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Updated: Trains chaos - we're sorry
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| The scene outside Billericay rail station |
THOUSANDS of frustrated commuters were left stranded after bank holiday engineering works overran for the second time this year.
Work at Shenfield station, on the line from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street, should have been finished by Easter Monday.
But Network Rail, which is responsible for track maintenance, did not get the job done on time and rush-hour commuters faced severe delays and confused information as they tried to get to work yesterday morning.
Bus replacement services ran from Billericay station, but frustrated commuters complained they were running only every half hour.
The fiasco follows the overrunning of engineering work in the New Year, when Liverpool Street station remained closed for a day longer than planned.
Network Rail was recently fined a record £14million for that incident.
Commuter Tina Webb, 25, of Kestrel Grove, Rayleigh, was one of the many people who suffered long delays on the line, which is operated by National Express East Anglia.
She said: "They told us there wouldn't be any more problems, after all the delays at New Year.
"It's frustrating more than anything. The train prices keep going up, but the service doesn't improve."
Rayleigh MP Mark Francois was also quick to voice his disappointment.
He said: "Yet again, Network Rail seem to have mucked this up.
"Many of my constituents are getting thoroughly fed up with them and so is their MP.
"They simply have to raise their game and do better than this."
By the early afternoon, National Express was running a normal off-peak service, with extra stops at three stations in East London, where Tubes were not running. The delays sparked a war of words between National Express and Network Rail.
The rail operator criticised Network Rail for overrunning on the work and accused it of releasing a misleading statement to the media about the cause of the disruption.
But a Network Rail spokeswoman, who refused to be named, said the works were completed on time and a subsequent signalling problem was found at Shenfield.
National Express managing director, Andrew Chivers, said: "We apologise to our customers affected by the delays.
"We know how frustrating this disruption will have been.
"We had a number of buses available as a contingency for any overrunning engineering work.
"However, the scale of the problems was only communicated to us in the early hours, making it extremely difficult to put alternative arrangements in place. After the New Year overruns, Network Rail gave us assurances our customers would not face problems following the Easter engineering work.
"Once again, we have been let down and this inconvenience for our customers has been unacceptable."
National Express said it was now seeking an urgent meeting with the Government's Office of Rail Regulation to discuss the incident.
The Network Rail spokesman said it had been modernising the track around Shenfield as part of a £6million project to make it less noisy and to run better.
She added: "Repairs were completed by 8.40am, but of course there were subsequent delays."
l Customers seeking compensation should call the National Express Customer Services Centre on 0845 6007245 or e-mail nxea.customer
services@nationalexpress.com
A spokesman for National Express East Anglia issued the following statement:
"National Express East Anglia today apologised to its customers for the disrupted journeys they suffered this morning and reacted to Network Rail's failure to return the railway back to normal service following the Easter engineering works.
"Morning rail services to and from Liverpool Street were affected by severe delays and many people had to cancel their journeys or take alternative routes to London.
"Contrary to a Network Rail media statement, National Express understands that the problems were directly related to the work being carried out over Easter and the planning work that should have been put in place in advance.
"National Express is now seeking an urgent meeting with the Office of Rail Regulation to discuss this incident and any action that needs to be taken.
"Andrew Chivers, Managing Director of National Express East Anglia said: 'We apologise to our customers affected by the delays this morning.
'We know how frustrating this disruption will have been. We had a number of buses available as a contingency for any overrunning engineering work.
'However, the scale of the problems was only communicated to us in the early hours of this morning, making it extremely difficult to put alternative arrangements in place.
'After the New Year overruns, Network Rail gave us assurances that our customers would not face problems following the Easter engineering work.
'We robustly challenged Network Rail about their engineering work plans prior to Easter and we were assured everything that needed to be done had been done.
'Once again, we have been let down and this morning's inconvenience for our customers has been unacceptable.
'We will now seek urgent discussions with Network Rail and the Rail Regulator to get to the bottom of this incident and ensure that whatever corrective action is necessary is taken without delay'."
"Customers who wish to seek compensation should contact the National Express East Anglia Customer Services Centre in Norwich on 0845 600 7245. We will endeavour to respond to such requests as quickly as possible.
"The revised service currently in operation with extended journey times and reduced services between Norwich, Ipswich, Harwich, Colchester, Braintree, Chelmsford, Southend and Shenfield into London is expected to continue for the rest of today."
One passenger, who did not wish to be named, said they were told at Rayleigh Station that there would be no replacement buses.
An announcement reportedly said: "You might as well all go home."
Rail operator National Express East Anglia apologised to customers, who faced delays of at least 60 minutes.
National Express tickets are being accepted on c2c.
About 300 people reportedly waited for the replacement bus outside Billericay station alone.
By the early afternoon, National Express was running a normal off-peak service with extra stops at three stations in east London.
8:10am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mac, Billericay on 8:20am Tue 25 Mar 08
BBC news is under the misapprehension that delays are due to "signal problems". The delay is due to overrunning engineeting works! Hurrah.
BBC news is under the misapprehension that delays are due to "signal problems". The delay is due to overrunning engineeting works! Hurrah.
Posted by: Jack Hart, Rochford on 8:59am Tue 25 Mar 08
I got on the train at Rochford at 5.40am, we were told that there would be a replacement bus service from Billericay to Romford.
When we got to Billericay we were told that there were no buses and that they did not know when we would get one.
Some station staff suggested that people shared taxis to Laindon, with over 200 people stranded that was impossible for most of us.
After waiting 30mins a single bus turned up. 30 mins later another bus arrived - but so had 2 other trains full of commuters. At 7.30am I gave up waiting for a bus and followed the advice of station staff to get on a train back to Southend Victoria so that I could walk to Southend Central to get a train to London.
It's 9am and I am still trying to get to work - this is madness, how much will National Rail pay in compensation today? Didn't they learn their lesson with the New Year fiasco? The government are keen to get us to use public transport - when are they going to introduce legislation that means we get the service we pay for?
I got on the train at Rochford at 5.40am, we were told that there would be a replacement bus service from Billericay to Romford.
When we got to Billericay we were told that there were no buses and that they did not know when we would get one.
Some station staff suggested that people shared taxis to Laindon, with over 200 people stranded that was impossible for most of us.
After waiting 30mins a single bus turned up. 30 mins later another bus arrived - but so had 2 other trains full of commuters. At 7.30am I gave up waiting for a bus and followed the advice of station staff to get on a train back to Southend Victoria so that I could walk to Southend Central to get a train to London.
It's 9am and I am still trying to get to work - this is madness, how much will National Rail pay in compensation today? Didn't they learn their lesson with the New Year fiasco? The government are keen to get us to use public transport - when are they going to introduce legislation that means we get the service we pay for?
Posted by: Cheesed Off on 9:04am Tue 25 Mar 08
Even by their usual standards this is shocking performance from One / Nat Ex / whatever they are called this week.
Somewhere out there, someone is getting very rich off this monopoly. It's an utter disgrace.
Even by their usual standards this is shocking performance from One / Nat Ex / whatever they are called this week.
Somewhere out there, someone is getting very rich off this monopoly. It's an utter disgrace.
Posted by: Claim!!! on 9:52am Tue 25 Mar 08
www.delay-repay.com
Claim what is rightfully yours. Do NOT let them off the hook.
www.delay-repay.com
Claim what is rightfully yours. Do NOT let them off the hook.
Posted by: Suzanne, Hockley on 10:13am Tue 25 Mar 08
When I finally got on the train at Hockley just before 7am, we were told the train would be going all the way through to London. When we arrived at Wickford we were told that, unfortunately, the train would be terminating at Billericay and that, sadly, there were no replacement buses available to take us from there to the C2C line. We were advised to get off the train and go back the way we'd just come, to Southend, to pick up the C2C line there. To add insult to injury, the waiting rooms and loos on Wickford Station were locked up tight while we all stood frozen and cross legged on the platform. Thanks and Happy Easter to you too National Express!
I was over 2 hours late for work. Once you're delayed by 2 hours or more, when you delay-repay, National Express give you an additional £10 compensation. MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM! This may not have had anything to do with National Express as they don't do the engineering works, however, they must have guessed it would happen, what with the debacle at Christmas and the weather over the weekend. P!ss Up and Brewery . . .
When I finally got on the train at Hockley just before 7am, we were told the train would be going all the way through to London. When we arrived at Wickford we were told that, unfortunately, the train would be terminating at Billericay and that, sadly, there were no replacement buses available to take us from there to the C2C line. We were advised to get off the train and go back the way we'd just come, to Southend, to pick up the C2C line there. To add insult to injury, the waiting rooms and loos on Wickford Station were locked up tight while we all stood frozen and cross legged on the platform. Thanks and Happy Easter to you too National Express!
I was over 2 hours late for work. Once you're delayed by 2 hours or more, when you delay-repay, National Express give you an additional £10 compensation. MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM! This may not have had anything to do with National Express as they don't do the engineering works, however, they must have guessed it would happen, what with the debacle at Christmas and the weather over the weekend. P!ss Up and Brewery . . .
Posted by: Jo, The Real World on 10:28am Tue 25 Mar 08
What is ridiculous is that it then messes up the c2c line as well. I got on at Benfleet this morning, and it was so packed I but wedged in between people, been that close to people and their morning breath on the way in got too much so I got off at Laindon and waited for another train to start. Much more civilised.
What is ridiculous is that it then messes up the c2c line as well. I got on at Benfleet this morning, and it was so packed I but wedged in between people, been that close to people and their morning breath on the way in got too much so I got off at Laindon and waited for another train to start. Much more civilised.
Posted by: Mark Crosby, Pitsea, Basildon on 10:30am Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Mac[/bold] wrote:
<b> BBC news is under the misapprehension that delays are due to "signal problems". The delay is due to overrunning engineeting works! Hurrah.</b>[/quote] Hey Mac,
Is that not the same thing? They are doing engineering work on the signals because the tracks were replaced.
Mac wrote:
<b> BBC news is under the misapprehension that delays are due to "signal problems". The delay is due to overrunning engineeting works! Hurrah.</b>
Hey Mac,
Is that not the same thing? They are doing engineering work on the signals because the tracks were replaced.
Posted by: devil's advocate, boozeildon on 11:15am Tue 25 Mar 08
Suzanne said:
"I was over 2 hours late for work. Once you're delayed by 2 hours or more, when you delay-repay, National Express give you an additional £10 compensation. MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM! This may not have had anything to do with National Express as they don't do the engineering works, however, they must have guessed it would happen, what with the debacle at Christmas and the weather over the weekend. P!ss Up and Brewery . . ."
I agree with you apart from sayig "It had nothing to do with National Express"
I am afraid it had everything to do with them. Farming your work out to contractors does not farm out your responsibilities! It's National Expresse's service, it is up to them to maintain it. Nobody else!
Suzanne said:
"I was over 2 hours late for work. Once you're delayed by 2 hours or more, when you delay-repay, National Express give you an additional £10 compensation. MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM! This may not have had anything to do with National Express as they don't do the engineering works, however, they must have guessed it would happen, what with the debacle at Christmas and the weather over the weekend. P!ss Up and Brewery . . ."
I agree with you apart from sayig "It had nothing to do with National Express"
I am afraid it had everything to do with them. Farming your work out to contractors does not farm out your responsibilities! It's National Expresse's service, it is up to them to maintain it. Nobody else!
Posted by: Kerry fitzpatrick, Chelmsford on 11:25am Tue 25 Mar 08
[italic]italic[/italic] I was at chelmsford station at 6.30am and was still waiting at 7.30am i ended up gettig back on the bus to springfield and using the car for work. It is totally unacceptable.
I was at chelmsford station at 6.30am and was still waiting at 7.30am i ended up gettig back on the bus to springfield and using the car for work. It is totally unacceptable.
Posted by: Paul, Southend on Sea on 11:53am Tue 25 Mar 08
I got to Prittlewell station at 7:30 this morning to read signs saying trains would terminate at Billericay with a connecting bus to Laindon.
I was going to go for it, but my train didn't pull in on time and there was no indication of when/if it would. Eventually gave up. By the sound of the bus chaos at Laindon, I'm glad I did!
Bizarrely, NXEA were blaming overrunning engineering works, while Network Rail put it down to "a signalling problem.". I'm not sure yet which one is true.
I got to Prittlewell station at 7:30 this morning to read signs saying trains would terminate at Billericay with a connecting bus to Laindon.
I was going to go for it, but my train didn't pull in on time and there was no indication of when/if it would. Eventually gave up. By the sound of the bus chaos at Laindon, I'm glad I did!
Bizarrely, NXEA were blaming overrunning engineering works, while Network Rail put it down to "a signalling problem.". I'm not sure yet which one is true.
Posted by: Spike, c2c Land on 11:59am Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]devil's advocate[/bold] wrote:
Suzanne said: "I was over 2 hours late for work. Once you're delayed by 2 hours or more, when you delay-repay, National Express give you an additional £10 compensation. MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM! This may not have had anything to do with National Express as they don't do the engineering works, however, they must have guessed it would happen, what with the debacle at Christmas and the weather over the weekend. P!ss Up and Brewery . . ." I agree with you apart from sayig "It had nothing to do with National Express" I am afraid it had everything to do with them. Farming your work out to contractors does not farm out your responsibilities! It's National Expresse's service, it is up to them to maintain it. Nobody else![/quote] It had nothing to do with Nat Express. They run the trains (or atleast try to) no more no less.
Its Notwork Rail, and their sub contractors, who are responsible for the infrasturcture.
It was our freinds in the tory party who decided that running trains would be separate from maintaining the track
devil's advocate wrote:
Suzanne said: "I was over 2 hours late for work. Once you're delayed by 2 hours or more, when you delay-repay, National Express give you an additional £10 compensation. MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM! This may not have had anything to do with National Express as they don't do the engineering works, however, they must have guessed it would happen, what with the debacle at Christmas and the weather over the weekend. P!ss Up and Brewery . . ." I agree with you apart from sayig "It had nothing to do with National Express" I am afraid it had everything to do with them. Farming your work out to contractors does not farm out your responsibilities! It's National Expresse's service, it is up to them to maintain it. Nobody else!
It had nothing to do with Nat Express. They run the trains (or atleast try to) no more no less.
Its Notwork Rail, and their sub contractors, who are responsible for the infrasturcture.
It was our freinds in the tory party who decided that running trains would be separate from maintaining the track
Posted by: vicki, pitsea on 12:17pm Tue 25 Mar 08
got to pitsea train station today, to find no parking spaces, have had to drive into work making me 30mins late
got to pitsea train station today, to find no parking spaces, have had to drive into work making me 30mins late
Posted by: Paul M, Rayleigh on 12:37pm Tue 25 Mar 08
In response to a query to "ONE" in relation to the New Year delays I was told (letter from them) I would receive £24 and not the much publicised £20 (£6 for each of the four delayed trips over two days). Has anybody else come across this?
In response to a query to "ONE" in relation to the New Year delays I was told (letter from them) I would receive £24 and not the much publicised £20 (£6 for each of the four delayed trips over two days). Has anybody else come across this?
Posted by: James, London on 1:05pm Tue 25 Mar 08
The privatisation of the rail industry was as a legacy of an EU Directive...
The privatisation of the rail industry was as a legacy of an EU Directive...
Posted by: piano hinges on 1:15pm Tue 25 Mar 08
According to journeycheck.com:
[italic]Train services from London Liverpool Street to all destinations are being disrupted due to over-running engineering works in the Shenfield area.
Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Delays of up to 45 minutes can be expected.
Train services are now running to/from London, Norwich, Clacton, Braintree, Harwich Town & Southend Victoria but with short notice cancellation/alterat
ion. Services to/from London & Norwich have been reduced to run hourly. Services to/from Peterborough/Lowesto
ft will start/terminate at Ipswich. Metro services to/from Shenfield will be reduced to 20 minute intervals & run to/from London & Gidea Park only. Services to/from Southend Victoria will call additionally between Romford & Shenfield. A Shuttle services operates between Wickford & Southminster. Trains to/from Harwich Town/Braintree are now running as booked.[/italic]
It's just a shame they weren't as forthcoming with this information this morning, when we were all freezing on their platforms waiting for non-existent trains.
Having been through all this over Christmas, it's even more inexcusable that they should overrun yet again, so soon. The trains on this line are notoriously poor as it is - and all we've seen in terms of "improvements" recently is some track work which hasn't been done to standard, and a succession of name changes of the train operator.
This is a direct legacy of the Tories' fatally flawed policy of selling off the family silver at knock-down prices, then subsidising the resulting monopolies while giving them no incentive to improve performance. It's a disaster from start to finish, and we're all paying the price. (Highly inflated price, I note, since 1 January.)
This lot give the word "shambles" a good name.
According to journeycheck.com:
Train services from London Liverpool Street to all destinations are being disrupted due to over-running engineering works in the Shenfield area.
Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Delays of up to 45 minutes can be expected.
Train services are now running to/from London, Norwich, Clacton, Braintree, Harwich Town & Southend Victoria but with short notice cancellation/alterat
ion. Services to/from London & Norwich have been reduced to run hourly. Services to/from Peterborough/Lowesto
ft will start/terminate at Ipswich. Metro services to/from Shenfield will be reduced to 20 minute intervals & run to/from London & Gidea Park only. Services to/from Southend Victoria will call additionally between Romford & Shenfield. A Shuttle services operates between Wickford & Southminster. Trains to/from Harwich Town/Braintree are now running as booked.
It's just a shame they weren't as forthcoming with this information this morning, when we were all freezing on their platforms waiting for non-existent trains.
Having been through all this over Christmas, it's even more inexcusable that they should overrun yet again, so soon. The trains on this line are notoriously poor as it is - and all we've seen in terms of "improvements" recently is some track work which hasn't been done to standard, and a succession of name changes of the train operator.
This is a direct legacy of the Tories' fatally flawed policy of selling off the family silver at knock-down prices, then subsidising the resulting monopolies while giving them no incentive to improve performance. It's a disaster from start to finish, and we're all paying the price. (Highly inflated price, I note, since 1 January.)
This lot give the word "shambles" a good name.
Posted by: mick on 1:28pm Tue 25 Mar 08
shocking.......And when you get to Liverpool st , you hget insulted by a Ntional Express employee called Phil, who denies being part of Natioanl express, only when it suite, you all know who he is. he's the guy who you ask questions to, and he says, don't know, or acusses you of assault
shocking.......And when you get to Liverpool st , you hget insulted by a Ntional Express employee called Phil, who denies being part of Natioanl express, only when it suite, you all know who he is. he's the guy who you ask questions to, and he says, don't know, or acusses you of assault
Posted by: nick, london now on 2:20pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I’m sad to report that “Nit-Wit” Rail / National “Express” (not!), who are the one I believe at least, taking the money (this week) for running the railway, have again “overrun” on engineering over Easter! They are, to running a railway, what Billy Smart and his lovely Company of Clowns are to the running of the English National Ballet Company.
I’m sad to report that “Nit-Wit” Rail / National “Express” (not!), who are the one I believe at least, taking the money (this week) for running the railway, have again “overrun” on engineering over Easter! They are, to running a railway, what Billy Smart and his lovely Company of Clowns are to the running of the English National Ballet Company.
Posted by: Steve, southend on 2:45pm Tue 25 Mar 08
One railway cost me a job interview at london over new years. I looked online and went to check my route as im unfimilar with the trains. There was no mention of the Liverpool street closure, so i set out at 10am for a 1:30pm interview. As i arrived at the station i was told that Liverpool Street was shut, and that I would be best getting into the C2C line to fenchurch. In a panic i rushed over to the other line, but as they had sent half the people over there and only had one memeber of staff on the kiosk, i missed the only two trains that would of got me to the interview on time. The memeber of staff at 'One' failed to mention to me that i could of got off at another station on their line to get onto the underground. Very unhelpful, and a missed oppotunity. I contacted the employer who said that it was their only recuriment day for a few months. THANKS NETWORK RAIL!!!
One railway cost me a job interview at london over new years. I looked online and went to check my route as im unfimilar with the trains. There was no mention of the Liverpool street closure, so i set out at 10am for a 1:30pm interview. As i arrived at the station i was told that Liverpool Street was shut, and that I would be best getting into the C2C line to fenchurch. In a panic i rushed over to the other line, but as they had sent half the people over there and only had one memeber of staff on the kiosk, i missed the only two trains that would of got me to the interview on time. The memeber of staff at 'One' failed to mention to me that i could of got off at another station on their line to get onto the underground. Very unhelpful, and a missed oppotunity. I contacted the employer who said that it was their only recuriment day for a few months. THANKS NETWORK RAIL!!!
Posted by: Steve, southend on 2:45pm Tue 25 Mar 08
One railway cost me a job interview at london over new years. I looked online and went to check my route as im unfimilar with the trains. There was no mention of the Liverpool street closure, so i set out at 10am for a 1:30pm interview. As i arrived at the station i was told that Liverpool Street was shut, and that I would be best getting into the C2C line to fenchurch. In a panic i rushed over to the other line, but as they had sent half the people over there and only had one memeber of staff on the kiosk, i missed the only two trains that would of got me to the interview on time. The memeber of staff at 'One' failed to mention to me that i could of got off at another station on their line to get onto the underground. Very unhelpful, and a missed oppotunity. I contacted the employer who said that it was their only recuriment day for a few months. THANKS NETWORK RAIL!!!
One railway cost me a job interview at london over new years. I looked online and went to check my route as im unfimilar with the trains. There was no mention of the Liverpool street closure, so i set out at 10am for a 1:30pm interview. As i arrived at the station i was told that Liverpool Street was shut, and that I would be best getting into the C2C line to fenchurch. In a panic i rushed over to the other line, but as they had sent half the people over there and only had one memeber of staff on the kiosk, i missed the only two trains that would of got me to the interview on time. The memeber of staff at 'One' failed to mention to me that i could of got off at another station on their line to get onto the underground. Very unhelpful, and a missed oppotunity. I contacted the employer who said that it was their only recuriment day for a few months. THANKS NETWORK RAIL!!!
Posted by: Angry bloke, Hockley on 3:26pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Took a bus into Southend from Hockley at 06:40. Caught 07:20 C2C to Fenchurch St, arrived at work 08:30. Phoned Nat Express to complain and was told I would receive a whopping £6 compensation and a complentary £20 rail voucher... The bus was ticket was £3!
Nat Express needs to be more hands on when it comes to monitoring the progress if Network rail works / contractors. If there is a good chance of severe problems / delays they need to provide enough notice to passengers via the local media etc by a given time.
Donkeys.
Took a bus into Southend from Hockley at 06:40. Caught 07:20 C2C to Fenchurch St, arrived at work 08:30. Phoned Nat Express to complain and was told I would receive a whopping £6 compensation and a complentary £20 rail voucher... The bus was ticket was £3!
Nat Express needs to be more hands on when it comes to monitoring the progress if Network rail works / contractors. If there is a good chance of severe problems / delays they need to provide enough notice to passengers via the local media etc by a given time.
Donkeys.
Posted by: car driver, southend on 3:27pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Get over it !!
you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !!
just get over it and read your papers.
next
Get over it !!
you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !!
just get over it and read your papers.
next
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 3:38pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]car driver[/bold] wrote:
Get over it !! you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !! just get over it and read your papers. next [/quote] Idiot!
car driver wrote:
Get over it !! you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !! just get over it and read your papers. next
Idiot!
Posted by: Mark Jameson, Witham on 3:42pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]car driver[/bold] wrote: Get over it !! you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !! just get over it and read your papers. next [/quote] Idiot![/quote] I was thinking along roughly the same lines Partyboy. Though the word I was thinking of was consideraby more abusive!!
Partyboy wrote:
car driver wrote: Get over it !! you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !! just get over it and read your papers. next
Idiot!
I was thinking along roughly the same lines Partyboy. Though the word I was thinking of was consideraby more abusive!!
Posted by: vanderdecken on 4:44pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Don't get too excited about getting compensation, you will finish up paying it to yourself.
National Express will give you "compensation" and will promptly send the bill on to NumptyRail, who, being nationalised,althoug
h Broon would deny this, will either pay for the cost of the delays by spending less on looking after the railway or will get the money from the government, i.e. from your pocket via your taxes.
Even if NumptyRail are fined heavily for their incompetence the same will apply, they will pay the fine out of your taxes - wonderful isn't it?
Don't get too excited about getting compensation, you will finish up paying it to yourself.
National Express will give you "compensation" and will promptly send the bill on to NumptyRail, who, being nationalised,althoug
h Broon would deny this, will either pay for the cost of the delays by spending less on looking after the railway or will get the money from the government, i.e. from your pocket via your taxes.
Even if NumptyRail are fined heavily for their incompetence the same will apply, they will pay the fine out of your taxes - wonderful isn't it?
Posted by: Steve W, Wickford on 4:58pm Tue 25 Mar 08
After the New Year overruns, Network Rail gave us assurances that our customers would not face problems following the Easter engineering work.
[bold]bold[/bold]
did not WORK for me THANKS VERY MUCH GO BY TRAIN SO SORRY IF YOU CAN FIND ONE WOULD NOT TRUST YOU WITH A BIKE WITH NO WHEELS ON
After the New Year overruns, Network Rail gave us assurances that our customers would not face problems following the Easter engineering work.
did not WORK for me THANKS VERY MUCH GO BY TRAIN SO SORRY IF YOU CAN FIND ONE WOULD NOT TRUST YOU WITH A BIKE WITH NO WHEELS ON
Posted by: Local Boy, Hawkwell on 5:29pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Cheesed Off[/bold] wrote:
Even by their usual standards this is shocking performance from One / Nat Ex / whatever they are called this week.
Somewhere out there, someone is getting very rich off this monopoly. It's an utter disgrace.[/quote] Yes they are getting very rich. And the real good news is we are paying them to get rich. As Tax payers we pay nearly £2billion to the rail industry every year. Twice what inefficient old British Rail used to get.
Now who was it who said that privatising the railway would increase competition and reduce costs?
The bottom line is we are all getting ripped off by the private railways. And nobody has the bottle to do anything about it.
Cheesed Off wrote:
Even by their usual standards this is shocking performance from One / Nat Ex / whatever they are called this week.
Somewhere out there, someone is getting very rich off this monopoly. It's an utter disgrace.
Yes they are getting very rich. And the real good news is we are paying them to get rich. As Tax payers we pay nearly £2billion to the rail industry every year. Twice what inefficient old British Rail used to get.
Now who was it who said that privatising the railway would increase competition and reduce costs?
The bottom line is we are all getting ripped off by the private railways. And nobody has the bottle to do anything about it.
Posted by: Local Boy, Hawkwell on 5:34pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]James[/bold] wrote:
The privatisation of the rail industry was as a legacy of an EU Directive...[/quote] Absolute rubbish. It was a direct follow on from Thatchers dislike of the rail industry.
She always wanted BR broken up, and Major delivered it for her. And as the Tories undervalued many of BR's assets a lot of very average railway managers hocked their houses, bought shares and ended up multi millionaires when the privatised companies were sold on.
All nothing to do with the EU whatsoever.
James wrote:
The privatisation of the rail industry was as a legacy of an EU Directive...
Absolute rubbish. It was a direct follow on from Thatchers dislike of the rail industry.
She always wanted BR broken up, and Major delivered it for her. And as the Tories undervalued many of BR's assets a lot of very average railway managers hocked their houses, bought shares and ended up multi millionaires when the privatised companies were sold on.
All nothing to do with the EU whatsoever.
Posted by: train spotter, benfleet on 5:36pm Tue 25 Mar 08
hey its all frustating but rember when your taking it out on normal badly trained traain staff its not there fault the people you should bite the heads off are the mangement not the badly paid staff like they got any control over it i personally dont blame them if you are shouting and screaming at them i dont blame them for being being rude back to u
hey its all frustating but rember when your taking it out on normal badly trained traain staff its not there fault the people you should bite the heads off are the mangement not the badly paid staff like they got any control over it i personally dont blame them if you are shouting and screaming at them i dont blame them for being being rude back to u
Posted by: mr mann, southend on 5:39pm Tue 25 Mar 08
everybody stop bloomin moaning i think the railways do a superb job getting everyone about 99.9 per cent of the time you are spoilt brats get a bloomin job cloer to home if it bothers you
everybody stop bloomin moaning i think the railways do a superb job getting everyone about 99.9 per cent of the time you are spoilt brats get a bloomin job cloer to home if it bothers you
Posted by: Local Boy, Hawkwell on 5:49pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]mr mann[/bold] wrote:
everybody stop bloomin moaning i think the railways do a superb job getting everyone about 99.9 per cent of the time you are spoilt brats get a bloomin job cloer to home if it bothers you [/quote] Clearly you are happy paying high fares and significant tax monies to private companies who are doing a bad job then?
The Railways in this country (Virgin apart) are inferior and more expensive to the traveller and tax payer than any comparable network in Europe.
In 1979 (independent research by University of Leeds,)BR was the best value railway (apart from Finalnd) in Europe and in relative terms fares where much cheaper.
Oh and when it went wrong it was BR's fault and they owned the problem unlike the buck-passers we have today.
mr mann wrote:
everybody stop bloomin moaning i think the railways do a superb job getting everyone about 99.9 per cent of the time you are spoilt brats get a bloomin job cloer to home if it bothers you
Clearly you are happy paying high fares and significant tax monies to private companies who are doing a bad job then?
The Railways in this country (Virgin apart) are inferior and more expensive to the traveller and tax payer than any comparable network in Europe.
In 1979 (independent research by University of Leeds,)BR was the best value railway (apart from Finalnd) in Europe and in relative terms fares where much cheaper.
Oh and when it went wrong it was BR's fault and they owned the problem unlike the buck-passers we have today.
Posted by: I luv C2C, Southend on 7:05pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Can anyone tell me why NXEA service is so inferior to C2C considering that they are both run by the same companies.Also, wouldnt it be easier for the TOC to manage their own track
Can anyone tell me why NXEA service is so inferior to C2C considering that they are both run by the same companies.Also, wouldnt it be easier for the TOC to manage their own track
Posted by: ., southend on 7:20pm Tue 25 Mar 08
STOP WITH THE MOANING PEOPLE. U GRUMPY OLD GITS.
STOP WITH THE MOANING PEOPLE. U GRUMPY OLD GITS.
Posted by: Non Commuter on 8:14pm Tue 25 Mar 08
One Railway = One big bunch of useless wasters.
The chuckle brothers would run a tighter ship
One Railway = One big bunch of useless wasters.
The chuckle brothers would run a tighter ship
Posted by: Trainman on 8:50pm Tue 25 Mar 08
While you are all having a go at Network Rail, are you blaming them for the atrocious weather those guys worked in and in order to [bold]TRY[/bold] to get the work completed in time? Seeing as most of you feel you are so Professional at the reasons as to why there were delays, why don't go and show them how it SHOULD be done? You don't have a go at Highways Department or Emergency Services when held up on the roads and we [bold]ALL[/bold] pay high taxes for them, so get out there and show NR how YOU think it should be done, or simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.
While you are all having a go at Network Rail, are you blaming them for the atrocious weather those guys worked in and in order to
TRY to get the work completed in time? Seeing as most of you feel you are so Professional at the reasons as to why there were delays, why don't go and show them how it SHOULD be done? You don't have a go at Highways Department or Emergency Services when held up on the roads and we
ALL pay high taxes for them, so get out there and show NR how YOU think it should be done, or simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.
Posted by: Winkle Pikewits, Basildon Deux Eglises on 9:00pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote]simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.[/quote] How about taking some of your own advice for once?
simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.
How about taking some of your own advice for once?
Posted by: A commuter, Wickford on 9:08pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Trainman[/bold] wrote:
While you are all having a go at Network Rail, are you blaming them for the atrocious weather those guys worked in and in order to [bold]TRY[/bold] to get the work completed in time? Seeing as most of you feel you are so Professional at the reasons as to why there were delays, why don't go and show them how it SHOULD be done? You don't have a go at Highways Department or Emergency Services when held up on the roads and we [bold]ALL[/bold] pay high taxes for them, so get out there and show NR how YOU think it should be done, or simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache. [/quote] 1) They knew the weather forecast before starting the work so had a chance to cancel or reduce the scope of the work.
2) As for 'atrocious' I bet they don't have these problems in Sweden/Norway/Canada where it actually snows and the weather is way colder.
3) I [bold]DO[/bold] moan about the highways agency when there are hold ups on the roads - all too frequently.
4) How about you buttoning your lip, we're fed up of lame excuses.
Trainman wrote:
While you are all having a go at Network Rail, are you blaming them for the atrocious weather those guys worked in and in order to TRY to get the work completed in time? Seeing as most of you feel you are so Professional at the reasons as to why there were delays, why don't go and show them how it SHOULD be done? You don't have a go at Highways Department or Emergency Services when held up on the roads and we ALL pay high taxes for them, so get out there and show NR how YOU think it should be done, or simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.
1) They knew the weather forecast before starting the work so had a chance to cancel or reduce the scope of the work.
2) As for 'atrocious' I bet they don't have these problems in Sweden/Norway/Canada where it actually snows and the weather is way colder.
3) I
DO moan about the highways agency when there are hold ups on the roads - all too frequently.
4) How about you buttoning your lip, we're fed up of lame excuses.
Posted by: laughable, southend on 10:18pm Tue 25 Mar 08
trainman - you cannot come up with excuses - they are PAID to do a job, the company was ASSURED thought would be no problems, and people are annoyed because of the why the situation was handled. Its inexcusable!!!
And whoever said got a job closer to home, well maybe this area just doesnt offer the right type of job or pay, unless your happy to work in a call centre, which is all what Southend seems to offer these days!
trainman - you cannot come up with excuses - they are PAID to do a job, the company was ASSURED thought would be no problems, and people are annoyed because of the why the situation was handled. Its inexcusable!!!
And whoever said got a job closer to home, well maybe this area just doesnt offer the right type of job or pay, unless your happy to work in a call centre, which is all what Southend seems to offer these days!
Posted by: devil's Advocate, boozledon on 10:46pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Spike, c2c land wrote:"It had nothing to do with Nat Express. They run the trains (or atleast try to) no more no less.
Its Notwork Rail, and their sub contractors, who are responsible for the infrasturcture.
"It was our freinds in the tory party who decided that running trains would be separate from maintaining the track"
Sorry Spike, that is not true. You contract with your service provider, not Notwork rail (I like that!) and it is their duty to fulfill that contract by transporting you to the agreed destination at the agreed time.If you purchase anything in this country (other than a car or an aircraft ticket) your contract is with the person at the point of sale, that is where you return faulty goods etc. It is up to your train operator to ensure that any outage work is completed before the time the trains are due to return to service. British rail, despite all the tory "Railing" they suffered, had their planned outages off to a fine art! People never saw the engineering work done then because it went so smoothly, despite the lack of investment.
Spike, c2c land wrote:"It had nothing to do with Nat Express. They run the trains (or atleast try to) no more no less.
Its Notwork Rail, and their sub contractors, who are responsible for the infrasturcture.
"It was our freinds in the tory party who decided that running trains would be separate from maintaining the track"
Sorry Spike, that is not true. You contract with your service provider, not Notwork rail (I like that!) and it is their duty to fulfill that contract by transporting you to the agreed destination at the agreed time.If you purchase anything in this country (other than a car or an aircraft ticket) your contract is with the person at the point of sale, that is where you return faulty goods etc. It is up to your train operator to ensure that any outage work is completed before the time the trains are due to return to service. British rail, despite all the tory "Railing" they suffered, had their planned outages off to a fine art! People never saw the engineering work done then because it went so smoothly, despite the lack of investment.
Posted by: Frank, Leigh on 11:37pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I made the mistake of going to London via C2C on a weekend, checked the website said no works planned, on attempt to get home, was informed that they had no-one to update web-site! proper numpties!
I made the mistake of going to London via C2C on a weekend, checked the website said no works planned, on attempt to get home, was informed that they had no-one to update web-site! proper numpties!
Posted by: Albert Ladds, Rochford on 12:41am Wed 26 Mar 08
National Express are totally at blame here without a shadow of a doubt. They knew in the early hours of the morning that there was going to be a problem. National Express have fleets of coaches and busses throughout Essex and there are plenty of small bus companies that would have jumped at the chance to earn big bucks in laying on bus replacement services. You will find that National Express management will always pass the buck rather than sort out a problem. Expect much of the same in the future.
National Express are totally at blame here without a shadow of a doubt. They knew in the early hours of the morning that there was going to be a problem. National Express have fleets of coaches and busses throughout Essex and there are plenty of small bus companies that would have jumped at the chance to earn big bucks in laying on bus replacement services. You will find that National Express management will always pass the buck rather than sort out a problem. Expect much of the same in the future.
Posted by: Kim Gandy, Rayleigh on 6:16am Wed 26 Mar 08
Where is Aubrey Stein? The Echo letters page's self appointed critic of all those disgusting people who drive their cars to work?
He spouts on the letters page but never on here. UNLESS he is one of the significant number of whining lefties who use this site under an assumed name.
Well Aubrey, if you ARE here, first of all well done from taking a break from your curtain twitching to honour us with your presence.
Secondly, perhaps you might see that THIS is the reason a lot of people use their cars.
Because this country has a cr@p transport system. Not the fault of the poor s0ds who work within it, more the fault of this and previous equally incompetent governments.
The railways in this country were once the envy of the world.
But then so were many other things we were respected for, until every government department was infested by champagne socialists, self appointed guardians of our planet and people with ridiculously titled but disgustingly overpaid and unnecessary jobs.
You know the sort - the ones advertised in the Guardian.
Get rid of a lot of these parasites who are paid too much money for shuffling paper.
Invest in what people really want. Good quality public transport; clean, reliable, PUNCTUAL.
Where is Aubrey Stein? The Echo letters page's self appointed critic of all those disgusting people who drive their cars to work?
He spouts on the letters page but never on here. UNLESS he is one of the significant number of whining lefties who use this site under an assumed name.
Well Aubrey, if you ARE here, first of all well done from taking a break from your curtain twitching to honour us with your presence.
Secondly, perhaps you might see that THIS is the reason a lot of people use their cars.
Because this country has a cr@p transport system. Not the fault of the poor s0ds who work within it, more the fault of this and previous equally incompetent governments.
The railways in this country were once the envy of the world.
But then so were many other things we were respected for, until every government department was infested by champagne socialists, self appointed guardians of our planet and people with ridiculously titled but disgustingly overpaid and unnecessary jobs.
You know the sort - the ones advertised in the Guardian.
Get rid of a lot of these parasites who are paid too much money for shuffling paper.
Invest in what people really want. Good quality public transport; clean, reliable, PUNCTUAL.
Posted by: Kim Gandy, Rayleigh on 6:18am Wed 26 Mar 08
And yes, I know the railways aren't government run.
But the policies of governments and this one in particular, infest every area of our lives.
I was harking back to the days when Prescott was shadow transport minister, I distinctly remember him telling us how Labour would give us a transport system to be proud of.
I rest my case.
And yes, I know the railways aren't government run.
But the policies of governments and this one in particular, infest every area of our lives.
I was harking back to the days when Prescott was shadow transport minister, I distinctly remember him telling us how Labour would give us a transport system to be proud of.
I rest my case.
Posted by: spike, c2c land on 8:49am Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Albert Ladds[/bold] wrote:
National Express are totally at blame here without a shadow of a doubt. They knew in the early hours of the morning that there was going to be a problem. National Express have fleets of coaches and busses throughout Essex and there are plenty of small bus companies that would have jumped at the chance to earn big bucks in laying on bus replacement services. You will find that National Express management will always pass the buck rather than sort out a problem. Expect much of the same in the future. [/quote] So if National Express divert all their buses and staff to carrying people who usually get the train, who is going to run the normal bus service?
You know, nat express have 100s of buses sitting outside various stations, just waiting, on the off chance a bit of snow disrputs the engineer work.
Albert Ladds wrote:
National Express are totally at blame here without a shadow of a doubt. They knew in the early hours of the morning that there was going to be a problem. National Express have fleets of coaches and busses throughout Essex and there are plenty of small bus companies that would have jumped at the chance to earn big bucks in laying on bus replacement services. You will find that National Express management will always pass the buck rather than sort out a problem. Expect much of the same in the future.
So if National Express divert all their buses and staff to carrying people who usually get the train, who is going to run the normal bus service?
You know, nat express have 100s of buses sitting outside various stations, just waiting, on the off chance a bit of snow disrputs the engineer work.
Posted by: Ray, East London on 11:50am Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]car driver[/bold] wrote:
Get over it !! you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !! just get over it and read your papers. next [/quote] Car Driver, you are a fecking pr**k , do us a favour and crash
car driver wrote:
Get over it !! you were all a little late to work after 4 days off !!imagine if we were to report on every trafic jam in the mornings getting people late to work !! just get over it and read your papers. next
Car Driver, you are a fecking pr**k , do us a favour and crash
Posted by: Culli, Shotgate on 11:57am Wed 26 Mar 08
Useless, expensive , why do we have to put up with it ? I suggest a boycott of not paying fares for a month, they would soon improve then ? So fecking annoyed with them !
Useless, expensive , why do we have to put up with it ? I suggest a boycott of not paying fares for a month, they would soon improve then ? So fecking annoyed with them !
Posted by: Mac, Billericay on 12:39pm Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Mark Crosby[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Mac[/bold] wrote: <b> BBC news is under the misapprehension that delays are due to "signal problems". The delay is due to overrunning engineeting works! Hurrah.</b>[/quote] Hey Mac, Is that not the same thing? They are doing engineering work on the signals because the tracks were replaced.[/quote] Signal problems sounds like a situation beyond control, an exceptional event. Overrunning engineering works means something avoidable went wrong.
Mark Crosby wrote:
Mac wrote: <b> BBC news is under the misapprehension that delays are due to "signal problems". The delay is due to overrunning engineeting works! Hurrah.</b>
Hey Mac, Is that not the same thing? They are doing engineering work on the signals because the tracks were replaced.
Signal problems sounds like a situation beyond control, an exceptional event. Overrunning engineering works means something avoidable went wrong.
Posted by: Albert Ladds, Rochford on 1:47pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Hey Spike, what I’m trying to say is that they had plenty of time to sort out busses between the stations. C2C always manage to get some tin pot bus company in at short notice so why can’t National Express. I’ll tell you why – because they don’t know their ear hole from that other hole located in their trousers.
Hey Spike, what I’m trying to say is that they had plenty of time to sort out busses between the stations. C2C always manage to get some tin pot bus company in at short notice so why can’t National Express. I’ll tell you why – because they don’t know their ear hole from that other hole located in their trousers.
Posted by: Paul, Benfleet on 2:32pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Too many people with their fingers in the pie and all blaming each other. When I used to be a secondman on British Railways they had emergency working. It needed a few men with flags and bardic lamps so that trains could still run albeit a bit slower,and not as frequent, but they could still run. Now I suppose Health & Safety says they can't run any trains at all.
Too many people with their fingers in the pie and all blaming each other. When I used to be a secondman on British Railways they had emergency working. It needed a few men with flags and bardic lamps so that trains could still run albeit a bit slower,and not as frequent, but they could still run. Now I suppose Health & Safety says they can't run any trains at all.
Posted by: JR, Rochford on 6:42pm Wed 26 Mar 08
I managed to get on one of the few buses at Billericay - the driver told us that the reason there were hardly any buses, is that there were also problems on the Docklands Light Railway, and DLR phoned the bus companies first. So although the overrunning engineering works was not there fault, the way National Express dealt with the problem was a complete shambles.
Again.
I managed to get on one of the few buses at Billericay - the driver told us that the reason there were hardly any buses, is that there were also problems on the Docklands Light Railway, and DLR phoned the bus companies first. So although the overrunning engineering works was not there fault, the way National Express dealt with the problem was a complete shambles.
Again.
Posted by: Paul Gordon, Rochford on 7:13pm Wed 26 Mar 08
I'm appauled at the poor communication and service I had today with National expresss on the London to Liverpool St Line!
I started my journey at 6.15am going to Bilaricy and like several others got told there was a bus service to laindon and Romford! It materilised that they were running only 1 Bus to laindon!!
I was then told I would need to goto Southend to catch a train on C to C.
I spent 3.5 hour's trying to get into london but was miss informed by staff on several occassions as they did not know what was happening. This journey is normally only 1 hour and the lack of information and warning is not acceptable from such a large company.
I'm appauled at the poor communication and service I had today with National expresss on the London to Liverpool St Line!
I started my journey at 6.15am going to Bilaricy and like several others got told there was a bus service to laindon and Romford! It materilised that they were running only 1 Bus to laindon!!
I was then told I would need to goto Southend to catch a train on C to C.
I spent 3.5 hour's trying to get into london but was miss informed by staff on several occassions as they did not know what was happening. This journey is normally only 1 hour and the lack of information and warning is not acceptable from such a large company.
Posted by: Cyberia Fantasy on 9:47am Thu 27 Mar 08
We need more investment on the railways. Lets have another increase several percent above inflation. A slice inept directorship is also required............
.......
We need more investment on the railways. Lets have another increase several percent above inflation. A slice inept directorship is also required............
.......
Posted by: Lesley on 12:40pm Thu 27 Mar 08
... and Liverpool Street i closed again this weekend so they can move a bridge.
I'm not looking forward to Monday morning...
... and Liverpool Street i closed again this weekend so they can move a bridge.
I'm not looking forward to Monday morning...
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 1:04pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Albert Ladds[/bold] wrote:
Hey Spike, what I’m trying to say is that they had plenty of time to sort out busses between the stations. C2C always manage to get some tin pot bus company in at short notice so why can’t National Express. I’ll tell you why – because they don’t know their ear hole from that other hole located in their trousers.[/quote] Their flies????
Albert Ladds wrote:
Hey Spike, what I’m trying to say is that they had plenty of time to sort out busses between the stations. C2C always manage to get some tin pot bus company in at short notice so why can’t National Express. I’ll tell you why – because they don’t know their ear hole from that other hole located in their trousers.
Their flies????
Posted by: Trainman on 3:08pm Tue 1 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Winkle Pikewits[/bold] wrote:
[quote]simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.[/quote] How about taking some of your own advice for once?[/quote] [bold]Because I have NO need to.[/bold]
Winkle Pikewits wrote:
simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.
How about taking some of your own advice for once?
Because I have NO need to. Posted by: Winkle Pikewits, Basildon Deux Eglises on 3:48pm Tue 1 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Trainman[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Winkle Pikewits[/bold] wrote:
[quote]simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.[/quote] How about taking some of your own advice for once?[/quote] [bold]Because I have NO need to.[/bold] [/quote] Oooh that told me. I'm crushed.
Trainman wrote:
Winkle Pikewits wrote:
simply button your lip and stop giving us all an earache.
How about taking some of your own advice for once?
Because I have NO need to.
Oooh that told me. I'm crushed.
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