National Routeing Guide update

[thedbdiboy]

Well, why aren't they replacing it?

If there is a wish for a replacement to be approved then they should work within the existing framework.

Of course whilst some people use the routing guide to their advantage, there are also TOCs who out up fares to more popular stations than others. So it kind of works both ways.

Same reason as so many other problems - the lack of an overall, accountable strategic public body to manage the industry and operators. In the grand scheme of things the Routeing Guide is so far down the list, and it is precisely because in the current structure changes have to be approved at DfT level that nothing to move on from it happens. There isn't the bandwidth, capability or competence to do this at DfT and the 'current framework' is completely unworkable, so as long as the RDG process just fiddles with it and doesn't cause any major ructions it's left as it is. And it is not TOC money any more, hasn't been for 4 years. They don't earn a bean from charging higher fares - and the people you want to police it (DfT) don't care in the slightest if someone else does something to give them more fare income that no-one in the real world actually notices.
The Regulator is also a public body legislated for by Government, so don't expect anything to happen there that would upset the current funding model. Those will long enough memories will remember what happened to Tom Winsor.

 

[kieron]

There have been two more updates to the routeing guide this month. Sorry about the delay with these.

On 1 February, the following changes were published.

Changes from 27 Jan 2023 (422) to 01 Feb 2023 (423).​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Darlington (DAR) to Manchester Group (G20) gain MT+MK​

Edinburgh Group (G11) to Manchester Group (G20) gain YA+MT+MK​

Manchester Group (G20) to Scarborough Group (G48) gain MK+YN​

Manchester Group (G20) to York (YRK) gain MK+MT​

These journeys now have mapped routes via Wakefield.

Gilberdyke (GBD) to Manchester Group (G20) gain HM+MK​

This journey now has mapped routes which go via both Selby and Wakefield.

Goole (GOO) to Manchester Group (G20) gain TP+MK lose WY+MN​

This journey no longer has mapped routes via York.
It now has mapped routes which go via Snaith and the line between Mirfield & Wakefield.

Hull (HUL) to Manchester Group (G20) gain HL+MK​

This journey now has mapped routes which go via Selby and also go via Wakefield or Pontefract.

Manchester Group (G20) to Middlesbrough Group (G42) gain MK+MT​

This journey now has mapped routes:
via Bradford and Wakefield; and
via Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Manchester Group (G20) to Newcastle (NCL) gain MK+MN​

This journey now has mapped routes which go via Salford Crescent and Wakefield.

Manchester Group (G20) to Northallerton (NTR) gain MK+MT​

This journey now has mapped routes:
via Halifax and Wakefield; and
via Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Manchester Group (G20) to Selby (SBY) gain MK+HM​

This journey now has mapped routes which go via the line between Mirfield & Wakefield.

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701058 (Local) During engineering disruption, customers travelling from Hook to or via Basingstoke may doubleback from Winchfield. This local easement applies only when Hook is the origin of a journey.​

Only eastbound trains are stopping at Hook, and the rail replacement buses only go to Winchfield, so this permits you to use the shortest route which can be used by scheduled passenger services between Hook and Basingstoke.

Web sites don't see it in those terms, of course.

On Tuesday, the following changes were published.

Changes from 01 Feb 2023 (423) to 07 Feb 2023 (424).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701036 (Map) During engineering works between 27 and 31 December 2022, and Sundays 08 January and 05 February 2023 Bristol Parkway station will be closed. This map easement will provide temporary permitted routes via Bristol Temple Meads, Newport (South Wales) and Gloucester for journeys that normally would travel north/south via Bristol Parkway and Gloucester. It will apply in both directions.​

​

701038 (Doubleback) During engineering works between 27 and 31 December 2022, and Sundays 08 January and 05 February 2023 Bristol Parkway station will be closed. This double back easement will provide temporary permitted routes via Bristol Temple Meads, Newport (South Wales), Severn Tunnel Junction and Gloucester for journeys that normally would travel north/south via Bristol Parkway and Gloucester. It will apply in both directions.​

The dates for these temporary easements have all passed.

Added:​

​

701059 (Map) This map easement is to accommodate routeing of Trans Pennie services via Wakefield Kirkgate during until 12 February 2023.​

The data for this easement adds Huddersfield Group, Wakefield Kirkgate and Leeds to any mapped route, so there are more tickets with which you can use the route of the diverted TPE trains.

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

LEI & CITY TLINK (00791) (219 records)​

must go via City Thameslink (CTK) and Leicester (LEI)​

must not go via Clapham Junction (CLJ), Peterborough (PBO), Stratford International (SFA) or Watford Junction (WFJ)​

may only use East Midlands Railway, Great Northern, Northern, Southeastern, Southern or Thameslink services.​

This means that someone booking a journey between (say) Melton Mowbray and Gatwick Airport via Corby isn't offered one of these tickets.

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The following post was made on 15 February 2023.

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Some easements were removed from the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 07 Feb 2023 (424) to 15 Feb 2023 (425).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701042 (Fare route) During engineering works, on the 07 and 08 January 2023, and the 04, 05 and 11 February 2023, tickets priced on (00847) VIA SWINDON, will be valid for travel via Newbury. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701043 (Map) During engineering works, impacting journeys from Didcot Parkway via Swindon on the 07, 08 January 2023 and 04, 05 and 11 February 2023, customers will be able to travel via Reading, Newbury and Westbury. This map easement will apply in both directions.​

​

701057 (Fare route) During Engineering works on the 04 and 05 February 2023, customers travelling on tickets priced on route (00264) CHALFONT & LATIMER will be valid on journeys via Amersham. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701059 (Map) This map easement is to accommodate routeing of Trans Pennie services via Wakefield Kirkgate during until 12 February 2023.​

The dates these easements covered have all passed now.

701058 (Local) During engineering disruption, customers travelling from Hook to or via Basingstoke may doubleback from Winchfield. This local easement applies only when Hook is the origin of a journey.​

Trains called at Hook in both directions now, so this easement is no longer needed.

 

[kieron]

Changes from 15 Feb 2023 (425) to 20 Feb 2023 (426).

Easement changes:

Added:

701055 (Fare route) Due to engineering works until 02 March 2023, tickets priced on (00136) VIA MELKSHAM will be valid via Bath Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

The line through Melksham is closed at the moment, so this means people can avoid the rail replacement buses without paying extra for (say) an "any permitted" ticket.

Route changes:

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)
must go via City Thameslink (CTK) or Surrey Quays (SQE)
must only use Elizabeth Line (XR)​

This is due to go live tomorrow, and there may be further changes then. At the moment, the name and details don't match, and the route code is used for journeys (such as Abbey Wood-Alexandra Palace) which can't be made in accordance with the new route details.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Changes from 15 Feb 2023 (425) to 20 Feb 2023 (426).​

​

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)​

must go via City Thameslink (CTK) or Surrey Quays (SQE)​

must only use Elizabeth Line (XR)​

This is due to go live tomorrow, and there may be further changes then. At the moment, the name and details don't match, and the route code is used for journeys (such as Abbey Wood-Alexandra Palace) which can't be made in accordance with the new route details.

There may be some dodgy data there, as the most recent entry I can find is from 2019 and has City Thameslink or Surrey Quays as included locations and Canary Wharf (Elizabeth Line) as an excluded location. There is, of course, a possibility that it's being changed for NFM44 (as the fares data for same should be being distributed about now) but it won't be in public facing systems until the actual day of the change on 5th March.

 

[MikeWh]

Changes from 15 Feb 2023 (425) to 20 Feb 2023 (426).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701055 (Fare route) Due to engineering works until 02 March 2023, tickets priced on (00136) VIA MELKSHAM will be valid via Bath Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

The line through Melksham is closed at the moment, so this means people can avoid the rail replacement buses without paying extra for (say) an "any permitted" ticket.

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)​

must go via City Thameslink (CTK) or Surrey Quays (SQE)​

must only use Elizabeth Line (XR)​

This is due to go live tomorrow, and there may be further changes then. At the moment, the name and details don't match, and the route code is used for journeys (such as Abbey Wood-Alexandra Palace) which can't be made in accordance with the new route details.

Hmmm, that does look odd. Via CTK or SQE specifically meant you can't use the EL. The new wording seems to suggest that you must use the EL to Liverpool Street (Moorgate) and then GN from there.

 

[JB_B]

​

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)​

must go via City Thameslink (CTK) or Surrey Quays (SQE)​

must only use Elizabeth Line (XR)​

This is due to go live tomorrow, and there may be further changes then. At the moment, the name and details don't match, and the route code is used for journeys (such as Abbey Wood-Alexandra Palace) which can't be made in accordance with the new route details.

This looks like a repeat of the data error briefly introduced on code 00486 (EMR & Connections) last summer.

( To recap, whoever coded that up seemed not to appreciate that specifying an include-operator record for the route code implicitly excludes travel by any other operators. )

Fortunately that error was fairly swiftly reversed.

See https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/national-routeing-guide-update.99396/post-5743060

 

[kieron]

There may be some dodgy data there, as the most recent entry I can find is from 2019 and has City Thameslink or Surrey Quays as included locations and Canary Wharf (Elizabeth Line) as an excluded location.

That's what the fare data shows. The routeing data didn't mention Canary Wharf, and I'm pretty sure I was given itineraries that way when I checked yesterday.

There is, of course, a possibility that it's being changed for NFM44 (as the fares data for same should be being distributed about now) but it won't be in public facing systems until the actual day of the change on 5th March.

They've completely changed a routeing code before now, but they usually try to synchronise the fare and routeing changes for it. We now have "City Thameslink/Surrey Quays" tickets which won't be sold online, and where the name gives no hint as to why this is.

 

[Iggy12a]

They've completely changed a routeing code before now, but they usually try to synchronise the fare and routeing changes for it. We now have "City Thameslink/Surrey Quays" tickets which won't be sold online, and where the name gives no hint as to why this is.

By way of example, there should be an East Croydon to Finsbury Park via City TL/Surrey Q single of £7.30, but journey planners now only give me the £9.80 Any Permitted fare.

 

[fandroid]

Contactless?

By way of example, there should be an East Croydon to Finsbury Park via City TL/Surrey Q single of £7.30, but journey planners now only give me the £9.80 Any Permitted fare.

Contactless?

 

[kieron]

There has been another change to the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 20 Feb 2023 (426) to 22 Feb 2023 (427).

Route changes:

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)
must only use Elizabeth Line (XR)
must go via City Thameslink (CTK) and Surrey Quays (SQE)​

The details still make for quite an awkward journey, but there are at least some journeys you could find online for it.

For Finsbury Park-Abbey Wood, this could be something like Thameslink to Peckham Rye, London Overground to Whitechapel and Elizabeth Line from there.

 

[Alex365Dash]

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (248 records)
must go via City Thameslink (CTK) and Surrey Quays (SQE)

Wouldn’t this mean that the electronic definition is still not implemented correctly as the written routing indicates either or as a via point but the electronic routing indicates it has to go through both?

Oops.

 

[Watershed]

Wouldn’t this mean that the electronic definition is still not implemented correctly as the written routing indicates either or as a via point but the electronic routing indicates it has to go through both?

Oops.

Indeed. It is currently nonsensical and makes it virtually impossible to obtain itineraries for most CITY TL/SURREY Q fares.

It looks like the responsible person at iBlocks doesn't know how to encode such restrictions correctly. I have some sympathy with them insofar as the data structure is stupidly complex; on the other hand, it's their job to know it and get it right!

 

[infobleep]

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

CITY TL/SURREY Q (00365) (124 records)​

must go via City Thameslink (CTK) or Surrey Quays (SQE)​

must only use Elizabeth Line (XR)​

This is due to go live tomorrow, and there may be further changes then. At the moment, the name and details don't match, and the route code is used for journeys (such as Abbey Wood-Alexandra Palace) which can't be made in accordance with the new route details.

When I looked up Abbey Wood to Alexandra Palace for Tuesday on Monday and for Wednesday on Tuesday, using the National Rail Enquiries app I got the same results back.

I was expecting a difference. Is it just NRE hadn't been updated?

 

[kieron]

Two easements were added to the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 22 Feb 2023 (427) to 23 Feb 2023 (428).

Easement changes:

Added:
701056 (Map) Due to engineering works until 02 March 2023, for journeys from or via Westbury, this map easement will create permitted routes to Oxford and beyond via Swindon. It will operate in both directions.​

Some or all of the line between Reading and Westbury is scheduled to be closed until the end of next week.

This easement adds a route from Trowbridge to Reading via Bath or Melksham and Swindon to any nearby mapped route.

701057 (Doubleback) Due to engineering works until 02 March 2023, customers travelling from or via Westbury to or via Oxford may doubleback between Didcot Parkway and Reading. This doubleback easement applies in both directions​

This is intended to permit someone to double back at Reading with (say) a Moreton-in-Marsh-Westbury ticket. It doesn't seem to work (on nre.co.uk, anyway), possibly because it only permits a double back through Didcot. Easement 82 (which does something similar under different circumstances) also covers the stations between Reading and Didcot.

Another easement was added to the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 23 Feb 2023 (428) to 24 Feb 2023 (429).

Easement changes:

Added:

701058 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling to or via London Liverpool Street, from or via Peckham, New Cross Gate or New Cross may not travel via Greenwich and Canary Wharf. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

The easement details don't mention Canary Wharf, but instead restrict journeys which include Greenwich, London Liverpool Street, and one of New Cross, New Cross Gate or Peckham Rye.

I don't know how sensible that would be, even with a cross-London transfer as part of the route.

 

[Starmill]

Indeed. It is currently nonsensical and makes it virtually impossible to obtain itineraries for most CITY TL/SURREY Q fares.

It looks like the responsible person at iBlocks doesn't know how to encode such restrictions correctly. I have some sympathy with them insofar as the data structure is stupidly complex; on the other hand, it's their job to know it and get it right!

Perhaps the person responsible will have a third (or fourth depending on how we're counting) try shortly and then we'll receive an update.

 

[Paul Kelly]

possibly because it only permits a double back through Didcot. Easement 82 (which does something similar under different circumstances) also covers the stations between Reading and Didcot.

instead restrict journeys which include Greenwich, London Liverpool Street, and one of New Cross, New Cross Gate or Peckham Rye.

These dubious changes certainly make it sound as if there is someone new altering the routeing guide. I wonder if they are aware of the requirement to consult with DfT regarding changes and/or if they are aware of this forum thread.

 

[kieron]

When I looked up Abbey Wood to Alexandra Palace for Tuesday on Monday and for Wednesday on Tuesday, using the National Rail Enquiries app I got the same results back.

I was expecting a difference. Is it just NRE hadn't been updated?

While not for that route, I have been offered a "via City Thameslink/Surrey Quays" ticket for another journey with that sort of itinerary.

If I ask nre.co.uk for Crystal Palace-Finsbury Park via Surrey Quays but avoiding Hoxton*, it finds some £8.50 returns with changes at Surrey Quays, New Cross (or New Cross Gate) and London Bridge. It's not an especially quick route here, either.

* You may need to delete any nationalrail.co.uk cookies you have for this link to open correctly.

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The following was posted on 3 March 2023.

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Some more changes were published in the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 24 Feb 2023 (429) to 03 Mar 2023 (430).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

701059 (Local) On Sundays customers from Kinghorn travelling to Dunfermline City may travel via Glenrothes with Thornton. This local easement applies in both directions​

It's 10 miles further via Glenrothes than via Inverkeithing, but it's faster under the limited Sunday timetable. The same applies to several other journeys in Fife, of course.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

600050 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling from Inverkeithing to Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy may noit not travel via Glenrothes. This easement applies in both directions.​

​

700997 (Local) Customers travelling from Cardenden, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline Queen Margaret, Dunfermline Town City and Rosyth to Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes with Thornton, Markinch, Dalgetty Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn and Ladybank may travel via Inverkeithing. This local easement applies in both directions.​

These are slightly reworded.

701041 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 18 February and 02 March 2023, Sunday 05 March 2023 and, the weekend of the 11/12 March 2023, the 07 to 10 April 2023, and between 30 April to 03 May 2023. That that will close the route between Theale and Pewsey, tickets priced on routes (00494) AP NEWBURY and (00063) VIA NEWBURY, will be valid for travel via Melksham and Swindon , but not via Castle Cary, Salisbury or Bath Spa. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.​

​

701055 (Fare route) Due to engineering works until to 02 March 2023. Between 07 to 10 April 2023, and 30 April t0 03 May 2023, tickets priced on (00136) VIA MELKSHAM will be valid via Bath Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701056 (Map) Due to engineering works until to 02 March 2023, between 07 -10 April 2023, and between 30 April and 03 May 2023, for journeys from or via Westbury, this map easement will create permitted routes to Oxford and beyond via Swindon. It will operate in both directions.​

​

701057 (Doubleback) Due to engineering works until to 02 March 2023 and between 07 to 10 April 2023, customers travelling from or via Westbury to or via Oxford may doubleback between Didcot Parkway and Reading. This doubleback easement applies in both directions​

These add extra dates. The data for the new dates is the same as it was for the old ones.

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

NOT VIA MANCHEST (00254) (594 records)​

must not go via Deansgate (DGT), Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) or Manchester Victoria (MCV)​

This prevents travel via Deansgate, but I don't know if it matters for any journeys which have "not via Manchester" tickets available.

 

[kieron]

Some more easement changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 03 Mar 2023 (430) to 06 Mar 2023 (431).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

701060 (Fare route) During engineering works, between 12 to 19 March 2023, customers with tickets priced on (00112) VIA BARKING may travel via Upminster. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are various line closures over this period which affect C2C's routes. I haven't looked into when these easements would be useful.

This easement lets (say) a Purfleet-London ticket be used via Romford.

701061 (Routeing Point) During engineering works between 12 - 19 March 2023, customers travelling from Rainham (Essex) and Purfleet may travel via Upminster. This routeing point easement applies in both directions.​

This means that Grays is a valid routeing point for journeys to and from two of the stations between Barking and Grays. Dagenham Dock isn't included, but the intent appears to be that people use buses to go there.

701062 (Map) During engineering works between 12 - 19 March 2023, between Barking and Grays, Customer using rail replacement services may travel via Grays and Upminster for journeys that would normally be routed via Barking. This map easement applies in both directions​

This adds Barking, Grays and Upminster to any routeing maps where they might be useful.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

701041 (Fare route) During engineering works between the 18 February and 02 March 2023, Sunday 05 March 2023,the weekend of on the 11/12 March 2023, the 07 to 10 April 2023, and between 30 April to 03 May 2023. That will close the route between Theale and Pewsey, tickets priced on routes (00494) AP NEWBURY and (00063) VIA NEWBURY, will be valid for travel via Melksham and Swindon , but not via Castle Cary, Salisbury or Bath Spa. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.​

​

701055 (Fare route) Due to engineering works to 02 March 2023. Between between 07 to 10 April 2023, and 30 April t0 to 03 May 2023, tickets priced on (00136) VIA MELKSHAM will be valid via Bath Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701056 (Map) Due to engineering works to 02 March 2023, between 07 -10 April 2023, and between 30 April and 03 May 2023, for journeys from or via Westbury, this map easement will create permitted routes to Oxford and beyond via Swindon. It will operate in both directions.​

​

701057 (Doubleback) Due to engineering works to 02 March 2023 and between 07 to 10 April and 30 April to 03 May 2023, customers travelling from or via Westbury to or via Oxford may doubleback between Didcot Parkway and Reading. This doubleback easement applies in both directions​

These just change the dates for each easement.

Easement 701059 (SCOTRAIL)​

On Sundays customers from Kinghorn travelling to Dunfermline City may travel via Glenrothes with Thornton. This local easement applies in both directions​

+ve local easement valid on Su (03/03/2023-)​

contain GLT KDY, go from KGH & go to DFE ​

contain GLT KDY, go from DFE & go to KGH ​

​

Stations:​

Dunfermline (DFE)​

Glenrothes with Thornton (GLT)​

Kirkcaldy (KDY)​

Kinghorn (KGH)​

The data for this easement now restricts it to Sundays, to match the text.

That said, nre.co.uk didn't show a journey between Kinghorn and Dunfermline City as being valid via Glenrothes with Thornton when I checked it, even on Sundays. I don't know why this is.

---

The following post was made on 9 March 2023.

---

Some more easement changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 06 Mar 2023 (431) to 08 Mar 2023 (432).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

700303 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling from or via London Kings Cross to Carlisle and beyond using fares routed "Any Permitted" may not travel via Newcastle. This easement applies in both directions. (Mondays to Fridays inclusive All dates)​

I don't know the original motive for this easement, but there are now some "any permitted" tickets which are valid from, to or via London Kings Cross, Newcastle and Carlisle, and others (such as London-Carlisle ones) which aren't.

Added:​

​

701063 (Fare route) During engineering works 20-23 March 2023, customers with tickets priced on (00842) VIA TAUNTON may travel via Tiverton Parkway and Bristol Parkway on rail replacement services.​

There are no trains between Tiverton Parkway and Weston-super-Mare or Castle Cary on those dates. Some other easements were published on 5th January to accommodate this.

This one adds another route on which a "via Taunton" ticket is valid. The text only mentions journeys via Tiverton Parkway and Bristol Parkway, but the data for the easement also covers tickets from or to those stations.

701064 (Map) Due to engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 07 April 2023 to 10 April 2023. This map easement will allow journey planners to show itineraries using rail replacement services and onward train journeys from Kettering and Bedford to London St Pancras International. It will apply in both directions.​

Over Easter, there are line closures between Milton Keynes and London Euston, and also between Bletchley and Bedford. The extent of the closure varies day to day.

This easement adds Rugby, Kettering, Bedford, West Hampstead Thameslink and London St Pancras to any mapped routes which need them.

701065 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 07 April 2023 to 10 April 2023. This fare route easement will allow tickets priced on (00403) AP CARLISLE and (00452) AWC & CONNECTIONS to be valid on services via Bedford. It will apply in both directions.​

The data for the "AWC & Connections" route normally excludes travel via Bedford, so this change allows advance tickets to be sold which involve the bus. "AP Carlisle" is similar, except that it is never used.

701066 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 07 April 2023 to 10 April 2023. This fare route easement will permit tickets priced on (00043) AVANTI TRAINS ONLY, (00060) AVANTI & TPE ONLY, (00117) AVANTI & NTH ONLY, to use replacement services to Bedford and onward by East Midlands and Thameslink trains. It will apply in both directions.​

This overrides the TOC restrictions for various routes. The version of the easement web sites use excludes routes via Leicester or Oakham.

 

[kieron]

Some more easement changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 08 Mar 2023 (432) to 15 Mar 2023 (433).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701067 (Routeing Point) During engineering works on 18 March 2023, until 09.00 hrs customers with Tickets Priced on route (00118) VIA UPMINSTER, may travel via Pitsea. This fare route route easement applies in both directions​

There are no trains between Barking, Upminster and Laindon until 8am on Saturday, so this lets someone with (say) a Barking-Basildon ticket avoid the buses.

701068 (Fare route) During engineering on 19 March 2023, between Barking and Grays, Customer using rail replacement services may travel via Upminster on tickets priced on route (00112) VIA BARKING. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

There are no trains on the line between Barking and Grays on Sunday, and the replacement buses only run between Grays and Upminster. This easement means someone with (say) a Laindon-Rainham ticket can catch a bus from Upminster without having to double back to Barking.

701069 (Routeing Point) The Severn Tunnel will be closed between 09 and 18 June 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Routeing Point easement applies in both directions.​

​

701070 (Map) During engineering closure of the Severn Tunnel between 09 and 18 June, this map easement will create temporary map permissions from Bristol to Newport via Gloucester. Will apply in both directions.​

​

701071 (Fare route) The Severn Tunnel will be closed between 09 and 18 June 2023. Customers travelling from Chepstow and Lydney with tickets priced on route (00843) VIA SEVERN TUNNEL JUNCTION, may travel via Gloucester. This Fare Route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701072 (Local) The Severn Tunnel will be closed between 09 and 18 June 2023. Customers from Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney travelling to Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway , Filton Abbeywood, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road and Bristol Temple Meads, or to destinations via Bristol Parkway may travel on trains via Gloucester to avoid using the rail replacement bus service. This Local easement applies in both directions.​

This is planned well in advance, and there's still little information on the GWR web site about what's happening then. The easements seem to be intended to let anyone who wishes to avoid the buses can do so with their normal tickets. It doesn't cover Patchway or Pilning, but it may be that they will only be served by buses then.

The "via Severn Tunnel Junction" route mentioned in easement 701071 is only used for fares to Chepstow or Lydney.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

Easement 700464 (TRANSPORT FOR WALES RAIL)​

Customers travelling from Lydney or Chepstow to Bristol TM may travel via Newport. This easement applies in both directions.​

+ve local easement (02/12/2013-)​

contain NWP, go from CPW LYD & go to BRI with route ANY PERMITTED (00000) SEVERN TUNNEL JN (00843)​

contain NWP, go from BRI & go to CPW LYD with route ANY PERMITTED (00000) SEVERN TUNNEL JN (00843) ​

​

Stations:​

Bristol Temple Meads (BRI)​

Chepstow (CPW)​

Lydney (LYD)​

Newport (South Wales) (NWP)​

All of the tickets between Bristol Temple Meads and Lydney or Chepstow had the route code changed from "any permitted" to "via Severn Tunnel Junction" in 2020.
I didn't find any itineraries via Newport on nre.co.uk when I looked earlier today, though.

Easement 701063 (CROSSCOUNTRY)​

During engineering works 20-23 March 2023, customers with tickets priced on (00842) VIA TAUNTON may travel via Tiverton Parkway and Bristol Parkway on rail replacement services.​

+ve fare route easement (20/03/2023-23/03/2023)​

contain BPW TVP with route VIA TAUNTON (00842) ​

contain BPW TVP, go from TVP & go to BPW with route VIA TAUNTON (00842) ​

contain BPW TVP, go from BPW & go to TVP with route VIA TAUNTON (00842)​

​

Stations:​

Bristol Parkway (BPW)​

Tiverton Parkway (TVP)​

I don't know if this change has any effect. I know that nre.co.uk already showed Tiverton Parkway-Bristol Parkway tickets as being valid on the buses, so I suspect not.

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The following post was made on 18 March 2023.

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Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 15 Mar 2023 (433) to 17 Mar 2023 (434).​

​

Map changes:​

EC: Gain Alexandra Palace to/from Gospel Oak​

EC: Gain Finsbury Park to/from Gospel Oak​

EC: Gain Finsbury Park to/from Willesden Junction​

EC: Gain Gospel Oak to/from Willesden Junction​

EC: Gain London Group to/from Willesden Junction​

This makes London-Willesden Junction-Harringay Green Lanes-Harringay-Edinburgh a permitted route, but doesn't let you go via Highbury & Islington. This sounds like something you might use when the line through Finsbury Park was closed.

EC is only one of the maps used for travel on the ECML. Shorter journeys tend to use other maps such as TY, TE, KY, EE, LN, KP or KE, and are unaffected.

KG: Gain Alexandra Palace to/from Gospel Oak​

KG: Gain Finsbury Park to/from Gospel Oak​

KG: Gain Finsbury Park to/from Willesden Junction​

KG: Gain Gospel Oak to/from Willesden Junction​

KG: Gain London Group to/from Willesden Junction​

This does the same as the EC change, but is used for journeys via Berwick-upon-Tweed to stations in and around Glasgow.

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701049 (Map) During engineering work closures on weekdays between27 February and 10 March 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester and Yeovil to the West Country, Bristol and beyond. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Southampton and Salisbury. This map easement to apply in both directions​

​

701050 (Fare route) Due to engineering work closures on weekdays between 27 February and 10 March 2023, journeys to or via Yeovil on tickets routed on (00829) VIA YEOVIL will be able to travel via Brockenhurst. Tickets priced on route (00955) GWR ONLY will be able to travel via Yeovil Junction and Salisbury. These fare route easements will apply in both directions​

​

701051 (Routeing Point) During engineering work closures weekdays between 27 February and 10 March 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester South from or via Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham (Dorset) and Tisbury. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Salisbury and Brockenhurst. This routeing point easement to apply in both directions.​

The dates for these temporary easements have passed now.

Added:​

​

701073 (Fare route) During engineering works 20 to 23 March 2023, tickets priced on (00840) VIA HONITON, will be valid via Castle Cary. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

GWR trains are being diverted via Honiton then. This easement is needed because web sites interpret the "via Honiton" route code as if it excluded travel via Castle Cary. The easement details only apply it to journeys via Westbury (or, at least, the main line through Westbury), meaning that it doesn't help someone with an Exeter-Maiden Newton ticket.

701074 (Map) During engineering closures, Transpennine Express services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield and Wakefield. This map easement will create temporary permissions for journeys that include a journey leg on the diverted TPE trains. It will operate in both directions.​

Web sites only apply this easement on the weekend of 8-9 April, when nre.co.uk states that the line between Hope and Sheffield is closed. The data adds Manchester Piccadilly, Guide Bridge, Stalybridge, Huddersfield Group, Wakefield Kirkgate, Swinton (Yorks), Meadowhall and Sheffield to routes which go via Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield but not Leeds or Barnsley, and which use TPE trains at some point.

The data is less generous than the text might suggest. It only affects journeys via Manchester Picadilly and Sheffield, so not from or to one of them (e.g. Walkden-Sheffield), or from, to or via the stops at Huddersfield and Stalybridge (e.g. Walkden-Chesterfield via Manchester Victoria or Walkden-Meadowhall).

There is no "fare route" easement for the various "via Leeds", "via Stockport" and "Northern only" tickets, and those are the only tickets you can buy for (for example) a Chorley-Dronfield journey.

701075 (Map) During engineering work closures on weekdays between 30 April and 03 May 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester and Yeovil to the West Country, Bristol and beyond. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Southampton and Salisbury. This map easement to apply in both directions​

This is the same as 701049 but with different dates. It adds the routeing points between Eastleigh, Exeter, Salisbury, Southampton, Westbury and Weymouth inclusive to maps, except for Taunton. It doesn't include Upwey and Dorchester West, but this doesn't appear to matter. The data for this easement also includes route (01000) . but doesn't include journeys from, to or via Fareham or Basingstoke.

701076 (Fare route) Due to engineering work closures on weekdays between 30 April and 03 May 2023, journeys to or via Yeovil on tickets routed on (00829) VIA YEOVIL will be able to travel via Brockenhurst. Tickets priced on route (00955) GWR ONLY will be able to travel via Yeovil Junction and Salisbury. These fare route easements will apply in both directions​

This is the same as 701050 but with different dates. It means a "via Yeovil" ticket can be used by someone who avoids the north-south line through the town, and advance tickets may be available on more GWR services.

701077 (Routeing Point) During engineering work closures weekdays between 30 April and 03 May 2023, impacting journeys to and via Dorchester South from or via Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham (Dorset) and Tisbury. Customers with tickets routed on (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00955) GWR ONLY, (00829) VIA YEOVIL, (00818) NOT VIA BRISTOL and (00817 VIA BRISTOL will be able to travel via Salisbury and Brockenhurst. This routeing point easement to apply in both directions.​

This is the same as 701051 but with different dates. It makes Salisbury a valid routeing point for journeys via Brockenhurst so long as the route code is one of the above or (01000) ..

 

[kieron]

Some extra easements were added to the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 17 Mar 2023 (434) to 23 Mar 2023 (435).

Easement changes:

Added:

701078 (Map) Due to engineering closures south of Milton Keynes on 30th April 2023. This map easement will allow journeys to show itineraries using rail replacement services and onward train journeys from Kettering and Bedford to London St Pancras International. It will apply in both directions.​

This easement adds Rugby, Kettering, Bedford, West Hampstead Thameslink and London St Pancras to any mapped routes which need them. It effectively adds an extra date to easement 701064.

701079 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes on 30th April 2023. This fare route easement will allow tickets priced on (00403) AP CARLISLE and (00452) AWC & CONNECTIONS to be valid on services via Bedford. It will apply in both directions.​

This adds an extra date to easement 701065, and is needed for "AWC & Connections" tickets to be used via Bedford. There are no "AP Carlisle" tickets.

701080 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes on 30th April 2023. This fare route easement will permit tickets priced on (00043) AVANTI TRAINS ONLY, (00060) AVANTI & TPE ONLY, (00117) AVANTI & NTH ONLY, to use replacement services to Bedford and onward by East Midlands and Thameslink trains. It will apply in both directions.​

This adds an extra date to easement 701066. It overrides the TOC restrictions for various routes but (if you rely on web sites' interpretations of the easement) only if you avoid Leicester and Oakham.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide on Wednesday.

Changes from 23 Mar 2023 (435) to 29 Mar 2023 (436).

Easement changes:

Removed:

701053 (Fare route) Due to engineering works between Exeter and Taunton from 20 to 23 March 2023, tickets priced on (00842) VIA TAUNTON, will be valid for Travel via Honiton, Yeovil and Castle Cary. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701054 (Map) Due to engineering works between Exeter and Taunton from 20 to 23 March 2023, tickets priced on (00842) VIA TAUNTON, (00700) NOT VIA LONDON, (00411) AP SLOUGH, (00820) GW ONLY, (00810) NOT VIA READING, (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00203) GWR SLEEPER & GWR and (00840) VIA HONITON will be valid for Travel on Great Western trains via Honiton, Yeovil and Castle Cary. This map easement will not apply to journeys that include travel via Brockenhurst or Salisbury. This map easement applies in both directions.

701060 (Fare route) During engineering works, between 12 to 19 March 2023, customers with tickets priced on (00112) VIA BARKING may travel via Upminster. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701061 (Routeing Point) During engineering works between 12 - 19 March 2023, customers travelling from Rainham (Essex) and Purfleet may travel via Upminster. This routeing point easement applies in both directions.

701062 (Map) During engineering works between 12 - 19 March 2023, between Barking and Grays, Customer using rail replacement services may travel via Grays and Upminster for journeys that would normally be routed via Barking. This map easement applies in both directions

701063 (Fare route) During engineering works 20-23 March 2023, customers with tickets priced on (00842) VIA TAUNTON may travel via Tiverton Parkway and Bristol Parkway on rail replacement services.

701067 (Routeing Point) During engineering works on 18 March 2023, until 09.00 hrs customers with Tickets Priced on route (00118) VIA UPMINSTER, may travel via Pitsea. This fare route route easement applies in both directions

701068 (Fare route) During engineering on 19 March 2023, between Barking and Grays, Customer using rail replacement services may travel via Upminster on tickets priced on route (00112) VIA BARKING. This fare route easement applies in both directions

701073 (Fare route) During engineering works 20 to 23 March 2023, tickets priced on (00840) VIA HONITON, will be valid via Castle Cary. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

These are temporary easements for which the dates have passed.

Added:

701081 (Fare route) During engineering works on 16 & 29 April, 1 & 7 May 2023, journeys routed (00635) VIA WOKING will be valid for travel via Guildford. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are no trains through Woking on the first date listed, and so this helps some travellers to avoid the buses, or at least to spend less time on them.

701082 (Fare route) During engineering works on 8, 9, 15 & 16 April, 28 & 29 May 2023, journeys routed (00735) VIA STAINES will be valid for travel via Chertsey and Weybridge. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

There are no trains through Staines then, and the London-Reading trains are diverted via Chertsey and Weybridge. This easement means that (say) SWR's London-Reading tickets are valid on their trains.

701083 (Fare route) During engineering closures, on 8th and 9th April 2023, Transpennine Express services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield and Wakefield. Customers with tickets priced on route (00325) VIA STOCKPORT will be able to travel on TPE services via Stalybridge and Huddersfield to and from Sheffield. This fare route easement will operate in both directions.​

The text of this easement permits you to (say) use a Runcorn-Sheffield ticket on a diverted TPE train. You're unlikely to be able to obtain an itinerary for an affected journey, however, as the data provided for web sites states that this easement affects "via Woking" tickets rather than "via Stockport" ones.

701084 (Map) Customers travelling to Edinburgh and beyond, whose normal route is via Newcastle and Berwick upon Tweed, may travel via Carlisle during engineering works on 21 June 2023. The weekends of 16th - 17th, 23rd - 24th, and 30th September 2023. And the 1st, 7th - 8th October 2023. This map easement applies in both directions​

The line between Newcastle and Morpeth is scheduled to close then, with some trains diverted via Carlisle. This easement adds Newcastle, Carlisle, Carstairs, Haymarket and Edinburgh to mapped routes via Carlisle.

701085 (Local) Customers travelling from Filton Abbeywood to Stapleton Road may travel via Bristol Temple Meads. This local easement applies in both directions.​

This increases the number of trains someone travelling between the stations can be used, especially on Sundays when no direct trains run.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

701074 (Map) During engineering closures, on 8th and 9th April 2023, Transpennine Express services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield and Wakefield. This map easement will create temporary permissions for journeys that include a journey leg on the diverted TPE trains. It will operate in both directions.​

This adds a date to the easement text. It adds the rest of Manchester Group to the location, but still only applies it if you go via Manchester Picadilly.

Edited following feedback

 

[jfollows]

701083 (Fare route) During engineering closures, on 8th and 9th April 2023, Transpennine Express services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield and Wakefield. Customers with tickets priced on route (00325) VIA STOCKPORT will be able to travel on TPE services via Stalybridge and Huddersfield to and from Sheffield. This fare route easement will operate in both directions.​

The text of this easement permits you to (say) use a Runcorn-Sheffield ticket on a diverted TPE train. The data affects "via Woking" tickets rather than "via Stockport" ones, so is unlikely to have any effect.

Thank you, as always, for your updates here. Can you please correct your mistake (I assume) in your latest post? Many thanks!

 

[jawr256]

Thank you, as always, for your updates here. Can you please correct your mistake (I assume) in your latest post? Many thanks!

I think the point Kieron is making is that the data incorrectly specifies 'via Woking' instead of 'via Stockport'.

 

[jfollows]

I think the point Kieron is making is that the data incorrectly specifies 'via Woking' instead of 'via Stockport'.

OK, thanks, I didn't read it that way myself so it's good to have clarification!

 

[Kite159]

There are no trains through Woking on the first date listed, so this helps some travellers to avoid the buses.

Or will it allows passengers to use the replacement buses as they tend to run to Guildford from Basingstoke to connect with diverted long distance trains running via the Oxshott line which don't go via Woking. Otherwise the journey planner puts them onto multiple buses to go via Woking

 

[kieron]

I think the point Kieron is making is that the data incorrectly specifies 'via Woking' instead of 'via Stockport'.

Yes, that's what I meant. I've tried to make it a bit clearer now.

Or will it allows passengers to use the replacement buses as they tend to run to Guildford from Basingstoke to connect with diverted long distance trains running via the Oxshott line which don't go via Woking. Otherwise the journey planner puts them onto multiple buses to go via Woking

It does both, although I hadn't really tried to work out what was going on then. I was a bit distracted by the fact that there are trains scheduled through Woking on all of the other dates.

Portsmouth-Surbiton is one example on 16/4 with trains (with the London trains being diverted via Effingham Junction). Southampton-Surbiton should be another. When I tried it, nre.co.uk didn't offer a through ticket even if I selected a direct train either side of Guildford.

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide this morning.

Changes from 29 Mar 2023 (436) to 27 Apr 2023 (437).

Permitted Route changes:

Coventry (COV) to Warrington Group (G31) gain BM​

This adds mapped routes which go via Birmingham International and the WCML between Crewe and Warrington (including the route Avanti take).

Easement changes:

Removed:

701064 (Map) Due to engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 07 April 2023 to 10 April 2023. This map easement will allow journey planners to show itineraries using rail replacement services and onward train journeys from Kettering and Bedford to London St Pancras International. It will apply in both directions.

701065 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 07 April 2023 to 10 April 2023. This fare route easement will allow tickets priced on (00403) AP CARLISLE and (00452) AWC & CONNECTIONS to be valid on services via Bedford. It will apply in both directions.

701066 (Fare route) During engineering closures south of Milton Keynes from 07 April 2023 to 10 April 2023. This fare route easement will permit tickets priced on (00043) AVANTI TRAINS ONLY, (00060) AVANTI & TPE ONLY, (00117) AVANTI & NTH ONLY, to use replacement services to Bedford and onward by East Midlands and Thameslink trains. It will apply in both directions.

701083 (Fare route) During engineering closures, on 8th and 9th April 2023, Transpennine Express services between Manchester and Sheffield will be diverted via Huddersfield and Wakefield. Customers with tickets priced on route (00325) VIA STOCKPORT will be able to travel on TPE services via Stalybridge and Huddersfield to and from Sheffield. This fare route easement will operate in both directions.​

These were temporary easements, and the dates have all passed.

 

[Watershed]

I'm sure I remember Wolverhampton to London having a map combination allowing travel via Stafford (which can often be the fastest route). This is also presumably the reason why negative easement 700131 exists. However it seems that travel via Stafford is now only allowed by virtue of the more expensive ticket being routed "via Stafford" (i.e. the split route check). @kieron do you know when this changed?

 

[_toommm_]

Coventry (COV) to Warrington Group (G31) gain BMThis adds mapped routes which go via Birmingham International and the WCML between Crewe and Warrington (including the route Avanti take).

Seems like a really obvious route to have only just been added. Was it the case before you had to go via Nuneaton?

 

[Watershed]

Seems like a really obvious route to have only just been added. Was it the case before you had to go via Nuneaton?

The only mapped routes were via Nuneaton or via Manchester. However, the direct route would still have been permitted by virtue of being the shortest route (or within 3 miles thereof).