No weekend trains Southampton to Bournemouth until 2nd November...

[Dougal2345]

Just planning my Saturday day out, and rather dismayed to find that engineering work in the Southampton area results in closures there for the next four weekends - and even the week after that they're closing Redbridge...

Curious as to what's being done that requires so many closures...?

And I can't help thinking it might have been better if they'd just closed the line for a week and done the whole thing in one go and got it over with - aren't we told weekend trains are as busy as weekdays by now?

As it stands there'll be no weekend trains between Southampton and Bournemouth now until 2nd November...

SWR Engineering Work page (I won't paste quotes as it would get rather repetitive)

 

[swt_passenger]

Just planning my Saturday day out, and rather dismayed to find that engineering work in the Southampton area results in closures there for the next four weekends - and even the week after that they're closing Redbridge...

Curious as to what's being done that requires so many closures...?

And I can't help thinking it might have been better if they'd just closed the line for a week and done the whole thing in one go and got it over with - aren't we told weekend trains are as busy as weekdays by now?

As it stands there'll be no weekend trains between Southampton and Bournemouth now until 2nd November...

SWR Engineering Work page (I won't paste quotes as it would get rather repetitive)

Routine planned maintenance, happens almost every year, and almost every year someone posts a new thread about it.

 

[thw6]

Routine planned maintenance, happens almost every year, and almost every year someone posts a new thread about it.

It’s a disgrace and incompetence that works need to be done 4 weekends in a row completely unacceptable. These works should be done overnights and or spread out even if it’s 1 week on one week off!

 

[TSG]

It’s a disgrace and incompetence that works need to be done 4 weekends in a row completely unacceptable. These works should be done overnights and or spread out even if it’s 1 week on one week off!

Very incompetent. How foolish of them to reduce cost by optimising staff, plant and material utilisation, and shortening project duration. Disgraceful penny pinching with taxpayers money

 

[thw6]

Very incompetent. How foolish of them to reduce cost by optimising staff, plant and material utilisation, and shortening project duration. Disgraceful penny pinching with taxpayers money

Using up whole weekend for a month including half term is unacceptable. Not everyone can access a replacement bus service!

 

[deltic]

Given Saturdays are busier than Mondays a Sunday to Monday blockade maybe better.

 

[Harpo]

It’s a disgrace and incompetence that works need to be done 4 weekends in a row completely unacceptable. These works should be done overnights and or spread out even if it’s 1 week on one week off!

Disgrace and incompetence? So from your skill and experience in being able to judge this, just how many weeknights should it need to do the job, setting up every night, work, tearing down and re-opening? And in the notional 7 or so hours of nightime closures you propose, again from your experience, how much time on tools do you expect to achieve? And over how many nights?

 

[Snow1964]

Perhaps an another question is why such a long section, there is (unless removed recently) reversible loop at Brockenhurst, and just west of Totton (start of Fawley branch). And additional moves are available to empty trains using ground position signals and crossovers.

From memory the Ealing wharf branch has been closed since resignalling in the area, so presumably trains could run Bournemouth - Ashurst New Forest and then empty to that crossover too. Ashurst New Forest has good A road connections to Southampton unlike some smaller stations further west.

There used to be an electrified trailing crossover the other side of road bridge at New Milton for use during engineering work (at eastern end of Bournemouth Christchurch Poole conurbation) so local trains could serve this section when works were going ahead. This was removed to save money as only ever used during engineering works.

There is also works in Dorchester -Weymouth area Sunday 22 - Sunday 29 Sept so can't use that as a diversion either. This one a bit further down the line is being done as a weeks blockade.

So the debate about weeks blockade must depend on some undisclosed rule if it is ok on one section, but instead not done, and 5 weekends used instead a few miles nearer London. I would guess it must be based on some commuting / leisure ticket sales ratio. Anyone know how it is decided.

Wessex | Great Western Railway

Network Rail will be carrying out essential maintenance of the railway this autumn to help support the introduction of new train services from December.

www.gwr.com

 

[Flange Squeal]

It’s a disgrace and incompetence that works need to be done 4 weekends in a row completely unacceptable. These works should be done overnights and or spread out even if it’s 1 week on one week off!

Are you able to share with us the type of work that is being undertaken then, as to why this is incompetence? Given how much of the network is often shown on maps such as Open Train Times as being under possession overnight, it doesn’t appear to be the case that nothing is done overnight?

In the case of Southampton, I’d also imagine the amount of work you can actually fit into the 0113-0449 gap between passenger trains would be somewhat limiting, and that’s excluding the many freights that are scheduled to run between those hours.

 

[thw6]

Are you able to share with us the type of work that is being undertaken then, as to why this is incompetence? Given how much of the network is often shown on maps such as Open Train Times as being under possession overnight, it doesn’t appear to be the case that nothing is done overnight?

In the case of Southampton, I’d also imagine the amount of work you can actually fit into the 0113-0449 gap between passenger trains would be somewhat limiting, and that’s excluding the many freights that are scheduled to run between those hours.

Cancel the freight trains plus just cancel some early and very late trains so we have some kind of service!

 

[Dougal2345]

(just looking at the rail replacement buses on Live Departure Boards from Sway the morning - 09.30 to Poole, 10.25 to Soton Apt, 10.30 to Poole all cancelled. Joy!)

 

[Lockwood]

Why can't they just build a perfect railway that never needs maintenance!!!1111!!1

/s

 

[Snow1964]

(just looking at the rail replacement buses on Live Departure Boards from Sway the morning - 09.30 to Poole, 10.25 to Soton Apt, 10.30 to Poole all cancelled. Joy!)

So the idea of running rail replacement buses is a fantasy, maybe they should have single train shuttle on one track as a replacement for the non existent buses.

Realistically, they should make sure buses are available before agreeing to shut both running lines, rather than treating buses as a maybe add on

 

[800001]

Using up whole weekend for a month including half term is unacceptable. Not everyone can access a replacement bus service!

Can’t access an accessible replacement bus? That has a lift to get people on board including wheelchairs?

Cancel the freight trains plus just cancel some early and very late trains so we have some kind of service!

Yes let’s cancel the freights that are most likely carrying important goods ……..if only it were that easy!

(just looking at the rail replacement buses on Live Departure Boards from Sway the morning - 09.30 to Poole, 10.25 to Soton Apt, 10.30 to Poole all cancelled. Joy!)

Bus driver gone sick? Bus broken? Any number of reasons! I’m sure if you turn up and press help point a taxi will be sorted!

Search for Poole or Bournemouth and you will see many many busses actually running.

Things happen, things go wrong, it’s how it is then dealt with on the day!

 

[Dr Hoo]

Cancel the freight trains plus just cancel some early and very late trains so we have some kind of service!

These are the freight trains that are running at record levels of volume and market share in modern times after spending hundreds of millions on gauge clearance, loop lengthening and other remodelling in recent years.
Could you advise how many lorries and drivers (all the way to Manchester, Scotland, etc. rather than Bournemouth) this would need?

 

[swt_passenger]

When sections of route between Southampton Central and Bournemouth are blocked for work they usually run the fast replacement buses from Parkway to Bournemouth because that’s a much faster way than going through central Southampton, (and the airport station has far more room for buses to queue), but it doesn’t always mean the railway is closed for the full distance. As an example if they closed Redbridge to Brockenhurst the RRB route for through passengers might still be Parkway to Bournemouth, which exaggerates the real closure.

 

[thw6]

Can’t access an accessible replacement bus? That has a lift to get people on board including wheelchairs?


Yes let’s cancel the freights that are most likely carrying important goods ……..if only it were that easy!


Bus driver gone sick? Bus broken? Any number of reasons! I’m sure if you turn up and press help point a taxi will be sorted!

Search for Poole or Bournemouth and you will see many many busses actually running.

Things happen, things go wrong, it’s how it is then dealt with on the day!

Accessible buses with lifts rarely seem to be on offer though! South west railway advised they were struggling to source one!

 

[800001]

Accessible buses with lifts rarely seem to be on offer though! South west railway advised they were struggling to source one!

I thought it was a mandatory legal requirement to have such accessible coaches available?

And if but then suitable alternatives should be ready such as accessible taxi, mini bus etc?

 

[thw6]

I thought it was a mandatory legal requirement to have such accessible coaches available?

And if but then suitable alternatives should be ready such as accessible taxi, mini bus etc?

It’s more that they don’t understand that kids need to travel together! I could be my wife’s companion but a 10 and 11 year old are expected to make their own way

So the idea of running rail replacement buses is a fantasy, maybe they should have single train shuttle on one track as a replacement for the non existent buses.

Realistically, they should make sure buses are available before agreeing to shut both running lines, rather than treating buses as a maybe add on

Update only standard coaches have been booked which is unacceptable! Another solution would have been close one of the lines so even if it was single track for some of it

 

[zwk500]

Another solution would have been close one of the lines so even if it was single track for some of it

Working on a line adjacent to a live line is not permitted any more, unless there is a physical barrier between the tracks.

 

[Dougal2345]

Decided for my 'Saturday out' I wouldn't go too far, rattling along in coaches and buses isn't really my cup of tea, so headed out from Sway to Totton, then Southampton, then back home.

The RRBs from Sway at 09:25 and 10:25 were cancelled, so went for the 11:25 'stopper' to Southampton Airport, intending to get out at Totton.

It was about 15 minutes late. At Brockenhurst they decided to run it fast to Southampton, so put me in a taxi to Totton. Cost of that to railway (whichever dept. pays) - over £30 (my rail ticket was £7.30). Got to Totton maybe 15 minutes after the scheduled 12:00.

Decided to catch the 13:00 RRB from Totton on to Southampton. Waited from 12:55 to about 13:25 - nothing turned up. The 14:00 and 15:00 were both already showing as cancelled.

Thought about trying to get a taxi via the Help Point but couldn't be bothered in the end - so paid £2 for a Blue Star into Southampton.

Then to get back to Sway from Southampton, after 16:00. The next 'stopper' was (I think) 16:42, but that was cancelled, so got a 16:13 bus to Brockenhurst. After some hanging around there, I was popped into a taxi with 5 other people, heading to Sway then on to Christchurch and Bournemouth for the others.

So all a bit chaotic.

One thing worth mentioning - on both Sway and Totton stations, the departure boards were showing the SWR logo, and no other information, and on both there were people waiting for trains. Naturally I let them wait! (no I didn't reader, I told them). The lady at Sway had checked her journey on the Trainline but hadn't noticed it was a bus.

Looking at Sway departures to Southampton as I write - 20.25 and 21.25 cancelled, 22.25 and 23.25 running (apparently), 00.25 cancelled.

As always on a RRB day, no tickets were checked anywhere so I might as well not have bothered buying one.

I only saw three 'worksites' during the day. The level crossing at Brockenhurst was being resurfaced or something. Some work being done to the platform canopy on P2 at Southampton Central, and a gang of workers in orange having a sit down at the end of the platform at Millbrook. (That's not being dismissive of the need or scale of work, just thought it might be of interest).

No doubt more similar fun next week! If I offer to stay at home if SWR give me the £40 or more they might have to spend getting me taxis, maybe they'd jump at the chance

-------------update on Sunday--------------
A situation below that will come as a surprise to no-one, ever:

Reduced South Western Railway rail replacement bus service between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth expected until the end of the day

Last updated: 29 Sep 2024 at 11:42
Train operators affected: South Western Railway
Route(s) affected: between Eastleigh and Bournemouth / Poole, and also between Southampton Airport Parkway and Poole

Description

A shortage of rail replacement services between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth means that a reduced rail replacement bus service will be in operation between these stations.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day

What South Western Railway are doing about it

South Western Railway have been informed of a shortage of rail replacement services between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth.

Owing to planned Network Rail engineering works, rail replacement bus services are in operation between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth. However, there are severe shortages today due to a shortage of vehicles caused by vandalism and a shortage of bus drivers.

Due to the level of disruption to your journey, passengers are now able to source their own taxis and claim them back through the South Western Railway website between Southampton Airport Parkway and Bournemouth. You will need to provide the following details to make a claim:

• Your full contact details
• The time and date of your journey
• The stations you travelled to and from
• A detailed description of the series of events that took place
• Copies of your train ticket/s and taxi receipt

For further information or onward travel advice please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.

Further Information

If you would prefer to use local buses to continue your journey please check Traveline - South Western Railway tickets are not valid on local buses unless stated above.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.

So now we have Bus Replacement Taxis to replace Rail Replacement Buses which were replacing actual trains.

 

[Snow1964]

So now we have Bus Replacement Taxis to replace Rail Replacement Buses which were replacing actual trains.

and there is not a lot of taxis in New Forest, probably having to drag them in from elsewhere

 

[Dougal2345]

Things a little better bus-wise this weekend, with only a few cancellations on the all-stations stoppers. On Saturday my outward Sway-Southampton Central journey 12:18-13:05 ran from something like 12:35-13:30. Coming home, the 19:41 bus didn't turn up so it was Bus Replacement Taxis for the 12 or so people at Southampton Central.

One notable thing was that the bus to Southampton stopped in Totton at the Commercial Road "Totton Station" stop, but the 'official' RRB stop for buses to Southampton is at the High Street-Station Road South junction - which was where I waited last weekend, when the bus didn't turn up