BBC Documentary 'The Railways'

[telstarbox]

And let's not forget that Virgin needs to keep the BBC sweet given how many members of staff are using the trains every day from London to Media City.

I can assure you that the vast majority of the BBC workforce at MediaCityUK live in Greater Manchester and don't travel up from London.

 

[6Gman]

Also, am I the only who finds Beardie's smile somewhat unnerving?

No.


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The long-haired bloke working at the information point (I think his name was Tom) had just the right level of snark for a small crush to form. Why people just can't say "thank you" indeed, oh and the woman who was agape at a 20 minute wait for a train.

She was from Wilmslow. Says it all!

 

[jon0844]

I can assure you that the vast majority of the BBC workforce at MediaCityUK live in Greater Manchester and don't travel up from London.

Many have moved (I believe the BBC helps financially) including an ex colleague who is now living there.

However for some time a lot of people were travelling a long way, and some people have refused to move.

 

[Clip]

Many have moved (I believe the BBC helps financially) including an ex colleague who is now living there.

However for some time a lot of people were travelling a long way, and some people have refused to move.

Indeed. Susannah Reed does it every day that she is on BBC Breakfast.

 

[ryan125hst]

Indeed. Susannah Reed does it every day that she is on BBC Breakfast.

How? The first train from London doesn't get in to Manchester Piccadilly until 08:28.

 

[Clip]

How? The first train from London doesn't get in to Manchester Piccadilly until 08:28.

She gets up there the night before, then travels back down as soon as the show has finished to spend time with family and then sleeps and travels back that same night.

 

[Starmill]

She gets up there the night before, then travels back down as soon as the show has finished to spend time with family and then sleeps and travels back that same night.

Seriously?

I don't believe this...

 

[YorkshireBear]

She gets up there the night before, then travels back down as soon as the show has finished to spend time with family and then sleeps and travels back that same night.

That is keen.

 

[ryan125hst]

She gets up there the night before, then travels back down as soon as the show has finished to spend time with family and then sleeps and travels back that same night.

Really? That must take some doing. She must be shattered by the end of the week!
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It's over four hours per day on a train (nearer four and a half), not to mention the fact that she has to sleep during the day. I wonder why she doesn't live up in Manchester in a flat and come home to her family on a Friday afternoon, returning on Sunday evening?

 

[Clip]

Really? That must take some doing. She must be shattered by the end of the week!
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It's over four hours per day on a train (nearer four and a half), not to mention the fact that she has to sleep during the day. I wonder why she doesn't live up in Manchester in a flat and come home to her family on a Friday afternoon, returning on Sunday evening?

She only does 3 days a week though - Mon - Wed.

Your more shocked at the journey yet I'm more shocked at how much I know about her

4 hours on a train is nothing really - I done it for 2 years.

 

[IanD]

She gets up there the night before, then travels back down as soon as the show has finished to spend time with family and then sleeps and travels back that same night.

Wonder if this comes out of her own pocket? If not it's another staggering waste of public funds by the BBC.

 

[Starmill]

Good Lord it would appear we are easily sidetracked aren't we?

 

[IanD]

Good Lord it would appear we are easily sidetracked aren't we?

Very easily. Have you not read any other threads?

 

[Clip]

Wonder if this comes out of her own pocket? If not it's another staggering waste of public funds by the BBC.

Her choice not to move to Manchester but I am unsure of who pays the ticket. Of course they may buy her some lovely cheap advances for the journies but im not that fussed. She brightens up my morning so Im happy for the beeb to pay for it

 

[IanD]

Her choice not to move to Manchester but I am unsure of who pays the ticket. Of course they may buy her some lovely cheap advances for the journies but im not that fussed. She brightens up my morning so Im happy for the beeb to pay for it

Certainly better tha Sian Williams who refused to move but I'm sure they could manage without her.

 

[Searle]

She only does 3 days a week though - Mon - Wed.

Your more shocked at the journey yet I'm more shocked at how much I know about her

4 hours on a train is nothing really - I done it for 2 years.

Can confirm this is true, I remember reading about it when BBC breakfast moved up north. Couple of DM articles (as a part of their BBC bashing traditions) hint at it being at least subsidised:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...g-guests-London-Manchester-Salford-years.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255171/BBC-Salford-Staff-paid-90-000-relocate-north.html

Certainly better tha Sian Williams who refused to move but I'm sure they could manage without her.

I liked Sian, she worked better with Bill than Susanna does, although I don't watch it any more

 

[Clip]

Sian was alright but she isnt a Sussanah. Its just a shame Carol stayed in London and is now on video link.

 

[Starmill]

hahah, well so be it then!

I'm not overly fond of either of them. There wouldn't be much point in my putting the TV on in the morning anyway as I wouldn't have time to watch it - and I much prefer the noise of a 323/M5000 in my ears to start my day than the news!

Worryingly, the number of people who prefer Mail Online to either seems to be rising.

 

[rebmcr]

Last ones from Euston to Liverpool on Saturdays are around 8pm, last years FA Cup final was 5:15pm kick off game would have finished about 7:20pm just enough time for those who left quickly to get back to Euston. Some might just have forgotten the line was off.

21:07 actually, loads of time.

 

[jon0844]

Good Lord it would appear we are easily sidetracked aren't we?

I wonder if she travels on Christmas Day? Oh wait, she can't because there are no trains..










SORRY!!

 

[Jammer]

The BBC do not pay for Sian Williams ticket to go to and from London/MediaCity. That is her own (and some others) choice.

I believe some presenters who are not actually 'staff' may have their travel costs paid to goto Manchester for filming, such as Gary Lineker whose contract was signed before the move.

Only staff whose jobs were directly affected by the move were given a 'sweetener' to work at MediaCity or take redundancy.

Don't believe everything you read.

 

[Clip]

The BBC do not pay for Sian Williams ticket to go to and from London/MediaCity. That is her own (and some others) choice.
.

Thats because Sian Williams doesnt work in Manchester.

 

[Ferret]

Been nattering to an East Coast employee this morning who tells me that (from episode one), the cleaner who moaned about well, just about everything has had the sack, the singing platform information woman has been disciplined over something from the show, and David Brent received a promotion and is now working as a Manager of all East Coast stations.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Been nattering to an East Coast employee this morning who tells me that (from episode one), the cleaner who moaned about well, just about everything has had the sack, the singing platform information woman has been disciplined over something from the show, and David Brent received a promotion and is now working as a Manager of all East Coast stations.

....... That is incredibly odd. Sure he wasn't talking rubbish? It just seems very weird to me.

 

[Ferret]

....... That is incredibly odd. Sure he wasn't talking rubbish? It just seems very weird to me.

Well, at least 2 of those 3 things are plausible - David Brent being promoted and if I'm brutally honest, the cleaner did not come over all that well moaning about the passengers. I remember cringing at that when I watched it. Not entirely sure what the singer did wrong though

 

[YorkshireBear]

Well, at least 2 of those 3 things are plausible - David Brent being promoted and if I'm brutally honest, the cleaner did not come over all that well moaning about the passengers. I remember cringing at that when I watched it. Not entirely sure what the singer did wrong though

Well yes, it was the sacking and discipline that i was confused about. She is a cleaner i don't see how she did anything wrong, maybe as you say it was just her attitude...
She was singing telling people to run... it might be that.
Bit of a shame that the TV show has led to that, i think that is disappointing more than anything.

 

[michael769]

If any sackings or disciplinaries came out of people's appearances on the show I would have expected the unions to have made a bit of a fuss about it.

The fact that we have not heard anything from them makes me doubtful to be honest.

 

[Ferret]

If any sackings or disciplinaries came out of people's appearances on the show I would have expected the unions to have made a bit of a fuss about it.

The fact that we have not heard anything from them makes me doubtful to be honest.

The Rail Unions aren't what they were though - cleaners aren't very well represented at all.

 

[87015]

The Rail Unions aren't what they were though - cleaners aren't very well represented at all.

If the cleaners are even TOC employees - ours are all contracted out.

 

[GNER 373]

Surely the TOC's vetted the programme before letting the BBC show their staff in good/bad light? Its a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!