Had similar at Rhyl when wondering down the platform to photograph the former number 2 signal box. Member of platform staff scurried after me, although this was with the laudable intent of making sure I was not a suicide risk. It appears Rhyl does to people. After proving that having a ticket for the next train out gave me a reason to live, platform staff was quite chatty about signal box.
For someone who lives in "deepest, darkest Northumberland", I'm surprised you might want to leave Rhyl to go home
Yes, even when the Highland Chieftain is clearly visible in platform 1 everyone just has to stand by the barriers until it's announced.
I'd have been inclined to say at that point something along the lines of "I am a passenger on the platform who has been instructed to call this number as the intercom is defective. Open it or I will call the Fire Brigade to release me".
I work at Blackpool North, there's a number of reasons why pax aren't able to go onto the platforms till the train is ready and most of it is Network Rail won't spend the money on infrastructure.
That just about puts the whole thing in a nutshell (whichever side of the fence you sit on). All of the other things you mention are surely a chicken-and-egg situation. Why spend money putting passenger friendly things there if passengers aren’t let on to the platform until the last minute?
Although it's outside the barriers, Platform 0 is also regularly closed off in the evening or if it's not in use.
It's usually closed at all times except for when requested to be used nowadays.
All of the ECML inner suburban stations have this arrangement nowadays, except where fast trains are regularly booked to stopped. I believe the one exception to this is at Potters Bar.
Fair point actually.
Since when? I haven't been there since late 2022.
That just sounds like the policy of the 20 Network Rail-managed stations.
This has been happening for many years/decades.
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Yes, the gates at the top of the stairs on the footbridge are locked.
Some years ago I got a train to Cleethorpes and we had to wait for someone to unlock a gate before we could leave the platform. So there's definitely something about seaside stations.
Be interesting to see how Blackpool North station handles the Railway 200 inspiration train which is due to be at the station from the 4th-7th November and what arrangements they make for barrier/platform access.This has been happening for many years/decades.
Blackpool North is synonymous with poor customer service, rude treatment of customers (which I have personally experienced) and not allowing passengers onto the platforms until shortly before departure.
Blackpool North
Hmm, is there any reason you can't go on to the platforms at Blackpool North until the train arrives? Is this the only station like this? ThanksBlackpool North: The most unfriendly station in the country?
I had the misfortune to visit Blackpool North yesterday and was struck by the unfriendly atmosphere and the lack of "customer service and customer experience" i received. I don't want to say to much as i am going to write to Northern but: 1) Accused by staff of dawdling on the station platform...Plusbus @ Blackpool North.
Travelled to BPN today with a plus bus ticket. On arrival went to Travel Centre to ask for a bus timetable. "Sorry we don't have them." Asked where the bus stop was "Sorry, I don't know." Same result from 2 others in Northern uniform. I eventually asked a taxi driver, and was directed under...Blackpool North customer service improved or same ?
As stated in the title as some of you no doubt know about Blackpool North's reputation of keeping passengers couped up in the hall before releasing them out to the platform second before the train is due to depart, indeed I have heard of an occasion where they were released too late and missed...Blackpool North Part Two - a new dawn or false hope?
I've had a couple of occasions of late whereby I've been to Blackpool North and have noted the atmosphere and behaviour of the staff has been totally different to their usual reputation - I've heard others say similar! There was a steam charter today and I was shocked to see that not only were...Blackpool North platform staff
Hello, after quite a few journeys to Blackpool north recently ive been wondering what’s with the platform staff. They’re all extremely grumpy and have this uptight attitude that you’re here to commit a crime or defraud the railway and it’s rather frustrating when dealing with them. I held an...
Yeah, I generally only show up for specific services so I typically get away with just asking the gateline staff.
Maybe it'll just sit there empty while everyone's stuck on the concourse?
It’s insane after all the years network rail have not tried to get the curved end of platform 7 realigned and straightened so it could be back in use
The former bays are no longer part of the actual station? When was the last time that they were used for passenger arrivals or departures?
If I remember correctly Wrexham and Shropshire was the only TOC that used them so when they went bust they fell out of use.
Ah that's disappointing. I must've got lucky, as I took photos of "my" 195 and 331 (doing the kneeling down thing for the 195 and waiting for my fellow passengers to be out of the way of the 331) and I had no issues. I've only been there on a single day in late 2022 though.
Acknowledged.
And they only used them for servicing the stock.
