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Great Western Coffee Shop
29.7.2025 (Tuesday) 16:05 - All running AOK
Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363684/30497/31]
Posted by stuving at 08:45, 29th July 2025
 
These fairs have to have a council-led HSE inspection before they are allowed to open each time - the council issues a licence to operate.

I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....

I doubt the Local Authority safety inspection would involve a in depth mechanical, electrical inspection, observing full operation by all the operators, setting up etc. More likely it will be an audit of the HS File, inspection, maintenance and repair reports, records of operator training, management of safety policy.  The Local Authority would unlikely have the skill staff, resources and time to carry out a full inspection of every ride and machine.

And that's how the system works. Under HSE's overall responsibility for how regulation and enforcement is applied, as they say:

Under the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998, the local authority is generally the enforcing authority for leisure activities.

The LA inspects general site safety and management, but for rides they check documentation of inspections, the main one being annual and by a member of NAFLIC:

National Association for Leisure Industry Certification

NAFLIC is the UK trade association for amusement ride inspectors and other companies and individuals who provide inspection and maintenance services to ride owners, controllers and operators. Members are qualified in all aspects of amusement ride inspection and all are registered with ADIPS, the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme, which is fully endorsed and supported by the Health and Safety Executive.

The membership also includes others who provide valuable input into the inspection and maintenance aspects of rides and attractions, such as manufacturers and suppliers. Additionally, NAFLIC provides technical assistance and advice to the amusement park and travelling fairground industry.

Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363683/30497/31]
Posted by Electric train at 06:34, 29th July 2025
 
These fairs have to have a council-led HSE inspection before they are allowed to open each time - the council issues a licence to operate.

I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....

I doubt the Local Authority safety inspection would involve a in depth mechanical, electrical inspection, observing full operation by all the operators, setting up etc. More likely it will be an audit of the HS File, inspection, maintenance and repair reports, records of operator training, management of safety policy.  The Local Authority would unlikely have the skill staff, resources and time to carry out a full inspection of every ride and machine.


Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363682/30503/52]
Posted by grahame at 04:28, 29th July 2025
 
Not being an engineer:

regarding the Portishead line crossing the river to the Severn Beach line,
 how far back down the line to Portishead line would the climb have had to start to get level with the current road bridge
and how far down the Severn beach rail line be to get it level towards Bristol.

Answered (somewhat) yesterday ...

The Avonmouth M5 bridge has a 30m clearance over the river (not sure at what tide state) so you would need about 1km ramps on each side at 1 in 30, or 2 km for 1 in 60.  

What ruling gradient you would select and how you would transition to and from level would depend on the type of traffic to be carried.  You would also need to consider the "x" and "y" dimensions - where on a map the ramp structures would go, and whose homes and businesses they would tower above. At this stage - an open and busy M5, a bridge not built to take the weight of a train, and a structure that rises and falls within its length, I suspect adding a rail deck (on top, to avoid reducing ships clearance) is impractical.  Better (IMHO and uneducated and probably just as impractical), a lift / swing / slide bridge at about ///farmer.pool.enjoy with a junction off the `Severn Beach line curving left just after leaving Sea Mills to the left to cross the Severn and after the bridge running pretty much straight into the existing Portbury freight line well before Ham Green.

Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363681/30503/52]
Posted by infoman at 01:01, 29th July 2025
 
Not being an engineer:

regarding the Portishead line crossing the river to the Severn Beach line,
 how far back down the line to Portishead line would the climb have had to start to get level with the current road bridge
and how far down the Severn beach rail line be to get it level towards Bristol.

Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363680/29073/31]
Posted by johnneyw at 21:21, 28th July 2025
 
On the outside terrace at The Idle Rocks hotel in St Mawes there are water pistols on the tables which are very effective in deterring seagulls landing on the wall and eyeing up your food.

Ditto The Ferry Inn, Salcombe..... except some of them seem to have a strange habit of going missing after a while.

Re: Man in life-threatening condition after bus crash - Regent Street, 28 July 2025
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363677/30506/5]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 20:07, 28th July 2025
 
I walked past about 20 mins before it happened. To be honest I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often in that area.

Re: Several reported killed in German train derailment - 27 July 2025
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363676/30501/52]
Posted by ChrisB at 18:07, 28th July 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea
 
Stonehaven, German-style

Re: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion
In "Across the West" [363675/18719/26]
Posted by IndustryInsider at 17:43, 28th July 2025
 
Was staffed and trains calling from 10am AIUI.

Man in life-threatening condition after bus crash - Regent Street, 28 July 2025
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363674/30506/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:41, 28th July 2025
 
From the BBC:



A man in his 80s has been taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition after he was struck by a bus in central London.

Emergency services were called at around 12:50 BST following the crash at the junction of Margaret Street and Regent Street.

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) said paramedics treated two people at the scene, with one taken to a major trauma centre as a priority. The Met Police said his condition was "thought to be life-threatening".

The other person was assessed and discharged at the scene, LAS said.

The service sent ambulance crews, paramedics, and a hazardous area response team to the scene, as well as dispatching the air ambulance.

Police said no arrests had been made, and bus services in the area have been diverted.


Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363673/30497/31]
Posted by ChrisB at 15:23, 28th July 2025
 
These fairs have to have a council-led HSE inspection before they are allowed to open each time - the council issues a licence to operate.

I suspect Netley council is holding its breath....

Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363672/30503/52]
Posted by bobm at 15:22, 28th July 2025
Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, PrestburyRoad, Oxonhutch, JayMac, PhilWakely, grahame, eightonedee, GBM
 
Try doing that on the Royal Albert Bridge. 



I have



and I'm not the only one



Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363670/30503/52]
Posted by Oxonhutch at 13:19, 28th July 2025
 
...

If you want a really extreme example of sharing, Google Gisbourne Airport where the railway line crosses the runway.

Plus RAF Ballykelly in Northern Ireland when it was still an active airfield.

Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363669/30497/31]
Posted by broadgage at 13:10, 28th July 2025
 
Very sad, though fairgrounds are known, in general, for a rather flexible approach to safety. Any attempt to improve standards is often considered to be an attack on fairground industry, and on those who run it.

Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363668/29073/31]
Posted by broadgage at 13:04, 28th July 2025
 
I know of someone who shoots gulls, despite this being illegal in most circumstances.
Apparently, in the dark, they look just like rabbits.

It's perhaps somewhat worrying that a shotgun licence has been granted to someone who's unable to tell the difference between a rabbit & a seagull.

If need be, they could probably justify the shooting of gulls. This is permitted in an emergency which includes gulls attacking wildlife, livestock or pets. They keep free range chickens and the gulls regularly harass the poor chickens. They would eat the chicks if they could, but have not YET worked out how to get into the hen house.
Many rare wild birds nest nearby, and the wretched gulls regularly eat the helpless young.
Best to shoot the pests at night when there few witnesses.

Re: Teen suffers 'life-changing' injuries at steam fair - Netley Marsh, 26 July 2025
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363667/30497/31]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:30, 28th July 2025
 
From the BBC:

Fair 'co-operating' after teenager injured on ride



Organisers of a steam fair where a young woman sustained potentially life-changing injuries to her head say they are working with authorities to establish what happened.

The 18-year-old was taken to hospital after the incident on a ride at the Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show at about 22:50 BST on Saturday.

Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show said it was "co-operating with all parties involved" following the "unfortunate incident".

"No further comment will be made until such time as appropriate and more information is available," it said in a statement on Sunday.

It said any other comments made on social media did not reflect organisers' views and that it "will continue to support all parties involved".

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were liaising with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the weekend.

A woman, who told the BBC she helped administer first aid to the teenager, said there had been "shock and panic" at the scene. The woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she had not initially realised the severity of what had happened. "One of the girl's friends came down and said how serious it was and some of us offered assistance. It's very shocking it could happen on a fairground ride that young children go on. This must never happen again," she said.

An HSE spokesperson said the incident was "local authority enforced and with Hampshire police".


Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025
In "Across the West" [363666/29650/26]
Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:58, 28th July 2025
 
Cancellations to services at Tilehurst

Due to a points failure at Tilehurst some lines are blocked.

Train services running through this station may be cancelled or revised. Pangbourne will not be served. Disruption is expected until 12:45 28/07.

Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury
In "TransWilts line" [363665/29726/18]
Posted by bobm at 11:45, 28th July 2025
 

Err ... what sort of repairs are needed to a train that can number into Westbury from the South West, but then not carry on North East to Melksham and Chippenham?


Could be a number of faults occurring en route which require the train to be taken out of passenger service at the first opportunity.  Driver vigilance device, other fault in the cab, windscreen wiper failure, door issue etc.   Then no available spare to pick up the return working even from Westbury (or possibly crew if the driver took the defective unit to Bristol).

Re: School trip coach involved in a collision, Wheddon Cross, Somerset 17/07/2025
In "Buses and other ways to travel" [363663/30461/5]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:35, 28th July 2025
Already liked by LiskeardRich
 
Several recent posts have now been removed from this topic as they contain speculation regarding this sad incident.  Those posts have not been deleted, they have simply been removed from public view.

I have now unlocked this topic.

Chris from Nailsea. 


Re: Several reported killed in German train derailment - 27 July 2025
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363662/30501/52]
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 11:19, 28th July 2025
 
From the BBC:

Three dead after sewage overflow causes German train to derail, say police

Three people have been killed and several others badly hurt after an overflowing sewage shaft caused a landslide that derailed a passenger train in south-west Germany, local authorities say.

Prosecutors said the train crashed between Riedlingen and Munderkingen near Stuttgart on Sunday following heavy rain in the area.

The deluge is believed to have caused an overflow, triggering a landslide on the banks running next to the tracks.

The train driver, another rail employee and one passenger died, while 41 people were injured. On Sunday, German Chancellor Freidrich Merz said he "mourn[ed] the victims" and offered his "deepest sympathy" to their families.

In a post on X, he said he was in close contact with the interior and transport ministers, and had requested that they provide the emergency services with all the support they need.

In a statement shared on Sunday, Ulm police said the train was on a 90 km (55 mile) route between Sigmaringen and Ulm when it derailed.

They said the investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing, and the site of the incident would remain closed.

Rail traffic will remain suspended and clean-up work will begin on Monday, they added.

Around 100 people were on board the train when at least two carriages derailed in a forested area around 18:10 local time (17:10 BST), German news agency dpa reported on Sunday.

Images of the crash show carriages turned on their sides and heavy emergency service presence as firefighters and emergency teams worked to gain access to trapped passengers. Fallen trees can also be seen at the scene.

In a statement, operator Deutsche Bahn said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and everyone who now has to process this experience."


Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363659/30503/52]
Posted by Noggin at 10:39, 28th July 2025
 
Road/rail sharing is a reasonably common thing in Switzerland, though I can't think of an example where it includes a single-carriageway bridge.

If you want a really extreme example of sharing, Google Gisbourne Airport where the railway line crosses the runway.

Re: Seagulls, particularly in Cornwall - ongoing discussion
In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [363658/29073/31]
Posted by Gordon the Blue Engine at 10:38, 28th July 2025
Already liked by PrestburyRoad, GBM, johnneyw
 
On the outside terrace at The Idle Rocks hotel in St Mawes there are water pistols on the tables which are very effective in deterring seagulls landing on the wall and eyeing up your food.  Not so good for over-the-shoulder ice cream pirates of course.

Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [363657/29711/14]
Posted by TonyN at 10:09, 28th July 2025
 
GWR services are now calling at Worcester Foregate Street

Re: Road and Rail sharing a bridge
In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [363656/30503/52]
Posted by stuving at 09:55, 28th July 2025
 
The Rendsburg High Bridge over the Kiel Canal has a 42 metre clearance, and a spectacular spiral on the north side for trains to loose / gain height. "The required maximum incline of 1:150 (a one-metre gain in altitude for every 150 metres in distance) made it necessary to build elevated embankments and access bridges of about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) at each side" says WikiPedia

And that's shared with a road crossing too - but that's a transporter so at low level.

Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025
In "London to the Cotswolds" [363655/29711/14]
Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 09:49, 28th July 2025
 
Monday July 28

Not a good start to the week:
Due to a shortage of station staff at Worcester Foregate Street the line is closed.
Train services running through this station have been cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
We have been informed that Worcester Foregate station is closed this morning to trains, due to staff sickness.
As a result GWR services will not call at the station. Customers are advised to use Worcester Shrub Hill to make their journeys instead.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 07:52

In consequence:
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:42 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 07:03

08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:27 will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 07:49

09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:23 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 07:30

10:59 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:25 will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 08:03

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:29 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 07:29

07:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:14 will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of station staff.
Last Updated:28/07/2025 08:02

Meanwhile
1P02 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington (08:24) waited at Foregate St for 38, arrived Paddington +35.

 
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