Breaking journey outward at Birmingham New Street

[Phil from Mon]

I have a meeting in Birmingham next month on the same day as I have to travel Bangor to Cambridge. An anytime return is valid via Birmingham and, given that I usually go through the barriers and back in at NS rather than using staircase B or whatever it is, is there anything to stop me popping out for a couple of hours on the outward sector of the journey? I suppose the same would apply on journeys via London or Glasgow as well.

 

[yorkie]

Break of journey is allowed unless it is made clear that it isn't.

Anytime fares are advertised as always allowing break of journey.

 

[miami]

I would advise avoiding barriers, just in case it eats your ticket.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would advise avoiding barriers, just in case it eats your ticket.

Barriers will generally not eat your ticket if the destination on it is not the station you are at. More likely it will reject, but I think New St barriers are just programmed to accept any in-date ticket, because it's just too complicated otherwise given what kind of journeys cross it.

 

[miami]

It's the "generally" part that I'm always concerned about. I think New Street actually also has signs on the barriers - at least the navigation street ones - saying "don't put your ticket in here unless you want to lose it" (or words to that effect)

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's the "generally" part that I'm always concerned about.

I had my season ticket eaten *once* and staff returned it. Don't think it ever happened otherwise.

I think New Street actually also has signs on the barriers - at least the navigation street ones - saying "don't put your ticket in here unless you want to lose it" (or words to that effect)

Not seen the sign, but it's more of an undertone of "if you want to claim Delay Repay or for your expenses", not that the barriers will eat tickets valid for onward travel.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I had my season ticket eaten *once* and staff returned it. Don't think it ever happened otherwise.

That's happened to me also, and the barrier staff insisted on seeing the accompanying photocard before returning the eaten ticket, which was fair enough, I suppose.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's happened to me also, and the barrier staff insisted on seeing the accompanying photocard before returning the eaten ticket, which was fair enough, I suppose.

Doesn't seem unreasonable given that if you had the season but not the photocard there was a fair chance it was stolen, and it would certainly have been invalid.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The off peak not via London is valid via New St also- depends when you travel.

New St always has interchange passengers ending up going through the barriers even though you don't have to - just wave it at the barrier staff you'll have no problem.

Bangor to BHM Off Peak (valid any train despite name) £70.00 and BHM to Cambridge Off Peak £59.30 would be cheaper than the Anytime Return £186.30. As long as your not leaving Cambridge before 0930.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

If you plan to travel via London (may be faster, certainly roomier), buy an Off Peak Return Bangor-Chester £28.80, and another Chester-Cambridge via London £104.50.
The Chester-Cambridge is valid for break of journey at Birmingham (C2).
The equivalent Bangor-London-Cambridge isn't (VK).
Use the 0802 or later from Bangor, 0935 from Chester.
No return from Euston 1500-1845.
You can avoid the (desperately) slow return via Birmingham this way.

 

[Phil from Mon]

Thanks for these guys. Work are paying, so small cost differences are not a worry, even more so with a railcard. Unfortunately I need to be in Brum by about 1030, so an 0802 departure from Bangor is not an option, but the 0722 gives an unofficial connection at Crewe. The best bet looks to be Bangor to Birmingham OP return, and Birmingham to Cambridge similar as suggested by Gareth. I'll probably go for the via London option just to give more flexibility in case of delays or cancellations. Thanks again.