merlodlliw
Established Member
put up with permission of http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm
Cambrian Closure causes Consternation
As reported here at the time, Network Rail closed the Cambrian Lines to passenger traffic for a week in late March, with very little notice given to the public, during the term time of the schools which depend on the route to bring their pupils. As can be imagined, this was not popular, as this Daily Post report from 7 March
Two schools are to get a cash payout from train operators after pupils were left stranded by a line closure. Arriva Trains Wales will pay Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech, and Ysgol Tywyn £1,000 each as an apology for closing the Cambrian Coast Railway line for a week during term time.
A replacement bus service was organised, but some children travelling from Barmouth to Harlech were left without transport when the bus failed to turn up. There had been complaints that there was very little publicity over the closure and schools had to make alternative arrangements as their pupils shared lessons at other schools and used the train for transport.
Ysgol Ardudwy headmaster Tudur Williams said pupils education for the week was affected by the closure of the railway and he asked the rail authorities to keep to their agreement that work on the railway would be done outside school times.
Edward de Silva, head of the new ERTMS new signalling project on the Cambrian Line said there was no alternative to closing the line because extending the contract past the end of March would be very costly and Arriva Trains Wales had to comply with rail inspectors guidance.
Ben Davies, for Arriva Trains Wales said that his company had done their best to give prior publicity to the rail closure. 'We did contact the schools, Harlech and Tywyn were the schools affected most and as a gesture we are willing to contribute £1,000 to any schemes at both Tywyn and Harlech as a gesture,' said Mr Davies. He apologised for the bus not turning up in Barmouth and said: 'During that week we had to arrange 270 replacement buses along the whole of the Cambrian line.The bus company that failed to turn up to collect Barmouth school children had their contract withdrawn immediately. Thats how seriously we took the matter.'
Both Mr de Silva and Mr Davies said that the new multi million pound ERTMS signalling on the Cambrian line was now the most advanced signalling service in Europe.
ERTMS has, of course been in use for some time on some lines elsewhere in Europe, including high-speed routes.The original target for completion of this first British scheme was March 2009. Is the the 'contract' referred to is the maintenance contract for the old system? Apparently the next line to be converted may the the electrified 'Hertford Loop', part of the London Kings Cross suburban system.
Cambrian Closure causes Consternation
As reported here at the time, Network Rail closed the Cambrian Lines to passenger traffic for a week in late March, with very little notice given to the public, during the term time of the schools which depend on the route to bring their pupils. As can be imagined, this was not popular, as this Daily Post report from 7 March
Two schools are to get a cash payout from train operators after pupils were left stranded by a line closure. Arriva Trains Wales will pay Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech, and Ysgol Tywyn £1,000 each as an apology for closing the Cambrian Coast Railway line for a week during term time.
A replacement bus service was organised, but some children travelling from Barmouth to Harlech were left without transport when the bus failed to turn up. There had been complaints that there was very little publicity over the closure and schools had to make alternative arrangements as their pupils shared lessons at other schools and used the train for transport.
Ysgol Ardudwy headmaster Tudur Williams said pupils education for the week was affected by the closure of the railway and he asked the rail authorities to keep to their agreement that work on the railway would be done outside school times.
Edward de Silva, head of the new ERTMS new signalling project on the Cambrian Line said there was no alternative to closing the line because extending the contract past the end of March would be very costly and Arriva Trains Wales had to comply with rail inspectors guidance.
Ben Davies, for Arriva Trains Wales said that his company had done their best to give prior publicity to the rail closure. 'We did contact the schools, Harlech and Tywyn were the schools affected most and as a gesture we are willing to contribute £1,000 to any schemes at both Tywyn and Harlech as a gesture,' said Mr Davies. He apologised for the bus not turning up in Barmouth and said: 'During that week we had to arrange 270 replacement buses along the whole of the Cambrian line.The bus company that failed to turn up to collect Barmouth school children had their contract withdrawn immediately. Thats how seriously we took the matter.'
Both Mr de Silva and Mr Davies said that the new multi million pound ERTMS signalling on the Cambrian line was now the most advanced signalling service in Europe.
ERTMS has, of course been in use for some time on some lines elsewhere in Europe, including high-speed routes.The original target for completion of this first British scheme was March 2009. Is the the 'contract' referred to is the maintenance contract for the old system? Apparently the next line to be converted may the the electrified 'Hertford Loop', part of the London Kings Cross suburban system.
