Wakefield Kirkgate - lost opportunity

[HMS Ark Royal]

The last time I went through Kirkgate, I had to ask the guard if the station had been closed - it was that lonely and desolate

 

[yorksrob]

The entrance also needs a net to stop the pigeons messing everywhere.

My parents say the same about Whitby station.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Having recently (2 years ago) moved to Batley, then recently moved down the road to Dewsbury I must agree they are dives. But convenient for me and my better half to commute, there is a hell of a curry house nearby though, not great for the waistline.

Kirkgate is a massive improvement and it can only be hoped as the lines round there are developed and the station area regenerated it will become a better place.

 

[yorksrob]

Having recently (2 years ago) moved to Batley, then recently moved down the road to Dewsbury I must agree they are dives. But convenient for me and my better half to commute, there is a hell of a curry house nearby though, not great for the waistline.

Kirkgate is a massive improvement and it can only be hoped as the lines round there are developed and the station area regenerated it will become a better place.

They need to do something about the derelict pub as a priority I think.

 

[DarloRich]

I might pop up next week as I'm off. Have you been to the Sculpture Park, DarloRich?

We have - It is really good and well worth a visit.

 

[Phil.]

The missed opportunity at Kirkgate was to knock the whole kit and caboodle down and build a modern little welcoming station in it's stead. You simply cannot polish a thing that rhymes with bird.

 

[anti-pacer]

The missed opportunity at Kirkgate was to knock the whole kit and caboodle down and build a modern little welcoming station in it's stead. You simply cannot polish a thing that rhymes with bird.

I disagree. The entrance looks good now it's been done up. They could have spent more money on the interior though, and staffed it at least during the day.

The problem is, our main station is Westgate which has a new(ish) station building. I say new(ish) as it's been open for a couple of years now. Most people use that station and it's better located for the city centre amenities. Kirkgate, whilst reasonably convenient, is located in a scruffy area with a derelict pub outside it. However, the whole area is being regenerated, albeit slowly.

I think the station refurb was done on the cheap and ignored parts of the station, but the entrance shows what a gem it could be, and they've done well there.
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We have - It is really good and well worth a visit.

Agreed. Very interesting, varied, well kept, and some lovely walks.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

They need to do something about the derelict pub as a priority I think.

that was part of the what I was talking aobut when saying the Snooty fox is the best looking building on Monk st ... vs the lockup industrial units, the derilict pub, t'cahncil flats, the shuttered up working mens club ...

 

[anti-pacer]

They need to do something about the derelict pub as a priority I think.

I believe it's going to be done up and turned into a music centre.

 

[yorksrob]

that was part of the what I was talking aobut when saying the Snooty fox is the best looking building on Monk st ... vs the lockup industrial units, the derilict pub, t'cahncil flats, the shuttered up working mens club ...

I believe it's going to be done up and turned into a music centre.

That's quite new and exciting. Incidentally I believe the Snooty Fox itself is a bit of a rock venue.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

That's quite new and exciting. Incidentally I believe the Snooty Fox itself is a bit of a rock venue.

Snooty Fox is a good little venue, just not much to look at from the outside in a posgt war grim northern town way ...

 

[superkev]

Of interest - A few years before the ecml was electrified there was a scheme to concentrate all train's on a revamped kirkgate with Doncaster trains going out via hare park junction.
On the face of it this seemed like a good idea and would allow the crumbling viaduct (reported at the time) south of Westgate to be demolished.
Also:
Does congested Leeds really need all those transpennines. Could a few not go on the old l and y route York- Castleford- kirkgate huddersfield Manchester?
Kev

 

[Starmill]

Thereby reducing the York - Leeds and Leeds - Manchester frequency, while still taking up a path at both ends?

 

[yorksrob]

I must admit, a direct train from Normy to York would be nice at times.

 

[alexl92]

Of interest - A few years before the ecml was electrified there was a scheme to concentrate all train's on a revamped kirkgate with Doncaster trains going out via hare park junction.
On the face of it this seemed like a good idea and would allow the crumbling viaduct (reported at the time) south of Westgate to be demolished.
Also:
Does congested Leeds really need all those transpennines. Could a few not go on the old l and y route York- Castleford- kirkgate huddersfield Manchester?
Kev

Thing is, I understand that Leeds - Huddersfield is the most overcrowded part of the route up until Manchester (I don't often travel beyond Manc but I think I read that Manchester - Liverpool can be horrendous too). I have no issue with some services skipping Leeds but it still needs the 5 it has (or more) and therein lies the problem I think.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Thing is, I understand that Leeds - Huddersfield is the most overcrowded part of the route up until Manchester (I don't often travel beyond Manc but I think I read that Manchester - Liverpool can be horrendous too). I have no issue with some services skipping Leeds but it still needs the 5 it has (or more) and therein lies the problem I think.

At some point, the Huddersfield to Wakefield Westgate service will become a Huddersfield to Castleford service (with the Knottingley to Wakefield service being extended up the curve to Westgate and onwards to Leeds AIUI). It's a shame that extending this service to York from Castleford wasn't at least an option in the franchise agreement.

 

[YorkshireBear]

At some point, the Huddersfield to Wakefield Westgate service will become a Huddersfield to Castleford service (with the Knottingley to Wakefield service being extended up the curve to Westgate and onwards to Leeds AIUI). It's a shame that extending this service to York from Castleford wasn't at least an option in the franchise agreement.

It may be one day. There is certainly demand growing around North Yorkshire for more connectivity in the areas to the south of York. This could be extended into North East, West Yorkshire too.

 

[johntea]

I personally as a Cas resident can't see a direct train to York happening anytime soon, don't think it would be much faster going direct as opposed to going to Leeds and on a York train from there, but I may be wrong

It is however annoying when you've had a night on the beers in York and catch a train back to Leeds that goes via the Castleford route, let me off!!!

 

[HowardGWR]

I personally as a Cas resident can't see a direct train to York happening anytime soon, don't think it would be much faster going direct as opposed to going to Leeds and on a York train from there, but I may be wrong

It is however annoying when you've had a night on the beers in York and catch a train back to Leeds that goes via the Castleford route, let me off!!!

Don't they have any beer in Castleford? Why go all the way to York?

 

[johntea]

Yes they do, and it is a lot bloody cheaper than York too!

 

[yorksrob]

At some point, the Huddersfield to Wakefield Westgate service will become a Huddersfield to Castleford service (with the Knottingley to Wakefield service being extended up the curve to Westgate and onwards to Leeds AIUI). It's a shame that extending this service to York from Castleford wasn't at least an option in the franchise agreement.

That will be handy for the Head of Steam !
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Don't they have any beer in Castleford? Why go all the way to York?

But the pubs in York are nicer.

 

[Mugby]

Snooty Fox is a good little venue, just not much to look at from the outside in a posgt war grim northern town way ...

I believe it's going to be done up and turned into a music centre.

That's quite new and exciting. Incidentally I believe the Snooty Fox itself is a bit of a rock venue.

I got off a train at Kirkgate on Saturday and was shocked to see that the Snooty Fox has gone too, it's now abandoned, barricaded off and derelict. The bus which stands outside is now being vandalised and it makes the approach to the station very unappealing.

It's a real shame because the area seems to be going downhill rapidly, the office accommodation which was created in the station building doesn't seem to be wanted by anyone but at least the cafe had a few people in.

 

[yorksrob]

I got off a train at Kirkgate on Saturday and was shocked to see that the Snooty Fox has gone too, it's now abandoned, barricaded off and derelict. The bus which stands outside is now being vandalised and it makes the approach to the station very unappealing.

It's a real shame because the area seems to be going downhill rapidly, the office accommodation which was created in the station building doesn't seem to be wanted by anyone but at least the cafe had a few people in.

There's a cafe and a taxi firm as well as some sort of beauty parlour in the building.

 

[Alan2603]

I picked up one of these this last weekend when travelling on Grand Central:

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...eNqrSTLYKtsbTl3qwhDMbQ&bvm=bv.139782543,d.ZGg

As per the left hand side of the 'leaflet' is there really a First Class Lounge at Kirkgate?

Alan

 

[anti-pacer]

I got off a train at Kirkgate on Saturday and was shocked to see that the Snooty Fox has gone too, it's now abandoned, barricaded off and derelict. The bus which stands outside is now being vandalised and it makes the approach to the station very unappealing.

It's a real shame because the area seems to be going downhill rapidly, the office accommodation which was created in the station building doesn't seem to be wanted by anyone but at least the cafe had a few people in.

Are you sure the Snooty Fox has gone? You're not confusing it with the derelict pub right outside the station are you?

Kirkgate station is situated on the edge of an inner city council estate and as it's unstaffed, it attracts the little hoodlems who "think" they have nothing better to do than being anti-social on the station.

Wakefield Council won't be bothered by the appearance to the station. They couldn't care less about the rest of the city.

EDIT: I've just read it's closed now and has moved to a new venue. GOOD! It might have been a good venue but it was visually an eyesore. I so hope the council regenerate this area properly.
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I picked up one of these this last weekend when travelling on Grand Central:

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...eNqrSTLYKtsbTl3qwhDMbQ&bvm=bv.139782543,d.ZGg

As per the left hand side of the 'leaflet' is there really a First Class Lounge at Kirkgate?

Alan

Definitely no First Class Lounge there. Westgate has one though.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Are you sure the Snooty Fox has gone? You're not confusing it with the derelict pub right outside the station are you?

Kirkgate station is situated on the edge of an inner city council estate and as it's unstaffed, it attracts the little hoodlems who "think" they have nothing better to do than being anti-social on the station.

Wakefield Council won't be bothered by the appearance to the station. They couldn't care less about the rest of the city.

EDIT: I've just read it's closed now and has moved to a new venue. GOOD! It might have been a good venue but it was visually an eyesore. I so hope the council regenerate this area properly.
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Definitely no First Class Lounge there. Westgate has one though.

Not sure why GC would be trumping the wonders of a First Class lounge at a station they don't serve, though!

 

[yorksrob]

Definitely no First Class Lounge there. Westgate has one though.

Actually, from peeking in one of the windows whilst waiting for a train, I noticed that there is a room with settees and GC furniture etc in it which looks as though it might be about to be set up as a 1st class lounge. I must admit, I'd have thought York might be a priority for such a venture.

 

[Alan2603]

Not sure why GC would be trumping the wonders of a First Class lounge at a station they don't serve, though!

Grand Central do serve Wakefield Kirkgate (Virgin East Coast use Westgate):

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/tickets-timetables/routes/

Alan
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Actually, from peeking in one of the windows whilst waiting for a train, I noticed that there is a room with settees and GC furniture etc in it which looks as though it might be about to be set up as a 1st class lounge. I must admit, I'd have thought York might be a priority for such a venture.

Thanks.

Where abouts on the station is this room? I cannot envisage where on the station this room will be.

I am travelling up to Wakefield for the day on Grand Central later this month and it would be nice to have somewhere warm to wait for the return journey back to London.

Alan

 

[TUC]

Perhaps a ticket office should have been provided ( and I thought there were plans for this) but we run into that most insoluble of problems: money. I know commercial realism isnt welcome here but it does have to make an appearance from time to time. For comparison:

Kirkgate passengers p/a: 0.527m
Westgate passengers p/a: 2.485m

In any event it wouldn't be staffed at the times you are worried about. I doubt the ticket office would be open beyond 17/1800 or before 07/0800 leaving the station exactly as it is now. The simple point is that no one will pay for the staff.

Although 0.527m compares well to Selby for example which has 0.549m passengers p.a. and a well used ticket office open from 0600 to 1945.

 

[HowardGWR]

Why not re-site the police station to Kirkgate from its posh looking location in Laburnum Road and sell off the latter building for flats? Should be a win win for the police and railway.