C
Chris Brady
Guest
Despite the introduction of new rolling stock - Southern / South
Central / ex-Connex STILL have a number of the older slam door trains.
So why they couldn't they have used these is a moot point. I nearly
went on the L2B run on Sunday on the spur of the moment but am now
glad that I didn't. Indeed without rail transport back to London I
will NEVER go on it again. It seesm to me that once again a Railco has
decided on an anti-cyclist stance. Travelling by train in the UK is a
nightmare anyway - period - but with a bicycle its a total nightmare.
Intersting that Southern is so profitable that it can turn away custom
to the tune of £20 x 5,000 = £100,000
CJB.
===============================================================
No trains for charity cyclists
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3399873.stm
The event started in 1976 when 30 friends rode from Hyde Park
Cyclists taking part in the annual London to Brighton bike ride will
not be able to get the train home this year.
A lack of room on new high-tech rolling stock means this year, for the
first time, participants will not be able to return to London by
train.
About 27,000 people take part in the charity ride each year, with many
of them traditionally returning to the capital by train.
Last year South Central Trains ran 30 special services, with seats
removed from old carriages, but it has said it cannot do the same this
year.
They have known for some time that this would eventually happen -
there is no ill feeling
The event, due to take place on 20 June, runs over a 56-mile route
from Clapham Common to Madeira Drive on Brighton seafront.
Since 1980 it has been organised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
and last year's event raised almost £2.5m.
In 2003 about 5,000 cyclists took advantage of the special trains run
by South Central.
But the train firm is in the process of introducing £856m worth of new
rolling stock and is scrapping its old trains.
A spokesman said the new trains have room for only two or three bikes
per carriage and cannot have the seats removed to make room for more.
He said South Central had informed the BHF of the situation in 2002,
to give it enough time to make alternative arrangements.
The new trains have no guards' carriage where bikes can be stored
The spokesman said: "In the past we were able to work with the British
Heart Foundation to provide services, but unfortunately we are no
longer in a position to do it.
"They have known for some time that this would eventually happen -
there is no ill feeling."
Julie Sorrell, head of events for the BHF, said: "We were provided
with plenty of advance notice from South Central Trains and have made
alternative travel arrangements - which will include a coach and lorry
service."
But the CTC, the UK's national cyclists' organisation, has been more
critical of the situation, claiming the change reflects the railway
industry's attitude towards cyclists.
Director Kevin Mayne said rail operators were tailoring their services
to the needs of commuters when trains were also used by many other
groups of people.
He said the reduction in space which meant less room for bikes also
affected wheelchair users and parents with children in pushchairs.
Central / ex-Connex STILL have a number of the older slam door trains.
So why they couldn't they have used these is a moot point. I nearly
went on the L2B run on Sunday on the spur of the moment but am now
glad that I didn't. Indeed without rail transport back to London I
will NEVER go on it again. It seesm to me that once again a Railco has
decided on an anti-cyclist stance. Travelling by train in the UK is a
nightmare anyway - period - but with a bicycle its a total nightmare.
Intersting that Southern is so profitable that it can turn away custom
to the tune of £20 x 5,000 = £100,000
CJB.
===============================================================
No trains for charity cyclists
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3399873.stm
The event started in 1976 when 30 friends rode from Hyde Park
Cyclists taking part in the annual London to Brighton bike ride will
not be able to get the train home this year.
A lack of room on new high-tech rolling stock means this year, for the
first time, participants will not be able to return to London by
train.
About 27,000 people take part in the charity ride each year, with many
of them traditionally returning to the capital by train.
Last year South Central Trains ran 30 special services, with seats
removed from old carriages, but it has said it cannot do the same this
year.
They have known for some time that this would eventually happen -
there is no ill feeling
The event, due to take place on 20 June, runs over a 56-mile route
from Clapham Common to Madeira Drive on Brighton seafront.
Since 1980 it has been organised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
and last year's event raised almost £2.5m.
In 2003 about 5,000 cyclists took advantage of the special trains run
by South Central.
But the train firm is in the process of introducing £856m worth of new
rolling stock and is scrapping its old trains.
A spokesman said the new trains have room for only two or three bikes
per carriage and cannot have the seats removed to make room for more.
He said South Central had informed the BHF of the situation in 2002,
to give it enough time to make alternative arrangements.
The new trains have no guards' carriage where bikes can be stored
The spokesman said: "In the past we were able to work with the British
Heart Foundation to provide services, but unfortunately we are no
longer in a position to do it.
"They have known for some time that this would eventually happen -
there is no ill feeling."
Julie Sorrell, head of events for the BHF, said: "We were provided
with plenty of advance notice from South Central Trains and have made
alternative travel arrangements - which will include a coach and lorry
service."
But the CTC, the UK's national cyclists' organisation, has been more
critical of the situation, claiming the change reflects the railway
industry's attitude towards cyclists.
Director Kevin Mayne said rail operators were tailoring their services
to the needs of commuters when trains were also used by many other
groups of people.
He said the reduction in space which meant less room for bikes also
affected wheelchair users and parents with children in pushchairs.
