Random Stuff!!

[Jerry]

The train access is either via the Heathrow Express from Paddington or the rail air coach from Reading. No doubt any spur would make Heathrow more attractive to passengers from this area! Not that it needs to be! Heathrow has a network that'll attract people from all over the UK. In a way as customers it's good that we have so many good airport options nearby, my girlfriend in the US doesn't have those options and it's often cheaper for her to drive for 12 hours than fly for 2.

 

[superking]

My step daughter lives in Davenport Iowa and their nearest airport is Quad cities airport. This airport does commuter flights to a fair few airports in the states. The main route for them is Chicago which is about 40 minutes flight time and about 2 hours from their home by road. The flights are dear and very often they drive to Chicago and airport parking she says is cheap so to drive is a good option for them.Drive time and miles the Americans think nothing of it.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Cardiff City FC

Disappointing news today that they have been relegated frrom the Premier League.

One report I read said that owner Vincent Tan made a rare appearance at a Bluebirds match today. Are there any Bluebirds fans amongst our CWL members? If so, I wondered how committed supporters believe Mr Tan is to the club.

I know he is not the only overseas owner of a Premier League or high profile Championship club who is not a regular watcher of his club's matches (if indeed that is the case with Mr Tan) but does he still give an impression of someone who is passionate about his club and its prospects?

 

[Jerry]

That's a shame! Having Cardiff in the Premier is supposed to be good for the city! I wonder if Swansea will replace them? If they have a chance?
As for Vincent Tan I do believe Cardiff isn't his only football team. I think he owns a team in Belgium and 1 in Slovenia and also shares in an MLS team in LA.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

That's a shame! Having Cardiff in the Premier is supposed to be good for the city! I wonder if Swansea will replace them? If they have a chance?
As for Vincent Tan I do believe Cardiff isn't his only football team. I think he owns a team in Belgium and 1 in Slovenia and also shares in an MLS team in LA.

Swansea City have missed out on promotion back to the Premier League this season. They've had a strong run-in but their earlier season inconsistency has left them several points away from the play-off positions.

As you pointed out, Vincent Tan owns or has large interests in a Belgian club (KV Kortrjk), a Bosnian club (FK Sarajevo) and MLS club Los Angeles FC, but a Premier League club would easily have the highest profile because of the interest that league generates around the world.

 

[Jerry]

Just been looking at prices for flights to Spain from Cardiff and Ryanair and Vueling aren't cheap before the Champions League final! £192 one way for BCN on the Tuesday and on the Thursday both Alicante and Malaga are coming up as £162 one way.

 

[Jerry]

Commiserations to Newport County at Wembley and commiserations to Glasgow in Glasgow but congratulations to Tranmere Rovers and Leinster rugby.

 

[Jerry]

With the M4 relief road cancelled a new commission is being setup to investigate alternatives for the Newport area but I've seen an interesting tweet suggests cancelling big projects in Wales is more the norm!
Projects cancelled in Wales since 2010 with who cancelled it.
M4 relief road WG
Severn barage UK Gov
Rail electrification Cardiff to Swansea UK Gov
Swansea tidal lagoon UK Gov
Wylfa power station UK Gov
South and North Wales wind farms UK Gov
Circuit of Wales WG
Bay Sports village and Ski dome WG
Defence college UK Gov
Magor theme park WG

Does make you wonder if the Metro will get finished.

 

[Sean123]

They should set up a commission to look into it, then announce they've delayed the findings then ignore the findings, blame brexit and set up a new commission!!!

 

[Jerry]

They should set up a commission to look into it, then announce they've delayed the findings then ignore the findings, blame brexit and set up a new commission!!!

And then another commission after that!
I am surprised Brexit hasn't been mentioned but I think there was a subtle hint to it with the mention of uncertain finances in the future.

 

[Sean123]

Maybe the commission will come up with the idea of tolling the Severn bridges to reduce congestion

 

[superking]

This is a big blow to Bridgend and Wales as a whole with Fords shutting engine plant in September next year.1700 jobs affected lets hope they do find some sort of work.After Cardiff there isnt a lot of big firms with bases that way.

 

[superking]

Knowing what you do Jerry ,will the ford plant shutting affect you.

 

[Jerry]

Knowing what you do Jerry ,will the ford plant shutting affect you.

It won't even though my company is bridgend based in the 12 years I've worked for them I've done 1 delivery into Ford. The bulk of our work is supermarket stuff with some insulation. I've no doubt it'll effect some haulage companies but they are more than likely to be ones from across the bridge than local ones.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Trains to London: Severn Tunnel electrification problems

Trains to London: Severn Tunnel electrification problems

After three years and £20m, there is still an "issue" electrifying the railway in the Severn Tunnel.

www.bbc.co.uk

There is now some doubt as to whether the Severn Tunnel will be electrified. The ties that hold the electric wires above the track are failing because of the salty conditions inside the tunnel. They were originally designed to last 25 years but are failing within three years.

Attempts are being made to overcome the situation but if they are unsuccessful the bi-mode trains will switch to diesel power through the tunnel. Network Rail says that passengers won't notice the difference (not quite true because the diesel engines are noisier especially when climbing the slopes out of the tunnel at either end) and journey times won't be affected, which begs the obvious question as to why they bothered to spend nearly £20 million preparing the tunnel for electrification in the first place.

 

[superking]

The Welsh footballer Gareth Bale married his girl friend over the weekend.

 

[bluebols]

Headed down to the Cambrian club for a bacon sandwich and a look at the Lancaster which is tech having magnetos changed and hoping to head back to Coningsby later today. Coming from North Cardiff it took me 50 minutes due to traffic chaos at Culverhouse Cross. We went to Gibraltar from Bristol two weeks ago and the time to get there was almost identical. With all the new houses being built around Cardiff and the Vale, the whole infrastructure is grinding to a halt. I know the grand plan is to force everyone onto public transport but this is going to take years and years, in the meantime motorists are going to schedule far more time to travel in the South Wales area.

 

[Jerry]

We went to Gibraltar from Bristol two weeks ago and the time to get there was almost identical.

You must have been going some! I live in Llanrumney and it usually takes me about 30 mins longer than that.

 

[superking]

I suppose it could depend on time of day to get to BRS.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

Sorry to go off subject however there appears to be a movement against the development around Cardiff Airport which was reported several weeks ago.

There is a banner erected near the farm which would have to be vacated. There is also a banner on the gate near the houses on the left before you go around the airport bend.

I will pull over and get a picture on the way to work tomorrow.