Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381859/32706/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:01, 11th November 2026 |      |
Thanks for posting, Western Pathfinder.
No, actually: it wasn't Isambird Kingdom Brownowl' I was transporting, on that particular occasion. He is safe in an annex at grahame's - I know, because I met him there, last time I was in Melksham.
It was another of grahame's rather cumbersome pieces of equipment - also from that publicity event on the Reading Transfer Deck, in 2019. That was one of the two foldable tables we used at that particular event - despite being ''foldable', they are built like portable air raid shelters - even broadgage would approve!
Folded down, it has the appearance of a surf board - but it is very much heavier!
CfN.
| Re: LNER’s ‘Simpler Fares’ pilot: the results are in In "Fare's Fair" [381858/32708/4] Posted by PhilWakely at 22:35, 11th November 2026 | |
It would if the singles were recalculated to half the return fare.... 
True, but when you have an Off-Peak Day Return from Newton Abbot to Exeter with a Railcard at just £5.95, I think it highly unlikely that the Single would be re-priced to just £3.00.
Or an Off-Peak Single from Exeter St David's to Penzance (a distance similar to Exeter to Paddington!) with a Railcard re-priced to just £10.00.
I'd like to think it would happen, but I doubt DfT would sanction it.
| Re: Shortages out of Paddington feel almost routine these days In "Introductions and chat" [381857/32695/1] Posted by broadgage at 22:34, 11th November 2026 | |
New trains=shorter.
Flexible train length=shorter.
| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381856/32706/26] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 22:19, 11th November 2026 | |
I had no problem whatever (apart from lugging the sheer weight of the thing).
I've just had a word with said thing; it's not thrilled as the aspersions over its weight.
Owls well that ends well ?…
| Workers fear losing jobs over train delays In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381855/32711/51] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:54, 11th November 2026 | |
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/11/10/workers-fear-losing-jobs-over-train-delays-warn-mps/
In case the pay wall gets you....
Workers fear losing their jobs because rail services are regularly late, MPs have warned.
A spate of line closures and cancellations during the summer heatwaves made it impossible for thousands of commuters to arrive at the office on time.
MPs at a Westminster Hall debate said workers were increasingly fearful of the lack of reliable train connections and urged the Government to spend more on rail infrastructure to improve punctuality.
Charlotte Cane, the Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, said: “One [constituent] in particular has written to say that because their train has been so unreliable for getting to their job in London that their employer is now putting them under pressure.
“They are becoming an unreliable member of staff and their employer doesn’t know when they are going to turn up to work.
“They are also having to make up the time at the end of the day, which means they are getting home very late. It makes it a complete nightmare for them.”
Desperate to protect their jobs, some workers were now considering moving house to be closer to stations with more reliable services, MPs said.
Others are considering giving up well-paid positions in London and other major cities for less lucrative roles closer to home.
Among the worst-hit lines this summer was the route between King’s Cross and King’s Lynn via Cambridge and Ely, the later of which lies in Ms Cane’s constituency.
It suffered three months of disruption, including 900 cancellations after normally damp peat beneath the tracks dried out, leading the ground to become uneven.
James Wild, the Conservative MP for North West Norfolk, which includes King’s Lynn, said people from the town who worked in Cambridge and London had found the disruption intolerable.
He told The Telegraph: “I’ve had quite a number of constituents who have said they’re thinking of moving jobs. They’ve been in tears and incredibly stressed.
“One lady said her husband, who commutes and is self-employed, had been driven to depression and was having
suicidal thoughts because he was worried that he wouldn’t be able to provide for his family. It’s pushing people to breaking point.”
Mr Wild said some commuters had opted to drive to Peterborough on the East Coast Main Line, or Norwich, which has trains to Liverpool Street – both an hour away by road – to be sure of getting to work.
He said there were concerns that with the line suffering heat-related disruption for the past two summers, people would stop viewing King’s Lynn as a viable commuter town, which could have a knock-on effect on house prices.
Mr Wild questioned Andy Burnham about the matter in September, when the Prime Minister said he would “convene a rail summit soon”.
Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, said commuters to cities beyond London had also been affected.
He said restrictions imposed between London Waterloo and the West Country had in one case led a dental hygienist to cancel her 9am appointments “indefinitely”.
Simon Lightwood, the minister for local transport, said he could not rule out further weather-related disruption.
He added that while speed restrictions and closures might be frustrating, the railway’s primary duty was to keep passengers safe.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [381854/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 20:05, 11th November 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Train involved was a railtour ECS movement, headed to London Victoria, being hauled by steam locomotive 34028 'Eddystone'. It was due to operate an 'Armistice Day' special to Canterbury.
That would have been the one I saw stationary just past Hanwell this morning. Very sad for all concerned.
| Re: Poppies to Paddington - a tradition on the railways, for Remembrance and Armistice Day events In "Across the West" [381853/24194/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:18, 11th November 2026 | |
I have taken a pragmatic view (and I can, because I'm an admin
) and I've now merged several previous topics on the Coffee Shop forum here.They all refer specifically to the conveyance of poppies by train from across the West to Paddington, for inclusion in the Remembrance ceremonies there, and associated commemorations.
I'm sure we here on this forum would like to show our respect to those who served, suffered and indeed many died.
An update, from the BBC:
Remembering the fallen from Penzance to Paddington
Margot Billinge is the daughter of Harry Billinge, a D-Day veteran from St Austell
Veterans, serving military personnel and wreath bearers joined an Armistice Day railway journey from Cornwall to London as part of Remembrance commemorations.
The Poppies to Paddington train stopped at stations along the way - following in the footsteps of thousands of soldiers who made the journey on their way to the front line.
The service was one of a number of trains carrying wreaths to the war memorial at Paddington's Platform One.
One passenger was Margot Billinge, daughter of Harry Billinge MBE, a D-Day veteran from St Austell, who said: "The first poppy train in 2020 my dad put the wreath on the train... I now have the privilege of doing that for him."
At stations along the route from Penzance to London, people presented poppy wreaths
The wreath-laying also marks the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Billinge said she had stood next to her father, who died in 2022, "every Remembrance Day for as long as I can remember". She added: "It was very important to him. He'd say 'I'm no hero, all the heroes are dead and I'll never forget them' - and that's what I'll be thinking of, that's what he would say if he was here."
This year's journey - carrying wreaths made by veterans, community groups and schools - follows the biggest update to World War One casualty records in more than 80 years.
It led to the recognition of thousands of forgotten soldiers from pre-partition India who served and died - their names have now been added to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's casualty database.
Councillor Gemma Rolstone, Lord Mayor of Exeter, met the train as it passed through. She said it was a "chance to remember and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country".
"It's really vital that we continue to recognise their service and ensure that future generations understand the significance and importance of that as well." She said she was "incredibly honoured" to represent Exeter.
Councillor Gemma Rolstone, Lord Mayor of Exeter, was also among those to meet the train and present a wreath
Trevor Brooks, resident naval officer at Falmouth docks, said he had met the service to represent the Royal Navy. The former serving officer said: "It's a mark of respect that we can get up and put that effort in to remember those who went before us."
Gary Vitta, a former Royal Marine, attended on behalf of the Royal Airforce cadets and to receive poppy wreaths on board. "Being a former serviceman and currently still in uniform, remembering the members of the past is a great honour," he said.
The train stopped at Exeter among other Devon and Cornwall stations on its way to Paddington
Devon-based writer Michael Morpurgo, the former Children's Laureate and War Horse author after whom GWR named a train last year, was also on board.
At Paddington the train was welcomed by an honour guard, followed by a two-minute silence and wreath-laying ceremony.
Now an annual event, the first journey took place in 2020 as a way to commemorate the anniversary within the confines of social distancing.
Keith Yandell from the Veterans Charity said the scheme was born as a plan for "one wreath on one train" - but GWR had instead offered nine trains to travel from regions across the UK.
"It's grown from there to the point where we had Queen Camilla attending for the service last year," he said. "It's fantastic - from such a small start in 2019 it's grown to be almost a national event now."
Margot Billinge is the daughter of Harry Billinge, a D-Day veteran from St Austell
Veterans, serving military personnel and wreath bearers joined an Armistice Day railway journey from Cornwall to London as part of Remembrance commemorations.
The Poppies to Paddington train stopped at stations along the way - following in the footsteps of thousands of soldiers who made the journey on their way to the front line.
The service was one of a number of trains carrying wreaths to the war memorial at Paddington's Platform One.
One passenger was Margot Billinge, daughter of Harry Billinge MBE, a D-Day veteran from St Austell, who said: "The first poppy train in 2020 my dad put the wreath on the train... I now have the privilege of doing that for him."
At stations along the route from Penzance to London, people presented poppy wreaths
The wreath-laying also marks the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Billinge said she had stood next to her father, who died in 2022, "every Remembrance Day for as long as I can remember". She added: "It was very important to him. He'd say 'I'm no hero, all the heroes are dead and I'll never forget them' - and that's what I'll be thinking of, that's what he would say if he was here."
This year's journey - carrying wreaths made by veterans, community groups and schools - follows the biggest update to World War One casualty records in more than 80 years.
It led to the recognition of thousands of forgotten soldiers from pre-partition India who served and died - their names have now been added to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's casualty database.
Councillor Gemma Rolstone, Lord Mayor of Exeter, met the train as it passed through. She said it was a "chance to remember and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country".
"It's really vital that we continue to recognise their service and ensure that future generations understand the significance and importance of that as well." She said she was "incredibly honoured" to represent Exeter.
Councillor Gemma Rolstone, Lord Mayor of Exeter, was also among those to meet the train and present a wreath
Trevor Brooks, resident naval officer at Falmouth docks, said he had met the service to represent the Royal Navy. The former serving officer said: "It's a mark of respect that we can get up and put that effort in to remember those who went before us."
Gary Vitta, a former Royal Marine, attended on behalf of the Royal Airforce cadets and to receive poppy wreaths on board. "Being a former serviceman and currently still in uniform, remembering the members of the past is a great honour," he said.
The train stopped at Exeter among other Devon and Cornwall stations on its way to Paddington
Devon-based writer Michael Morpurgo, the former Children's Laureate and War Horse author after whom GWR named a train last year, was also on board.
At Paddington the train was welcomed by an honour guard, followed by a two-minute silence and wreath-laying ceremony.
Now an annual event, the first journey took place in 2020 as a way to commemorate the anniversary within the confines of social distancing.
Keith Yandell from the Veterans Charity said the scheme was born as a plan for "one wreath on one train" - but GWR had instead offered nine trains to travel from regions across the UK.
"It's grown from there to the point where we had Queen Camilla attending for the service last year," he said. "It's fantastic - from such a small start in 2019 it's grown to be almost a national event now."
There are several other BBC articles relating to this theme - too numerous for me to list them all here. Please do look at your local area news items, if you have an interest.
CfN.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 1 Nov 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381852/31017/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:16, 11th November 2026 Already liked by Oxonhutch, johnneyw | |
Without wanting to pre-judge the outcome of an ongoing criminal case, I would like to say here that Andrew Johnson (train driver) and Samir Zitouni (train staff) should both be nominated for an award of a George Cross to them, for their actions that day.
If I am ever on a train travelling at 122 miles per hour and something untoward happens, they are the staff I would like to have on board, looking after my safety.
CfN.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [381851/31163/26] Posted by Marlburian at 18:13, 11th November 2026 | |
| Re: LNER’s ‘Simpler Fares’ pilot: the results are in In "Fare's Fair" [381850/32708/4] Posted by ChrisB at 17:34, 11th November 2026 | |
It would if the singles were recalculated to half the return fare....
| Re: LNER’s ‘Simpler Fares’ pilot: the results are in In "Fare's Fair" [381849/32708/4] Posted by PhilWakely at 17:31, 11th November 2026 | |
Single Leg Pricing will not work within Devon and Cornwall with fares as they currently stand, with Off-Peak Day Return prices mere pennies more expensive than Singles.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [381848/31163/26] Posted by JayMac at 16:17, 11th November 2026 | |
Train involved was a railtour ECS movement, headed to London Victoria, being hauled by steam locomotive 34028 'Eddystone'. It was due to operate an 'Armistice Day' special to Canterbury.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 1 Nov 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381847/31017/51] Posted by ChrisB at 15:07, 11th November 2026 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Mr Johnson spent some time afterwards answering his plaudits on X....seems a nice, very down to earth, chap.
| Re: Twyford Henley 10/11/26 leaf-fall cancellations In "Thames Valley Branches" [381846/32710/13] Posted by IndustryInsider at 13:04, 11th November 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
... after which, normal service resumed, until around 8:30 this morning when the line appears to have closed once more.
Nothing to do with poor railhead conditions.
The driver swaps over as of the 08:25 from Twyford, having travelling there from Reading, but there were limited options in that regard due to the fatality so they arrived late.
One return trip was cancelled, and a couple of subsequent ones ran late. Service recovery being helped by the rather odd 50-minute gap in departures from Henley at the end of the peak from 08:40 to 09:30 on what is otherwise a service every 30-minutes these days.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381845/32456/31] Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:54, 11th November 2026 | |
Quote
You will not be able to flush the toilet. Do not try to in any way as the sewage system will not be working. You should collect your poo in plastic bags, which should be sealed and disposed of with normal household waste, ideally in an outside bin.
You will not be able to flush the toilet. Do not try to in any way as the sewage system will not be working. You should collect your poo in plastic bags, which should be sealed and disposed of with normal household waste, ideally in an outside bin.
Where will we get the bags from, now that they are no longer supplied readily by supermarkets at checkouts, and all responsible suppliers of food and goods are phasing out plastic wrappers?
Cat litter?
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [381844/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:38, 11th November 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Reading and London Paddington
Due to a person hit by a train between Reading and London Paddington the line is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:30 11/11.
I'm stuck between Southall & Hanwell (where the person was hit), not looking like I'm moving far for a while.
Due to a person hit by a train between Reading and London Paddington the line is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:30 11/11.
I'm stuck between Southall & Hanwell (where the person was hit), not looking like I'm moving far for a while.
Journey that normally takes an hour ended up taking 2 hrs 45 but could have been a lot worse - and obviously was for many that were involved.
Went past Hanwell and the "clear up" operation was ongoing - not a sight I'd want to witness too often.
| Re: New station at North Filton - 'Bristol Brabazon' - developments and events, ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381843/24927/21] Posted by WelshBluebird at 10:34, 11th November 2026 | |
Incidentally, if/when Filton Bank finally gets electrified, perhaps the 387s from Paddington to Parkway could reverse at Brabazon, giving it a direct London service?
Would any possible electrification of Filton Bank include the Henbury Branch (and I guess the single line chord from Parkway to the branch)? Or is it more likely that any such plans would likely involve having rolling stock with batteries for the Filton to Henbury section? I wonder if a Brabazon -> Parkway shuttle for events would satisfy most of that need.
| Re: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381842/231/21] Posted by chuffed at 10:11, 11th November 2026 | |
A significant development in that traffic from the town is now being diverted around the new Quays Avenue roundabout in one direction.
| Re: Padlocking your luggage to the train to prevent theft In "Across the West" [381841/32706/26] Posted by grahame at 10:00, 11th November 2026 | |
This is an incredibly important issue to many travellers. From https://www.facebook.com/groups/RickStevesEurope/permalink/2152817348767210/
Be careful on trains in Europe!
My husband and I were on the train from Verona to Venice when someone jumped on during a stop and tried to steal one of our suitcases! I was watching from a few aisles away but they are FAST! Luckily the ticket taker employee stopped him and kicked him off the train. He informed me it happens ALL THE TIME! A thief will jump on and grab a bag so fast, then the train will keep going and you CAN’T DO ANYTHING! Guard your bags at each stop!!!
My husband and I were on the train from Verona to Venice when someone jumped on during a stop and tried to steal one of our suitcases! I was watching from a few aisles away but they are FAST! Luckily the ticket taker employee stopped him and kicked him off the train. He informed me it happens ALL THE TIME! A thief will jump on and grab a bag so fast, then the train will keep going and you CAN’T DO ANYTHING! Guard your bags at each stop!!!
And I have rarely see such a lot of uninformed stuff, bad advice and way out concern being posted ... brings home the need to help ensure that the occasional traveller is safe, feels safe, and takes appropriate and sensible precautions that don't
Edit note: Typo corrected, for clarity. That was another good one, grahame.
| Re: New station at North Filton - 'Bristol Brabazon' - developments and events, ongoing discussion In "Bristol and Bath (WECA, now WEMCA)" [381840/24927/21] Posted by Noggin at 09:25, 11th November 2026 Already liked by Mark A, eightonedee | |
IIRC, the plan is that when Portishead opens in late 2028/early 2029, a new hourly service will continue to Henbury, resulting in a half-hourly service to Brabazon & Henbury (plus presumably upping the frequency to the existing stations).
I wonder if given enough rolling stock and high enough loadings from Brabazon, there might be a way to introduce the service early by, say a Brabazon to Parson Street shuttle reversing on the Portishead branch?
Incidentally, if/when Filton Bank finally gets electrified, perhaps the 387s from Paddington to Parkway could reverse at Brabazon, giving it a direct London service?
| Re: Twyford Henley 10/11/26 leaf-fall cancellations In "Thames Valley Branches" [381839/32710/13] Posted by Mark A at 09:07, 11th November 2026 | |
... after which, normal service resumed, until around 8:30 this morning when the line appears to have closed once more.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381838/32456/31] Posted by broadgage at 09:05, 11th November 2026 | |
A guide to pre-planned or rota power cuts.
1) Every consumer is allocated a "load group" this is denoted by a single capital letter, usually found on your electricity bill.
This load group is allocated according to your location on the network. It is NOT related to social status or to house price.
Your load group will normally be the same as that of your neighbours, unless you are right on the edge of one load group.
You can not change your load group, and neither can the electricity supplier.
The letters O and I are not used lest they be confused with the numerals 0, and 1. The letters F and V are also not used.
2)In event of of a shortage of electricity, a rota will be published. Half the load groups will be vulnerable to cuts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The other half will be at risk of cuts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This position will be reversed each week.
Power cuts will generally be for 3 hours at a time. The hours will be published for each load group.
3) When the power cut occurs it will apply to EVERY consumer in the affected area. There can be no question of any exceptions for those with special needs, nor for hospitals etc.
4) During a power cut, EVERY SINGLE lamp or appliance will be off.
I have met worrying number of people who believe that they or their workplace will be exempt.
| Re: LNER’s ‘Simpler Fares’ pilot: the results are in In "Fare's Fair" [381837/32708/4] Posted by old original at 08:44, 11th November 2026 | |
I would hope that with the TOCs being swallowed up into GBR, all TOC related routings should disappear and only geography related routings remain, therefore clearing out the fares database of a lot of duplication.
| Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 In "TransWilts line - Swindon, Chippenham, Westbury" [381836/31359/18] Posted by grahame at 08:34, 11th November 2026 | |
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 was terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.
06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 was terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026 In "Across the West" [381835/31163/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:41, 11th November 2026 | |
Cancellations to services between Reading and London Paddington
Due to a person hit by a train between Reading and London Paddington the line is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:30 11/11.
I'm stuck between Southall & Hanwell (where the person was hit), not looking like I'm moving far for a while.
| Re: To 'stockpile food' is now our Government's official policy, apparently In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [381834/32456/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 01:08, 11th November 2026 Already liked by broadgage | |
From the BBC:
Sales of tinned food and bottled water jump after 'Be Ready' campaign launch
Sales of essential goods such as bottled water and canned food soared in the 10 days following the launch of the government's "Be Ready" emergency preparedness campaign on 22 October, research indicates.
Hand sanitiser sales were up 83%, sales of bottled water rose 67% and tinned and jarred goods climbed 37%, according to data from retail research firm Worldpanel by Numerator.
The government's public awareness campaign encouraged people to stock up in case of disruption to essential services by severe weather or cyberattacks.
However, Worldpanel said that while households were stockpiling essentials, they were not panic buying.
The government campaign encouraged people to keep three days-worth of food and water in their homes. Wet wipes, a torch and cash were also recommended.
After the campaign launch, the equivalent of an extra 400,000 people per day bought tinned meat, Worldpanel said, although the typical amount remained at 500g, which suggests a gradual stocking-up.
"Shoppers clearly took notice of the 'Be Ready' campaign, but this wasn't panic buying, with less than a third of households buying bottled water in October," said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel by Numerator.
"Growth came from more people adding the recommended items on the government's checklist to their weekly shop, not from shoppers piling their trolleys high, which is very much in line with what the government wanted households to do," he said.
Sales of tinned and jarred goods rose from £58.2m in the 10 days to 2 November 2025 to £79.5m over the same period in 2026.
Bottled water sales jumped from £13.6m to £22.8m compared with a year earlier and hand sanitiser sales climbed from £497,000 to £908,000.
Further evidence of stockpiling came from food firm Princes on Tuesday, which said demand for tinned tuna, meat and vegetables had risen following the government's campaign.
Princes interim chief executive Giuseppe Mastrolia said the jump in demand "further reinforces the relevance of our core categories in providing affordable, nutritious and convenient food solutions".
The "Be Ready" campaign warns that severe weather and cyber attacks could disrupt essential services, and British households need to make sure they have what they need - for example, bottled water, and long-life food that doesn't need to be kept in the fridge such as dried fruit and nuts.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said everyone should have "those supplies in the house to get you through those moments".
Disaster recovery expert Lucy Easthope previously told the BBC that the UK was playing "massive catch up" to other European nations in terms of preparedness. These include France, Germany Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
A number of experts have been calling for the UK to put more emphasis on food security, with some arguing that the government itself should take responsibility for food stockpiling, rather than individual households.
In October, a group of more than 180 experts signed an open letter to Burnham and first secretary of state Louise Haigh calling for local authorities to have a duty to prevent and respond to food supply emergencies.
They pointed out that a government survey found that 29% of people in the UK could not afford to keep a few days worth of food in the house.
Sales of essential goods such as bottled water and canned food soared in the 10 days following the launch of the government's "Be Ready" emergency preparedness campaign on 22 October, research indicates.
Hand sanitiser sales were up 83%, sales of bottled water rose 67% and tinned and jarred goods climbed 37%, according to data from retail research firm Worldpanel by Numerator.
The government's public awareness campaign encouraged people to stock up in case of disruption to essential services by severe weather or cyberattacks.
However, Worldpanel said that while households were stockpiling essentials, they were not panic buying.
The government campaign encouraged people to keep three days-worth of food and water in their homes. Wet wipes, a torch and cash were also recommended.
After the campaign launch, the equivalent of an extra 400,000 people per day bought tinned meat, Worldpanel said, although the typical amount remained at 500g, which suggests a gradual stocking-up.
"Shoppers clearly took notice of the 'Be Ready' campaign, but this wasn't panic buying, with less than a third of households buying bottled water in October," said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel by Numerator.
"Growth came from more people adding the recommended items on the government's checklist to their weekly shop, not from shoppers piling their trolleys high, which is very much in line with what the government wanted households to do," he said.
Sales of tinned and jarred goods rose from £58.2m in the 10 days to 2 November 2025 to £79.5m over the same period in 2026.
Bottled water sales jumped from £13.6m to £22.8m compared with a year earlier and hand sanitiser sales climbed from £497,000 to £908,000.
Further evidence of stockpiling came from food firm Princes on Tuesday, which said demand for tinned tuna, meat and vegetables had risen following the government's campaign.
Princes interim chief executive Giuseppe Mastrolia said the jump in demand "further reinforces the relevance of our core categories in providing affordable, nutritious and convenient food solutions".
The "Be Ready" campaign warns that severe weather and cyber attacks could disrupt essential services, and British households need to make sure they have what they need - for example, bottled water, and long-life food that doesn't need to be kept in the fridge such as dried fruit and nuts.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said everyone should have "those supplies in the house to get you through those moments".
Disaster recovery expert Lucy Easthope previously told the BBC that the UK was playing "massive catch up" to other European nations in terms of preparedness. These include France, Germany Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
A number of experts have been calling for the UK to put more emphasis on food security, with some arguing that the government itself should take responsibility for food stockpiling, rather than individual households.
In October, a group of more than 180 experts signed an open letter to Burnham and first secretary of state Louise Haigh calling for local authorities to have a duty to prevent and respond to food supply emergencies.
They pointed out that a government survey found that 29% of people in the UK could not afford to keep a few days worth of food in the house.
| Re: Multiple stabbings on a London bound train in Cambridgeshire - 1 Nov 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381833/31017/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:52, 10th November 2026 Already liked by Mark A | |
From the BBC:
Train attack driver's '10 seconds' to change line
Andrew Johnson was driving the train that made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon - Image © Steve Lammiman/BBC
The driver of a high-speed train where a mass stabbing took place said he had "probably about 10 seconds" to decide to switch to the slow line before making an unscheduled stop.
Andrew Johnson was driving the London-bound LNER service on 1 November last year when the train stopped at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
Giving evidence, Johnson told jurors at Cambridge Crown Court he heard someone on the intercom "screaming 'there's a knifeman stabbing people'".
Anthony Williams, 33, of Peterborough, denies 10 counts of attempted murder on the train. He is also charged with four other attempted murders following earlier incidents in Peterborough and London.
Johnson told jurors the train was running "bang on time" as it travelled at about 122mph (196km/h) in the Abbots Ripton area of Cambridgeshire. He said there was an unusual alarm "which indicated someone was trying to open one of the passenger doors".
"I have five seconds to override or the train will stop immediately," he explained. He said if the train stopped it would take about a mile or 30 seconds to come to a standstill.
Johnson said he picked up the intercom to that door but received no response and thought "Saturday night, someone's messing around".
He said while he was speaking to the train manager to ask her to investigate "someone over-spoke us" and he heard someone "screaming 'there's a knifeman stabbing people'". He thought the "best thing to do was to get to a platform" and the voice of the individual "really drove that home".
Johnson said he had "probably about 10 seconds" to switch to the slow line, adding: "I just knew that was the right option, it just came instinctively." He pressed the urgent button and told a signaller "get me to Huntingdon and get me the police".
Jurors heard Johnson "could hear banging and screaming" on the cab door, and he said: "It was incredibly loud, and people were begging for me to open the door as well." Johnson explained that he had to remain in his seat, adding: "My mind was completely focused on one thing and that was to get the train to Huntingdon."
When the train pulled into Huntingdon at 19:44 GMT, the court heard he had to override the system to open the doors because it was "not a programmed stop for us", taking about 15 seconds. He said he saw passengers on the platform and "they didn't just run, they sprinted like I'd never seen before".
(BBC article continues)
Andrew Johnson was driving the train that made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon - Image © Steve Lammiman/BBC
The driver of a high-speed train where a mass stabbing took place said he had "probably about 10 seconds" to decide to switch to the slow line before making an unscheduled stop.
Andrew Johnson was driving the London-bound LNER service on 1 November last year when the train stopped at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
Giving evidence, Johnson told jurors at Cambridge Crown Court he heard someone on the intercom "screaming 'there's a knifeman stabbing people'".
Anthony Williams, 33, of Peterborough, denies 10 counts of attempted murder on the train. He is also charged with four other attempted murders following earlier incidents in Peterborough and London.
Johnson told jurors the train was running "bang on time" as it travelled at about 122mph (196km/h) in the Abbots Ripton area of Cambridgeshire. He said there was an unusual alarm "which indicated someone was trying to open one of the passenger doors".
"I have five seconds to override or the train will stop immediately," he explained. He said if the train stopped it would take about a mile or 30 seconds to come to a standstill.
Johnson said he picked up the intercom to that door but received no response and thought "Saturday night, someone's messing around".
He said while he was speaking to the train manager to ask her to investigate "someone over-spoke us" and he heard someone "screaming 'there's a knifeman stabbing people'". He thought the "best thing to do was to get to a platform" and the voice of the individual "really drove that home".
Johnson said he had "probably about 10 seconds" to switch to the slow line, adding: "I just knew that was the right option, it just came instinctively." He pressed the urgent button and told a signaller "get me to Huntingdon and get me the police".
Jurors heard Johnson "could hear banging and screaming" on the cab door, and he said: "It was incredibly loud, and people were begging for me to open the door as well." Johnson explained that he had to remain in his seat, adding: "My mind was completely focused on one thing and that was to get the train to Huntingdon."
When the train pulled into Huntingdon at 19:44 GMT, the court heard he had to override the system to open the doors because it was "not a programmed stop for us", taking about 15 seconds. He said he saw passengers on the platform and "they didn't just run, they sprinted like I'd never seen before".
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Delay Repay bouncing around In "Smoke and Mirrors" [381832/32325/3] Posted by Hafren at 22:51, 10th November 2026 Already liked by GBM, Mark A | |
More Delay Repay woes....!
Another multi-TOC journey. Can't win with these. When GWR is the first leg the system copes well. However when GWR is the final leg it doesn't. I've tried submitting just the GWR leg and that works where there's a short stub of journey missing (e.g. season ticket from Cathays but claiming from Cardiff Central) but for longer journeys they reject the claim if the earlier legs aren't included, even if fairly irrelevant to hte claim (what abut break of journey – maybe genuinely started mid-ticket!). Recent journey on SE Trains to London then GWR from London. 15 min delay, but quite meaty comp as ticket about £100. Took GWR weeks to reject the claim! Appeal submitted and still waiting; funny they expect me to remember full details a month later! Meanwhile they referred the claim to SE who e-mailed me weeks later asking for details (as only the basic info is passed for data protection reasons).
Then more recently... a routine 15 minute delay on my commute. Not so bothered about £2 or so... except that I sort of am! The big delays are because of big issues – these things happen. The little delays are constant and often don't have a clear reason, and are often fundamentally down to knock-on congestion and lack of resilience. But a snag here is that 15 minute delays are oftne logged as 14 minute – as effectively the time logged is based on an assumed transit time through the signal section, and I suppose defensive driving means especially at termini that the train is that big slower than the calculation assumes. Very frequently this means that a 15 1/4 min delay is shown on RTT as 14 3/4. I generally check RTT and claim if the logged time hits 15 mins there but recently had a 'only 14 minutes' response where even RTT had said 15 – it seems the internal rail systems are working out arrival times slightly differently (presumably based on same signal data but applying subtly different offset).
Fine for a regular who understands why (not decided if I can be bothered to appeal yet) but what about a one-off traveller who has a £100 ticket? From their POV they want their claim for 15 mins – the offer being based on arriving 15 mins late, not 'we think you arrived 15 mins late'. And they don't want the hassle of remembering the nuances of the delay weeks later when the time comes to appealing.
| Re: Amazon delivery driver dies as train strikes van - BBC News 13/07/2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [381831/30449/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:16, 10th November 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Amazon driver's death 'could have been avoided'
Brandon Hatcher, 23, died at the scene in Teynham - Image © Family Handout/British Transport Police
The death of an Amazon delivery driver at a level crossing in Kent could have been avoided with better signage and crossing design, a rail accident investigation has said.
Brandon Hatcher, 23, was killed at the scene when the van he was driving was struck at a level crossing on Lower Road, in Teynham, on 13 July 2025.
The train was travelling from Ramsgate to London Victoria at about 70mph (114km/h).
Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigators said the driver was likely to have been misled by a green light into believing it was safe to enter the crossing before the exit gate had been opened.
The RAIB said the crossing's signs and lack of road markings did not effectively guide users through the correct procedure.
The user-operated crossing has gates and a miniature stop-light system which displays a green light when no trains are approaching and a red light with an audible warning when one is detected.
Users are instructed to check for a green light before opening the gates, crossing and closing them.
The report found crossings with miniature stop lights were unlikely to receive further safety upgrades, relying instead on drivers following the signs.
David Davidson, chief operating officer for South Eastern Railway said: "We accept the findings outlined in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report published on Monday. We will study the recommendations closely and are committed to learning every possible lesson from this tragic incident."
Davidson said the company had since changed the site's layout and published guidance for professional drivers using this type of crossing.
A spokesperson for Amazon said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with Brandon's family and loved ones. We supported the Rail Accident Investigation Branch throughout its work and will consider its findings carefully."
Investigators said training and guidance provided to the delivery driver, who was working on behalf of a logistics company, GG Logistix, had not prepared him to use the crossing safely. GG Logistix has been approached for comment.
RAIB chief inspector Andrew Hall said private user-operated crossings were "a 19th Century concept operating in a 21st Century world".
"Most road users are unfamiliar with this type of crossing and with how to use them safely," he said. Hall noted another delivery van driver was killed at a user-operated crossing in Lancashire in August.
The RAIB made several recommendations, including calls for Network Rail to review the design of user-operated crossings and for the Health and Safety Executive to review guidance for organisations employing drivers.
An Office of Rail and Road spokesperson said: "User-worked level crossings present particular safety risks, especially when people may be unfamiliar with how to use them. We expect Network Rail to manage these risks, introducing safety measures or closures where needed."
They added they welcomed the RAIB's report and would "carefully consider" its findings and recommendations. "We will continue working with Network Rail and others to improve safety for crossing users and passengers," they added.
A DfT spokesperson said: "Safety on the railway is our number one priority. We are studying the RAIB report in detail and will work with the industry to take forward any recommendations to ensure it is safe for everyone."
Brandon Hatcher, 23, died at the scene in Teynham - Image © Family Handout/British Transport Police
The death of an Amazon delivery driver at a level crossing in Kent could have been avoided with better signage and crossing design, a rail accident investigation has said.
Brandon Hatcher, 23, was killed at the scene when the van he was driving was struck at a level crossing on Lower Road, in Teynham, on 13 July 2025.
The train was travelling from Ramsgate to London Victoria at about 70mph (114km/h).
Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigators said the driver was likely to have been misled by a green light into believing it was safe to enter the crossing before the exit gate had been opened.
The RAIB said the crossing's signs and lack of road markings did not effectively guide users through the correct procedure.
The user-operated crossing has gates and a miniature stop-light system which displays a green light when no trains are approaching and a red light with an audible warning when one is detected.
Users are instructed to check for a green light before opening the gates, crossing and closing them.
The report found crossings with miniature stop lights were unlikely to receive further safety upgrades, relying instead on drivers following the signs.
David Davidson, chief operating officer for South Eastern Railway said: "We accept the findings outlined in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report published on Monday. We will study the recommendations closely and are committed to learning every possible lesson from this tragic incident."
Davidson said the company had since changed the site's layout and published guidance for professional drivers using this type of crossing.
A spokesperson for Amazon said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with Brandon's family and loved ones. We supported the Rail Accident Investigation Branch throughout its work and will consider its findings carefully."
Investigators said training and guidance provided to the delivery driver, who was working on behalf of a logistics company, GG Logistix, had not prepared him to use the crossing safely. GG Logistix has been approached for comment.
RAIB chief inspector Andrew Hall said private user-operated crossings were "a 19th Century concept operating in a 21st Century world".
"Most road users are unfamiliar with this type of crossing and with how to use them safely," he said. Hall noted another delivery van driver was killed at a user-operated crossing in Lancashire in August.
The RAIB made several recommendations, including calls for Network Rail to review the design of user-operated crossings and for the Health and Safety Executive to review guidance for organisations employing drivers.
An Office of Rail and Road spokesperson said: "User-worked level crossings present particular safety risks, especially when people may be unfamiliar with how to use them. We expect Network Rail to manage these risks, introducing safety measures or closures where needed."
They added they welcomed the RAIB's report and would "carefully consider" its findings and recommendations. "We will continue working with Network Rail and others to improve safety for crossing users and passengers," they added.
A DfT spokesperson said: "Safety on the railway is our number one priority. We are studying the RAIB report in detail and will work with the industry to take forward any recommendations to ensure it is safe for everyone."
The full Rail Accident Investigation Branch report is available on their website, at https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-12-slash-2026-collision-between-a-passenger-train-and-a-van-at-bax-level-crossing
| Re: Twyford Henley 10/11/26 leaf-fall cancellations In "Thames Valley Branches" [381830/32710/13] Posted by Mark A at 21:43, 10th November 2026 Already liked by IndustryInsider | |
Thanks for this. The stock *did* venture down to Henley this evening and returned.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:32386/2026-11-10/detailed#allox_id=0
