Beeching 2 - 1982

[NoOnions]

Dear All,

Yesterday I was flicking through my Dad's copy of "Beeching - 50 Years of the Axeman" when I came across The Serpell Report of 1982.

I'm still shocked that an 84% reduction in the network was even considered!

What worries me now is that as petrol keeps rising in price and rail travel becomes even more popular, there are plans to try and restrict demand by raising prices for peak travel to spread travel times over the whole day - not much use if you use the train to go to work!

On the day costs are just terrible - £28.25 return, according to the SE Trains website, if I want to go to Cannon Street (peak) tomorrow from Rainham!

We don't buy our trains from the UK, HS2 already has the nimby's out in force

Cheer me up please!

NoOnions

[chapelwood]

Aug 7, 2011 14:00:27 GMT NoOnions said:

On the day costs are just terrible - £28.25 return, according to the SE Trains website, if I want to go to Cannon Street (peak) tomorrow from Rainham!

The alternative is to drive. HMRC reckon the full cost of driving is 45 pence/mile, so 76 miles there and back would cost £34.20, plus £10 congestion charge, plus whatever it costs to park in the City of London.
Chapelwood

[Richard Trevithick]

Apologies for the late reply, things have been busy of late in the spirit world.

Another alternative is the Kings Ferry Coach, who only charge £18 return from Rainham. However, you will be subject to all of the traffic delays. Additionally, it can take up to twice as long (2hrs) on the comparable Rainham - Victoria rail (1hr) journey.

Which is most important to you - cost, or spending an additional quarter of your paid working week sitting on a coach in a traffic jam?

RT