To think they are insane to travel in this?

[hugsandpugs]

Booked onto a bus trip to Birmingham a couple of months back. Travelling from South Wales. Trip was planned for today, guessed it would be cancelled due to the red/yellow weather warnings.

Apparently though, the trip is still going ahead 😬🤷‍♀️ Honestly can’t understand how the bus company are still gonna risk driving in these conditions. I’ve said I’m not taking the risk and decided not to go. Yes it’s annoying that I’ll lose my money but I’d rather have my life especially with three young children who need me.

Would you have still gone on the trip? Or am I right in thinking the bus company should have cancelled and refunded everyone or given the option to reschedule?

The fact the bridges are closed is a bit of a red herring, one closes for a stiff breeze, the other is regularly closed to high sided traffic anyway, and it's very exposed hence taking the precaution of closing it. To go to Birmingham you can take the a40 and m50, not much difference, we choose that route to avoid the traffic on the m5!

It's really not that windy now, not even "yellow" warning levels

I love how people who don't know the area are pontificating on the best route to Birmingham. From Newport to Birmingham is dual carriageway all the way. The M50 is an actual motorway ffs.

First line

Booked onto a bus trip to Birmingham

I'll drive in pretty much anything but a high flat sided vehicle in a red area? They're fucking nuts, it won't be insured!

Yea, exactly. I'm from a northern country by the sea, this is a joke, not a storm. I'm in so called 'red area' now, lots of cars and people out and about, me included. I'd happily drive to Birmingham if I needed to. Went to Cardiff yesterday evening, came back to Swansea today. Drove in conditions infinitely worse than this back home.

As for a snow, well you're a joke of the world with that, as you well know. 2cms and people are dying on the roads, everything's on standstill. It's not even funny. A bit (a lot) pathetic, maybe.

So they wouldn't have to give you a refund!

You seem nice.

There are other roads out of Wales you know !

Nope they wouldn’t be legally obliged to as they still done the journey, I just wasn’t willing to risk it

@QuintessentialDragon feel free to leave if you think we are all so pathetic, don't let the door hit you on your way out

Funny that. The people of Cardiff must be collectively hallucinating the trees that have fallen and the damage to cars. Some shops like M&S are opening four or five hours later than usual to allow for their staff to get to work safely. We all know retail businesses are keen to lose money on a Saturday for no good reason.

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Wow! I drive that road very frequently!

Just a thought, but do you know for sure it has actually happened? Are you sure the 'friend' who is organising it isn't just pocketing the refund money? I don't know why the organiser would be so cagey about who the bus company is. But they are being extremely irresponsible to go ahead. But also they've billed it as a trip to visit the Christmas market which is most likely closed!

The Birmingham Primark gives me actual anxiety. I fear once I get in I will never get out 😬

It's just not worth the risk.
People who take risks = higher chance of dying or injury
Shopping is not important, and can wait.. being alive is.
Good call OP!

Yeah everyone was discussing what stop they were getting on at on the what’s app group chat this morning.

She does seem a bit cagey about not saying who the bus company is though I agree. She said to message her but she’s only gonna say I can’t have a refund anyway so what’s the point?

I was looking forward to going so wouldn’t have cancelled unless absolutely necessary - like todays weather is what I deem as necessary

Or never get out the right doors I've honestly never been in a shop with literal street signs in before 😂

Fair enough. Although in that case, have they actually hired a bus because their cousin Dave has a licence to drive one and that way they can make a healthy profit on it?! Because I just can't believe a legitimate bus company has gone ahead with a trip from a 'red' warning area.

From what I can see, National Express canceled their eastbound services from Cardiff and Swansea last night / this morning (though they seem to be running now) but I can’t see any cancellations for the northbound ones to Birmingham. Though of course, maybe there weren’t any scheduled

Absolute madness. I'm on the edge of the red zone and everything here is wrecked. Roads covered in fallen trees. It was a danger to life warning. Why would anyone travel. I can't even get out of my village.

Here in NI a double decker airport bus crashed into the side of a house around 2.30am. Good decision op.

Complete Madness then!!

Well this is what I’m wondering tbh because if it was me and I’d booked a bus I’d tell anyone asking what the company was called. Bit odd really

The red warning was only in place until 11am, and doesn't cover all of South Wales, definitely doesn't cover Birmingham. The world doesn't stop just because of a storm but I get that you're having to put your trust in the bus driver driving slowly and sensibly