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Local Transport
News in Brief » » » January
& February News in Pictures... updated 15.02.04
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Service 38 Improvements
16 February 2004 |
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As of today, Denbighshire Council has increased the number of
trips on its Prestatyn Town Service 38 and provided a low floor bus,
operated by Voel. The service was previously run by Arriva.
See Photo News on
this site
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Business Park Improvements
16 February 2004 |
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New traffic management at Chester Business Park, introduced on 4
February 2004, including road widening and traffic lights at the
business park roundabout, is expected to ease North Wales bus
services... for the time being. Significant expansion of the business
park is due plus, of course, traffic will soon build on the existing
route, once motorists become aware it is now easier.
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Funding Good News...
14 February 2004 |
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North Wales is celebrating following public transport capital
grants totalling over £7mil for 2004/05.
See News
Extra - 2004 Funding on this site
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... and Bad News
14 February 2004 |
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The Denbighshire Free Press' headline announced "What about
our share?" and asked the question why Denbighshire received only £900,000
of a total all-Wales transport allocation of £85mil. The newspaper
was critical that all but 20 per cent of the funding was allocated to
Rhyl. The report did, however, ignore the fact that Taith money is
spread across all of North Wales.
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Screens Fitted
14 February 2004 |
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Owing to the increasing number of incidents in Conwy town,
Arriva has been reluctantly forced to fit cabside safety screens to help
protect its drivers. The screens are fitted to buses used on service 5,
between Llandudno and Caernarfon.
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Rail Services Saved
14 February 2004 |
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Wrexham Council has joined Flintshire in stumping up the extra
cash necessary to ensure the continuation of subsidised evening and
Sunday rail services between Wrexham and Bidston. There is now a
guarantee of funding till March 2005. Both councils face a massive
increase in bills following Arriva's takeover of services.
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Rossett Reopening Call
14 February 2004 |
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Community leaders are again calling for the reopening of Rossett
station, on the Wrexham to Chester line. Traffic problems on the A483
between Pulford and Chester business park plus congestion in Chester
city centre are factors relating to the renewed pleas. Rail land at
Rossett is safeguarded under the local development plan but a now
out-of-date council report concluded in 1997 that there would be little
demand for the additional station.
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Taxi Drivers Optimistic
14 February 2004 |
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A Wrexham private hire drivers' spokesman, quoted in the Evening
Leader, stated he believed that the "lads will get what they want",
following a meeting with council officers over the bitter dispute over
door side adhesive stickers. No further immediate strike action is
planned and council officers will submit written representations of
councillors on 23 February 2004.
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Glan Clwyd Desk Opens
14 February 2004 |
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A public transport enquiry desk, also catering for staff and
visitor travel planning and taxi bookings, has opened at Ysbyty Glan
Clwyd, Bodelwyddan.
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Shuttle Success
14 February 2004 |
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To reinforce the message of Deeside Shuttle's stress-free travel
to work, Flintshire Council is to launch a prize draw to reward Deeside
Shuttle passengers. The council is to offer regulars a chance to win any
one of a number of "stress-free days out" worth over £500.
Prizes are sponsored by Arriva and include rally driving, a champagne
balloon flight, gliding, power-boating, yachting and others.
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Conwy Valley Flooding
10 February 2004 |
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Following severe flooding in the Llanrwst area which turned a
number of rail stations basically in to "canals", the Conwy
Valley rail line is expected to be closed until at least May 2004. Heavy
rain and flooding has caused major structural damage. A replacement bus
service operates.
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Wales to Get Rail Powers?
9 February 2004 |
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The Welsh Assembly Government has welcomed news that it might
get enhanced rail powers in a shake up of the SRA. A review has been
sanctioned to see what powers could be devolved to PTEs, Scotland and
Wales. This follows the success in Merseyside as the PTE took on the SRA
management functions of Merseyrail Electrics.
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Micro-franchising Options?
8 February 2004 |
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Taith has appointed Elan Public Transport Consultancy to examine
the potential for micro-franchising and community rail options for the
Wrexham to Bidston and Conwy Valley rail lines. Elan was successful
previously in bidding for work on the Taith Regional Public Transport
Strategy.
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Overloading Reduced
8 February 2004 |
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A report in the Evening Leader welcomes moves to ensure that a
school bus to St Joseph's's is no longer overcrowded... even though this
means that at least one stop will be missed out. Critics of the journey,
operated by GHA, complaint that the double deck is carrying too many
passengers, none of whom qualify for free transport. Wrexham Council has
directed the operator not to stop at all stops. Those pupils affected
will need to walk.
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Stoppage Damp Squib?
3 February 2004 |
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Saturday's evening private hire drivers' strike appeared to have
made little difference to Wrexham's night time economy, if local media
reports are to be believed. Club attendance was only marginally down and
the police reported none of the feared disturbances. All main private
hire companies were reported to have closed their doors at 2200 hrs.
Wrexham's private hire drivers are now to meet with officers on Friday
but are seeking direct access to local councillors, who they believe
have not been fully briefed on the controversial issue of door stickers
by officers.
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Dispute Reaches Climax
30 January 2004 |
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Private hire drivers in Wrexham and council officials seem as
far apart as ever, as the Saturday night strike approaches. About 150 of
the town's 450 licensed private hire drivers are said to be stopping
work between 2245 Saturday and 0600 Sunday. The dispute is over the use
of stickers on car sides.
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£100,000 Blunder
29 January 2004 |
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A Prestatyn taxi firm contracted by the Welsh NHS Ambulance
Trust to carry passengers has repaid money wrongly claimed. Details of
the repayment, involving errors over a five year period, were reported
in the Daily Post. The trust states that agreement was reached, the
anomalies rectified and the matter was closed.
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Fourth Bus Attack Injures
Passenger
29 January 2004 |
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The North Wales Weekly News reports that a fourth attack on a
bus in the Conwy area has left a school pupil with cuts to her forehead,
owing to flying glass. A 12 year old was arrested.
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Taxi Dispute Deepens
29 January 2004 |
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As police warn that a recently stolen taxi radio might be used
by a bogus driver to help locate pickups involving vulnerable
passengers, Wrexham's private hire firms are maintaining pressure on
Wrexham Council over the use of safety inspired door stickers. Private
hire drivers disagree with the council that the stickers are a safety
feature, helping to identify bona fide vehicles. They are
unhappy that the stickers invade a driver's privacy and cause damage to
vehicles. The threatened strike on Saturday looks certain to continue.
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Taxi Strike Imminent?
26 January 2004 |
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Efforts on the part of Wrexham Council to heighten and improve
passenger safety by making private hire cars more identifiable look set
to end in a drivers' strike. In a move designed to ensure that
passengers, especially vulnerable females, are able to identify a
genuine PHV, the proposed measures would see highly visible stickers on
both sides of each vehicle. However, disgruntled taxi drivers are
unhappy that stickers will damage their vehicles' paintwork and plan a
stoppage on Saturday evening.
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February Changes - Wrexham
26 January 2004 |
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A number of local bus services are expected to change in the
Wrexham area from either 16 or 22 February 2004. These include service 1
(Wrexham - Chester/Arriva), service 22 (Wrexham - Chirk/Bryn Melyn),
service 60 (Oswestry - Ceiriog Valley/GHA) and service 64 (Llangollen -
Ceiriog Valley/Bryn Melyn). Full details available shortly.
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Bus Station Crackdown
26 January 2004 |
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Police are set to launch an initiative against an increasing
number of people begging in the bus station area following what the
Evening Leader describes as a "flood of complaints". Wrexham
police will be working closely with council staff to stem anti-social
behaviour in the "showpiece" building.
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Another Minibus
26 January 2004 |
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Another new minibus is in the hands of a charity - thanks to
lottery funding. This time, the beneficiaries are The Venture in Queens
Park, following a £25,000 grant, according to the Evening Leader.
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Buses Collide at Mancot
25 January 2004 |
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Children travelling on two buses from Hawarden High School
escaped serious injury on 22 January 2004 when a double deck shunted
into the rear of a single deck, at around 1600 hrs. According to
reports, between 15 and 17 Hawarden High School pupils were taken to the
Countess of Chester Hospital with cuts and bruises. Both vehicles were
Arriva's.
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3 for 2 Under Review
25 January 2004 |
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In the week that a government minister confirmed to the House of
Commons that the "3 for 2" rule (where three pupils under 14
can sit on a double adult seat) continues, Flintshire Council has
announced that it will be reviewing its school transport policies. This
follows the recent inquest into the death last year of a pupil on a fare
paying service bus. Flintshire is one of only a handful of councils
using this practice.
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Campaign Under Way
25 January 2004 |
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Wrexham's Evening Leader newspaper launches a campaign to save
local rail services.
See background to the
issue on this site
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Traffic Management
25 January 2004 |
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Objectors have till 10 February to submit comments on the the
proposed general vehicular stopping arrangements at Wrexham Bus Station,
following a two page public notice in the Evening Leader.
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£1,200 Raised towards
Vehicle
24 January 2004 |
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A school for children with special needs received £1,200
towards a minibus appeal, according to the North Wales Weekly News. This
followed a Lions Club sponsored walk.
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CCTV Accelerated
24 January 2004 |
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Arriva is reported to be "stepping up" is security
measures in North Wales, following threats made at knife point this week
to a female driver. A youth, who boarded at Llandudno Hospital, demanded
to be taken directly into Llandudno. Arriva stated that 20 buses had
already been fitted with CCTV, the first in North Wales being under the
"Bobby Bus" campaign with Denbighshire Council, followed
closely by a partnership with Wrexham Council. In an editorial, the
Daily Post stated that the "safety of passengers on buses and
trains... has for too long been overlooked."
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Air Services Scrapped...
24 January 2004 |
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Just weeks after a Liverpool to Cardiff was introduced, low
numbers have forced the company providing it, Air Wales, to abandon the
route. The service was heralded to revolutionise travel between North
and South Wales and began on 8 December 2003. Average daily loadings
were described by Air Wales as only a handful. The service faired no
better than one from Hawarden to Cardiff, which ceased in 1980.
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... as Alternative "On
Course"
24 January 2004 |
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Meanwhile, an Angelsey MP has stated that direct civilian
flights between RAF Valley and Cardiff might be available by the end of
the year. Air Wales is believed to be discussing options with the
National Assembly. Any services will be subject to agreement with
airport owners the MoD and grant a £500,000 for baggage handling,
improved car parking and other measures.
facilities
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Evening Trains Face Axe?
18 January 2004 |
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The Wrexham Evening Leader reports that Flintshire Council will
tomorrow consider options for rail services on the evening & Sunday
services between Wrexham and Bidston. Such services have been paid for
first by Clwyd Council and latterly jointly by its successors, Wrexham
and Flintshire. The cost of such services is reported as £66,000
and one option proposed in a report to Flintshire councillors is the
replacement by a bus service. Wrexham Council is reported as taking no
action at this stage.
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Bala Railway Delight
18 January 2004 |
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2003 was the best for many years for Bala's lakeside railway,
according to Steam magazine. The line enjoyed a bumper passenger summer
with high figures and the year's total was high even before Christmas
specials. Meanwhile, the Rhyl miniature railway carried over 5,000
people in 2003.
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Cold Snap Catches Drivers
Out
16 January 2004 |
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Overnight temperature falls in Wrexham at below those predicted
were blamed for icy conditions that saw a minibus and a coach destined
for St Joseph's School leave the road today. Both were on their way to
the first pick up point and no pupils were involved. The whole region
saw a spate of traffic accidents following the unexpected temperature
falls.
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Clwydian Tours on TV
16 January 2004 |
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The proprietor of Denbighshire's Peter Evans a'i Fab (Peter
Evans and Son, aka Pentre Motors/Clwydian Tours) is to feature on the
S4C television programme "Cefn Gwlad" on Monday 19 January
2004 at 2100 hrs. The programme will look back at how Mr Evans, 78,
started his business. English subtitles are generally available on
teletext 888.
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Station "a Disgrace"
16 January 2004 |
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In spite of some improvements made by First North Western Trains
prior to its handover to Arriva, the Daily Post describes Colwyn Bay
station as "run-down, boarded-up and marred by obscene graffiti".
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Consultation on Green Key
Initiative
16 January 2004 |
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Residents in the Dyffryn Ogwen part of Gwynedd - which includes
Llanberis - are being consulted on plans to spend £500,000 of "Green
Key" funding to improve access to the area by public transport.
Proposed works include a new coach park, a bus terminus area and turning
point and road crossings, states the Daily Post. After much criticism
that it was at first anti-car, "Green Key" has refocused on
improving access to those visiting Snowdonia by public transport.
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Bangor Upgrade
16 January 2004 |
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The daily Post reports that Gwynedd Council has submitted a £1.5mil
grant application to transform Bangor Station and provide a transport
interchange.
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Noise Mitigation
16 January 2004 |
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Consultants are recommending a number of mitigating features for
those living on the Conwy Valley line, should plans go ahead to send
millions of tons of quarry waste along the line. The daily Post reports
that sound insulation, restricting freight movements to the daytime,
reducing the speed near sensitive properties and erecting barriers where
there is currently no screening are all options.
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Townlynx Joins Yellow
Brigade
16 January 2004 |
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A Townlynx Leyland Olympian joins those already in yellow and
operated on Flintshire Council's behalf by P & O Lloyd. The vehicle,
operates from Northop Hall to Hawarden High School.
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Deeside Link Criticised
16 January 2004 |
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The Government of the North West's annual review of the progress
councils have made on their transport plans has criticised Cheshire
County Council for its decision to abandon the Deeside Flintshire to
Chester guided busway using an abandoned rail line.
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Llangollen Canal Work...
16 January 2004 |
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British Waterways has drained the Llangollen Canal to enable
improvements to be made to it before the summer tourist season.
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... as £1.5mil Aqueduct
Restoration Planned
16 January 2004 |
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A European grant of £650,000 for the famous Pontcysyllte
Aqueduct near Trevor has been announced. it will form part of a £1.5mil
scheme to see the structure fully restored and build a visitor centre.
Pontycysyllte celebrates its 200th birthday next year.
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Wrexham Vacancy
16 January 2004 |
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Wrexham Council has advertised the post of Travel Plan
Co-ordinator on a six month temporary contract to the development,
promotion and implementation of the council's Travel Plan.
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Cheshire Consults on
Withdrawals
16 January 2004 |
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At a time when Welsh local authorities have seen growth in
supported bus services, neighbouring Cheshire County Council is
currently consulting on withdrawals to total some £630,000 and
include evening and poorly-used daytime services. Cheshire blames
spiralling bills from operators.
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2130 hrs Journey Reinstated
11 January 2004 |
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The last evening journey between Wrexham and Dolgellau on
Service 94, suspended following an assault on a driver, is to be
reinstated from 12 January 2004.
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More Shuttle Success
11 January 2004 |
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Sundry Assembly ministers and local councillors officially
launched the Deeside Shuttle extension last week, following the use of
three more vehicles. Arriva is now using a larger vehicle - a Mercedes
minibus in Deeside Shuttle livery - as well as the Aleros specifically
procured for the service. Meanwhile, Flintshire Council is looking into
extending the concept beyond Deeside to Broughton and Sandycroft, with a
promise from one AM to roll Shuttle out across the county.
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Safe Station Summit...
11 January 2004 |
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Taith has organised a summit from 23 January to consider a range
of rail issues, including safety at stations. This follows concerns in
the regional media about attacks and criminal damage. Most of the
region's 10 AMs and five MPs are due to attend and will be joined by
representatives of the SRA, user groups and operators. The agenda looks
set to be a full one with Council evening subsidy concerns on the
Wrexham - Bidston and Conwy Valley lines, Virgin services at Flint and
station parking all included.
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... as Vandalism Forces Rhyl
Closure...
11 January 2004 |
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Significant criminal damage and theft from Rhyl rail station's
lavatories have forced the facility's closure for four weeks. Over the
last couple of years, locals have continued to complain about the
general state of the station.
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... and Network Rail Targets
Rhyl Youngsters
11 January 2004 |
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In what has been described as a "hard hitting message",
children as young as between four and 12 at schools in Rhyl and
Prestatyn are to be targeted by Network Rail to educate them about the
dangers of playing on railways and vandalising stations. The initiative
is being supported by players from Wrexham football club whose players
are also visiting schools. Rhyl is described as in the "Top 10"
hotspots for vandalism in the north west.
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New O License for Yellow
Operator...
11 January 2004 |
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Denbighshire County Council has been successful in its bid to
become a bus operator in its own right. The Traffic Commissioner has
awarded five discs to the council under the new operators license.
Denbighshire operates a new 68 seat Scolarbus 24 yellow school bus in
the Ruthin area. In RouteONE journal, unnamed operators had criticised
the operation because it was using a (legal) Section 19 large bus
permit, rather than a full O license. However, head teachers and parents
of pupils using the service are delighted with it.
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... as Alpine increases its
Yellow Buses
11 January 2004 |
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Alpine Travel now has seven double decks and three single decks
in yellow livery, including the refurbished Duple Starcruiser coach.
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158 Boost...
11 January 2004 |
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There are unconfirmed reports that service 158 will see a larger
vehicle in the spring. This follows the overwhelming success of the M &
H operated Vale Rider route between Denbigh, Ruthin and Wrexham. It is
understood that the Solo currently on 158 will pass to route 66, the
Mercedes-operated Denbigh Town Service, which also serves Henllan.
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... as Town Service to
Feature on Radio
11 January 2004 |
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M & H's Denbigh town service is to feature on BBC Radio 4.
This month, the BBC will visit the service and its passengers to record
as part of a programme looking at other 66 services in Britain.
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Llangollen Evening Services
11 January 2004 |
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Writing to the Evening Leader, a correspondent from Portsmouth
is complaining about the lack of evening services from Wrexham to
Llangollen following arrival at Ruabon by train one evening.
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84 Changes...
11 January 2004 |
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A variation to Arriva services 84/84A in Rhyl sees buses serving
the Pines and Park View Estate from 5 January 2004.
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... and to 92 and 91
11 January 2004 |
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There are minor changes before the school peak to one journey on
each of the Caernarfon 82 and 91 services from 5 January.
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Coastal Tram Plan?
3 January 2004 |
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A Conwy county councillor is seeking backing for a proposal to
build a tram between Foryd Harbour in Kinmel Bay and Rhuddlan, via Rhyl.
The councillor believes that such a development would lead to
significant economic regeneration. The councillor has been urging
planning authorities to set aside land for a similar scheme since the
spring, following housing development proposals.
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Bus Stop "Closes Shop"
3 January 2004 |
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A report in the Chroncile claims that double yellow lines on a
busy main road outside a Greenfield near Holywell newsagent has
contributed to the closure of this family business. However, the "final
straw" came with the conversion of the lay-by outside the shop into
a bus stop. But a local councillor claims that the changes, including
traffic lights at the accident black spot, have been widely welcomed.
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Police Urged to take action
3 January 2004 |
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In an open letter in the Evening Leader, a Johnstown near
Wrexham resident appeals to North Wales' Chief Constable to focus more
resources on policing public transport to restore law and order. This
follows the on-off evening bus service in that area, which is currently
suspended following attacks. However, the police are known to have taken
an active role in protecting the community's bus service with officers
riding on and following certain buses and in visiting schools and youth
clubs. Nevertheless, criminal damage has continued and Oswestry Arriva
drivers are currently taking industrial action.
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Former Transport Officer Dies
1 January 2004 |
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Wxm.org.uk was saddened to learn of the death on Boxing Day of
Martin Robertson, the officer responsible for Clwyd County Council's
school and public transport from 1990 to 1995. Martin started his career
with Crosville Motor Services before moving to manage buses in the south
of England. Following a short stay at Hampshire County Council, he moved
to Clwyd to take on North East Wales' top passenger transport job. Via
Cumbria, he returned to Hampshire to head up the large passenger
transport division, becoming National Chairman of the influential
Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers between 2000 and 2002.
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Vicar Requests Rail Cash
1 January 2004 |
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The Daily Post reports that the vicar of St Michael's Parish
Church Abergele is requesting £5,000 from the rail industry to
repair the gravestone which commemorates Wales' worst rail disaster. 33
people are buried after they died when trains collided at Llanddulas in
1868. The mass grave and granite headstone was paid for by the London &
North Western Railway Company and was refurbished at British Rail's
expense in 1976. The grave is still visited by dozens of people every
year.
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"Bus Passengers are so
Silly"...
1 January 2004 |
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... so reads the opening line of a letter in the North Wales
Weekly News which criticises both Arrvia and local government for
failing to provide proper transport services. Complaining about Arriva's
response regarding the abolition some return fares, the correspondent
continues 'We thought Arriva was ripping us off with inflated fares when
all it was doing was "bringing consistency to ticketing across its
area" '. The correspondent points out that his return journey from
Penrhyn Bay to Llandudno now costs 10p more than the longer journey from
Rhos to Llandudno. He accuses Arriva of abusing its monopoly, and the
local authority and Assembly Government of handing out vast subsidies
while doing nothing to ensure the service received is efficient and
reasonably priced.
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Denbighshire Reconsiders
1 January 2004 |
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Denbighshire County Councillors are understood to be
reconsidering a change of school transport policy taken in last year's
school summer holidays which will affect some children who currently
receive transport to Christian denominational schools, according to the
Daily Post.
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Further Evening Problems in
Wrexham
23 December 2003 |
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Following industrial action by Oswestry Arriva drivers,
affecting evening buses between Wrexham and Chirk and Wrexham and
Llangollen, comes news that the last service 94 journey from Wrexham is
suspended, owing to an attack on a driver at Llangollen. The incoming
journey, 1850 ex-Barmouth, is unaffected.
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GHA Expansion
21 December 2003 |
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Challinor Buses Ltd of Betws GG near Corwen, part of the GHA
Group, has applied for 10 discs to operate at Ruthin. If granted, this
move will effect the merger of GHA's existing Ruthin operation with
nearby Cloion Coaches. GHA has effectively been operating Cloion's
school and public service contracts since September 2003, albeit under a
hire arrangement. Meanwhile, GHA's Hanmer Coaches operation now has an
allocation of 11 vehicles.
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Shock News at Bala firm
Closes
21 December 2003 |
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15 drivers were out of a job following the sudden, over night
collapse of Williams Bala Ltd earlier this month. The company had
recently parted company with its previous owner, Houston Ramm. A
creditors' meeting is scheduled for 8 January 2004, in Bala.
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Deeside Shuttle Expands
21 December 2003 |
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Flint is now part of the expanded Deeside Shuttle service,
following the purchase by Flintshire County Council of a further two
Optare Aleros. Mancot and Sandycroft will also benefit from the Shuttle,
from February 2004.
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More Concern over Evening
Withdrawals
21 December 2003 |
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Passengers on the Wrexham to Llangollen and Wrexham to Chirk
corridors continue to complain following the loss of evening services,
following industrial action by Oswestry-based Arriva Midlands drivers
which has halted the 2, 5 and 5A during weekday and Sunday evenings. GHA
evening journeys to Llangollen and the more limited departures on
service 94 continue between Wrexham and Llangollen.
See Initial Report
below
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More Operator News
21 December 2003 |
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First has now formally applied for a 12-vehicle operation in
Wrexham, for its yellow school buses plus one double deck. Mark Roberts,
understood to be the grandson of Theo Roberts, founder of what is now
Vale of Llangollen, has applied for a two-vehicle operation under the
Target Taxis name. Mark Roberts previously traded as Lynx but has not
been operating in recent months. GAP Recruitment, whose minibuses are a
popular site in North East Wales, is now seeking a 4-vehicle licence.
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Air Options take Off
23 December 2003 |
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The Government's white paper on air transport, published today,
states that there is potential for new intra-Wales services and interest
in developing a route development fund to support new services.
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Antidote to Turkey
15 December 2003 |
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Board of turkey on Christmas Day? Denbighshire Council has once
again announced that its service 136 will again operate on both
Christmas Day and New Years Day, making this the only local bus service
in North Wales to run on these occasions. 136 operates three return
journeys between Prestatyn, Rhyl, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Denbigh and
Llangwyfan.
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Borders Collect the Cash
15 December 2003 |
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Volunteers at Buckley-based Border Community Transport are
celebrating following a sizable grant from the Welsh Assembly's
All-Wales fund. The charity, which uses minibuses and cars to assist
elderly and disabled people, intends spending the windfall on training
and computer equipment, according to the Chronicle.
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Wrexham Bus Station Open
14 December 2003 |
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Wrexham Bus Station became fully operational this morning, upon
the completion of Phase 2 and just 14 months after the bulldozers came
in to demolish the old site. The new gents lavatories are expected to be
ready this week while the Shopmobility suite at the Trinity Church end
will be occupied in January.
See Bus Station Pages
on this site
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Praise for Partnership
9 December 2003 |
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An small piece in "Rail" magazine compliments the
Borderlands (Wrexham - Bidston) Line rail partnership for its
pre-Christmas advertising campaign to persuade shoppers to use the train
service.
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BUSK Challenges Alpine
8 December 2003 |
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Writing in the trade journal "RouteONE", school
transport campaign group Belt Up School Kids (BUSK) challenges Alpine
Travel to submit its newly refurbished and repanelled Starcruiser/Duple
425 yellow school bus for BUSK endorsement. As a starting point, BUSK
has concerns over the vehicle's rollover capability. Currently, BUSK
only approves the Scolabus 24, as used in Denbighshire.
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Industrial Action Halts
Evening Services
8 December 2003 |
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Action taken by concerned Arriva Midlands Oswestry drivers, who
operate all evening services between Wrexham, Chirk and Llangollen,
means that services on 2, 5 and 5A between the towns was cancelled after
last operation on 5 December 2003. Drivers were concerned at the
escalating level of criminal damage on the route. They had already
withdrawn from the section of route via Penycae and Rhos and the company
had given notice on the contract for 23 January 2004. Sunday evening
services between Wrexhamand Chester, part of the contract, have passed
to Arriva Cymru's Wrexham (Caego) operation.
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Arriva Takes Over
7 December 2003 |
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In a 15-year franchise deal, Arriva Trains Wales takes over the
services previously operated by National Express subsidiary Wales &
Borders Trains today.
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TaxiBus Improvements
7 December 2003 |
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The Pauline's Travel TaxiBus 246 service which links Breadon
Heath with the Wrexham - Whitchurch service 146 at Overton and Penley,
is being improved from 8 December 2003 to include Hampton Wood, Balmer
Heath, Trench, Pentre Coed and Dudleston.
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Accolade for Long Standing
Business
7 December 2003 |
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Long-established Jones Motor Services of Flint has recently been
honoured by fellow members of the Consortium of Independent Tour
Operators with a top industry award. CITO has 16 members.
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Taxi Warnings
7 December 2003 |
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Taxi licensing officers across the region are warning seasonal
revellers of the perils of using unlicensed taxis. Councils encourage
passengers to check plates, signs and drivers' identities.
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New Oswestry - Wrexham Link
4 December 2003 |
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From today, Tanat Valley Coaches offers a Thursday-only service
from Oswestry's eastern suburbs to Wrexham, leaving Oswestry at 0900 and
returning from Wrexham at 1400.
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P & R for Mold?
1 December 2003 |
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A Flintshire councillor has told Mold town council that park &
ride in the town might be beneficial in the long-running battle against
motorists who park illegally, according to the Evening Leader.
Flintshire is looking at its parking strategy in Mold.
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Evening Bus Attack - Conwy
1 December 2003 |
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£200 worth of criminal damage was caused in an attack on a
bus travelling in Conwy, one year after Arriva took action by rerouting
the last bus on service 19 until its spring 2003 reinstatement. The new
incident occurred at around 1900 hrs, according to the North Wales
Weekly News.
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Tram Shed Rebirth
1 December 2003 |
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A former Llandudno Garde II listed tram shelter, derelict for 19
years and prone to vandalism, looks set to become a gallery detailing
the history of the town's trams.
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Cabbie Wins Top Prize
1 December 2003 |
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A Colwyn Bay taxi driver has one first prize in a national
competition for cabbies. His prize - a brand new Peugeot 406.
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Sponsored Bus Ride
28 November 2003 |
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The Flintshire Chronicle reports that a Pontblyddyn near Mold
pensioner will be making a sponsored bus ride to Cardiff using his free
travel pass. The journey will involve 12 changes and the beneficiary
will be the local church roof.
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BUSK to take up fight
28 November 2003 |
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The Flintshire mother of a girl dragged under a bus on her way
home from school nearly three years ago has teamed up with campaign
group Belt Up School Kids in a bid to force changes in legislation. BUSK
intends taking the fight to court to force changes in legislation to
improve drivers' side mirrors.
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Conwy Valley Success
24 November 2003 |
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Passenger numbers on the Conwy Valley line were up by 54 per
cent in the summer. This follows a number of initiatives to tempt
tourists and others on to the rails. The boost in rail passengers comes
at a time when the local media have been vociferous in highlighting
problems with the line. With plans to link the Conwy Valley line with
the Snowdon Sherpa bus network in 2004, the success looks set to
continue.
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24hr Supervision
22 November 2003 |
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Conwy Council now provides round-the-clock supervision - for the
first time ever in winter - at its Builder Street West coach park,
following a spate of criminal damage to coaches in recent weeks. Tour
operators who have between them suffered over £50,000 of damage,
are reported to be considering pulling out of the town, causing a "massive
blow" to the local economy, reports the North Wales Weekly News.
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Denbighshire "O"
Licence
21 November 2003 |
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Denbighshire Council is applying to the Traffic Commissioner for
an operators licence for its school bus operation which currently runs
under a S.19 large bus permit. The Council is seeking authorisation for
five discs.
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Kerb Work
21 November 2003 |
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Work is expected to start on 24 November to raise kerbs on the
Wrexham to Chester route, which saw low floor buses from September.
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Chariotts Benefits from
Funding
20 November 2003 |
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Working on behalf of registered charity Chariotts (with two ts),
Wrexham's dial-a-ride operation, a local builder has sourced at least £20,000
of materials to convert at no cost to the organisation, the office
recently rented.
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Taith Rail Summit
20 November 2003 |
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Taith, the North Wales regional public transport consortium, is
to host a rail industry summit in January to consider the current state
of railways and their future in the region. Rail industry, operators and
local and national politicians will be involved.
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Air Wales Announces South -
North Link
17 November 2003 |
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As part of its strategy to link Cardiff with major UK business
centres, Air Wales has announced a daily return flight to Liverpool.
Marketed as slashing considerable time off the time it takes by rail and
road between North & South Wales, the once-daily return service is
likely to appeal to business people. Flights south to Cardiff will leave
Liverpool at 1100 hrs and return at 1505.
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Ffestiniog Finances in
Trouble
17 November 2003 |
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The Daily Post reports that the Ffestiniog Railway could face a
loss of over £300,000 and that the railway had to "develop
positive thinking, reduce its overheads and debt, and reinvent itself".
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111 Success
16 November 2003 |
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Proving what can be done with new vehicles, route branding,
company-inspired stop-specific advertising and a change of route,
Service 111 (Mold - Cheshire Oaks) is reported to be very popular since
the changes made in September 2003 with Mold and Ellesmere Port markets
attracting cross-River Dee traffic as well as Cheshire Oaks itself.
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Conspiracy Theory
16 November 2003 |
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A North Wales assembly member claims that Virgin telesales staff
are deliberately misinforming intending Euston - Holyhead passengers in
an effort to scrap the through service. A Virgin spokesman, widely
reported in the North Wales press, branded this as "absurd and
completely ridiculous" and "a conspiracy theory too far".
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Prestatyn People to Pioneer
Platform Peace-of-mind
16 November 2003 |
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Prestatyn rail station, scene of the recent passenger attack
which sparked the daily Post's safer stations campaign, looks set to
benefit from a group of a dozen volunteers who hope to brighten up the
station, maintain a platform presence and open a tea bar.
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Safety System in Place this
Year...
15 November 2003 |
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North Wales Coast Line will benefit from the Train Protection
Warning System - which stops a train within 200 yards of passing a red
danger signal - by the end of 2003, according to the Daily Post.
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... as Network Rail
Announces more Work
15 November 2003 |
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Gaerwen crossing, Britannia Bridge works, the rebuilding of the
sea wall at 10 sites along the Cambrian Coast route are all projects
reported by the Daily Post as imminent. However, the debate about speed
upgrades on the North Wales Coast Line continues, with UK transport
minister Kim Howells rejecting Virgin's estimates for work to increase
the available line speed for Virgin's new trains.
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Wrexham Rail Bonus?
14 November 2003 |
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The Western Mail reports that Arriva Trains Wales is to improve
radically direct rail services between North and South Wales. Arriva
states that it will operate North - South Wales services every two
hours, from December 2005. There is growing speculation that these
services will operate via Wrexham.
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... as Minister outlines
Priorities
14 November 2003 |
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In an in-depth two page interview in Local Transport Today,
Assembly minister with responsibility for transport and economic
development, Andrew Davies, spells out his own vision for improved Welsh
transport. He states that air services are the future for North-South
links.
See Skies the Limit?
on this site
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US Buses Reported as "Hit"
13 November 2003 |
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The Daily Post reports that the American school buses in Wrexham
are proving popular with pupils and parents.. though their colour is
unpopular. It quotes research on behalf of the Department for Transport.
See School Report
and More Yellows on this site
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Arriva Appoints MD
13 November 2003 |
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Arriva Trains has appointed Peter Strachan as MD for its Welsh
services. Strachan is the current MD under National Express and was
appointed in April 2003 following the departure of Chris Gibb to Virgin.
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Station Let-down...
13 November 2003 |
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Arriva Trains has been criticised following its confirmation
that it has no plans or any funding to improve the rail stations it
inherits from 7 December 2003 other than improve one station a year over
a 15 year franchise.
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... as Split Fleet may Cause
Cuts
13 November 2003 |
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It is reported that the splitting of North Western's 175 sets
between Wales & Borders and the new Northern franchise will lead to
an overall shortage of stock. The SRA is believed to be considering
modest cuts to prevent cancellations.
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More Real Time
13 November 2003 |
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Real time passenger information displays are starting to appear
in Deeside, following investment by Flintshire Council. In spite of a
recent real time programme in Conwy and Gwynedd, Flintshire was the
first authority in North Wales to install such enhancements - at Flint.
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P & O Alero
13 November 2003 |
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P & O Lloyd of Bagillt is the latest operator to benefit
from a brand new Optare Alero. Used on the H2 route between Holywell,
Trelawnyd and Prestatyn, H2 is the new number for service 32 (which in
turn was X2 for a short while under Crosville Wales).
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Conwy Re-advertises
13 November 2003 |
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Conwy Council has re-advertised the Taith regional travel plan
co-ordinator's post.
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146 Upgrade
3 November 2003 |
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It is reported that GHA Coaches will shortly be upgrading its
vehicles on Wrexham Council contract 146 (Wrexham to Whitchurch)
following an order for two brand-new Volvo SLFs with Wrights bodywork.
They are due to replace both P-reg Optare Excels, both of which have
proved troublesome. One Excel is reported as sold.
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Arriva Loses P&R
3 November 2003 |
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All Chester Park & Ride services passed to Chester City
Transport on 3 November, including Arriva's Mancot depot workings from
Wrexham Road. Arriva's gas buses are reportedly at Milton Keynes.
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CCTV Onboard.
2 November 2003 |
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Denbighshire Council Licensing Committee is to consider whether
CCTV should be fitted to all hackneys and private hire vehicles in a bid
to protect drivers from what it says is "increasing violence".
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Highway Robbery
2 November 2003 |
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Proposals to charge for on-street parking at Rhyl have met with
anger from within the town, according to the Rhyl & Prestatyn
Journal. However, it could be good news for the Council supported free
Saturday Park & Ride which operates at frequent intervals from the
Rhuddlan Retail Park. M&H Coaches operate a low floor Renault with a
Rohill body, under contract.
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New Posts in Denbighshire...
2 November 2003 |
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Arriva is advertising a part time temporary Transport
Information Assistant to work at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, as part
of a partnership with Denbighshire & Conwy Councils and the hospital
trust. Duties include providing information on all passenger transport
services, including the shared hire car schemes.
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... and Wrexham...
2 November 2003 |
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Wrexham County Borough Council has advertised the new position
of Transport Development Officer which is aimed at developing
community-type transport in the area.
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... and Conwy
2 November 2003 |
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Conwy Council requires a traffic/transportation engineer whose
job will include dealing with proposals for implementation of "any
park and ride schemes". This follows an advertisement for a green
travel co-ordinator for Conwy (on behalf of Taith).
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New CCT Vehicle.
2 November 2003 |
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Conwy Community Transport has received funding of £70,000
for a fifth minibus, now delivered, thanks to grants.
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Virgin "Disgrace"
2 November 2003 |
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The North Wales Weekly quotes a North Wales MP that Virgin
Trains' problems are "due to incompetent management" and not
track maintenance, signalling issues or anything else. Betty Williams MP
is concerned about the "dilapidated, worn-out stock". However,
the North Wales Pioneer reports that Virgin is confident that its
Pedelinos and Super Voyagers will offer top-of-the-range service and
offer 50% more seats.
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Conwy to improve "Bus
Corridors"
2 November 2003 |
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Conwy's three main corridors will be the subject of surveys
which could lead to a "major overhaul", according to the North
Wales Weekly News. Taith-led contracts would in future include
maintenance for the first three years.
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