Matthew's Journal

It's snowing, and transport isn't working, in a shocking turn-up for the books. As a nation, we love to talk about the weather, but don't seem very good at dealing with it.

Notwithstanding that the trains aren't running properly today, I want to grumble a little about the lack of evening trains. I live about 20 miles from Stratford, where I am going to see a play with friends this evening. I could go on the train, and it would take a little over an hour (compared to around half that to drive). But the last train home is at 8pm. 8pm! How is anyone meant to use the train to get places if it stops at 8pm? Essentially that means if I ever want to go and see RSC productions, I'll have to drive over, since it's a bit far to cycle, really. Oxford is just as bad - the last train home is 9.36, which makes for rushing at post-committee-meeting dinner, and makes heading over there for an evening impossible without organising crash space or driving.

How are we going to encourage less car use if the trains stop so early? grr.