Cold comfort from South West Trains

There’s snow forecast for today! I’ve cancelled my meetings, diverted my phone line, stocked up on non-perishables and told all my clients that my internet service will probably go down in the extreme weather, so they are unlikely to hear from me.

Of course, I haven’t really done all this.  It would be a huge overreaction to the forecast snow that might cause problems.  However, South West Trains seem to think this is totally acceptable behaviour.

Despite recently stating that I would no longer complain about SWT (such was the regularity of my rants, I was worried they might take out a hit on me) I feel compelled to highlight this latest faux pas. Because of the forecast, my travel nemesis has pre-emptively cancelled many of its services across the region, and is operating a reduced timetable – or as they call it, a ‘special timetable’ – on the ones it is keeping open.

When I checked earlier, it had even published a special timetable for the weekend, showing numerous closed stations throughout both days. Sunday is TWO DAYS away! I’m not saying that SWT should throw caution to the wind and carry passengers along possibly fatal ice tracks, but surely we should at least try and get on with our lives as normal until we are unable to do otherwise? And perhaps assess on a day-by-day basis what will be possible, and what will not? I find it hard to believe we have an accurate picture of the weather conditions on Sunday just yet.

Anyway, enough complaining. If SWT is determined to give me a snow day I suppose I’ll just have to make the most of it. Luckily (for some), Orange broadband seems to have a more ‘can do’ attitude, so clients, it’s business as usual.