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News Archive 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bridge the Gap!London Underground is trialling a new device to bridge the gap between the train and the platform at stations which already have step-free access. The trial is taking place until spring 2023 on the Jubilee line platforms at Bermondsey, Canary Wharf, Canada Water, Canning Town, Green Park, London Bridge, North Greenwich and Stratford stations. staff working at these stations have been trained in using the bridging device to assist customers.
If you would like to use the bridging device when travelling on the Jubilee line, you can ask a member of staff to deploy it for you when you arrive at the station. If you need to use it to get off the train at one of the trial stations, speak to staff at your starting stations to ask them to
arrange for this to happen at your destination. There is no need to book in advance.
More StrikesStrikes have been called as follows:
New Strike AnnouncementsASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has announced a one day strike on Saturday 26th November.
The RMT union has called 48-hour strikes on December 13-14 and 16-17, and January 3-4 and 6-7.
As usual we’ll email details to members on the net when we get them.
Changes to Subsidised Bus ServicesThe Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has announced some changes to the routes and timetables for supported bus services which come into effect on Sunday 30th October. Dedicated school services will not be altered. Details are available on the RBWM web site. This is a temporary arrangement while the Borough negotiates further savings with the operators
(Thames Valley Buses, White Bus and Bear Buses).
Ticket Vending Machine at Furze PlattA self-service ticket machine has been installed at Furze Platt and is now operational. Following a prompt from MMPA it can
now be used for the collection of tickets purchased online.
Update: It appears that the ticket machines will not accept certain railcards (including Senior) for the first
off-peak service at 08:56 from Marlow to Maidenhead. We have asked GWR to rectify this.
Elizabeth Line Through Services StartThrough services between Reading or Heathrow and Abbey Wood, and between Paddington and Shenfield commenced on Sunday 6th November. Sunday services will continue thereafter, although some weekend closures will be necessary for software updates. The Bond Street Elizabeth Line platforms opened on Monday, October 24th. The full Elizabeth Line timetable can be found here (PDF). It doesn’t show GWR or GE services. Note that there is a large amount of pathing time approaching Paddington platform A (remember "A for Abbey, B for back home"). The full 24 trains per hour peak timetable between Paddington and Whitechapel is set to commence at the May 2023
timetable change.
Duff GenIt appears that the engineering work planned for October was completed. The line around Cookham had been renewed with
continuously welded rail and a mixture of steel and concrete sleepers, and fresh ballast.
Fire at Slough Bus StationThe fire on Saturday morning (29/10) destroyed is believed to have started on a bus and spread to nearby infrastructure.
(Metro).
Strikes Called Off (except LUL)The planned strike action on national rail services on Saturday 5, Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 November has been suspended. However due to short notice, national rail and some TfL services will be disrupted. Check before you travel using TfL’s real-time travel tools for the latest travel information. The planned strike action on the London Underground on Thursday 10 November will still go ahead. Customers should avoid travelling on the Tube as TfL expects limited or no service. London Overground and DLR services may be subject to last minute changes, including non-stopping at some stations shared with
London Underground. All other services on the network including buses and the Elizabeth line will run but may be extremely busy.
Disruption will continue until 08:00 on Friday 11 November.
Elizabeth Line Through Services started on 6th NovemberCrossrail Ltd has announced that through services between Reading or Heathrow and Abbey Wood, and between Paddington and Shenfield will commence on Sunday 6th November 2022. Sunday services will continue thereafter, although some weekend closures will be necessary for software updates. The Bond Street Elizabeth Line platforms are to be opened on Monday, October 24th. The full 24 trains per hour peak timetable between Paddington and Whitechapel is set to commence at the May 2023
timetable change.
Branch Possession in OctoberNetwork Rail will have a 9-day blockade of the Maidenhead - Marlow branch from 00:40 on 22nd October to 05:15 on 31st October 2022 (half term holiday week). A replacement bus service will pick up and set down passengers in Maidenhead Road near The Pound. The work involves renewing the track on both sides of Cookham station. The level crossing will be open intermittently. GWR tickets will be valid between High Wycombe and Marylebone during the blockade but parking charges at High Wycombe will apply.
GWR Strikes UpdateThe RMT, Unite and TSSA unions have postponed the strike action scheduled for Thursday 3rd November as it clashes with the day that the Royal British Legion&tsquo;s traditional Poppy Day collection at rail stations. Strike action instead has been called for Wednesday 9th November. This means that strikes will now take place on Saturday 5th, Monday 7th, and Wednesday 9th November, and services will
operate normally on Thursday 3 November.
Strikes UpdateFurther strike dates have been announced in the coming weeks. On Saturday 1st October, ASLEF (train drivers), Unite (Train Care Depot staff) and the RMT (on board and station staff, and Network Rail signallers) will be on strike. This will be followed by strikes on Wednesday 5th October (ASLEF only), Thursday 6th October and Friday 7th October (TSSA managers and office staff only) and on Saturday 8th October (RMT only). As train drivers will strike on both Saturday 1st and Wednesday 5th, there will be no service on the vast majority of our network on these dates. GWR will run a very limited service on the routes listed on our dedicated strike webpage here. GWR is working on a train plan for the 6th, 7th and 8th October and we’ll pass on information when we get it.
There will also be some impact to days following the strikes and it is likely that late evening services the
day before strikes will be affected.
ASLEF Calls New StrikesThe Drivers’s Union, ASLEF, has scheduled new strikes on October 1st and 5th.
Update: the RMT Union is joining the strike on 1st October.
Branch Possession in OctoberNetwork Rail is planning a 9-day blockade of the Maidenhead - Marlow branch from 00:40 on 22nd October to
05:15 on 31st October 2022 (half term holiday week). A replacement bus service will be in operation. We don’t
yet have the details but it is possible that Cookham level crossing will be used as an access point.
AGM RESCHEDULEDThe MMPA AGM is now scheduled for Friday 23rd September at Bourne End Community Centre, SL8 5SX
(map), commencing at 19:45 hrs. We hope to have representatives from Great Western Railway,
Chiltern Railways, Transport for London and Network Rail. The date should not be affected by further strike action but
we’ll keep you informed.
Strikes Called OffThe rail unions have called off industrial action planned for September 15th, 17th and 26th/27th following the sad
death of Queen Elizabeth II. The issues won't go away of course, and we wait to see how the new Secretary of State for
Transport, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, handles the situation.
ASLEF Votes for More StrikesASLEF members on Chiltern Railways have voted by 92.1% in favour of strike action ove pay and conditions.
No date has yet been announced.
Strikes UpdateRMT will be striking on 18th and 20th August including GWR, and on London Overground and Underground on the 19th.
More details when we have them.
Marlow and Maidenhead ServicesThursday August 18th Maidenhead towards Marlow 0730, 0831, 0926, 1035, 1135, 1237, 1339, 1435, 1535, 1637 and 1731, returning from Marlow at 0806, 0856, 0954, 1101, 1201, 1303, 1405, 1508, 1601, 1705 and 1756. Elizabeth trains will depart Maidenhead towards London at 0516, 0546, 0553, 0740 then xx10 and xx40 until 1740, and towards Reading at 0630, 0824 then xx54 and xx24 until 1754. Friday 19th August There will be a strike on London Underground, London Overground and some bus garages. Saturday August 20th Maidenhead towards Marlow at 0731, 0831, 0926, 1035, 1135, 1237, 1339, 1435, 1535, 1637 and 1731.
Elizabeth Line Maidenhead towards London at 0740 then xx10 and xx40 until 1740.
There will be no service to Bristol Temple Meads on Saturday.
Extreme Heat WarningThe Meterological Office has issued an extreeme heat warning for August 11th to 14th. Expect delays and cancellations
due to blanket speed restrictions.
MMPA AGM RESCHEDULEDWe have reluctantly decided to postpone the AGM because of the disruption to rail services caused by the RMT strike. It was looking very likely that most of our speakers would be unable to attend. Although Friday is a non-strike day train services would be curtailed early, making it difficult for members to get home. Martin Coker
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of our Cookham representative, Cllr Martin Coker, on Thursday morning.
We send our deepest condolences to his wife Jackie and the family.
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More StrikesThe RMT union has called 1-day strikes of Network Rail workers on 18th August and 20th August, whilst on 30th July ASLEF (the train drivers’s union) has called its members out in eight operators including Great Western, Chiltern and Arriva Rail London which holds the concession to operate the London Overground. TSSA, the Transport Salaried Staff Association has a mandate for strike action but has not set set a date.
Update: ASLEF has withdrawn its strike action on Chiltern Railways set for 30th July.
Update: RMT has called a 1-day strike on 19th August on London Underground and Overground over pay and pensions.
Please note that the Elizabeth Line is not part of either body.
Fare Capping on Elizabeth LineTfL has provided the following daily and weekly capping information for our local stations. These prices apply when using TfL’s pay-as-you-go ”contactless” payment system (CPay) even if travelling on GWR trains (but not beyond Reading). Oyster is not valid between West Drayton and Reading.
It will be noted that the daily caps are the same price as travelcards. Weekly caps apply from
Monday to Sunday only, so if you're starting mid-week it may be cheaper to get a travelcard.
GWR Awarded New Rail ContractFirst Group has been awarded a new National Rail Contract to run Great Western Railway, starting on 26th June.
More details here.
EXTREME HEAT WARNINGPlease read this letter from GWR and Network Rail. Please do not travel on Monday or Tuesday (18th-19th) unless you absolutely have to.Theresa May Joins GWR Advisory BoardMaidenhead MP and former Prime Minister Theresa May has joined GWR’s 12-strong Independent Stakeholder Advisory Board. GWR has had a Stakeholder Advisory Board since its conception in 2015, bringing forward the idea from First Great Western. Set up to offer a sounding board and critical, informed advice the Advisory Board includes representatives from all the routes served by GWR, covering the fields of business, academia, the voluntary sector and the Houses of Parliament. Rt Hon Theresa May MP takes the vacancy created when Ranil Jayawardena MP joined the Government. Mrs May will receive no payment
and no complimentary travel but will attend up to six meetings a year with the GWR senior team.
RMT StrikeThe strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union is going ahead on June 21st, 23rd and 25th. There will also be a strike on London Underground on Tuesday 21st. This means that there will be massive disruption throughout the week, with large parts of the network shut down. Great Western RailwayOn strike days GWR hopes to run a service on the Thames Valley branches, but at one train per hour (1tph). The Marlow branch service is subject to confirmation. A stopping service between Reading and Paddington will be provided by MTR Elizabeth Line only - no fast peak services. On intermediate days most of the network will be operating from around 07:00 at 1tph or better. No peak shuttle to Bourne End. Services will shut down early. Expect some disruption on Sunday Morning, 26th June as trains may be in the wrong places overnight. For more details see www.gwr.com/strike. Chiltern RailwaysOn strike days Chiltern will be running 1tph Banbury to Marylebone and 1tph Aylesbury - High Wycombe - Marylebone and 1tph Aylesbury to Amersham. (No Metropolitan service on Tuesday 21st). There will be no services to Oxford or Birmingham. Up services (towards London) will start from around 07:30. For more information see www.chilternrailways.co.uk/strike.
Crossrail to Open on 24 MayCrossrail has announced that the Elizabeth Line core from Paddington to Abbey Wood will open to the public on Tuesday 24th May. A 12 trains per hour (tph) service will operate from 06:30 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday. It will also run on the Sunday of the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Trains will not stop at Bond Street to start with. Platforms in the core section are labelled “A” for Eastbound trains and “R” for Westbound trains. TfL-Rail trains are being rebranded Elizabeth Line. The outer sections from Reading/Heathrow to Paddington and Liverpool Street to Shenfield will continue to operate as at
present for the time being. Crossrail expects that through services will be in operation this Autumn, and that the full
24 tph timetable will commence in May 2023.
May Timetable PreviewWeekdays
Weekends
There will be other changes around the network, most notably:
Update: in the event it turns out that there are some changes in the off-peak service.
[20220419] Great British Rail Sale Now OnOver a million rail tickets will be reduced by up to 50% as the Government and the rail industry launch the Great British Rail Sale. Tickets can be purchased online from participating retailers with the up to half-price rate applying to range of off-peak tickets. Discounted tickets are available for selected journeys from 25th April to 27th May. The Government looks like it’s reacting to people’s concerns about rising rail costs, but this gesture, though welcome, won’t last long so make the most of it! CPay UpdateThe DfT has funded the extension of TfL’s CPay contactless payment system to the Thames Valley branches. Windsor & Eton Central and Henley-on-Thames will be done first, with a launch date of 28th March, and Marlow will follow on in April. Enabling works are being undertaken. At the same time a ticket vending machine will be installed at Furze Platt, and an additional two at Bourne End.
IT Problems at Bourne EndWe are aware of IT issues at Bourne End which have been affecting ticket issuing and customer information for some time.
MMPA, our booking clerk Tony and our Duty Station Manager have been pressing GWR to sort the problem out.
We fully sympathise with Tony who has been bearing the brunt of your frustration. We are awaiting action from
GWR’s IT department but don’t yet have a date for resolution.
Crossrail Core Looking Good for JuneTransport for London (TfL) has confirmed it will soon apply to the British regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for authorisation to begin commercial operation of the 21km Abbey Wood - Paddington section of Crossrail. Crossrail chief executive Mr Mark Wild told IRJ on March 7, during a press visit to the railway, that the opening date remains the first half of 2022. However, he said that other than start the official authorisation process, all that was left was to complete one final evacuation exercise at Paddington on March 13, and to ensure the operational staff are ready for the line to open. Trial operations are currently underway replicating the initial service. Wild said that the ORR process is expected to be complete by the end of April. He said that would mean that the central section of Crossrail, which was due to begin commercial operation in December 2018, could open before than the end of June. International Railway Journal [20220308] Patronage Plummets in PandemicEstimated entry and exit figures for UK stations have been released by the Office of Rail and Road. The right hand column shows the percentage change since 2019-20. These figures are for the year ending 31st March. Our local stations look like this:
[20211221] Update: GWR estimates that passenger numbers are up to around 70% of pre-pandemic levels, with leisure travel
doing better than commuting.
Book With Confidence Scheme ExtendedThe Book with Confidence scheme
has been extended, meaning that until March 31st, 2022 passengers can change their travel plans up until the evening before
departure without being charged a fee, or cancel their trains completely and receive refunds in the form of rail vouchers.
Storm EuniceBranch trains were running nearly to time this morning (18th) but GWR suspended all services at about 13:30 because of “excess wind”. Chiltern then did the same because of trees on the line. Trains were parked wherever they could be so they won't be in the right position for the start of the service on Saturday. Also, Network Rail will need to check all the routes in daylight for debris, mangled trampolines, etc. Tickets for travel on Saturday can now also be used on Sunday or Monday, and GWR will refund any tickets where customers cannot travel. GWR hopes that by Sunday services will be fully restored, but please do double check before you set out if you are travelling.
Journey check
GWR Introduces Temporary TimetableOwing to the number of train crew self-isolating GWR has introduced a temporary timetable from Saturday 8th January until Saturday 15th January. You can find a list of changes here. There are hardly any changes affecting the Thames Valley area but ad hoc cancellations could still occur. Please
check your journey before setting off. On twitter follow @GWRhelp.
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Last updated 8th April, 2024