Wrenbury level crossing

This is a summary of observations at the Wrenbury crossing. This was prompted because of of comments about the long periods of the gates being down. Please send your comments to contact_us@caspa.org.uk The crossing is located at Wrenbury Station. There is no foot bridge. The platform for the south bound service is before the crossing. The platform for the north bound service is after the crossing. This is an obstacle detection level crossing with manually controlled barriers. The crossing is initiated by approaching trains and has no direct signaler involvement when working normally, apart from monitoring the process. The obstacle […]

TfW announce revised timetables from December 20

From Sunday, our timetables are changing Check before you travel Due to the current coronavirus situation and measures we’ve introduced to support social distancing, we continue to run a reduced service. From Sunday 13 December there’ll be some minor re-timings and amendments to services across the Transport for Wales network with more significant changes to our Monday – Saturday timetable on our Cardiff and Valleys network and to the Heart of Wales line where we have added extra services. Check your journey plans here Travel Safer, Plan Ahead, Reserve a Place You can now reserve your place on selected trains […]

MP backs Whitchurch step free access

Good news. We see it reported in the Whitchurch Herald that the local MP Owen Patterson is supporting the improvement of access to the south bound platform at the station. There is no strep free access at this time. You can read about our campaign here https://caspa.org.uk/about-the-line/whitchurch-platform-access/ This project has been at the forefront of CASPA campaigning for many years.

New relationship for Keolis and Amey

TfW have announced that the scope of work for Keolis and Amey is to change from March 2021. We understand they have reached an agreement which will lead a change in leadership of the operation of the railway, the details of which are still to finalise. Under the new agreement, the operation of day-to-day rail services will become the responsibility of a new publicly owned subsidiary of Transport for Wales. This is equivalent to the operator of last resort. Keolis and Amey will continue to contribute by delivering support services. You can read about it here.

Timetable September 20

We have become aware that the 6 day timetable in operation at the end of September has problems for southbound travellers. There are no trains stopping at intermediate stations between the 07.34 and the 11.20, both times ex Crewe. There are through trains Crewe – Shrewsbury and beyond but nothing stopping at our stations for a period of nearly 4 hours. The Chairman is going to tackle TfW on this. One suggestion is that the 09.06, 10.06 and 11.06 all stop at Nantwich, Whitchurch and Wem. Perhaps one should stop at all stations. The northbound stopping trains are not affected. […]

Yorton waiting room improvements

TfW tell us they have completed the new waiting room door and glazing that has been installed at Yorton station. These were damaged by vandals some time ago. The new waiting room door and glazing was installed in August, as part of Transport for Wales’ Stations Improvement programme.

Progress for PRM TSI on classes 150 and 153.

In repose to a freedom of information request to TfW,we have the status as of 1st July 20. As of 1st July 2020 or near date, the status of compliance with the Technical Specification for Interoperability – Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM TSI) for the above classes of train in service with TfW The Current Status is as follows: Class 150 • 33 (out of 36) units completed • Two units in modification • One unit to enter modification imminently         Class 153   • 10 (out of 13) units completed • Two units in modification • […]

Timetable changes on 6 July??

We would like to be able to tell you all about this, but unfortunately its a secret. There are no new timetables on the TfW web site, and the ‘jouneycheck’ information is not very helpful. We think that the main change is that the through trains previously booked to stop or request stop at Yorton and Prees will not do so.The only other change we have identified is that the 18.29 weekday stopper ex Shrewsbury will not run. Not sure about the Sat/Sun equivalents a few minute earlier. We are in discussion with TfW to get this sorted out. In […]

TfW through trains not stopping at Yorton and Prees!!

We see an anouncement on the TfW web site (under ‘journey check’) that the through trains to and from South Wales are not going to stop at Yorton and Prees from 5 July. see here On Monday 29 June, after our intervention we now understand that this willl not apply to the daily shuttle services, and stops can be requested. The wording on the TfW web site has been changed and now reads as this: To help with social distancing, TfW long distance services will not be calling at Yorton or Prees from Monday 6th July until further notice. In […]

NIB volenteers in action again

Nantwich in Bloom (NIB) volunteers have recently been busy weeding and planting on Nantwich Station getting the sleeper beds and planters ready for a summer display. Hanging baskets on the old Station building will be missing this year but we hope that when their watering system is repaired they will be back in full bloom next summer. Please help us keep the station looking attractive for commuters, local residents and visitors by reporting any damage to TfW and putting rubbish in the bins, not amongst the flowers and plants.       We are some of the Transport for Wales […]