Liverpool Steet Departure Boards Are Changing

Network Rail will be making changes to the main departure boards at Liverpool Street on Wednesday 28th March.  The boards will be split into three sections based on the geographic groupings of services.

Section 1 will display services to:
King’s Lynn, Cambridge, Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford, Hertford East, Enfield Town and Chingford

Section 2 will feature a ‘Special Notice’ display, giving our customers additional general information concerning train services.

Section 3 will display services to:
Norwich, Ipswich, Harwich Town, Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Colchester Town, Braintree, Southminster, Southend Victoria, Shenfield and Gidea Park.

There will be no change to the current Stansted Express information on the departure board.

5:54 Ex Manningtree 5th March

The MRUA have asked Greater Anglia for an explanation as to why the 05:54 was 'cancelled' this morning.  Passengers at Manningtree were told it was cancelled due to overrunning engineering work only to see the train hurtle through the station without stopping.  The train didn't stop at Colchester either and arrived at Liverpool Street all but empty of passengers.

Those left at Manningtree endured a slow train to Liverpool Street heaving with passengers.

A cynic might think the 5:54 was allowed to avoid Manningtree and Colchester so as to arrive at Liverpool Street within ten minutes of its booked time and therefore not be logged as late.

A Rise In 'Signals Passed At Danger'

The number of Signals Passed At Danger (SPADs) incidents in East Anglia more than doubled last year according to figures released by National Express East Anglia.

In its annual report, National express revealed that the number of SPADS went up from 0.44 per million miles in 2010 to 0.96 per million miles in 2011.  That works out at about 20 incidents on the entire East Anglian network throughout the year.

In 2010 there were only 9 SPADs in the region.  However this number was regarded as an exception with 2011 providing figures more in line with the norm.

NXEA confirmed that the vast majority of SPADs involved trains passing a signal by only a metre or two usually as a result of slippery rails.  Details of more serious SPADs were not provided.

Greater Anglia Launch Ticket App

Greater Anglia have today launched an app to enable passengers to purchase tickets via their iPhone, Android, Blackberry or Ovi phones. iPhone users can also download timetables that can be used offline.

Details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/82ultqo

Greater Anglia Starts Today

Today sees the start of the Abellio Greater Anglia franchise.  It is unlikely that any major changes will be forthcoming in the short term but details of their services can be found at http://www.greateranglia.com

Passenger Fined For Crossing The Tracks At Manningtree

A passenger has been fined £100 for crossing the tracks at Manningtree rather than use the subway.  Toby Millet ignored warnings from staff and became abusive when challenged.

In addition to the fine - which was deemed as paid through time spent in custody - Millet was also ordered to pay £85 costs and fined another £85 for 'failing to surrender' as he turned up at court on the wrong day.

MRUA Requesting Action On Pedestrian Access To Station

The MRUA has approached Essex County Council, Tendring District Council and Lawford Parish Council requesting action be taken to reduce the dangers to pedestrians and cyclists as they approach the station.  Pedestrians take their lives in their hands crossing the various roads to get the station and this is particularly dangerous at the bottom of Station Approach where vehicles often negotiate the entrance far too fast.