Friday 20th August 2010 > BT Lower Line Rental, Longer Traffic Jams !

Not content with advertising all over our buses, BT caused mayhem on the X1 today. The reason being that a set of temporary traffic lights were erected by them between Thorney Bypass Roundabout and Thorney Toll and instead of employing manual operation, they were set on a (bad) timer. Enormous queues developed and some indication of delays to the X1 can be given by quoting some out and return times. 37157 which was supposed to be L12 12.35 from Peterborough was seen passing Walpole eastbound by Bruce at 15.07, a whopping 92 minutes late. Next seen was K14 with 34108 (having replaced 37564 at Lowestoft) which I saw leaving Wisbech for Peterborough just 11 late, but by the time it returned through Walpole it was 58 late. Cheryl reports seeing 37575 on K15 heading east between Eye and Thorney at 15.25 with 'Not In Service' showing and running about an hour down. Almost immediately behind was K16 with 37566.
The day had already begun badly with 37156 on Y9 boiling over at Norwich at 07.50. Des (who was in charge) had to cancel the service and take the bus to Rowntree Way depot for repairs. After this had been sorted, he took 37156 light to King's Lynn where it re-entered service as the 13.32 to Lowestoft (L11). Tonight it had somehow leapt on to L10 and was apparently none the worse for its morning escapade being 3 early into Walpole Highway on the 22.10 to Lynn. 37160 which was back on its normal route today was L10 initially and L11 later in the day.
The delays on the western section had a considerable knock on effect to the rest of the service and during the afternoon K18 which should be the 14.15 Lynn to Peterborough was cancelled and turned round to go back to Lowestoft on what looked like Y13 at 14.32, but with things as chaotic as they were it could just as easily have been the 14.02 (L12). Similarly, K1 15.15 to Peterborough was also abandoned and 37567 on this duty was sent back east as K14 at 15.02 to Lowestoft with Des who adds that it was 24 late departing due to the road restriction at Millfleet backing traffic to Hardwick on the inbound. Well, there were many more changes too numerous to mention and even late this evening the disruption hadn't ended. 37576 on Y13 21.50 Lynn - Peterborough was 23 late at Terrington. Of course some diagrams which were at the eastern end at the height of the debacle saw little or no delays. K2 for example with 37569 was just 2 late on the 15.45 Lynn - Peterborough, 20514 on K3 also appears to have escaped unscathed as did 37572 on K4. Many thanks to Bruce and Des for helping me unravel what actually happened.
Whilst all this was going on, 37571 which passed its MOT yesterday was sidelined once again as it has no tax !! 37573 remains at Volvo workshops in Norwich and 37577 had a day off at Lynn for a safety service.  There were no B10M workings today and it was left to 34108 and 20514 to fill the breach.
Syd reports "After lots of false starts the swaps started today with 32210/32211 and 34112/34113 finally getting re-allocated from Yarmouth to Lowestoft and vice versa". The idea of setting up 34109 for X1 use appears to have cooled once more.

The disgraced 37156 cools down at Norwich this morning.

Looking at the rear ad on 37156, I wonder if a few passengers might take VW up on their Polo offer ? Photo taken at Rowntree Way this morning. DS