New Footbridge at Chirk

[LNW-GW Joint]

I noticed yesterday that a new footbridge was being erected at Chirk.
It's a giant green job, one with long zig-zag ramps as well as steps.
It would be quite out of proportion in this sleepy station, but it's at the north end and so is dwarfed by the equally giant Kronospan wood processing factory next door.
It will be a long walk via the ramps if you need to use them.

I imagine Chirk's footfall (70,746 last year) was too low to qualify for lifts to achieve step-free access.
There must be many stations across the network in this position (no level access and low footfall).
It will be interesting to see if Network Rail roll out more of these footbridges to those types of station.

 

[quarella]

It may seem a long walk on the ramps but I can assure you that if you are pushing a wheelchair the gradient is steep enough. A ramp can't break down.

 

[merlodlliw]

I noticed yesterday that a new footbridge was being erected at Chirk.
It's a giant green job, one with long zig-zag ramps as well as steps.
It would be quite out of proportion in this sleepy station, but it's at the north end and so is dwarfed by the equally giant Kronospan wood processing factory next door.
It will be a long walk via the ramps if you need to use them.

I imagine Chirk's footfall (70,746 last year) was too low to qualify for lifts to achieve step-free access.
There must be many stations across the network in this position (no level access and low footfall).
It will be interesting to see if Network Rail roll out more of these footbridges to those types of station.

The Chirk foot bridge is an enormous structure as you say,The line committee are pushing for one at Ruabon with Wrexham Councils support.
No sure where the funding came from,Big problem at Chirk is poor lighting on the roadway access to the station.
Chirk Town Council is very rail pro active for more capacity & extra services.

 

[Michael.Y]

Funding for disabled-friendly structures comes from Network Rail's access for all programme:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/access-for-all/stations

Access for All is a £370m upgrade programme improving accessibility by introducing lifts and ramps at train stations nationwide.

 

[The Informer]

What an absolute hideous structure!
Should of utilised the space on the down side off the industrial estate to create a few parking bays with an access ramp straight onto the platform.

 

[TDK]

The line committee are pushing for one at Ruabon with Wrexham Councils support.

That will stop the idiots who are late jumping over the barriers of the LC. One guy I said how do you know there wasn't a train coming the other way, he didn't even look, he said I know where all the trains are, I thought to my self what a tit, I was going to refuse him travel with the guards permission but this would have delayed the service.

 

[The Informer]

That will stop the idiots who are late jumping over the barriers of the LC. One guy I said how do you know there wasn't a train coming the other way, he didn't even look, he said I know where all the trains are, I thought to my self what a tit, I was going to refuse him travel with the guards permission but this would have delayed the service.

What LC?

Do u mean Gobowen?

 

[Envoy]

If Chirk Town Council are so keen to get greater usage of their station, then perhaps they should look at how 'rare' bus services match up with the train schedules? For example, Chirk would be the nearest station (for those coming from the south) to reach Llangollen yet hardly any direct buses link with the trains at Chirk. Likewise, it is the same sorry story for those trying to get to and from the Glyn Ceriog/Llanarmon area. For example, an outfit called Bryn Melyn buses run a service 64 from the Ceriog Valley to Llangollen via Chirk. At 14.47 both the Holyhead to Maesteg and Birmingham to Holyhead trains pass at Chirk. When does Bryn Melyn 64 leave Chirk (not the rail station) for the Ceiriog Valley = 14.43!

Clearly some heads want banging together! I also note that the 64 could convey passengers (if it were timed to match the trains) to Fronsysyllte (en-route to Llangollen) from which tourists could walk the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. (They could also walk the towpath from Chirk station - I wonder how long it would take and if signs are erected at the station indicating the way to the towpath walk)?

Furthermore, I see that Chirk Castle is just to the west of the station. Does a footpath take people direct from the rail station to the Castle or have they got to take some longer circuitous route used by cars?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I also note that the 64 could convey passengers (if it were timed to match the trains) to Fronsysyllte (en-route to Llangollen) from which tourists could walk the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. (They could also walk the towpath from Chirk station - I wonder how long it would take and if signs are erected at the station indicating the way to the towpath walk)?

The station signs do proclaim it is the one for the Pontcysyllte aqueduct (complete with logo).
I don't know what happens if you get off and seek directions!
Not to mention the splendid and much closer Chirk aqueduct just to the south accessed through the scary canal tunnel.
There's always the Glyn Ceiriog tramway path towards the castle grounds.
An excellent area for rambling.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

I noticed yesterday that a new footbridge was being erected at Chirk.
It's a giant green job, one with long zig-zag ramps as well as steps.
It would be quite out of proportion in this sleepy station, but it's at the north end and so is dwarfed by the equally giant Kronospan wood processing factory next door.
It will be a long walk via the ramps if you need to use them.

I imagine Chirk's footfall (70,746 last year) was too low to qualify for lifts to achieve step-free access.
There must be many stations across the network in this position (no level access and low footfall).
It will be interesting to see if Network Rail roll out more of these footbridges to those types of station.

Prestatyn, also a relatively small station has last year had one of the green giants installed.

http://www.harrisons-engineering.co...n-station-footbridge-ramps-stairs-lift-shaft/

 

[Michael.Y]

I'm sure the less-then-pleasing aesthetics are forefront in the minds of the wheelchair-bound persons who need to use it to lead as normal a life as possible. :roll:

 

[HowardGWR]

I'm sure the less-then-pleasing aesthetics are forefront in the minds of the wheelchair-bound persons who need to use it to lead as normal a life as possible. :roll:

I think the issue is why another two lifts could not do the same job. At Axminster for instance, they have a two lift implementation and I would doubt if the station has a greater usage than Prestatyn - anyone know?

 

[Stompehh]

I think the issue is why another two lifts could not do the same job. At Axminster for instance, they have a two lift implementation and I would doubt if the station has a greater usage than Prestatyn - anyone know?

Almost identical usage from the looks of it

 

[Gareth Marston]

If Chirk Town Council are so keen to get greater usage of their station, then perhaps they should look at how 'rare' bus services match up with the train schedules? For example, Chirk would be the nearest station (for those coming from the south) to reach Llangollen yet hardly any direct buses link with the trains at Chirk. Likewise, it is the same sorry story for those trying to get to and from the Glyn Ceriog/Llanarmon area. For example, an outfit called Bryn Melyn buses run a service 64 from the Ceriog Valley to Llangollen via Chirk. At 14.47 both the Holyhead to Maesteg and Birmingham to Holyhead trains pass at Chirk. When does Bryn Melyn 64 leave Chirk (not the rail station) for the Ceiriog Valley = 14.43!

Clearly some heads want banging together! I also note that the 64 could convey passengers (if it were timed to match the trains) to Fronsysyllte (en-route to Llangollen) from which tourists could walk the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. (They could also walk the towpath from Chirk station - I wonder how long it would take and if signs are erected at the station indicating the way to the towpath walk)?

Furthermore, I see that Chirk Castle is just to the west of the station. Does a footpath take people direct from the rail station to the Castle or have they got to take some longer circuitous route used by cars?

The local buses will be operating aided by subsidy paid by Wrexham County Council. Some UA's are more receptive than others to bus/rail integration. Powys are almost fanatical in their belief it shouldn't happen!

 

[PHILIPE]

Regarding the comment re Powys CC, I don't think that Welshpool station even has a bus stop.

 

[Michael.Y]

I think the issue is why another two lifts could not do the same job. At Axminster for instance, they have a two lift implementation and I would doubt if the station has a greater usage than Prestatyn - anyone know?

Unless I'm missing the point, Axminster has two lifts because it has two platforms. Prestatyn is an island, therefore it only needs one lift.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Regarding the comment re Powys CC, I don't think that Welshpool station even has a bus stop.

The local RUG has a long running file on trying to get Powys to at least get the town bus service to stop nearby. One excuse made is that the manager of the Edinburgh woollen mill shop that occupies the old station building objects to buses blocking their car park. Far from it she would love the town bus to stop as it would bring her plenty of pensioner custom the cafe in there is quite reasonable.

 

[krus_aragon]

Unless I'm missing the point, Axminster has two lifts because it has two platforms. Prestatyn is an island, therefore it only needs one lift.

Okay, so you take a lift up from the island platform to the footbridge level. How do you get down again?

 

[Envoy]

Many thanks for the responses concerning my earlier comment about buses at Chirk not matching trains. Whether the local authority have anything to do with it or not, I still would have thought it in the interests of the private bus operator to try and match services to trains.

 

[merlodlliw]

Many thanks for the responses concerning my earlier comment about buses at Chirk not matching trains. Whether the local authority have anything to do with it or not, I still would have thought it in the interests of the private bus operator to try and match services to trains.

The service you mention is GHA who own Bryn Melyn, I note they do a better connecting job at Ruabon on the Wrexham/Barmouth run.
Last year Arriva bus prior to dumping the service, cut out Ruabon station.

 

[HowardGWR]

Unless I'm missing the point, Axminster has two lifts because it has two platforms. Prestatyn is an island, therefore it only needs one lift.

Unless I'm missing the point, Axminster has two lifts because it has two platforms. Prestatyn is an island, therefore it only needs one lift.

Well replied, thanks. I also think lifts are better for elderly people with cases, mothers with pushchairs, etc, and the ones at Axminster, for instance, are gratefully fully used. They could be better signed though.

 

[Michael.Y]

Okay, so you take a lift up from the island platform to the footbridge level. How do you get down again?

Ramps dude. Ramps. I was answering the query as to why Axminster needs 2 lifts whereas Prestatyn only has 1. It has nothing to do with numbers of pax usage, it's merely a question of topography.

 

[krus_aragon]

Ramps dude. Ramps. I was answering the query as to why Axminster needs 2 lifts whereas Prestatyn only has 1. It has nothing to do with numbers of pax usage, it's merely a question of topography.

Ah, right. I thought you were tying to outline rampless solutions.

 

[Eraccela]

Looking at other stations unless there's staff at the station Network Rail aren't putting in lifts, No one wants to miss their train stuck in a lift.

Not been to the station recently, anyone got any pictures to share?

 

[duffield]

Looking at other stations unless there's staff at the station Network Rail aren't putting in lifts, No one wants to miss their train stuck in a lift.

Long Eaton recently had lifts commissioned and I believe they are remotely monitored when the station is unstaffed (it was reported that problems with the remote monitoring system delayed the commissioning).
Maybe there's an exception if staff can get to the unstaffed station in under a certain time (from Derby I'd guess in this case)?

 

[trawscymru27]

I popped into Chirk station today and the footbridge, ramps and stairs look to be complete. They are currently fenced off, however, and there were several orangemen finishing off the surrounding footpaths etc. I would imagine the bridge will be opened to the public within a week or so.