired at Longrock?
Stock shortages in the southwest are really bad this week with shortforms despite Looe and St Ives having a bus service this week.
| Rail services resume on West Coast Main Line after upgrade work In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [370630/31390/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:02, 6th January 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Rail services resume following upgrade work
A mile-long section of track was worked on between Milton Keynes and Northampton
Trains are running once again on a stretch of railway that was upgraded over the festive period.
The Network Rail project involved four railway lines at Hanslope Junction, between Milton Keynes and Northampton, with work beginning on Christmas Eve.
Faults at the junction had caused delays in recent years, and it is hoped the work will reduce disruption for passengers using the West Coast Main Line.
All lines were reopened at 04:00 GMT on Monday.
Work was also carried out on one of the platforms at Milton Keynes Central Station
Network Rail said the junction was used by up to 500 trains a day, and the project – which cost £26m – took nearly a year of planning.
Workers replaced 130 track panels and renewed the foundation stone beneath the tracks. There were also improvements made to points, switches and crossings.
Follow-up work is scheduled for Hanslope Junction on 11 and 25 January, with trains between Milton Keynes and Northampton suspended while it takes place.
While the line was closed, other projects took place nearby.
Uneven surfaces on platform 4 at Milton Keynes Central Station were replaced. Elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, there was resurfacing work on platforms 3 and 4 at Wolverton Station to improve stepping distances between trains and the platforms.
At Roade, Northamptonshire, about 1,500m of new rail was installed.
A mile-long section of track was worked on between Milton Keynes and Northampton
Trains are running once again on a stretch of railway that was upgraded over the festive period.
The Network Rail project involved four railway lines at Hanslope Junction, between Milton Keynes and Northampton, with work beginning on Christmas Eve.
Faults at the junction had caused delays in recent years, and it is hoped the work will reduce disruption for passengers using the West Coast Main Line.
All lines were reopened at 04:00 GMT on Monday.
Work was also carried out on one of the platforms at Milton Keynes Central Station
Network Rail said the junction was used by up to 500 trains a day, and the project – which cost £26m – took nearly a year of planning.
Workers replaced 130 track panels and renewed the foundation stone beneath the tracks. There were also improvements made to points, switches and crossings.
Follow-up work is scheduled for Hanslope Junction on 11 and 25 January, with trains between Milton Keynes and Northampton suspended while it takes place.
While the line was closed, other projects took place nearby.
Uneven surfaces on platform 4 at Milton Keynes Central Station were replaced. Elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, there was resurfacing work on platforms 3 and 4 at Wolverton Station to improve stepping distances between trains and the platforms.
At Roade, Northamptonshire, about 1,500m of new rail was installed.
| Re: West Wiltshire Ramblers - walks from Stations In "Diary - what's happening when?" [370629/31347/34] Posted by johnneyw at 13:00, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
That will include a stroll across the English Civil War battlefield of 5 July 1643, on the crest of Lansdown. I am a great fan of that, too.
Three or four years ago, I included the battlefield in a walk from the nearby P&R and back into Bath along that end of the Cotswold way. It's very well marked out with interpretation boards, the battlefield monument and the rather splendid "front line" markers along the length of the parliamentarian's initial position. Well worth a visit.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370628/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 12:46, 6th January 2026 | |
It gets better & better
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a broken down train between London Paddington and Reading all lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed by up to 75 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
A freight train has failed just East of Reading station and blocked all lines. We are unable to services between London Paddington and Reading until the freight train has been rescued.
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370627/10737/21] Posted by johnneyw at 12:31, 6th January 2026 | |
Don't know if it was like that this morning; if it was, I was obviously still half asleep
I was briefly at Temple Meads between Christmas and New Year and noticed the absence of those boxes then. There were still a few lurking around yesterday afternoon. I'm not sure if they are still required of if they just haven't been got around to yet.
As an aside, I also noticed that there's a new concrete floor in the former Bonaparte's cafe bar with channelling for wires/pipes cut into it. Slow but discernable progress. I wonder if they've got anyone lined up to take over there?
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370626/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 12:15, 6th January 2026 | |
One of my New Year's Day pictures showed diesel fumes - or was it steam - coming out of the pipes on an IET at Chippenham - no doubt just warming up has it come electric as far as Cocklebury Lane, and I mused sadly that it wasn't electric through to Bath, Bristol and beyond. Seeing the problems that NR / GWR seem to have with the extra complexity of OLE, I wonder if I should be careful what I wish for.
The newer sections of OHLE are generally very robust. Problems nearly always occur in the legacy OHLE from the 1990s from Paddington out as far as Heathrow. Though that fragile area is the most important unfortunately!
You're only as strong as your weakest point.
What's the nature of today's problem? Too chilly?
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370625/30562/5] Posted by ChrisB at 11:10, 6th January 2026 | |
Obviously the next problem will be finding enough qualified people to do these eye tests
But every three years seems a long gap for that age
But every three years seems a long gap for that age
While they train up enough optometrists in order to lower the tests to every two & then every year, certainly for those over 75.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370624/31163/26] Posted by IndustryInsider at 11:10, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Oxonhutch | |
One of my New Year's Day pictures showed diesel fumes - or was it steam - coming out of the pipes on an IET at Chippenham - no doubt just warming up has it come electric as far as Cocklebury Lane, and I mused sadly that it wasn't electric through to Bath, Bristol and beyond. Seeing the problems that NR / GWR seem to have with the extra complexity of OLE, I wonder if I should be careful what I wish for.
The newer sections of OHLE are generally very robust. Problems nearly always occur in the legacy OHLE from the 1990s from Paddington out as far as Heathrow. Though that fragile area is the most important unfortunately!
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370623/30562/5] Posted by grahame at 11:05, 6th January 2026 Already liked by TonyK | |
Obviously the next problem will be finding enough qualified people to do these eye tests
But every three years seems a long gap for that age
Saying that though I am just 51 and my eyes have gotten much worse in the past 12 months
But every three years seems a long gap for that age
Saying that though I am just 51 and my eyes have gotten much worse in the past 12 months
It depends on what the qualification needed to conduct the tests are, and how much paperwork and rigmarole is involved in reporting and recording the results.
From the NHS website
How often can I have a free NHS sight test?
If you're eligible for a free NHS sight or eye test, you can have a test every 2 years.
You may be able to have a free NHS sight test more often than every 2 years if your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist recommends you do.
If you're eligible for a free NHS sight or eye test, you can have a test every 2 years.
You may be able to have a free NHS sight test more often than every 2 years if your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist recommends you do.
I had an eye test (and new prescription) last year, and because of my age it was done by the NHS. I asked if my eyesight still passes the driving license requirements and was assured that it does. I would guess that most of us who are towards the more senior bracket have eye tests already from time to time (every 2 to 2.5 years??) and so there might not be much of an extra load ...
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370622/31163/26] Posted by grahame at 10:57, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
"Disruption is expected until the end of the day"
From my inbox
Dear Graham,
We're getting in touch to advise about current disruption in West London impacting GWR services operating between London Paddington and Reading, as well as Elizabeth Line services. This is due to an issue with overhead wires in the Ladbroke Grove area. Network Rail teams are working quickly to repair the overhead wires and as a result, services are likely to be impacted until the end of the day.
Local stopping services between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway/Newbury will only run between Reading and Didcot Parkway/Newbury. Most of our longer distance Intercity services will continue to run between London Paddington and Reading, but may be subject to delay and some services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central will be cancelled.
For the very latest please visit our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/check. Delay Repay compensation is available for customers using GWR services who arrive at their destination 15 minutes or more later than scheduled, and can be claimed at www.gwr.com/delayrepay.
We're very sorry for the disruption to passenger services today and would be grateful if you could share this information with your networks.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Olivia & Ahmed
We're getting in touch to advise about current disruption in West London impacting GWR services operating between London Paddington and Reading, as well as Elizabeth Line services. This is due to an issue with overhead wires in the Ladbroke Grove area. Network Rail teams are working quickly to repair the overhead wires and as a result, services are likely to be impacted until the end of the day.
Local stopping services between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway/Newbury will only run between Reading and Didcot Parkway/Newbury. Most of our longer distance Intercity services will continue to run between London Paddington and Reading, but may be subject to delay and some services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central will be cancelled.
For the very latest please visit our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/check. Delay Repay compensation is available for customers using GWR services who arrive at their destination 15 minutes or more later than scheduled, and can be claimed at www.gwr.com/delayrepay.
We're very sorry for the disruption to passenger services today and would be grateful if you could share this information with your networks.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Olivia & Ahmed
Sharing done ...
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [370621/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:44, 6th January 2026 | |
"Disruption is expected until the end of the day"
| Re: Compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 years old? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [370620/30562/5] Posted by Phantom at 10:39, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
Obviously the next problem will be finding enough qualified people to do these eye tests
But every three years seems a long gap for that age
Saying that though I am just 51 and my eyes have gotten much worse in the past 12 months
| Re: Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts) In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [370619/10737/21] Posted by Phantom at 10:38, 6th January 2026 | |
No more feeling like I was at New Street V2
| Re: Direct London trains from Shropshire 'could start in 2026' In "Campaigns for new and improved services" [370618/31388/28] Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:36, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Witham Bobby | |
[Spoiler alert...] No chance trains will start running in 2026.
| Re: What is happening at Dilton Marsh? Key service reduction! In "Portsmouth to Cardiff" [370617/31284/20] Posted by grahame at 10:26, 6th January 2026 Already liked by Timmer, froome, Mark A | |
This thread has been quiet for a week - which, sadly, does not mean that the issue has been resolved and addressed for the people who live at Dilton Marsh and used to use the train that GWR has culled in the evening peak. While there was a chance of a resolution that worked for everyone, even for the customers, the WWRUG committee has been working the issue, and I / we have restrained from getting rather upset with GWR in public.
