The Dorset Echo also has a piece about the closure today


https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/25128279.50-years-since-bridport-maiden-newton-railway-closed/
 

Thousands of people were left trapped on trains or stranded overnight after the theft of copper cables halted high-speed services between Madrid and southern Spain's Andalusia region.

Authorities opened an investigation on Monday after Sunday's theft, which Transport Minister Óscar Puente called a "serious act of sabotage".

He added that the cable theft took place at five locations, all within a few kilometres of each other on the high-speed line. On Monday morning, Puente said train operations were being "fully restored" .

This travel disruption comes a week after Spain and Portugal suffered a blackout, which similarly saw trains comes to a standstill. The cause is still unknown.

"All of a sudden in the last two weeks - what is going on?" Kevin, a tourist from the US told Reuters news agency as he waited at Madrid's Atocha station, where thousands were stranded.

More than 10,000 passengers were affected between Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Valencia and Granada, and at least 30 trains.

The disruption came after a long weekend in Madrid and ahead of the week-long Feria festival in Seville, which sees an influx of travellers to the city.

"Operations are now fully restored after a very difficult night for commuters... and staff, who had to respond under extremely complex circumstances," the transport minister said on Monday morning.

The theft locations, he said, were in areas accessed via forest trails.

Train services were gradually returning to normal, Spain's national rail manager Adif said on Monday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the Spanish interior ministry said the country's civil guard, and police were in contact with Adif and other authorities to "clarify what happened and identify those responsible".

The price of copper has soared in recent years, and cable thefts from train and telecommunications networks have surged.

This discussion is about ferries across the Bristol channel and not across the Severn, which finishes at around the bridges.  Should the title be updated?

GCCC signs non-binding Heads of Terms to explore land for potential development

28 April 2025

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has today announced the signing of a non-binding Heads of Terms agreement which will enable it to explore an area of land for potential development of a new home for the Club.

The Club first announced its intention to explore alternative sites for a possible relocation in December 2023. Today’s announcement does not tie the Club into a legal arrangement but maintains momentum on productive conversations that have taken place over a number of months.

The site in question – Swanmoor Stoke – is situated near landmarks such as The Wave, Bristol Golf Club and Wild Place Project in South Gloucestershire and is less than a mile from both Junction 17 of the M5 and the proposed new junction off the M49. It is also less than a mile from Pilning railway station (which would require updating). The wider area has undergone material residential development of late and more is planned.

As the crow flies, the site is under five miles from GCCC’s Seat Unique Stadium.

Whilst the Club will continue its discussions with the owners of other possible sites its primary focus for the coming months will be in developing opportunities at Swanmoor Stoke.

Whatever the outcome of those discussions, the Seat Unique Stadium at Nevil Road will continue to serve as the County’s home for the foreseeable future, with the Club having secured international match-hosting rights each year in Bristol from the ECB until 2032. The Club is finalising plans to upgrade areas of the ground over the coming seasons to ensure compliance with ECB major match host requirements and that the Member and customer experience is prioritised.

Club Chair, Peter Matthews, said:

“We know that the subject of a prospective ground move is important to our Members, local residents and stakeholders, and we are committed to communicate any developments with all concerned at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Whilst today’s announcement shows continued momentum in our search for a possible new home, it doesn’t materially change the status quo. We are not tied into any legal deal and whilst the Board-appointed team will continue to work up the Club’s options in line with the non-binding Heads of Terms, the entirety of our executive team will remain focused on running the Club and making the Seat Unique Stadium a welcoming and enjoyable year-round destination for matches and events.

“It is important to stress that there is much detailed work to do before we can put specific proposals to the Board for its consideration. So, whilst this looks like a tremendous opportunity, the project is still at concept stage. We will be hosting a number of Member and resident-focussed events in the weeks and months to come and we will be happy to answer questions that may arise at those sessions.”

Over the last few years a number of people,including myself to a certain extent, have spent a good deal of time and effort supporting the usage of the station, and have had a disappointingly small amount of support from the local area ,it would seem that the residents Of Pilning and its environs really don't have the need of a station !

IT has been 50 years since the railway branch between Maiden Newton and Bridport closed.

This railway closed on May 5, 1975, the goods service having been withdrawn on April 5, 1975.

The line first opened on November 12, 1857.

It was extended to West Bay in 1884, but the extension was not well used and it closed to passengers in 1930, however the extension remained open for goods until December 3, 1962.

Although it was a little used service, on the last day 50 years ago extra carriages had to be laid on for the huge interest with local people wanting to ride the last train.

The ‘reduced speed’ being because Emergency Special Working is in operation on the relief lines, which is a method of operation when multiple signals are out of use.

How do readers feel about the phrase ‘hydrogen-powered’? Does that give you more, or less confidence that this project is likely to happen?

22. Westbury

https://gosouthwestengland.co.uk/wales-devon-ferry/

Depends as to why it didn't get to Weymouth?