| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Mark A at 13:08, 10th April 2025 |     |
Ah. Using First Bus's web form being the remaining way to contact them, there are no options to feedback web site issues, so I shoehorned it into the 'Praise' category, described the issue, hit 'Submit' on the form and the form returned 'Forbidden'... I'm wondering if this is because the form's set up to disallow a second submission from the same web browser - I'd previously used it to submit feedback on their app, which is no longer allowing the user to save favourite stops - that submitted successfully...
Mark
Update: used another browser and also located the form category for web site feedback and it submitted successfully.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Mark A at 12:56, 10th April 2025 | |
**snip**
I ... miss ... not being on the First Bath Bus User panel which provided a very useful insight and very occasionally got little changes that made a big difference and helped to explain things. **snip** Does it still exist?
I ... miss ... not being on the First Bath Bus User panel which provided a very useful insight and very occasionally got little changes that made a big difference and helped to explain things. **snip** Does it still exist?
According to this page, yes.
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/about-us/community-and-charity/customer-panel
However, having emailed a request to the email address buscustomerpanel@firstbus.co.uk on that page, it's failed to deliver.
Mark
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Mark A at 09:41, 10th April 2025 | |
**snip**
In theory I can get a bus from the nearest stop to me direct to the RUH, the number 20 which goes once an hour, and would love to make use of it, but have only done so twice so far (in fifteen visits). **snip**
In theory I can get a bus from the nearest stop to me direct to the RUH, the number 20 which goes once an hour, and would love to make use of it, but have only done so twice so far (in fifteen visits). **snip**
Yup. Also, the 20's stuck with that waltz via the Paragon and Walcot Street for the time being, Milsom Street being shut.
One thing that works with the 20: bring it up on bustimes.org, drag up its route map, and see where the buses are on the route, to check if that bears any resemblance to the timetable. After which, be aware that even if the thing's 8 stops away it's capable of moving surprisingly quickly.
Mark
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 08:57, 10th April 2025 | |
Bath's buses are always a tale of woe.
[snip]
You missed last week First Bus having a stall at the RUH, along with some other travel initiatives, and I had a useful chat with the two staff there (both drivers I think). Apparently the trackers can cut out in Bath due to the geography, so buses often just disappear and then mysteriously reappear (or don't) on tracker apps.
[snip]
You missed last week First Bus having a stall at the RUH, along with some other travel initiatives, and I had a useful chat with the two staff there (both drivers I think). Apparently the trackers can cut out in Bath due to the geography, so buses often just disappear and then mysteriously reappear (or don't) on tracker apps.
I ... miss ... not being on the First Bath Bus User panel which provided a very useful insight and very occasionally got little changes that made a big difference and helped to explain things. When first pulled out of their final services to Melksham (the D3 at the start of Covid, but a planned withdrawal before the pandemic hit) there was no reason to still be a part of the group. Are any members on the panel now? Does it still exist?
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by froome at 08:34, 10th April 2025 | |
Yes my treatment is going well, though is quite onerous and leaving me with side effects which will hopefully go when it finishes (which is next Wednesday).
Bath's buses are always a tale of woe. My journey yesterday, having just missed the number 20, was to wait for the number 1, which goes every ten minutes (in theory) and then have a 5 minute walk to change onto a bus going along the Upper Bristol Road to the RUH. It was due at the same time as the number 20, but unlike that, it arrived at least 5 minutes late, and ended up being overtaken by the following number 1, which is always frustrating to watch when you have limited time. After my walk to the Upper Bristol Road, the screen there said there next 3 buses were not ones which go to the RUH, but the first one due was the number 19, which goes fairly close to the rear entrance. I could see a bus coming towards me, but as the sun was shining straight into my face, I couldn't see its number, but flagged it down. It turned out to be the number 3, which does go the RUH, and wasn't on the screen at all!
You missed last week First Bus having a stall at the RUH, along with some other travel initiatives, and I had a useful chat with the two staff there (both drivers I think). Apparently the trackers can cut out in Bath due to the geography, so buses often just disappear and then mysteriously reappear (or don't) on tracker apps.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 08:07, 10th April 2025 | |
I am travelling to the RUH every day at the moment, for radiotherapy, and funnily enough when I was walking out of the main entrance yesterday I saw someone who I thought at the time might be Graham. It would have been about 11am.
In theory I can get a bus from the nearest stop to me direct to the RUH, the number 20 which goes once an hour, and would love to make use of it, but have only done so twice so far (in fifteen visits). Some I have cycled, but when I have tried to catch the bus, it is either not on the screen at all, and not being tracked, or it is running very late, or just for a change today, left my stop 2 minutes early, despite the previous stop being a timing point 1 minute before it should get to my stop.
In theory I can get a bus from the nearest stop to me direct to the RUH, the number 20 which goes once an hour, and would love to make use of it, but have only done so twice so far (in fifteen visits). Some I have cycled, but when I have tried to catch the bus, it is either not on the screen at all, and not being tracked, or it is running very late, or just for a change today, left my stop 2 minutes early, despite the previous stop being a timing point 1 minute before it should get to my stop.
Yes - that was Lisa and I rushing for an appointment. Hope yours are going well
... Buses were - chaotic - in Bath. Our journey in started on time from the nearest stop to our home but got into a jam on the Bathampton Bypass and was Q-Q-Q until we got to the bus lane. Late into Dorchester Street where we disgorged outside the bus station what must have been within a minute of the bus having left for the RHS. Fifteen minute wait - in theory - for the next one but in practice it was longer.
When the bus headed to the RUH arrived, everyone incoming got off ... including the driver, who denied us boarding, closed the door and disappeared into the bus station - personal need, I'm almost sure - and when he came back, seemed to take an eternity to board everyone. Three pushchairs - two from the bus station and one joined later, and shunting around at lots of intermediate stops where things we re-arranged. And I know that buses are these for those not able to drive and take special care of them, but really those who's brains don't provide them with the brightness to know to move around though they physically could should be persuaded to do so. I heard someone suggesting that this route would be better with a conductor. Lisa and I argued afterwards as to whether or not the blocking woman's jump suite was green or turquoise - we both noticed her (and, don't worry, we made up over a burrito later on)
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:35, 9th April 2025 | |
Personally, I disapprove of public service buses departing early. There is a time, published on the posters, for when the bus should depart from that stop. If it does happen that it's actually a couple of minutes later, so be it.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by froome at 22:03, 9th April 2025 | |
I am travelling to the RUH every day at the moment, for radiotherapy, and funnily enough when I was walking out of the main entrance yesterday I saw someone who I thought at the time might be Graham. It would have been about 11am.
In theory I can get a bus from the nearest stop to me direct to the RUH, the number 20 which goes once an hour, and would love to make use of it, but have only done so twice so far (in fifteen visits). Some I have cycled, but when I have tried to catch the bus, it is either not on the screen at all, and not being tracked, or it is running very late, or just for a change today, left my stop 2 minutes early, despite the previous stop being a timing point 1 minute before it should get to my stop.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Mark A at 17:05, 9th April 2025 | |
:-0
Mark
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:51, 9th April 2025 | |
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Mark A at 14:25, 9th April 2025 | |
There's an entire thread to be had on... suboptimum placement of bus stops owing to the pressure from traffic. The continued lack of provision of a stop at the GWSR's racecourse station got my goat. Closer to home, some of Bath's London Road stops aren't really placed to meet the needs of people who would use them.
How someone managed to clout that Melksham bus stop I don't know. I do have a photo from Devizes of a vehicle, having misjudged the turn by a set of the bus stops there, with its wheels off the ground, the driver hit a knuckle fast enough to run up on it and ground it.
Mark
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Mark A at 12:40, 9th April 2025 | |
That's quite a catalogue. Good point on Bath's bus station seating, the external seating there was suffering and was removed a few years ago. I've sent a request via Fixmystreet to install new.
Which reminded me... no-one ever did get a handle on the acid etch tagging of bus stop & station glass and it's now everywhere.
Also, the people who took over the enquiry desk space are now running a cafe in there to supplement their other stuff.
Mark
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 11:16, 9th April 2025 | |
Someone has managed to run into the bus shelter on the bus island too ... and that's got barriers all around it.
Bus infrastructure far from impressive at the moment ... a trip to the RUH in Bath yesterday and the main stop for the routes to the hospital, on Dorchester Street, has no seating available - very silly when that's the very stop that needs seating as there will be a higher proportion of people less able to stand who will be waiting around than for other buses.
Many bus stops have new timetables and better signs that they use to, but this classic rescued from the hedge lies - the 272 ceased calling here in 2018. The D3 called for a further 2 years - at which point First pulled out. Faresaver's 271 outward from Bath still calls until mid afternoon (the last two services skip this stop - so last bus from Bath is at 15:15) and then loops back into Bath, and there's also journeys from here on the x34 route to Chippenham in the morning and to Trowbridge in the afternoon. If you know about them, good ... and around 10 people got on to the x34 to Trowbridge when I was on it the other day, which I supposes goes to illustrate how un-necessary the sign is anyway for regular passengers.
And finally - a bus stop that has disappeared in road improvements. There used to be a stop both sides of the road here - 2 buses an hour to Bath and one to Devizes. But an extra new road has been opened, with a new roundabout just behind where the picture was taken, and in order to get to the new bus stop you have to cross multiple busy roads. Behind the bus is The Spa area of Melksham - perhaps 80 to 100 people live there and just behind the hedge is a major housing area of a few years vintage and the access path from it to the stop. Probably doesn't matter for the people there - I suspect most of them have cars ;-)
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 09:58, 9th April 2025 | |
An update on the 'via Devizes' part of this question - from the BBC:
High street shop closures 'a big worry' for town
Residents and business owners in a Wiltshire town have expressed their concerns over the future of the high street after a series of shop closures.
Several businesses have recently shut in Devizes, including the gift shops Emporium and Expressions, and the charity shop Scope.
People in Devizes say the situation has not been helped by the continued closure of Northgate Street, one of the key routes into town, which has been partially shut since November due to a fire at a kebab shop.
Sam Holliday from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: "I'm afraid it isn't just Devizes, it's across the country. Our high streets are really struggling."
Concerns include a lack of variety on the high street and shops closing early due to lack of footfall.
Ian Williams from fabric shop, Shamrock Linens, described the situation as "very sad for the town", adding that he felt car parking charges in the town centre had pushed shoppers to out-of-town shopping centres. "I think when shops go it takes a bit of the heart of the town out," he added.
The relocation of the bus stop away from Northgate Street due to the road closure was also highlighted as an issue, as it makes it more difficult for residents with mobility issues to get into the town centre. It had been planned for the road to reopen fully in March, but it has been delayed.
Richard Staker, from gaming shop Level Up said: "The road was closed fully for six weeks (after the fire) so that had a massive impact. Now it is starting to pick up but it's still having a big impact with one-way traffic. There is a big worry for the future that it could be one of the next towns that becomes deserted."
Mr Holliday, FSB development manager for Gloucestershire and the West of England, said: "They (businesses) had to get through COVID and since then, there's been one issue after another." He added that it was "vital" that customers continue supporting small businesses. "I still belong to a generation that believes the high street is the heart of the community. So we've really got to do everything we can to be part of that," said Mr Holliday.
Wiltshire Council said it was working with the owners of the properties damaged by the fire so that the road could open fully but there is currently no confirmed date.
Residents and business owners in a Wiltshire town have expressed their concerns over the future of the high street after a series of shop closures.
Several businesses have recently shut in Devizes, including the gift shops Emporium and Expressions, and the charity shop Scope.
People in Devizes say the situation has not been helped by the continued closure of Northgate Street, one of the key routes into town, which has been partially shut since November due to a fire at a kebab shop.
Sam Holliday from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: "I'm afraid it isn't just Devizes, it's across the country. Our high streets are really struggling."
Concerns include a lack of variety on the high street and shops closing early due to lack of footfall.
Ian Williams from fabric shop, Shamrock Linens, described the situation as "very sad for the town", adding that he felt car parking charges in the town centre had pushed shoppers to out-of-town shopping centres. "I think when shops go it takes a bit of the heart of the town out," he added.
The relocation of the bus stop away from Northgate Street due to the road closure was also highlighted as an issue, as it makes it more difficult for residents with mobility issues to get into the town centre. It had been planned for the road to reopen fully in March, but it has been delayed.
Richard Staker, from gaming shop Level Up said: "The road was closed fully for six weeks (after the fire) so that had a massive impact. Now it is starting to pick up but it's still having a big impact with one-way traffic. There is a big worry for the future that it could be one of the next towns that becomes deserted."
Mr Holliday, FSB development manager for Gloucestershire and the West of England, said: "They (businesses) had to get through COVID and since then, there's been one issue after another." He added that it was "vital" that customers continue supporting small businesses. "I still belong to a generation that believes the high street is the heart of the community. So we've really got to do everything we can to be part of that," said Mr Holliday.
Wiltshire Council said it was working with the owners of the properties damaged by the fire so that the road could open fully but there is currently no confirmed date.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 06:09, 14th November 2024 | |
Would the second one be Salisbury? That's a destination for which "via Devizes" looks plausible.
Yes, it would ... writeup of the day's travels to follow. A further day that I put myself in the shoes of a less informed traveller than I really am.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by stuving at 22:40, 13th November 2024 | |
Would the second one be Salisbury? That's a destination for which "via Devizes" looks plausible.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by JayMac at 22:27, 13th November 2024 | |
Who ordered their diced lamb well done?
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 21:38, 13th November 2024 | |
I think I've managed to answer the 'via', but not the 'to where', parts of your question. 
Indeed you have. I'm writing up in the morning.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:19, 13th November 2024 | |
I think I've managed to answer the 'via', but not the 'to where', parts of your question.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 20:31, 13th November 2024 | |
1. Devizes. From the BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1dp0y12qy6o 
Correct. Used to be our favourite Kebab shop when we lived in Easterton.
| Re: Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:38, 13th November 2024 | |
1. Devizes. From the BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1dp0y12qy6o
| Melksham to Salisbury via Devizes - moved topic, now the original quiz has been solved Posted by grahame at 17:20, 13th November 2024 | |
Out and about today - via and to where?
