Friday 22nd October 2010 ~ Roadworks again

Two sets of temporary traffic lights sent the X1 service into turmoil today. Situated at East Winch, east of King's Lynn and at Thorney Toll, both were on auto-operation rather than manual, so delays began to build up from quite early on. The Wisbech flood defence strengthening roadworks look like they are almost over with just some paving to be relaid on Nene Quay. The 'expected ok' date has always been 31/10, but the road could have been reopened sooner had staff been employed earlier this week, when for a couple of days nothing was touched.
So to today's service then and K2 with 37579 started the day on time, as was the corresponding westbound service at Walpole Y6 with 37573. K3 had 20121, but plans to remove this at 16.10 were dashed as there were no spare vehicles. 121 being due for a service tonight. Y7 with 37577 was 5 late from Wisbech at 09.23, but 37569 on L8 was on time, leaving via Churchill Road - thanks to Peter for the obs. Y9 with 37156 was on time via Nene Quay, but 20107 on L10 was another service seen by Peter which used the Churchill Road diversion.
The delays began to bite returning from Peterborough and Bruce reports 'the Beast' passing him at 13.11, 37 late and L11 with 37566 at 13.39, 34 late. L12 and 37574 was similarly 38 late. By this time, action was taken and 37576 having had its service completed ahead of schedule was inserted into the timetable as the 14.02 to Lowestoft (L12). From then on the original L12 (which at this stage had just left Wisbech) became Y13. The rest of the afternoon was equally confusing. By this evening, L10 with 20107 had made up all but 5 minutes of its defecit and by 22.00 was on time. 37564 was seen at Walsoken 44 late on K1 16.35 from Peterborough followed 90 seconds behind by 37579 on K2. 
Rob Brooks says "20107 1256 Wisbech - Lowestoft d1303, 37568 1246 Wisbech - Peterborough a1302 d1306, 37567 1416 Wisbech - Peterborough a1413 d1416. Is it unusual for a Lowestoft vehicle to do the 1417 to PB, forgive me if im wrong, but isn't that one of KLs internal ones that 37562 lived on?". Well this is just how the public would have seen the X1 at this time. In fact,  20107 was the 12.26 running 37 late,  37567 was the 13.48 running 28 late. K17 (the old 562 turn) was at this point 37578.