Trains To Be Cleaned (Externally)

A new cleaning programme for Greater Anglia is to restore exterior paintwork on the electric, sliding door fleet.  All Class  321 (the older sliding door trains) and 360 (Purple sliding door trains) will be cleaned this year.

GA is using a new cleaning product to strip away contamination like embedded brake dust. The work will take place at Ilford depot in London.

Sadly there is no news on improving the interiors.

Greater Anglia Shortlisted For Top Award

Greater Anglia has been nominated for Rail Operator Of The Year award at the National Transport Awards.  Among the reasons fro being nominated are:

• Best punctuality ever seen in this region
• Improved ticketing service
• Service provided during the Olympics
• The alliance with Network Rail resulting in fewer weekend disruptions

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in October.

Bike & Go

Instructions on the new Bike & Go stand say that keys should be returned to the ticket office at the end of the day.  It is not clear what to do if the ticket office is closed....

Ticket Office Availability

There is much talk amongst neighbouring Rail User Groups of ticket offices being closed more and more often.   Regular travellers at Manningtree will know this has been a matter of concern here for some time now.  Have you been affected?  Let us know at info@mrua.org

Station Parking

Motorists are reminded to take heed of the road markings outside the station and on the approach road.  The area directly in front of the station is a roundabout and the usual rules apply.  Motorists parking in the bus and taxi bays are causing congestion at busy times, and poor use is being made of the waiting spaces in the approach road.  Congestion will always be a problem at busy times, but adhering to the markings will alleviate the problems somewhat.

NCP Parking Fines

NCP continue to issue parking fines to poorly parked cars and we again ask that motorists take care when parking.  Those motorists trying to fill spaces reduced in size by irresponsible parking by others are also being penalised.  The fines levied are by no means small so it is worth taking the time to park properly.

Farewell to David Bramhill

Today Manningtree station bids farewell to David Bramhill.  Always a friendly face and extremely helpful to all, Dave is off to enjoy a well-earned retirement.  He has set a wonderful example to the current generation of staff in treating rail users well by keeping them informed when problems occur and giving useful advice when needed.  Upon leaving Dave says “I would like to thank all regular rail users at Manningtree for their tolerance and forbearance during times when the railways have not worked as they should”. 

We wish Dave a long and healthy retirement.