Station names on the UK rail network that you would change

[45Fox]

London Liverpool Street to London Bishopsgate
and others who have incorrectly boarded Liverpool Street trains at Cambridge thinking they went to Liverpool.

I firmly believe this to be an, oft repeated, forum myth.

This has occurred surprisingly often at Norwich (as has passengers joining Liverpool services thinking they were for Liverpool Street) which has direct services to both destinations.

 

[D1511]

This has occurred surprisingly often at Norwich, which has direct services to both destinations.

Well, these people shouldn't be allowed out on their own.....

 

[Djgr]

Headbolt Lane

 

[The exile]

General is quite archaic nowadays (only Wrexham General uses it now) so a Hauptbahnhof equivalent would be best for it as well as Colchester. Hauptbahnhof means 'Main Railway Station' so we do technically have one in the UK (Farnborough Main) but it doesn't work as well.

Both objections are only really because there’s been no move to use either in the modern era. Decide to use one of them and do so for a few significant stations and it will soon “work” or not seem archaic.

 

[py_megapixel]

University is one that really needs sorting. I'm aware of people who have turned up at Manchester Airport and expected - quite reasonably, in my opinion - that the ticket machine offering to sell them a ticket to "University" is selling them a ticket to the University of the city they have just arrived in, which has a station right next to it, not one in another city a hundred miles away!

It's an excellent example of something which wouldn't have been a problem at all when tickets were sold overwhelmingly at ticket offices (I can't imagine a ticket office clerk in Manchester selling a ticket to Birmingham for someone who just asked for "University" without making very sure that was what they meant!) - but certainly is a problem in the age of computer systems where passengers are expected to serve themselves. Some such systems do say "University (Birmingham)" but plenty don't.

In general removing station names that happen to contain a major place name other than the one they serve (e.g. Liverpool Street) is probably not a bad idea in principle, but not something I see an urgent need for. Likewise with eliminating duplicate station names.

The other suggestions - in particular, changing compass points - I'm not sure is very important. Perhaps the names are technically inaccurate but I can't see how they are causing a problem.

Yes, but that is no longer relevant to most travellers.

I am all for keeping traditions, but not this one.

Nor is the compass direction!
Most travellers trying to reach Wigan centre will follow signage (and if that signage isn't in place it should be - it's a relatively low cost and mitigates the frankly dreadful but all-too-common passenger experience of exiting a station and having no idea where you are), or look at a map, or plan their journey on their phone and follow the directions.
I would bet nobody is arriving at Wigan North Western, and saying "aha! I am at Wigan North Western, thus I know I must travel in a south-easterly direction to reach the town centre!" and then marching off in that direction with no further thought...

 

[Jaydubya]

On the London Underground Turnham Green and Chiswick Park have always seemed to be the wrong way round. Chiswick Park station is nearer to the open space called Turnham Green. Turnham Green station is opposite Chiswick Common and the nearest station for the High Street.

 

[urbophile]

Headbolt Lane

Changing it to Kirkby Tower Hill would be less baffling. But then the existing Kirkby station would need to be renamed to avoid confusion. Kirkby West would increase the confusion as West Kirby (only one K but the same pronunciation) already exists on the same network. Maybe just Westvale (which wouldn't mean much to non locals) or Kirkby Town (but it's not much nearer the town centre than is Headbolt Lane).Headbolt Lane will no doubt stick and maybe eventually replace the name of the surrounding areas.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Dockyard - which one - Guzz or Pompey? It isn't even the best station for the two main gates, which are at Devonport and Keyham.

 

[devon_belle]

Okehampton Interchange to Dartmoor Parkway (or Okehampton Parkway)

Holmwood to Beare Green (it is not in any of the three Holmwoods)

Ockley to Capel

Kings Nympton should change, but not sure to what

University to Birmingham University

Most of these are quite pedantic and shouldn't really be changed in reality as they're ingrained.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Okehampton Interchange to Dartmoor Parkway (or Okehampton Parkway)

Holmwood to Beare Green (it is not in any of the three Holmwoods)

Ockley to Capel

Kings Nympton should change, but not sure to what

University to Birmingham University

Most of these are quite pedantic and shouldn't really be changed in reality as they're ingrained

Okehampton Interchange to me sounds wrong for the line. Parkway would be more suitable, or Exchange.
Kings Nympton was originally South Molton Road. It was changed in 1951ish because it was a. a long way from South Molton, and b. to distinguish it from the other South Molton on the Taunton-Barnstaple line.
Ashley Down revert to Ashley Hill for obvious reasons

 

[Bletchleyite]

I firmly believe this to be an, oft repeated, forum myth.

It isn't. To the extent that the BR era CIS at Norwich used to use "Lime St Lvrpl" to try to reduce it a bit.

 

[Mr. SW]

I've always thought that Isleworth is kinda stretching it. The old village the station's named after is actually the bit by the river, about 3/4 mile away. It should really be Spring Grove or Smallbury Green.

And all those stations called "Acton", only one of which: "Central" is anywhere near the original village centre, although "Town" is quite close.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not a station yet, but about to be, is Liverpool Baltic. I would rather it were just "Baltic', or 'Baltic Triangle' on the grounds that including the city name implies it is a terminus or at least a significant destination for the city centre.

It is a city centre station, but Moorfields and James St aren't prefixed, nor is "downstairs" at Lime St. It also grates because "Baltic" is an adjective, not a noun; you can have the Baltic Sea or the Baltic Triangle but not just the Baltic unless it is simply a contraction of one of those.

 

[Howardh]

Headbolt Lane

Yes, when first opened I knew nothing about it and was puzzled when departure boards simply said "HBL" maybe a name with Kirkby in would have made more sense, think it's east of Kirkby so that would have done!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, when first opened I knew nothing about it and was puzzled when departure boards simply said "HBL" maybe a name with Kirkby in would have made more sense, think it's east of Kirkby so that would have done!

Kirkby Headbolt Lane would have done (and the other one renamed to Kirkby Westvale). The 777s showed that for a while.

 

[bramling]

Cambridge would be top of my list. It should have had a suffix added when Cambridge North opened, and will be even more confusing when Cambridge South opens next year.

Given that the three letter code is CBG I'd go for Cambridge General or Cambridge Grand.

It is a shame that there is no direct English equivalent of the German hauptbahnhof, which would have been ideal.

And how long ago is it since Audley End should have been renamed to Saffron Walden Parkway?

I agree Cambridge is no longer relevant, though it’s a bit of an awkward one as the obvious “Cambridge Central” would be somewhat infuriating given how poorly located the station is.

 

[LLivery]

Cambridge. You've got North, we'll have South, East is proposed. Surely Cambridge needs something on the end.

Change Hayes (Kent) to Hayes Gardens. It also has the benefit of making my local line into the 'Garden Line' which seems much nicer than 'Mid-Kent'.

Why Gardens?

Change New Beckenham to Cator Park. It's nowhere near Beckenham proper.

Huh? It's in Beckenham...

 

[bramling]

On the London Underground Turnham Green and Chiswick Park have always seemed to be the wrong way round. Chiswick Park station is nearer to the open space called Turnham Green. Turnham Green station is opposite Chiswick Common and the nearest station for the High Street.

There’s a few on LU which grate somewhat.

Firstly, Chancery Lane is somewhat irrelevant, as the rather insignificant street is now quite remote from the station entrance which has been resited since the station opened.

Then you have Holborn which is on High Holborn, yet Chancery Lane station actually serves Holborn. Albeit they both serve the general area.

Tottenham Court Road is also messy, as it serves the very southern end of that road. It’s appropriate for the Central Line, but on the Northern Line there’s three adjacent stations which also serve that street. Both Warren Street and Goodge Street I find messy.

I’m not sure any of these are worth the bother of changing. I’d probably look at separating off Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square though. The Bakerloo part of Charing Cross is virtually a separate station in terms of layout, and given the significant of Trafalgar Square I’d say there’s a case for it being on the map somewhere.

 

[LLivery]

I agree Cambridge is no longer relevant, though it’s a bit of an awkward one as the obvious “Cambridge Central” would be somewhat infuriating given how poorly located the station is.

Maybe after a famous person associated with Cambridge? Cambridge Darwin; Cambridge Hawking; Cambridge Franklin?

 

[frankmoh]

Why Gardens?

I am tired of having the shared identity with Hayes & Harlington.

Huh? It's in Beckenham...

Granted, it's much closer to Beckenham proper than Beckenham Hill, but it's a long walk from Beckenham High Street.

Maybe New Beckenham should become Beckenham North then.

I do remember having to assist a whole family in trying get them from Beckenham Junction to Beckenham Hill once. That station probably needs a renaming too but the only other place in the area is Southend, which already exists in Essex. Beckenham Southend (which would be north of the newly renamed Beckenham North?)

 

[frankmoh]

But then the existing Kirkby station would need to be renamed to avoid confusion. Kirkby West would increase the confusion as West Kirby (only one K but the same pronunciation) already exists on the same network.

See also Harrow-on-the-Hill, Sudbury Hill Harrow and Sudbury & Harrow Road. All served by Chiltern. Those last two are even right next to each other on the line!

 

[Crant90045]

I think i would change the 3 pontefract stations, Pontefract Monkhill, Pontefract Tanshelf & Pontefract Baghill.
These three stations are so weirdly named im sure there are some reasons out there for it but surely there are better ones,
I live not far away from these stations (roughly half an hour give or take) and i still wouldnt be able to pin-point which is which on a map
If anyone knows why these stations are named like this id really appreciate it

 

[BeijingDave]

I think i would change the 3 pontefract stations, Pontefract Monkhill, Pontefract Tanshelf & Pontefract Baghill.
These three stations are so weirdly named im sure there are some reasons out there for it but surely there are better ones,
I live not far away from these stations (roughly half an hour give or take) and i still wouldnt be able to pin-point which is which on a map
If anyone knows why these stations are named like this id really appreciate it

Monkhill Lane is a major road leading out of the town centre northbound; Baghill Road its equivalent southbound.

Tanshelf is actually just a suburb of Pontefract, but that's a bit of an uncommon way of naming a station (prefixing with the wider conurbation's name). Warrington doesn't have 'Warrington Sankey' and Chester doesn't have 'Chester Bache'.

 

[Mag_seven]

Wolverton - Milton Keynes North
Bletchley - Milton Keynes South

If this doesn't happen then rename Milton Keynes Central, "Milton Keynes"

 

[yorksrob]

"West Malling (for Kings Hill)" is 2 miles from Kings Hill, which is slightly further than Sandling is from Hythe (1.8 miles). The former definitely has a bus link, but Sandling being renamed/expanded to incorporate the Hythe element would not be unprecedented even for Southeastern.

Yes, "Hythe and Sandling" would seem a sensible name to me.

I also agree with reinstating Colchester St Botolphs, primarily to promote the St Botolph country dance team:

 

[AM9]

I've always thought that Isleworth is kinda stretching it. The old village the station's named after is actually the bit by the river, about 3/4 mile away. It should really be Spring Grove or Smallbury Green.

And all those stations called "Acton", only one of which: "Central" is anywhere near the original village centre, although "Town" is quite close.

How many residents of the Acton area (let alone travellers) think about Acton Village when making local journeys?

 

[Magdalia]

I agree Cambridge is no longer relevant, though it’s a bit of an awkward one as the obvious “Cambridge Central” would be somewhat infuriating given how poorly located the station is.

For 21st century Cambridge the old station is excellently located, as demonstrated by the businesses located around it and its 10 million annual entrances and exits.

But I do agree that it needs a better name. Central actually works for business travellers, the area around the station is what would be called the Central Business District (CBD) in the USA or Australia. But I wouldn't go for Central because it works less well for tourists, even though it is the station that they need to use.

Maybe after a famous person associated with Cambridge? Cambridge Darwin; Cambridge Hawking; Cambridge Franklin?

These names are very popular amongst light rail fans who use them as names for lines they have drawn on a map with different coloured crayons (though you forgot Newton).

But names of famous people don't help visitors to differentiate between the stations and work out which they need to use. That's why the old station needs an English equivalent of the German hauptbahnhof.

Wolverton - Milton Keynes North
Bletchley - Milton Keynes South

If this doesn't happen then rename Milton Keynes Central, "Milton Keynes"

Milton Keynes is different from Cambridge. Wolverton and Bletchley are both clearly identifiable places within the Milton Keynes conurbation and those names convey more information than North and South. But Milton Keynes Central does what it says on the tin and should not be changed.

 

[The exile]

Maybe after a famous person associated with Cambridge? Cambridge Darwin; Cambridge Hawking; Cambridge Franklin?

That always runs the risk of them falling out of favour as society’s attitudes change. Not saying it applies to these three - although the first almost certainly benefitted from exploitative child labour…

 

[William3000]

Wigan North Western is named after the London & North Western Railway, of course.
I agree with the University one, I always found it a bit strange.

Agreed - University would be fine on a local metro network but on a national rail it’s absurd.

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Colchester Town to Colchester City - I believe this one was looked at by GA but denied on cost grounds. Since Colchester gained city status it's not really accurate to keep it as Town though.

Or revert to Colchester St Botolph?

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Cambridge would be top of my list. It should have had a suffix added when Cambridge North opened, and will be even more confusing when Cambridge South opens next year.

Given that the three letter code is CBG I'd go for Cambridge General or Cambridge Grand.

It is a shame that there is no direct English equivalent of the German hauptbahnhof, which would have been ideal.

And how long ago is it since Audley End should have been renamed to Saffron Walden Parkway?

Colloquially most people call it Cambridge Main or Cambridge Central. I would go with Cambridge Central - while it’s slightly outside the city centre it is the most central station and a large employment location

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Colchester Town to Colchester City - I believe this one was looked at by GA but denied on cost grounds. Since Colchester gained city status it's not really accurate to keep it as Town though.

Equally Whittlesea should probably be renamed Whittlesey but I like the quirkiness of it using the older variant of the spelling

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Cambridge would be top of my list. It should have had a suffix added when Cambridge North opened, and will be even more confusing when Cambridge South opens next year.

Given that the three letter code is CBG I'd go for Cambridge General or Cambridge Grand.

It is a shame that there is no direct English equivalent of the German hauptbahnhof, which would have been ideal.

And how long ago is it since Audley End should have been renamed to Saffron Walden Parkway?

Audley End will never be renamed but it does say Audley End for Saffron Walden on station signage. I think adding the ‘for x’ is a simpler way for changes to be made.

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I would change Birmingham International to Birmingham Airport (for the NEC), and reserve ‘International’ suffixes for stations with international rail services.

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I firmly believe this to be an, oft repeated, forum myth.

I can confirm first hand that in the past when Cambridge had direct trains to Liverpool Lime Street, I often saw and corrected people who were going to London Liverpool Strret and saw ‘Liverpool’ and got on. Equally I know some people who got on King’s Lynn trains thinking they were going to London King’s Cross - because they saw ‘King’s’. So absolutely categorically not a myth.

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This has occurred surprisingly often at Norwich (as has passengers joining Liverpool services thinking they were for Liverpool Street) which has direct services to both destinations.

Indeed - In the past they have certainly signed Liverpool Lime Street as Lime Street, Liverpool

 

[Fawkes Cat]

University - University of Birmingham

• Just adding suffix at least avoids needing to change the CRS code.

This, rather than 'Birmingham University': to the extent that there is a pattern on GB railways 'Anytown Suffix' station is generally somewhere in the middle of Anytown - think New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill for Birmingham, although not International. But let's not make a bad job worse by adding confusion instead of clarity.

. It also grates because "Baltic" is an adjective, not a noun; you can have the Baltic Sea or the Baltic Triangle but not just the Baltic unless it is simply a contraction of one of those.

I suspect that you're not fighting a losing battle here, but one which has already been lost. Unless you're prepared to stand up for cathedral only being an adjective and agenda a plural, pull your troops back to join me in the last ditch defending data/datum as a plural/singular.