National Routeing Guide update

[kieron]

I'm sure I remember Wolverhampton to London having a map combination allowing travel via Stafford (which can often be the fastest route). This is also presumably the reason why negative easement 700131 exists. However it seems that travel via Stafford is now only allowed by virtue of the more expensive ticket being routed "via Stafford" (i.e. the split route check). @kieron do you know when this changed?

I don't know if this is when it was actually created, but the data for the easement has a start date on it of 22 March 2011. Wolverhampton-London hasn't had a mapped route via Stafford since at least 2014. I don't know about before then.

The only mapped routes were via Nuneaton or via Manchester. However, the direct route would still have been permitted by virtue of being the shortest route (or within 3 miles thereof).

I was going to say that the shortest route rule would catch some of the journeys involved. When I tried it, I couldn't find anything which nre.co.uk didn't say was permitted, even for journeys (such as Bedworth-Trafford Park) where it's quite a lot further than the shortest route.

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The following was posted on 5 May 2023.

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Some more changes to the routeing guide were published on Wednesday.

Changes from 27 Apr 2023 (437) to 03 May 2023 (438).​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Epsom (EPS) to London Group (G01) gain XE+LB​

This adds mapped routes via Croydon.

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701074 (Map) During engineering closures, on 8th and 9th April 2023, Transpennine Express services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield and Wakefield. This map easement will create temporary permissions for journeys that include a journey leg on the diverted TPE trains. It will operate in both directions.​

​

701078 (Map) Due to engineering closures south of Milton Keynes on 30th April 2023. This map easement will allow journeys to show itineraries using rail replacement services and onward train journeys from Kettering and Bedford to London St Pancras International. It will apply in both directions.​

​

701080 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes on 30th April 2023. This fare route easement will permit tickets priced on (00043) AVANTI TRAINS ONLY, (00060) AVANTI & TPE ONLY, (00117) AVANTI & NTH ONLY, to use replacement services to Bedford and onward by East Midlands and Thameslink trains. It will apply in both directions.​

These are temporary easements, and the dates for them had already passed.

701075 (Map) During engineering work closures on weekdays between 30 April and 03 May 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester and Yeovil to the West Country, Bristol and beyond. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Southampton and Salisbury. This map easement to apply in both directions​

​

701076 (Fare route) Due to engineering work closures on weekdays between 30 April and 03 May 2023, journeys to or via Yeovil on tickets routed on (00829) VIA YEOVIL will be able to travel via Brockenhurst. Tickets priced on route (00955) GWR ONLY will be able to travel via Yeovil Junction and Salisbury. These fare route easements will apply in both directions​

​

701077 (Routeing Point) During engineering work closures weekdays between 30 April and 03 May 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester South from or via Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham (Dorset) and Tisbury. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Salisbury and Brockenhurst. This routeing point easement to apply in both directions.​

These are temporary easements which finish yesterday.

Added:​

​

701086 (Fare route) During engineering works on the weekends of the 06/07, 13/14 and 20/21 of May 2023. Tickets priced on (00171) VIA CHELTENHAM are valid on Rail Replacement Bus services between Birmingham New Street and Gloucester. For journeys to and beyond Gloucester, and to and beyond Birmingham New Street. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are no trains scheduled to Cheltenham on at least some of those dates. There are Gloucester-Birmingham and Gloucester-Worcester buses. Only the latter stop in Cheltenham on the way, so this easement permits "via Cheltenham" tickets to be used on them.

701087 (Circuitous Route) Journeys to Farringdon via London Bridge are not valid via London Charing Cross. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

While I suppose the reason is to do with instances where tickets to Farringdon being more attractive than ones to London Terminals, there are a few tickets to Farringdon which include a cross-London transfer, such as ones from Essex Road. Charing Cross doesn't seem an especially convenient place to start a transfer from for any of them, though.

701088 (Circuitous Route) Journeys to London Thameslink destinations are not valid via London Canon Street or London Charing Cross. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

This is similar, although the data doesn't list London Thameslink destinations. Instead it bans any journey via London Bridge, Blackfriars and either of Cannon Street or Charing Cross, meaning that someone with (say) a Luton-Gatwick season ticket wouldn't be offered an itinerary for that route.

 

[miklcct]

701088 (Circuitous Route) Journeys to London Thameslink destinations are not valid via London Canon Street or London Charing Cross. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.

I have a concern about this. For example, a West Hampstead Stations to London Thameslink ticket, routed Any Permitted, is ordinarily valid on the Underground between West Hampstead and Elephant & Castle on the Jubilee and Bakerloo. However the route passes through London Charing Cross. Does it mean the interavailability on this tube route is removed?

 

[MikeWh]

I have a concern about this. For example, a West Hampstead Stations to London Thameslink ticket, routed Any Permitted, is ordinarily valid on the Underground between West Hampstead and Elephant & Castle on the Jubilee and Bakerloo. However the route passes through London Charing Cross. Does it mean the interavailability on this tube route is removed?

This is one of the few cases where prefixing National Rail Terminals with 'London' actually helps. London Charing Cross is just the National Rail station, the Underground station is just Charing Cross. Having said that, I'm not aware of this inter-availability, but if it does exist, TfL won't be concerned about the National Rail routeing guide.

 

[P Binnersley]

I don't know if this is when it was actually created, but the data for the easement has a start date on it of 22 March 2011. Wolverhampton-London hasn't had a mapped route via Stafford since at least 2014. I don't know about before then.

The original routing guide (Sept 1997) had all West Coast routes on a single map (LM) so Wolverhampton-London via Stafford was permitted.

 

[CyrusWuff]

This is one of the few cases where prefixing National Rail Terminals with 'London' actually helps. London Charing Cross is just the National Rail station, the Underground station is just Charing Cross. Having said that, I'm not aware of this inter-availability, but if it does exist, TfL won't be concerned about the National Rail routeing guide.

Just checked, and the relevant interavailability is described as West Hampstead Thameslink OR Kentish Town and London Thameslink group stations (St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Elephant & Castle) and is given as being LU services via any reasonable route, but not intermediately and not for tickets routed 'THAMESLINK ONLY’, ‘LDN NOT UNDERGROUND’, 'VIA CITY THAMESLINK' or ‘NOT UNDERGROUND.'

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide on Friday.

Changes from 03 May 2023 (438) to 12 May 2023 (439).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701041 (Fare route) During engineering works on the 11/12 March 2023, the 07 to 10 April 2023, and between 30 April to 03 May 2023. That will close the route between Theale and Pewsey, tickets priced on routes (00494) AP NEWBURY and (00063) VIA NEWBURY, will be valid for travel via Melksham and Swindon , but not via Castle Cary, Salisbury or Bath Spa. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.​

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701055 (Fare route) Due to engineering works between 07 to 10 April 2023, and 30 April to 03 May 2023, tickets priced on (00136) VIA MELKSHAM will be valid via Bath Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

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701056 (Map) Due to engineering works, between 07 -10 April 2023, and between 30 April and 03 May 2023, for journeys from or via Westbury, this map easement will create permitted routes to Oxford and beyond via Swindon. It will operate in both directions.​

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701057 (Doubleback) Due to engineering works between 07 to 10 April and 30 April to 03 May 2023, customers travelling from or via Westbury to or via Oxford may doubleback between Didcot Parkway and Reading. This doubleback easement applies in both directions​

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701079 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes on 30th April 2023. This fare route easement will allow tickets priced on (00403) AP CARLISLE and (00452) AWC & CONNECTIONS to be valid on services via Bedford. It will apply in both directions.​

​

701081 (Fare route) During engineering works on 16 & 29 April, 1 & 7 May 2023, journeys routed (00635) VIA WOKING will be valid for travel via Guildford. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

These are all temporary easements for which the dates have passed.

Added:​

​

701089 (Map) During engineering closure of the Severn Tunnel on 14 May 2023 until 15.25 hrs. 28 May 2023 (all day) and 30 July 2023 to 14.25 hrs. This map easement will create temporary map permissions from Bristol to Newport via Gloucester. It will apply in both directions.​

Some trains are diverted via Gloucester on those dates. This easement adds Bristol Group, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Newport to the maps for any journeys which could make use of them, and for which this isn't normally valid.

The last diverted train is scheduled to leave Newport tomorrow at 14.33, so the easement is expected to be less useful after then.

701090 (Routeing Point) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on the 14 May (until 15.25 hrs.), 28 May (all day) and 30 July (until 14.25 hrs.) 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Routeing Point easement applies in both directions.​

All of the stations named in this easement are associated with, or part of, Bristol Group, so the benefit is only really for journeys like Caldicot-Taunton where travel via Gloucester wouldn't otherwise be permitted.

701091 (Fare route) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on 14 May (until 15.25 hrs.), 28 May (all day) and 30 July (to 14.25 hrs.) 2023. Customers travelling from Chepstow and Lydney with tickets priced on route (00843) VIA SEVERN TUNNEL JUNCTION, may travel via Gloucester. This Fare Route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701092 (Local) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on 14 May (until 15.25 hrs.), 28 May (all day) and 30 July (until 14.25 hrs.) 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Local easement applies in both directions.​

These both help someone with (say) a Chepstow-Bristol Temple Meads ticket avoid the buses.

None of these help with "via Bristol" tickets, so someone with a ticket between Abergavenny and Swindon doesn't have that option.

701093 (Map) From Monday 15 to the 19 May 2023 the 22.37; 23.11 from 22 May 2023 departure from London Marylebone to Banbury is valid via Oxford. This map easement applies in both directions.​

The data for the easement adds Banbury Group, Oxford and Princes Risborough to any mapped route which can make use of them, so long as you catch the 22:37 from London Marylebone. The text also mentions a 23:11, but there isn't one until next week, and the easement isn't valid then.

In addition, easement 700913 (which prevents journeys to Kings Sutton or Banbury via Haddenham & Thame Parkway and Oxford) has been changed so as not to apply between 22.30 and midnight. This would have otherwise prevented some of the things 701093 was intended for.

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The following was posted on 17 May.

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Some more changes were published in the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 12 May 2023 (439) to 17 May 2023 (440).​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Dundee (DEE) to Springburn (SPR) gain GA+SG​

This adds mapped routes:
via Stirling and Glasgow; and
other routes via Stirling which don't go through Camelon or Falkirk.

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701094 (Fare route) During the operation of rail replacement services between Banbury and Didcot Parkway from 29 July 2023 to 06 August 2023, and between Leamington Spa and Didcot Parkway from 30 July 2023 to 04 August 2023. These services will not stop at Oxford. To enable tickets priced on routes (00267) VIA BANBURY, (00302) BANBURY PRESTON, (00332) STAFFORD & OXFORD, (00405) AP OXFORD, (00468) AP DUMFRIES OXFORD, (00617) GUILDFORD OXFORD and (00825) VIA OXFORD to be valid on these services. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.​

This includes all of the ticket route codes which require travel via Banbury or Oxford.

701095 (Routeing Point) Customers from Rainham (Kent) to Wandsworth Common when travelling via London Victoria may travel via Clapham Junction, on tickets priced on (0000) ANY PERMITTED or (00130) NOT VALID ON HS1. This routeing point easement applies in both directions​

I'm not sure what the motive is for this, as nre.co.uk seems quite happy giving itineraries via London and Clapham Junction. I do notice that it doesn't apply to the (00331) NOT HS1 NOT UNDERGROUND season tickets which are available for the route, though.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

701089 (Map) During engineering closure of the Severn Tunnel on 14 May 2023 until 15.25 hrs. 28 May 2023 25 June (all day) and 30 July 2023 to 14.25 hrs. This map easement will create temporary map permissions from Bristol to Newport via Gloucester. It will apply in both directions.​

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701090 (Routeing Point) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on the 14 May (until 15.25 hrs.), 28 May 28 May 2023 25 June (all day) and 30 July (until 14.25 hrs.) 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Routeing Point easement applies in both directions.​

​

701091 (Fare route) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on 14 May (until 15.25 hrs.), 28 May 2023 25 June (all day) and 30 July (to 14.25 hrs.) 2023. Customers travelling from Chepstow and Lydney with tickets priced on route (00843) VIA SEVERN TUNNEL JUNCTION, may travel via Gloucester. This Fare Route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701092 (Local) The Severn Tunnel will be closed on 14 May (until 15.25 hrs.), 28 May 2023 25 June (all day) and 30 July (until 14.25 hrs.) 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Local easement applies in both directions.​

This changes one of the dates from 28 May to 25 June to match the engineering works.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 17 May 2023 (440) to 25 May 2023 (441).

Easement changes:

Added:

701096 (Fare route) During engineering between 03 June to 03 July 2023, customers travelling to Scarborough and Seamer from Thorne North, Thorne South, Doncaster, Conisbrough, Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Bentley (South Yorks), Adwick, Kiveton Bridge, Kiveton Park, Dronfield, Meadowhall, Chapeltown (Yorks), Rotherham Central, Swinton (South Yorks), Dore & Totley, Sheffield, Mexborough, Darnall, Woodhouse, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe and Bolton on Dearne, on tickets routed (00061) VIA HULL may travel via York. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are rail replacement buses between Goole and Hull then. This easement means that travellers between Scarborough and South Yorkshire or Derbyshire don't need to pay extra for an "any permitted" ticket to go the other way.

It doesn't affect Goole, Rawcliffe, Saltmarshe or Snaith. I don't know why.

In addition, the data for a few easements has changed, without changing the text.

Easement 700913 has been changed so it only applies between 0100 and 2230 each day. There's no indication in the text, which still reads:

700913 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling to Kings Sutton or Banbury from or via Oxford may not travel via Haddenham & Thame Parkway. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

Easements 701089, 701090, 701091 and 701092 (all for closures of the Severn Tunnel on three Sundays) have been changed so as not to apply before 1am on 30 July.

Route changes:

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

SWR +WIGHTLINK (00242) (218 records)
may go via London (2)
must go via Ryde Pier Head (RYP)
must not go via Southsea Hoverpt (SHV)
must use IL or SW
may not use AW, CC, CH, CS, EM, GC, GN, GR, GW, GX, HT, HX, LD, LE, LM, LO, ME, NT, SE, SN, SR, TL, TP, VT, XC or XR
must include ferry

SWR +HOVERTRAVEL (00183) (164 records)
may go via London (2)
must go via Southsea Hoverpt (SHV)
must not go via Ryde Pier Head (RYP)​

These are used for advance tickets to and from the Isle of Wight.

As I understand it, this change may mean that some tickets have stopped being allowed with a double back to London. I don't know if any actually have been.

 

[Watershed]

It doesn't affect Goole, Rawcliffe, Saltmarshe or Snaith. I don't know why.

Probably an oversight because next to nobody uses those stations - apart from Goole!

 

[CyrusWuff]

Easement 700913 has been changed so it only applies between 0100 and 2230 each day. There's no indication in the text, which still reads:

700913 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling to Kings Sutton or Banbury from or via Oxford may not travel via Haddenham & Thame Parkway. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

That's likely because Chiltern have one train a day that runs Marylebone - Oxford - Banbury, which some journey planners don't show tickets to Banbury as being valid on despite it being a direct train.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday (Wednesday).

Changes from 25 May 2023 (441) to 31 May 2023 (442).

Station Association changes:
Headbolt Lane (HBL) is now associated with Liverpool Group (G18).
Headbolt Lane (HBL) is now associated with Preston (PRE).
Headbolt Lane (HBL) is now associated with Wigan Group (G34).
Thanet Parkway (THP) is now associated with Ramsgate Group (G68).

Station group changes:
Ramsgate Group (G68) has gained Thanet Parkway (THP).​

These are steps towards being able to buy tickets to Headbolt Lane and Thanet Parkway. Headbolt Lane is associated with the same routeing points as Kirkby, the next station along.

Easement changes:

Added:
701097 (Local) Customers travelling from Blantyre to Uddingston may travel via Motherwell. This local easement applies in both directions​

The trains going east from Newton all take the line to Hamilton, meaning that there are no direct trains to Uddingston. Web sites calculate the shortest route as though there were, though.

This easement provides a way for them to give an itinerary for a Blantyre-Uddingston ticket. The shortest route (via Cambuslang) is unaffected.

701098 (Fare route) During engineering works on 01 and 02 July, customers travelling to or via London from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Ashchurch, Cheltenham and Gloucester, on tickets priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM. May travel via Birmingham. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701099 (Map) During engineering works on 01 and 02 July, customers travelling to or via London from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Ashchurch, Cheltenham and Gloucester, on tickets priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM. May travel via Birmingham (but not Oxford) . This map easement applies in both directions.​

These easements are somewhat mysterious. I know there is engineering work on that weekend south of Gloucester, and that part of the line through Evesham is closed on a few weeknights after it, but neither really explains the above.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):
701037 (Local) Customers travelling from Bellshill or Uddingston to Newton (Lanarkshire) may interchange at Cambuslang. This Local easement will apply in both directions.​

This easement now lets you use the shortest route between Bellshill and Newton, as it already did for Uddingston.

 

[kieron]

Some more easement changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 31 May 2023 (442) to 09 Jun 2023 (443).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

701100 (Fare route) On Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June 2023, rail replacement road services will operate between south Wales and Bristol Parkway. Customers with tickets priced on (00824) VIA NEWPORT will be able to use these services. this fare route easement applies in both directions.​

Both the Severn Tunnel and the line between Newport and Cardiff are closed this weekend. Buses are being provided between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff which don't stop in Newport, hence the need for this easement.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

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700742 (Local) To facilitate journeys to Pilning station on Saturdays from Bristol Temple Meads, this local easement will allow the journey to be valid via Severn Tunnel Junction. Until Saturday 30 September 2023 this easement will also permit travel via Newport (South Wales)​

Changing at Newport rather than Severn Tunnel Junction doesn't save time for this journey, but it is what nre.co.uk advises people to do. The easement is less useful at the moment as the line is closed this weekend and next, and Pilning trains are replaced by taxis to and from Bristol Parkway.

701037 (Local) Customers travelling from Bellshill or Uddingston to Newton (Lanarkshire), Blantyre, Hamilton west, Hamilton Central, Chatelherault, Merryton, Larkhall and from Uddingston to Airbles, may interchange at Cambuslang. This Local easement will apply in both directions.​

This permits travel via Cambuslang, which is the shortest route for some of the affected journeys, and not much further than it for some of the others, and is often faster than a change in Motherwell would be.

I think there may be a deficiency in the additional data provided for the easement, however, as nre.co.uk does not show (as an example) an Uddingston-Blantyre journey via Cambuslang as being permitted with a through ticket.

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The following was posted on 16th June 2023.

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Some changes were made to the routeing guide this week.

These were published on Wednesday.

Changes from 09 Jun 2023 (443) to 14 Jun 2023 (444).​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Hull (HUL) to Motherwell Group (G67) gain YG​

This adds permitted routes which go via Glasgow, Falkirk or Shotts without going via Doncaster or Carlisle.

Easement changes:

Added:​

​

701101 (Doubleback) Customers travelling from Bellshill or Uddingston to Newton (Lanarkshire), Blantyre, Hamilton West, Hamilton Central, Chatelherault, Merryton, Larkhall and from Uddingston to Airbles, may interchange at Cambuslang and travel through Newton (Lanark) twice. This Doubleback easement will apply in both directions.​

Most of the text of this easement is the same as easement 701037. nre.co.uk does not show an Uddingston-Blantyre ticket as being valid via Cambuslang, however.

701102 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 21 and 24 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway priced on (00807) VIA STROUD, (00808) READING STROUD INCLUDING LONDON, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00827) LONDON STROUD/EVESHAM, (00418) AP KEMBLE/SLOUGH and (00417 AP KEMBLE NOT LONDON will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys via Swindon. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

This is similar to 701104 below, except that it only applies for journeys from or to Worcestershire Parkway which go via Gloucester.

701103 (Local) During engineering works between the 21 and 24 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway priced on (00807) VIA STROUD, (00808) READING STROUD INCLUDING LONDON, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00827) LONDON STROUD/EVESHAM, (00418) AP KEMBLE/SLOUGH and (00417 AP KEMBLE NOT LONDON will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys to and beyond Swindon.. This Local easement applies in both directions​

This is a local easement which (according to the text) covers journeys from Worcestershire Parkway to or via Swindon. I don't fully understand what this is intended to do.

701104 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 21 and 24 August 2023, tickets priced on (00807) VIA STROUD, (00808) READING STROUD INCLUDING LONDON, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00827) LONDON STROUD/EVESHAM, (00418) AP KEMBLE/SLOUGH and (00417 AP KEMBLE NOT LONDON will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys via Swindon. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

The line through Kemble and Stroud is closed then, so this helps some travellers avoid the replacement buses. The data for the easement doesn't mention Yate, Cam & Dursley or Swindon, which could make it more useful for someone with (say) a Chippenham-Chepstow ticket.

701105 (Fare route) On Wednesday 16th August 2023 buses are replacing trains between Gloucester and Cam and Dursley, and also between Gloucester and Cheltenham. Tickets priced on (00821) VIA Gloucester will be valid via Cheltenham Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

The buses don't appear in the timetable yet, but this easement isn't needed for the trains. Any train which uses goes through the city of Gloucester is satisfies the requirements of the route code. There are plenty of tickets (Bristol-Leicester ones, for instance) which rely on this.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

701037 (Local) Customers travelling from Bellshill or Uddingston to Newton (Lanarkshire), Blantyre, Hamilton west, West, Hamilton Central, Chatelherault, Merryton, Larkhall and from Uddingston to Airbles, may interchange at Cambuslang. This Local easement will apply in both directions.​

This just fixes a typo.

These were published this afternoon.

Changes from 14 Jun 2023 (444) to 16 Jun 2023 (445).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701086 (Fare route) During engineering works on the weekends of the 06/07, 13/14 and 20/21 of May 2023. Tickets priced on (00171) VIA CHELTENHAM are valid on Rail Replacement Bus services between Birmingham New Street and Gloucester. For journeys to and beyond Gloucester, and to and beyond Birmingham New Street. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This was a temporary easement which only applied in May.

Added:​

​

701106 (Map) During engineering on Saturday 29 July 2023, and between 31 July and 06 August 2023, customers travelling to or via London from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Ashchurch, Cheltenham and Gloucester, on tickets priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM. May travel via Birmingham and Watford Junction. This map easement applies in both directions.​

No trains are going through Oxford then. This easement adds Gloucester-Bromsgrove-Birmingham New Street-London Euston (including via Northampton and Worcester, but not via Kidderminster) to any mapped route for a "via Evesham" or "London Evesham" ticket.

Easement 701098 (published on 31st May) removes the requirement to go via Evesham.

701107 (Fare route) During engineering work disruption between 29 July and 06 August 2023, customer with tickets to London priced on routes (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00805) VIA EVESHAM and (00433) AP EVESHAM will be valid via Stroud or Cam & Dursley and Swindon. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

This easement permits tickets with the listed routes to be used on routes via Swindon.

There isn't a map easement for this route, so there may be tickets for which you cannot obtain an itinerary via Cam & Dursley. I haven't tested it yet, but Bromsgrove-London may be an example.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

701098 (Fare route) During engineering works on 01 and 02 July, and between 29 July and 06 August 2023, customers travelling to or via London from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Ashchurch, Cheltenham and Gloucester, on tickets priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM. May travel via Birmingham. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This adds extra dates.

Station link changes:​

​

Ninian Park (NNP) to Pontyclun (PYC) has changed from 10.36 to 10.71.​

This link (which includes the Leckwith Loop) is used by some trains between Bridgend and Cardiff Central. Some of these call at both stations.

This change means that this route is just over 1 1/2 miles shorter than the route via Cardiff Central according to the data web sites use. The National Rail Timetable only lists the route via Cardiff Central.

 

[kieron]

Some more easements were added to the routeing guide yesterday, all for the same line closure.

Changes from 16 Jun 2023 (445) to 21 Jun 2023 (446).

Easement changes:

Added:
701108 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 29 July and 06 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00805) VIA EVESHAM and (00433) AP EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys via Swindon. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

This means that someone travelling from Worcestershire Parkway or Pershore via Swindon can go via Bristol Parkway rather than Evesham when the rail route through Oxford is closed.

That said, a Worcestershire Parkway-Swindon ticket (as in easement 701107) is normally valid via Bristol Parkway There are no tickets from or to Evesham with any of these route codes. And the only ones from Pershore are "via Evesham" tickets to Oxford Parkway, for which a diversion via Swindon may not be that useful.

701109 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 29 July and 06 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham New Street for journeys via Watford Junction. Or valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

This allows these tickets (but not advance ones) to be used via Birmingham if you're going from Worcestershire Parkway or Pershore to somewhere fairly close to London. The line through Banbury is closed over the same period, so the suggested Chiltern route still involves buses.

701110 (Local) During engineering works between the 29 July and 06 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00805) VIA EVESHAM and (00433) AP EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys via Swindon. This local easement applies in both directions​

I'm not sure what this does. The data says that it adds Cheltenham to the local part of routes from the above places which go via Cam & Dursley and Swindon. The Worcestershire Parkway is associated with the Cheltenham routeing point, and I don't know what this easement adds. Evesham and Pershore are not, but going there during the local route would involve doubling back through Ashchurch for Tewkesbury, which I think would need to be listed for the easement to allow it.

This does affect "any permitted" tickets, so affects a lot of tickets easement 701108 does not, whatever it does.

701111 (Local) During engineering works between the 29 July and 06 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham New Street for journeys via Watford Junction. Or valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. This local easement applies in both directions​

This is a "local" version of 701109. It affects Bromsgrove and Worcester Routeing Group for journeys from or to Evesham, Pershore or Worcestershire Parkway via Watford Junction or High Wycombe with one of the above routes (including "any permitted" but not "AP Evesham").

 

[Birmingham]

This seems like a lot of easements to say that 'journeys between Hereford-Evesham inclusive and London or beyond on tickets routed via Evesham can be used via Birmingham or [Bristol and] Swindon' (is my understanding of the effect of these easements correct?)

 

[kieron]

The following changes were published in the routeing guide on Wednesday. Sorry about the delay.

Changes from 21 Jun 2023 (446) to 28 Jun 2023 (447).

Permitted Route changes:

Doncaster (DON) to Portsmouth Group (G23) gain EC+SW+CW​

This journey now has mapped routes via London and Southampton which avoid Botley.

Leeds Group (G16) to Stansted Group (G66) gain EC+ST ER+ST SY+ST​

This journey now has mapped routes via London.

Easement changes:

Removed:

701069 (Routeing Point) The Severn Tunnel will be closed between 09 and 18 June 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Routeing Point easement applies in both directions.

701070 (Map) During engineering closure of the Severn Tunnel between 09 and 18 June, this map easement will create temporary map permissions from Bristol to Newport via Gloucester. Will apply in both directions.

701071 (Fare route) The Severn Tunnel will be closed between 09 and 18 June 2023. Customers travelling from Chepstow and Lydney with tickets priced on route (00843) VIA SEVERN TUNNEL JUNCTION, may travel via Gloucester. This Fare Route easement applies in both directions.

701072 (Local) The Severn Tunnel will be closed between 09 and 18 June 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Local easement applies in both directions.

701082 (Fare route) During engineering works on 8, 9, 15 & 16 April, 28 & 29 May 2023, journeys routed (00735) VIA STAINES will be valid for travel via Chertsey and Weybridge. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701100 (Fare route) On Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June 2023, rail replacement road services will operate between south Wales and Bristol Parkway. Customers with tickets priced on (00824) VIA NEWPORT will be able to use these services. this fare route easement applies in both directions.​

The dates for each of these has passed.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

Easement 000012 (SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY)
Journeys from Surbiton and stations west of Surbiton to Kingston upon Thames and stations north of Kingston Upon Thames, may double back between Wimbledon, Raynes Park and New Malden. This easement applies in both directions.
000144 000145 000146 000147: +ve double back easement (17/07/2003-)
contain NEM RAY WIM, go from KNG NBT & go via SUR WIM
contain NEM RAY WIM, go to KNG NBT & go via SUR WIM
contain NEM RAY, go from SUR, go to KNG NBT & go via WIM
contain NEM RAY, go from KNG NBT, go to SUR & go via WIM
000245: +ve double back easement (08/03/2004-)
contain NEM RAY WIM & go via KNG SUR WIM
030035 030036: +ve double back easement (14/06/2005-)
contain NEM RAY, go from SUR & go via KNG WIM
contain NEM RAY, go to SUR & go via KNG WIM

Stations:
Kingston (KNG)
Norbiton (NBT)
New Malden (NEM)
Raynes Park (RAY)
Surbiton (SUR)
Wimbledon (WIM)​

This change means that someone travelling (say) between Shepperton and Weybridge can go via Earlsfield.

Station link changes:

Mortimer (MOR) to Reading West (RDW) no longer has a distance of 6.15.​

This became redundant in January, when a route was added via Reading Green Park with the same distance.

 

[MikeWh]

This change means that someone travelling (say) between Shepperton and Weybridge can go via Earlsfield.

Do you mean Earlsfield, or Wimbledon? The text says Wimbledon.

 

[kieron]

Do you mean Earlsfield, or Wimbledon? The text says Wimbledon.

Earlsfield, although it applies equally to Haydons Road and Wimbledon Chase, and may also apply to stations beyond (such as Clapham Junction) if you catch a train which is non-stop between there and Wimbledon. The altered line means something along the lines of:

You can pass through New Malden, Raynes Park and Wimbledon twice if your journey passes through Kingston, Surbiton and Wimbledon.

It doesn't let you double back through Wimbledon if you have a ticket from or to Surbiton. I don't know why they've done it like this. The data isn't a perfect match for the text, but that's not all that unusual.

 

[infobleep]

Earlsfield, although it applies equally to Haydons Road and Wimbledon Chase, and may also apply to stations beyond (such as Clapham Junction) if you catch a train which is non-stop between there and Wimbledon. The altered line means something along the lines of:

You can pass through New Malden, Raynes Park and Wimbledon twice if your journey passes through Kingston, Surbiton and Wimbledon.

It doesn't let you double back through Wimbledon if you have a ticket from or to Surbiton. I don't know why they've done it like this. The data isn't a perfect match for the text, but that's not all that unusual.

So I take it this means passengers from Guildford to New Malden could now double back via Wimbledon? This being a faster route than changing at Surbiton.

 

[kieron]

They can with suitable tickets. If you have a Guildford-Norbiton ticket, easement 12 would let you go that way. If you have a travelcard between Guildford and zone 3, its standard terms of use would permit it.

I don't know of anything which would let you use a Guildford-New Malden single or return ticket as far as Wimbledon.

 

[FenMan]

They can with suitable tickets. If you have a Guildford-Norbiton ticket, easement 12 would let you go that way. If you have a travelcard between Guildford and zone 3, its standard terms of use would permit it.

I don't know of anything which would let you use a Guildford-New Malden single or return ticket as far as Wimbledon.

Putting on one side the technicalities of the Routeing Guide, my understanding is tickets from the west to Hampton etc have always been accepted if travelling via New Malden or Wimbledon (depending on stopping pattern).

Perhaps a local "rule" that hasn't been encoded? Much in the same way guards are fine with the complicated, and mainly unconnected, lines in the Farnborough-Aldershot conurbation. Can't get from Guildford to Blackwater but can get to Camberley (1.8 miles away)? No issue.

 

[infobleep]

They can with suitable tickets. If you have a Guildford-Norbiton ticket, easement 12 would let you go that way. If you have a travelcard between Guildford and zone 3, its standard terms of use would permit it.

I don't know of anything which would let you use a Guildford-New Malden single or return ticket as far as Wimbledon.

I understand now. So it is only for selected stations within that vicinity, as named in the easement.

 

[kieron]

An easement was added to the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 28 Jun 2023 (447) to 07 Jul 2023 (448).

Easement changes:

Added:

701112 (Fare route) Passengers travelling in either direction between Leeds or Newcastle and London with tickets on route 00076 (Via Peterborough) on 26th, 27th or 28th August 2023 may travel via Grantham and Bedford.​

There are no trains scheduled to or from Peterborough between 8pm on Saturday 26th and 8am on Monday 28th. Buses are being provided between Grantham and Corby, as well as between Peterborough and various nearby stations. LNER are not providing transport south of Corby.

This easement lets people going between London and Newcastle or Leeds use the diversion. Other journeys with "via Peterborough" tickets (London-Grantham, say) are unaffected.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 07 Jul 2023 (448) to 14 Jul 2023 (449).

Easement changes:

Removed:

600050 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling from Inverkeithing to Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy may not travel via Glenrothes. This easement applies in both directions.​

For most of these stations, a journey to Inverkeithing via Glenrothes with Thornton would only be valid if you used a through train.

Few trains go through Glenrothes in the current timetable except on Sundays, and the trains which complete the loop appear in the timetable as a separate service on either side of Glenrothes.

I don't know what this easement did when it was created, but this means that it doesn't do much now.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

Easement 701112 (LONDON NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY)
Passengers travelling in either direction between Leeds or Newcastle and London with tickets on route 00076 (Via Peterborough) on 26th, 27th or 28th August 2023 may travel via Grantham and Bedford.
+ve fare route easement (26/08/2023-28/08/2023)
contain BDM GRA, go from LDS NCL & go to KGX STP with route VIA PETERBOROUGH (00076)
contain BDM GRA, go from KGX STP & go to LDS NCL with route VIA PETERBOROUGH (00076)

Stations:
Bedford Midland (BDM)
Grantham (GRA)
London King's Cross (KGX)
Leeds (LDS)
Newcastle (NCL)
London St.Pancras (STP)​

There are a few ways to get to Kings Cross on those dates. None are especially quick, but someone could benefit.

I should say that the data for the easement means "Grantham or Bedford" rather than "and", so travel is permitted via Sheffield and Bedford on those dates. And anyone who has a different ticket in the area (Manors-London or Burley Park-London, say) can use any of these routes without needing an easement. The easement is just trying to work around the "via Peterborough" route code, and they don't use it.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide on Thursday. Sorry about the delay.

Changes from 14 Jul 2023 (449) to 20 Jul 2023 (450).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701113 (Fare route) During engineering works between 26 and 28 August 2023, when Rail replacement services will be in operation. Tickets priced on route (00430) LNER & CONNECTIONS will be valid via Grantham and Wellingborough but not Leicester. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

Advance tickets with the (00430) LNER & Connections route cannot normally be sold for a route via Wellingborough, so this lets them be used on LNER's Grantham-Corby buses along with other operators' services south of Corby.

701114 (Routeing Point) To facilitate journeys to Pilning station on Saturdays from Bristol Temple Meads, this routeing point easement will allow the journey to be valid via Newport (South Wales).​

I don't know how this easement affects things, and there are 6 other easements for Pilning, but nre.co.uk does show a Bristol Temple Meads-Pilning as being valid via Newport. The easement data also lists Filton Abbey Wood and Patchway, but a through ticket is not shown as being valid from those.

701115 (Map) During engineering work closures between 16 and 20 October 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester and Yeovil to the West Country, Bristol and beyond. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Southampton and Salisbury. This map easement to apply in both directions​

Easement 701115-7 are the same as 701075-7 were, but with different dates.

701115 adds the routeing points between Eastleigh, Exeter, Salisbury, Southampton, Westbury and Weymouth inclusive to maps, except for Taunton. It doesn't include Upwey and Dorchester West, but this doesn't appear to matter. The data for this easement also includes route (01000) . but doesn't include journeys from, to or via Fareham or Basingstoke.

701116 (Fare route) Due to engineering work closures between 16 and 20 October 2023, journeys to or via Yeovil on tickets routed on (00829) VIA YEOVIL will be able to travel via Brockenhurst. Tickets priced on route (00955) GWR ONLY will be able to travel via Yeovil Junction and Salisbury. These fare route easements will apply in both directions​

701116 means a "via Yeovil" ticket can be used by someone who avoids the north-south line through the town, and advance tickets may be available on more GWR services.

701117 (Routeing Point) During engineering work closures between 16 - 20 October 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester South from or via Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham (Dorset) and Tisbury. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Salisbury and Brockenhurst. This routeing point easement to apply in both directions.​

701117 makes Salisbury a valid routeing point for journeys via Brockenhurst so long as the route code is one of the ones listed in the easement text or is (01000).

701118 (Circuitous Route) Customer travelling with tickets priced on route (00208) NOT VALID ON UNDERGROUND are not permitted to travel from London Bridge, Elephant & Castle, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and London St Pancras Intl, to stations on the Brighton Mainline between East Croydon and Brighton via London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, London Victoria, London Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Cannon Street. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions​

This seems to be intended to prevent people from using "not Underground" tickets from London towards Brighton at London terminals Thameslink do not serve.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

700742 (Local) To facilitate journeys to Pilning station on Saturdays from Bristol Temple Meads, this local easement will allow the journey to be valid via Severn Tunnel Junction. Until Saturday 30 September 2023 this This easement will also permit travel via Newport (South Wales)​

The temporary part of this easement has now been mde permanent.

701109 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 29 July and 06 August 2023, tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM and (00805) VIA EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham New Street for journeys via Watford Junction. Or valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

This easement now covers the stations between Hereford and Worcester inclusive, as well as (as before) the ones west of Worcester until Evesham.

Easement 701110 (GWR)​

During engineering works between the 29 July and 06 August 2023, tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, Pershore and Evesham priced on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00805) VIA EVESHAM and (00433) AP EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Yate, Cam & Dursley and Bristol Parkway for journeys via Swindon. This local easement applies in both directions​

+ve local easement (29/07/2023-06/08/2023)​

contain CNM WOS, go from EVE PSH WOP & go via CDU SWI with route ANY PERMITTED (00000) AP EVESHAM (00433) LONDON EVESHAM (00799) VIA EVESHAM (00805) ​

contain CNM WOS, go to EVE PSH WOP & go via CDU SWI with route ANY PERMITTED (00000) AP EVESHAM (00433) LONDON EVESHAM (00799) VIA EVESHAM (00805) ​

​

Stations:​

Cam & Dursley (CDU)​

Cheltenham Spa (CNM)​

Evesham (EVE)​

Pershore (PSH)​

Swindon (SWI)​

Worcestershire Parkway (WOP)​

Worcester Shrub Hill (WOS)​

This adds Worcester Shrub Hill as an intermediate station. I'm not too sure what the purpose of this easement is, but I can currently book an Evesham-London Paddington ticket with an itinerary via Bristol Parkway on one of those dates, but not a London Paddington-Evesham one.

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)​

must go via City Thameslink (CTK) and or Surrey Quays (SQE)​

The data for this route code has now reverted to how it was before 20th February.

---

The following post was made on 29th July 2023.

---

Some more changes to the routeing guide were published yesterday.

Changes from 20 Jul 2023 (450) to 28 Jul 2023 (451).​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Runcorn (RUN) to Warrington Group (G31) gain CP+HV lose CV+CU​

This journey no longer has mapped routes via Crewe.
It now has mapped routes via Widnes.

This map route doesn't affect that many different tickets, as it happens. Tickets between Runcorn and Warrington all have either "via Liverpool" or "via Liverpool South Parkway" routes (which I think makes it irrelevant). There are "any permitted" tickets for various other journeys with associated stations, but the only tickets for which a fare check is required and also passes are tickets between Runcorn and stations between Flixton and Trafford Park inclusive. For these the new map combination permits travel on the shortest route.

Map changes:​

CV: Gain Runcorn to/from Warrington Group​

This link can be followed by going via Frodsham, and means that you can now book (say) a Carlisle-Liverpool ticket with a change there.

The addition appears in the the version of the map used to calculate itineraries, but not in the version in the routeing guide. This can only be a mistake.

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701119 (Routeing Point) Customers travelling from Bagshot to London Waterloo, London Victoria, London Bridge, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Vauxhall, on tickets priced on route (00000) ANY PERMITTED, may travel via Ash Vale. This routeing point easement overcomes NFM64 fares checking and operates in both directions​

This means that there are mapped routes in either direction from Bagshot for (say) a Bagshot-London ticket.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

700765 (Local) To allow journeys from Severn Beach, St Andrews Road, Avonmouth, Portway Park and Ride, Shirehampton, Sea Mills, Clifton Down, Redland, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Lawrence Hill, Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway to Pilning via Severn Tunnel Junction, this local easement will apply on Saturdays.​

This adds Portway Park & Ride to the easement. The easement permits a through ticket to be used on the shortest route from Portway Park & Ride to Pilning, and so on one of the two weekly trains to stop in Pilning.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 28 Jul 2023 (451) to 01 Aug 2023 (452).

Easement changes:

Added:

701120 (Doubleback) During engineering work route closures between the 17 and 22 September 2023, journeys to or via Taunton may doubleback between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. This temporary doubleback easement applies easement applies in both directions​

There are no trains between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Temple Meads on those dates, but some trains are being diverted between Taunton and Bristol via Westbury and Bath. This easement means that someone with (say) a Swindon-Taunton ticket may use one of them, or other trains which mean that you double back through Bath on the way to and from Bristol Temple Meads.

The data web sites use for the easement is a bit more limited. It lets you double back through Bath Spa as part of a suitable itinerary, but not Bristol Temple Meads, Keynsham or Oldfield Park. For the latter two, they will only invalidate an itinerary because of a double back there if you catch more than one train which stops in the station. Non-stop trains are ignored.

701121 (Map) During engineering work route closures between the 17 and 22 September 2023, journeys between the west country to or via Bristol Temple Meads can be routed via Westbury and Bath Spa. This map easement applies in both directions​

This adds Taunton, Castle Cary, Westbury Group, Bath Spa and Bristol Group to any map combination which could make use of them. This means that the diverted trains may be used on almost any route for which a Taunton-Bristol train is normally useful.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

Easement 701094 (CROSSCOUNTRY)
During the operation of rail replacement services between Banbury and Didcot Parkway from 29 July 2023 to 06 August 2023, and between Leamington Spa and Didcot Parkway from 30 July 2023 to 04 August 2023. These services will not stop at Oxford. To enable tickets priced on routes (00267) VIA BANBURY, (00302) BANBURY PRESTON, (00332) STAFFORD & OXFORD, (00405) AP OXFORD, (00468) AP DUMFRIES OXFORD, (00617) GUILDFORD OXFORD and (00825) VIA OXFORD to be valid on these services. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.
702872: +ve fare route easement valid on Mo Tu We Th Fr Su (30/07/2023-04/08/2023)
contain DID LMS & do not go from to or via MKC with route 00267 00302 00332 00405 00468 00617 or 00825
702871: +ve fare route easement (29/07/2023-06/08/2023)
contain BAN DID & do not go from to or via MKC with route 00332 00405 00468 00617 or 00825

Routes:

VIA BANBURY (00267)
BANBURY PRESTON (00302)
STAFFORD OXFORD (00332)
AP OXFORD (00405)
AP DUMFRIES OXFD (00468)
GUILDFORD OXFORD (00617)
VIA OXFORD (00825)

Stations:
Banbury (BAN)
Didcot Parkway (DID)
Leamington Spa (LMS)
Milton Keynes Central (MKC)​

This easement was intended to permit travel on rail replacement buses which don't stop in Oxford or Banbury. This change excludes journeys via Milton Keynes, some of which may not use those buses.

Route changes:

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

VIA BANBURY (00267) (3097 records)
must go via Banbury (BAN)
must not go via Milton Keynes Central (MKC), Richmond (RMD) or Wimbledon (WIM)​

This means that "via Banbury" tickets are no longer offered by web sites for journeys via Milton Keynes. This does not affect what is printed on the ticket.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Route changes:

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

VIA BANBURY (00267) (3097 records)​

must go via Banbury (BAN)​

must not go via Milton Keynes Central (MKC), Richmond (RMD) or Wimbledon (WIM)​

This means that "via Banbury" tickets are no longer offered by web sites for journeys via Milton Keynes. This does not affect what is printed on the ticket.

CrossCountry's rail replacement services are running Didcot Parkway - Leamington Spa, with various calling patterns, so quite where Milton Keynes comes into it I can't fathom given XC don't stop there! Unless journey planners were showing Chiltern's "via Banbury" tickets as being valid on Avanti services (which definitely don't go anywhere near Banbury) for some bizarre reason.

 

[Bletchleyite]

CrossCountry's rail replacement services are running Didcot Parkway - Leamington Spa, with various calling patterns, so quite where Milton Keynes comes into it I can't fathom given XC don't stop there! Unless journey planners were showing Chiltern's "via Banbury" tickets as being valid on Avanti services (which definitely don't go anywhere near Banbury) for some bizarre reason.

Could it be that Euston-MKC-Coventry-Leamington-Banbury-Brum is coming up quicker than using the RRB?

Or even <somewhere on SWR>-Waterloo-Euston and as above, hence Richmond and Wimbledon?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Could it be that Euston-MKC-Coventry-Leamington-Banbury-Brum is coming up quicker than using the RRB?

I'd hope not, given Leamington's North of Banbury, so you'd be getting an RRB from Coventry - Leamington, then one from Leamington - Banbury, only to get one back to Leamington again before getting a train to Birmingham.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd hope not, given Leamington's North of Banbury, so you'd be getting an RRB from Coventry - Leamington, then one from Leamington - Banbury, only to get one back to Leamington again before getting a train to Birmingham.

Fair point.

Only other thought is that it's pre-emptive to stop East West Rail coming up, but that's a way off!

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 01 Aug 2023 (452) to 04 Aug 2023 (453).​

​

Change to routeing points:​

None​

​

Station Association changes:​

None​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Bedford Midland (BDM) to Loughborough (LBO) gain EM lose MI MO​

Kettering (KET) to Loughborough (LBO) gain EM lose MI MO​

London Group (G01) to Loughborough (LBO) gain MI+EM lose MO​

Loughborough (LBO) to West Hampstead Thameslink (WHP) gain EM lose MI MO​

These journeys now have mapped routes which go via Leicester and Melton Mowbray.

Loughborough (LBO) to Melton Mowbray (MMO) gain MI MO lose EM​

This journey no longer has mapped routes via Corby.

I had thought these changes might stop Loughborough-West Hampstead Thameslink journeys which didn't have a geographic route from having a route via London (as they now involve a repeated map), but nre.co.uk gives an itinerary via London for an "EMR & Connections" Loughborough-Mill Hill Broadway journey.

---

The following post was made on 10th August 2023.

---

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 04 Aug 2023 (453) to 09 Aug 2023 (454).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

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701122 (Fare route) During engineering works on the weekends of the 7/8 and 21/22 October 2023. Customers travelling on tickets priced on (00831) VIA BATH may travel via Swindon or Westbury. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

The line between Bath and Bristol Temple Meads is closed on the above dates, with no trains calling at Keynsham or Oldfield Park.

According to the text, this easement lets you use a "via Bath" ticket in a similar way to a "via Swindon" or a "via Westbury" one. This means that you can go from Salisbury to Hereford via Basingstoke, Reading, Swindon and Newport (Salisbury-Swindon is valid via Reading on the LE+RB maps, and Swindon-Hereford via Newport on SB).

The version of the easement which web sites use is a bit different. It only lets you go via Swindon with a "via Bath" ticket if your journey with it avoids Newport, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Kemble, Didcot, Westbury and Yatton. You could go from Hereford to Salisbury avoiding these places if you went via London, but London is not on a permitted route between Hereford and Salisbury even with this easement.

There are some routes (such as Chippenham-Bristol) where travel via Swindon is permitted by both versions, but there are a lot of itineraries via Swindon with "via Bath" tickets which web sites will fail to validate.

The "web site" version of the easement has a different list of excluded stations for travel via Westbury, saying that you cannot go to, from or via Newport, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Swindon, Newbury, Warminster, Castle Cary or Taunton. Someone with a Warminster-Yatton ticket can go via Westbury with a "via Bath" ticket, but will only be offered a dearer "any permitted" ticket on-line.

701123 (Map) During engineering works on the weekends of the 7/8 and 21/22 October 2023. Customers travelling on tickets priced on (00831) VIA BATH may travel via Swindon or Westbury. This map easement applies in both directions.​

The data for this easement adds Bristol Group, Bath, Chippenham, Swindon and Westbury Group to any mapped "via Bath" ticket which doesn't go from, to or via Newport, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Didcot, Reading West, Salisbury, Yeovil Pen Mill or Exeter. Again, the text does not mention these exceptions.

 

[MrJeeves]

The version of the easement which web sites use is a bit different. It only lets you go via Swindon with a "via Bath" ticket if your journey with it avoids Newport, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Kemble, Didcot, Westbury and Yatton. You could go from Hereford to Salisbury avoiding these places if you went via London, but London is not on a permitted route between Hereford and Salisbury even with this easement.

I love the idea that people make these changes, wait for you to post your update, read their errors, then fix them.