Stagecoach Strollers, Train Cancelations, Devolution Revolution & More
Happy Monday readers !
I hope you had a nice weekend, its time to grab a brew and a rich tea and have a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.
Today's Quote of the Day - "I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." ... Albert Einstein
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Justin Doddy, Editor
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Your cancellation’s covered: new scheme to help stranded rail passengers arrives this weekend
From 20 September 2026, if a train is cancelled, passengers can get on another operator’s service and carry on their journey without paying again.
- for the first time, passengers whose trains are cancelled can use another operator’s service to complete their journey immediately, free of charge
- ends passenger limbo and last-minute bills for replacement tickets
- latest move to put public service back at the heart of the railway ahead of the creation of Great British Railways
From Sunday (20 September 2026), passengers whose trains are cancelled will be able to use other services free of charge – ending limbo at stations and the need for costly re-bookings.
Currently, passengers are paying the price for a system which prioritises shareholders when trains are cancelled.
People are left to wait on platforms for operators to agree ticket acceptance, rush to catch another service across the station, buy a new ticket, or abandon their journey altogether – with countless meetings, appointments, and reunions missed as a result.
That changes this weekend, as the government introduces reforms to make rail services work for people and end cancellation limbo.
This comes ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR) – bringing railways under stronger public control to put passengers and their experience first.
What is changing?
From Sunday 20 September 2026, if a passenger’s train is cancelled, they will be able to transfer to another service run by a different operator to complete their journey at no additional cost.
Customers holding a valid ticket will be able to travel on another participating operator’s train, departing within 2 hours before or after their original cancelled service, using a direct or reasonable alternative route. Passengers will need to show their original ticket to customer support staff on their new service as proof of purchase, with no requirement to download a new ticket.
Cross-operator ticket acceptance is already in place across all publicly owned operators, but from Sunday 20 September, this expands to include CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast and Chiltern Railways, bringing operators running key intercity routes across the UK into the scheme to support thousands more passengers.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
This is a simple, common-sense change that puts passengers first. No one should be left stranded because of a fragmented railway when their journey is disrupted.
From this weekend, if your train is cancelled, you can get on another operator’s service and carry on your journey without paying again. We’re fixing the railway from the ground up, making it simpler, fairer and easier to use, as we move towards Great British Railways and put public service back at the heart of our railways.
Who is covered?
Following the expansion this weekend, the following operators will be taking part in the scheme. East Midlands Railway will join the scheme at a later date:
- c2c
- Gatwick Express
- Greater Anglia
- Great Northern
- LNER
- London Northwestern Railway
- Northern
- Southeastern
- Southern
- Thameslink
- South Western Railway
- Transpennine Express
- West Midlands Railway
- Avanti West Coast (new)
- Chiltern Railways (new)
- CrossCountry (new)
- Great Western Railway (new)
Expanding ticket acceptance signifies the government’s common-sense approach to reform the overly complicated and outdated rail fare system ahead of the establishment of GBR.
The government is investing £156 million in new ticketing schemes so that by 2027, pay-as-you-go will be available at over 100 more stations across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the south-east.
Digital ticketing allows passengers to download an app that uses GPS to track their journeys to calculate the best fare without physically checking in and out or buying a ticket in advance.
A new GBR website and app is also in development, which will serve as a one-stop shop, with passengers able to buy tickets, check train times and access support in one simple-to-use app.
Alex Robertson, Chief Executive of the independent watchdog, Transport Focus, said:
When passengers are delayed, they just want to get where they need to be, not worry about whether their ticket will be accepted on another train.
This is a welcome change that we have long called for and should make it easier for people when services are cancelled.
The key now is making sure passengers get clear information about their options whenever disruption occurs.
Action-packed police family fun days attract thousands of visitors
Thousands of people enjoyed a bumper selection of activities and entertainment as Nottinghamshire Police's free family fun days proved to be another big hit.
Families flocked to our three interactive fun-packed events this year, the last of which attracted hundreds of people to the Bracebridge Recreation Ground in Worksop on Saturday (12 September).
Excited visitors were able to see our expertly-trained police dogs in action as they chased after and took down 'criminals' as well as watching demonstrations of their exceptional detection and obedience skills.
Youngsters got the chance to try on real police uniform, sit behind the wheel of a police car and activate the sirens and sit on a specialist police quad bike.
They were also able to meet and learn more about the work of many of our expert police units, including our rural and off-road team, drones unit, youth outreach team, crime scene investigation (CSI), police cadets, cyber/fraud, roads policing unit, crime prevention team, recruitment and safeguarding.
Popular activities included visitors putting their reflexes to the test via our bleep tests and Batak machine, youngsters having the opportunity to throw bean bags at one another while wielding riot shields and helmets, parachute and sports day games, basketball shoot-out, spin-the-wheel and lots more.
They were also able to get creative in our crafts and drawing area and took on the challenge of navigating hurdles while wearing beer goggles.
Between the colourful displays, hands-on games, and other activities, officers and staff were available to speak with parents about crime prevention and pose for photos.
Among our partners who supported our events, interacted with people and shared information included the Blood Bikes charity, St John Ambulance, educational charity Prison! Me! No! Way! (Mansfield) and the Nottinghamshire Search and Rescue Team (NSART).
Our other two free family fun days were held on Nottingham's Forest Recreation Ground, on 16 May, and in Titchfield Park, Mansfield, on 25 July.
Ron Lawrence MBE, Community Engagement Lead in Nottinghamshire Police's Prevention Hub, said:
"I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to our free family fun days.
"We've had some great feedback from children and families who engaged with us and who told us what a good time they had.
"Seeing so many smiling faces enjoying our activities and eager to learn more about the work we do makes it all worthwhile.
“Engagement events like these are all about helping members of the public to find out more about different aspects of policing and for children and parents to meet their local, friendly officers which really helps us build trust and confidence, break down barriers, develop positive relationships and prevent future criminality by providing crime prevention advice."
Questions raised over safety of huge illegal waste dump in village
By: Joe Locker, LDRS
Questions have been raised over the safety of a 50,000-tonne illegal waste dump uncovered in a Nottinghamshire village last year – but a council has insisted there are “no public health concerns”.
Nottinghamshire County Council first uncovered the dump in Ranskill in December 2025.
A Sky News investigation later found there was a strong match for the pesticide thanite, a chemical has been banned in the UK for decades due to the danger posed to life.
A strong match for the chemical carbon tetrachloride, a banned compound that can cause liver and kidney damage and one that is linked to cancer, was also detected in the air.
Councillor Andrew McCallum (Ref), who represents Ranskill on Bassetlaw District Council, has questioned why the Environment Agency has been seemingly “inactive” at the site ever since.
During a meeting on Thursday (September 17) he raised safety concerns, noting that “the side gate was open, allowing anyone access, possibly even more illegal waste tipping”.
The Environment Agency has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service investigations of this scale take time due to the amount of evidence needed for any possible court case.
Nottinghamshire County Council has also put up a Stop Notice and Planning Enforcement notice to prevent further waste from being dumped at the site.
Responding to his concerns, Cllr Darrell Pulk (Lab), cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said the protection of residents in the environment “is clearly of the uppermost importance, and I understand the strength of concern about this site”.
However he said it was important to clarify illegal waste operations fall primarily with the Environment Agency as regulator, while Nottinghamshire County Council is a waste planning authority for the area and is responsible for planning control in relation to waste.
“The information available to the council confirms that the Environment Agency and Nottinghamshire County Council are conducting an ongoing criminal investigation,” Cllr Pulk said.
“Because this is an ongoing regulatory and criminal matter it would not be appropriate for this council to speculate publicly about the investigation, disclosing operational details or comments on the actions being considered by the lead authorities.
“Doing so could compromise or prejudice the investigation of any subsequent enforcement proceedings.
“However, that does not mean that Bassetlaw District Council is indifferent to the concerns of residents, nor does it mean that the council would fail to act where it has the legal powers and responsibilities to do so. The district council will act within the statutory powers available to it.”
He said that, based on the information available to council officers at the relevant time,
“no known or immediate public health concerns have been identified.”
“If new evidence is received that engages the district council’s statutory responsibilities, the council will consider that evidence and take appropriate action within its legal remit. In relation to the site security, the landowner also retains responsibility for securing private land and preventing unauthorised access,” Cllr Pulk added.
A spokesperson from the Environment Agency added: “The challenge posed by waste crime has grown and we are working hard to tackle this blight on our environment.
“Working with the county council, we have stopped any further dumping at this site.
“A criminal investigation is now ongoing, and we will do everything in our power to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Anyone who spots suspicious activity should call our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”
However the agency said it cannot comment further on the criminal investigation as the case is live.
East Mids Mayor welcomes ‘devolution revolution’ as PM offers more regional control
EMCCA welcomes ‘devolution revolution’ as Government pledges more powers for mayors
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward has welcomed the Government’s plans to devolve more powers and funding to regional mayors, saying the changes could help drive economic growth, housing delivery and job creation across the East Midlands.
The Government has announced proposals to give mayors greater control over areas including housing, education, skills, transport and welfare, alongside plans to allow strategic authorities to retain some business rates income and receive a share of income tax revenues in future.
Ms Ward said the reforms mark a significant step towards local decision-making, arguing that greater fiscal powers would enable regions to invest more effectively in long-term growth and infrastructure projects. She welcomed recent visits to the East Midlands by the Prime Minister, who highlighted skills, apprenticeships and town centre regeneration during stops in Derby and Ilkeston.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has recently been granted Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status, enabling it to seek additional powers and benefit from a more flexible funding settlement. Ms Ward said this would support long-term planning, investment and the delivery of housing, transport and economic priorities tailored to local needs.
Housing remains a key focus, with EMCCA supporting the delivery of 1,765 homes through its Brownfield Housing Fund and working with Homes England and local councils on regeneration projects. Ms Ward said she wants to see a further increase in social and affordable housing across the region.
The authority is also investing in business growth, with a new £8.1 million Business Investment Fund expected to support around 500 businesses and help unlock £19 million in additional private-sector investment.
Transport improvements are another priority. EMCCA has approved nearly £300 million through its Mayoral Transport Fund for projects including Chesterfield transport links, the Hope Valley integrated public transport scheme and feasibility work on major road and regeneration projects across Derbyshire.
While Ms Ward described the current period as an “exciting time” for the region, some of the Government’s wider devolution proposals have drawn criticism. Concerns have been raised over plans for potential tourist taxes and proposals allowing mayors to retain a share of tax revenues, with opponents warning that areas with weaker economies could lose out.
Ms Ward also expressed disappointment that Local Government Reorganisation plans in Derbyshire have been temporarily paused, although she said she understood the challenges facing the Government.
Despite the concerns, she said the expanding powers available to regional authorities represent a major opportunity for the East Midlands, helping local leaders shape investment, create jobs, improve transport links and deliver more homes for residents.
‘Stagecoach Strollers’ win praise for dedication to charity fund-raising
Two members of the team at Stagecoach East Midlands, have won praise for their remarkable efforts in charity fund-raising.
Pair have raised over £35,000 for charities, hiked 100km in 24 hours and this year have raised £2,703 for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance
Dave McMullan and Kim Whitehead – collectively known as the Stagecoach Strollers – have completed the North Yorkshire Ultra, an endurance challenge that required them to walk from 100km from Scarborough to Whitby and back again in 24 hours.
They raised £2,703 for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, after completing the challenge – preparation for which required them both to complete approximately 400km in training, and travel to complete hill training.
The challenge is just the latest to be completed by Dave and Kim. Over a number of years, including an annual cricket match, the pair have raised over £35,000 for local charities. Last year, they raised £2,278 for the Stroke Association after overcoming the Lake District Ultra Challenge.
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said:
“Dave and Kim continue to achieve something that is highly impressive – everyone at Stagecoach East Midlands is extremely proud of their achievements.
“Each year, these events take a huge amount of training, time and commitment, with all funds raised going to places of need. Dave and Kim really show what it means to live out our company value of ‘We Support Communities’. Thank you both for being stars!”
The air ambulance’s doctors and paramedics carry life-saving equipment on board helicopters and critical-care cars, which means that they can take an emergency department directly to the scene of the most serious incidents in the region. Their crews work with the ambulance service, first responders, Police, Fire and Rescue, and other emergency services, such as HM Coastguard.
-- To plan your local bus journey, buy before you board and track your bus, download the Stagecoach Bus App at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.
EAST MIDLANDS COMBINED COUNTY AUTHORITY: Leaders want East Midlands to replicate London’s ‘anti-car’ mentality
By: Joseph Connolly, LDRS
Regional bosses want public transport in the East Midlands to mirror London – where bikes, buses and trains surpass the car as a preferred mode of travel.
Leaders were discussing the future of transport in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire at a meeting of the East Midlands Combined Authority’s (EMCCA) Transport and Digital Connectivity Committee on Thursday, September 17.
EMCCA took over public transport responsibility from Nottingham City, Derby City, Nottinghamshire County and Derbyshire County councils in January this year – and on Thursday’s meeting, presented a 10-year plan on the future of transport in the region.
It sets out how the authority will work with bus operators in each council area to “make buses the first choice for many journeys across our cities, towns and villages.”
It will involve six main priorities – making buses more reliable, making it easier to pay, making stops, vehicles and information more accessible, making buses zero-emission, improving links between bus, trams and trains, and being transparent with reporting figures.
Speaking on the plan, Nottingham city councillor and committee member David Mellen said:
“If we are to persuade people to get out of their cars then these things need to happen. It might be a gradual process, but it’s the way we need to go.
“The trick is to ensure that we tender the right services in the right places to encourage people to say: ‘Actually, I’m going to catch the bus because car parking is expensive, I get stuck in long traffic queues and actually, the bus will get me there quicker.’
“That’s what we need to persuade people. People are persuaded that when you go to London, generally you don’t drive because the train is a better way to do it and that’s how we need to persuade people. This is a big, big mountain to climb and if we manage to climb even halfway up then I think it will have shown that EMCCA has revolutionised life for most people in this region.”
As part of the six priorities, most interestingly, there will be plans to create a standardised ticket system whereby the same tickets are sold by all bus companies and across all four areas, just like on trains.
In addition to that, people would be able to tap on and off anywhere, with the cheapest fare calculated based on the start and the end of their journey, like on the London underground.
And there are proposals to introduce an on-demand bus in Derbyshire, as an extension of Nottinghamshire’s existing NottsBus On Demand service.
The plan has been largely influenced by the results of East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward’s “Big Transport Conversation” public consultation, which ran between November and February.
It asked local people what they thought needed improving about public transport.
There were over 36,000 responses, with “top concerns” being listed by EMCCA as frequent and reliable bus journeys, the maintenance of roads and affordable journeys for young people.
Newark & Sherwood district councillor Claire Penny told the meeting she thought there were “no surprises” in the results of the consultation.
The East Midlands has the highest levels of car-dependent new-build housing in the UK, according to data listed in EMCCA documents.
According to data from 2022, it also boasted the highest year-on-year growth in car ownership amongst any region in the country.
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
