Recent content by SwindonBert

I feel a letter to my MP coming up about this topic to clarify some of these issues

It takes something to be suspended as a councillor for the party you're elected for before you formally take up being a councillor (that's tomorrow)

I've always found the GWR staff to be very helpful & only sell what I need / ask for (although, far from uniquely on this site I'm probably more aware than the usual customer of what's possible) They have had a new system installed a few weeks ago the training was about a day & if the OP had an...

It's complicated. Until 1900 Swindon was 2 towns, Old Swindon, which was the historic centre at the top of the hill and New Swindon was at the bottom of the hill which was built due to and around the railway work. That ignores other villages & parishes that have subsequently absorbed into urban...

Is there any realistic chance of electrification of the line between Chippenham & Bristol? Lots of preparation work was done, but, it got cut. This includes most of the work at Bath Spa, but, what chance of having wires through this area? Until then there's no realistic chance of EMUs on the...

There are a few seats where, former industrial areas, where Labour are stronger (e.g. Stroud), but agree that most of the area the LDs will be much stronger, including in west Wiltshire where @Snow1964 is from. It would be political suicide for Labour to concentrate on these areas & not gain...

Couple of points, probably want to look at changing at Bristol Parkway rather than Temple Meads, it's usually quicker and on the same platform. If you're looking to get a taxi at Kemble, I would strongly advise to pre book it

Coombe Junction Halt must be in contention to be closed as trains on the Looe line don't have to go that far when reversing.

I'd join the 2 parts of the Cotswolds Discoverer up, in the East you can go from Yate to Ashchurch then south to Swindon. In the West, from Moreton in Marsh to Oxford, but can't use it from Swindon to Oxford. I'd understand it would need to be via Didcot not Reading, but could join it up

If this does happen, please can I chair the planning enquiry. I've no experience in doing this, but have about 10 - 12 years until I retire & this will be a job which will not report before then, so can sit and listen to everyone who is affected and then hand over the report writing to someone...

The Swindon stop is (usually) just outside the main entrance, it will be a coach along the M4, so, most of the journey you'll be making good time. When they've run busses before arriving early is not unusual If it's on time & not platform 2, unless you have mobility issues 5 mins should be no...

Swindon (Junction)

At least the electors of Swindon had the sense to reject him twice, in what was (at the time) meant to be the safest Tory ward. His past could come back to haunt him if he became leader

It's odd they announce change at Temple Meads for Swindon when it's (nearly) always quicker & easier to change at Parkway

In Swindon both the pubs opposite the station (GW & Queens Tap) have outside seated areas but neither are large, so could get full quickly. There's no town centre pub with a decent sized garden close to the station