Worcestershire Parkway - New Town

[Steddenm]

The name of the new UK town with 10,000 homes being built around a train station is Wychavon, in Worcestershire. It will initially be called Wychavon Town to distinguish it from the existing district of the same name.
The development, located around the existing Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station, is planned to be an "infrastructure-led" project, with a strong emphasis on green areas and walkable neighbourhoods. The current plans include the creation of four parks and other community facilities. A new website, wychavontown.co.uk, has been launched to provide details and gather community input.

Original Source Article (Not directly quoted): https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37475041/new-uk-town-10000-homes-train-station-name-revealed/

Plans to build a new town around Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station have been revealed.

A new website, which shares the details of the upcoming project, has recently launched.

On the website, the name of the new community has been confirmed as Wychavon.

In order to avoid confusion with the existing district of the same name, which was established in 1974, it will initially be called Wychavon Town.

The area around Parkway at the moment is a bit depressing. Not much there at all. Will it mean the station is renamed to Wynchavon Town?

 

[Pigeon]

It'll be a whole lot more depressing if this blight of additional urban sprawl goes ahead. The M5 is a natural boundary to the concrete cancer and they should not be trying to cross it.

 

[Magdalia]

Worcestershire Parkway was one of the locations recommended by the New Towns Taskforce see here:

New Towns Taskforce: Report to government

www.gov.uk

Worcestershire Parkway​

The new town proposal at Worcestershire Parkway is a 1,130 hectare greenfield site based around an existing train station located to the south-east of Worcester, in Wychavon. There are currently plans for 10,000 homes on this site, but new town designation has the potential to bolster the speed and scale of delivery. New town designation would not only boost this delivery but also ensure quality of placemaking and sustainability by adopting the New Towns Taskforce placemaking principles.

 

[Pigeon]

I disagree with basically everything about that report.

To stick to railway-related aspects, it makes me fear for the chances of any possible future service improvements for Worcester; it is likely to encourage regulators, operators etc in the belief that merely to stop at Worcestershire Parkway counts as "serving Worcester", which it does not.

Nor can the place itself have much of a useful rail link to Worcester because there is no capacity to have any kind of extra service on that bit of route. All it can do is connect using road routes which can't cope even as things are.

 

[class ep-09]

I disagree with basically everything about that report.

To stick to railway-related aspects, it makes me fear for the chances of any possible future service improvements for Worcester; it is likely to encourage regulators, operators etc in the belief that merely to stop at Worcestershire Parkway counts as "serving Worcester", which it does not.

Nor can the place itself have much of a useful rail link to Worcester because there is no capacity to have any kind of extra service on that bit of route. All it can do is connect using road routes which can't cope even as things are.

Actually, Worcestershire Pkw serves Worcester very well.
Because of lack of parking at Foregate Street and very limited parking st Shrub Hill , customers who used to drive or took taxis to one of the two centrally located stations, now leave their cars at Worcestershire Pkw.
Car park is full every weekday to the point that customers leave their cars on verges or lay-bys further away and walk.
As for capacity - if both platforms were accessible by passenger services ( currently only platform 1) from direction of Oxford / Gloucester and if there was crossover to access both platforms at Foregate Street from direction of Shrub Hil , it would definitely improve capacity and flexibility , at least as a stop gap before re signalling ( will that ever happen ?)

Of course North Cots single line sections would need to be doubled up ( at least partially ) to allow 2tph to London services increase from current off peak 1tph.

 

[birchesgreen]

The area around Parkway at the moment is a bit depressing. Not much there at all. Will it mean the station is renamed to Wynchavon Town?

Why is farmland depressing? Most people consider the countryside quite the opposite!

 

[Djgr]

The name of the new UK town with 10,000 homes being built around a train station is Wychavon, in Worcestershire. It will initially be called Wychavon Town to distinguish it from the existing district of the same name.
The development, located around the existing Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station, is planned to be an "infrastructure-led" project, with a strong emphasis on green areas and walkable neighbourhoods. The current plans include the creation of four parks and other community facilities. A new website, wychavontown.co.uk, has been launched to provide details and gather community input.

Original Source Article (Not directly quoted): https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37475041/new-uk-town-10000-homes-train-station-name-revealed/



The area around Parkway at the moment is a bit depressing. Not much there at all. Will it mean the station is renamed to Wynchavon Town?

I'd rather have trees over Barratt boxes every time.

 

[Noddy]

Why is farmland depressing? Most people consider the countryside quite the opposite!

It depends on what type of farmland. Much arable land is completely sterile and devoid of life and habitat, and this is becoming increasingly true in livestock areas as well. The area around me is a traditional dairy area, but increasing the cattle herds are moving into metal sheds all year round with the land instead used for growing grass for haylage/silage. That involves spraying and reseeding every few years to kill it all in order to remove the weeds and maximise grass yields. It’s all pretty depressing from an environmental aspect. If you look at the area around Parkway while there are stands of trees/woodland (which are highly likely to remain in any development) there are few hedgerows and the area is mostly open arable prairie land.

Back to the Parkway station I remember many folk on here complaining that it would never be used, it was a total waste of money, and that any development around the station, if it ever came, would be many decades away.

 

[The Planner]

Back to the Parkway station I remember many folk on here complaining that it would never be used, it was a total waste of money, and that any development around the station, if it ever came, would be many decades away.

It will be a decade I expect before the houses are there in any numbers, the station has been open for six years as it is.

 

[WelshBluebird]

I'd rather have trees over Barratt boxes every time.

And I'd rather people have homes to live in, even if they are Barratt boxes.
The immediate areas around stations like Worcestershire Parkway are exactly where we should be building houses.

 

[Class 170101]

Of course North Cots single line sections would need to be doubled up ( at least partially ) to allow 2tph to London services increase from current off peak 1tph.

Surely most would be looking at Birmingham or Bristol for employment rather than London?

Also can trains run to Worcester Parkway (GW platform) and then run back towards Shrub Hill thence to Birmingham?

 

[Fidelis]

It will be a decade I expect before the houses are there in any numbers, the station has been open for six years as it is.

Opened on 20th February 2020 then closed two weeks later by Covid for two years.
Not sure on what basis no homes will built for decades as applications in the Planning process for 4,000 homes have been placed with District Council who have announced a name for the town and government funding.

 

[edwin_m]

Actually, Worcestershire Pkw serves Worcester very well.
Because of lack of parking at Foregate Street and very limited parking st Shrub Hill , customers who used to drive or took taxis to one of the two centrally located stations, now leave their cars at Worcestershire Pkw.

You are making the assumption that everyone in Worcester has access to a car, or is willing to pay extra for a taxi.

You are also ignoring the point that this might be good for the more affluent residents of Worcester, but focusing on the Parkway creates a "Ryanair station" for inward visitors so brings little in the way of local prosperity.

It's fair enough as far as it goes, but the central Worcester stations need to continue to have a good service rather than trying to send everything to the Parkway.

 

[The Planner]

Opened on 20th February 2020 then closed two weeks later by Covid for two years.
Not sure on what basis no homes will built for decades as applications in the Planning process for 4,000 homes have been placed with District Council who have announced a name for the town and government funding.

Yes, but 4000 homes arent popping up in a couple of years.

 

[AlterEgo]

To stick to railway-related aspects, it makes me fear for the chances of any possible future service improvements for Worcester; it is likely to encourage regulators, operators etc in the belief that merely to stop at Worcestershire Parkway counts as "serving Worcester", which it does not.

Why do you think that?

 

[Noddy]

It will be a decade I expect before the houses are there in any numbers, the station has been open for six years as it is.

I originally predicted 50 years and it would be surrounded by housing.

In 50 years time the station will be surrounded by housing and more industrial units. That’s my prediction!!!

Worcestershire Parkway station progress

Ask WMT or GWR to provide a Kidderminster/Malvern - Parkway - Evesham ‘local service’ ...or (continuing with hypotheticals) maybe Bromsgrove, Shrub Hill, Parkway might work?** Links Parkway to the Cross-City and Droitwich improving connection options, as well as giving extra links into...

www.railforums.co.uk

I’m going to half that now. As I said the prevailing view was the station was pointless and long distance services would never, ever stop there. This post sums it up nicely.

I would have said the consensus is that the station has very little potential, and will probably just get in the way of any actual improvements. I admire your optimism in believing that voyagers will eventually stop there, but there's really very little reason to believe that will ever happen

Worcestershire Parkway station progress

Ask WMT or GWR to provide a Kidderminster/Malvern - Parkway - Evesham ‘local service’ ...or (continuing with hypotheticals) maybe Bromsgrove, Shrub Hill, Parkway might work?** Links Parkway to the Cross-City and Droitwich improving connection options, as well as giving extra links into...

www.railforums.co.uk

Well despite repeated claims that it would never happen (even as late as 2023) after 5 years (and given the first two were blighted by Covid you could argue was effectively 3 years) since opening long distance services do call. I put money on the majority stopping in 10 years time and I equally wouldn’t be so confident in a very long timeline for the new town to be developed.

 

[class ep-09]

You are making the assumption that everyone in Worcester has access to a car, or is willing to pay extra for a taxi.

You are also ignoring the point that this might be good for the more affluent residents of Worcester, but focusing on the Parkway creates a "Ryanair station" for inward visitors so brings little in the way of local prosperity.

It's fair enough as far as it goes, but the central Worcester stations need to continue to have a good service rather than trying to send everything to the Parkway.

I did not make any assumption , I just stated that Worcestershire Parkway serves Worcester very well especially for people with cars but not just as a lot of passengers change at that station too .


People without cars can still get on a train in Worcester “central stations” and I never said that “central stations” need reduced service or for everyone to be send to Parkway .
Quite opposite, I pointed that relatively “simple” improvement to track layout and signalling should help “ central stations” to receive more services and gain more flexibility / resilience .

 

[Harpo]

I disagree with basically everything about that report.

it is likely to encourage regulators, operators etc in the belief that merely to stop at Worcestershire Parkway counts as "serving Worcester", which it does not.

‘Worcester Exit’ might be a better name as it’s the station’s only real use. It adds zero value for those travelling inwards who are left with the fragmented Shrub Hill/Foregate Street single lines mess.

 

[cjw714]

This sounds like a fantastic idea and exactly the sort of location where new houses should be built. Hopefully, as an absolute minimum, any development with a doubling of the line from Evesham into Worcester and the introduction of a half-hourly shuttle. As an aside, it also feels like there is potential to develop the land around Pershore station as well.

‘Worcester Exit’ might be a better name as it’s the station’s only real use. It adds zero value for those travelling inwards who are left with the fragmented Shrub Hill/Foregate Street single lines mess.

There is always a lot of focus on the signalling and track layout in Worcester and it's clearly less than ideal. However, even if it was improved it wouldn't solve the basic problem that there are 3, arguably 4 lines, into Worcester from the north and east and only line going west making it difficult to send too many extra trains into Foregate Street as there are limited options for them to turn round.

 

[The exile]

Opened on 20th February 2020 then closed two weeks later by Covid for two years.
Not sure on what basis no homes will built for decades as applications in the Planning process for 4,000 homes have been placed with District Council who have announced a name for the town and government funding.

Closed for 2 years? Not sure how I managed to use it in July 2020 then.

 

[Noddy]

It’s great to see folk still moaning about this station despite the fact that it has had zero impact on the service provision to the Worcester city stations, that it now has long distance XC services, that it has resulted in many thousands of interchange journeys and has generally been a big success story despite opening at one of the worst possible times in recent memory.

Worcestershire Parkway wasn’t a choice between the new parkway station or improvements to Foregate Street/Shrub Hill. It was choice between a new station and nothing. We should be celebrating its success and the fact that with a common sense approach this new town is going to be built with the station as a central focus.

 

[edwin_m]

I did not make any assumption , I just stated that Worcestershire Parkway serves Worcester very well especially for people with cars but not just as a lot of passengers change at that station too .


People without cars can still get on a train in Worcester “central stations” and I never said that “central stations” need reduced service or for everyone to be send to Parkway .
Quite opposite, I pointed that relatively “simple” improvement to track layout and signalling should help “ central stations” to receive more services and gain more flexibility / resilience .

You said it serves Worcester very well full stop.

Do you have any evidence that a lot of passengers change there? Given the low frequency of calls on both routes and the lack of facilities if stuck there for some time, it seems unlikely to me. If the connections work it does provide some extra opportunities from the Cotswold Line.

In principle it's a good idea to put a new town around a rail interchange, attracting passengers onto rail and maybe even justifying a bus service into Worcester that would provide more opportunity for Worcester people and visitors to use the Parkway station. I can't speak for any local factors that may make this site better or worse for housing.

 

[barbette165]

The X50 bus between Worcester and Evesham already calls at Worcestershire Parkway every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sunday.

 

[class ep-09]

You said it serves Worcester very well full stop.

Do you have any evidence that a lot of passengers change there? Given the low frequency of calls on both routes and the lack of facilities if stuck there for some time, it seems unlikely to me. If the connections work it does provide some extra opportunities from the Cotswold Line.

In principle it's a good idea to put a new town around a rail interchange, attracting passengers onto rail and maybe even justifying a bus service into Worcester that would provide more opportunity for Worcester people and visitors to use the Parkway station. I can't speak for any local factors that may make this site better or worse for housing.

Yes.
I see that every almost day , when working trains.

 

[Noddy]

Do you have any evidence that a lot of passengers change there? Given the low frequency of calls on both routes

The 2023-2024 passenger figures for the station were roughly 340 thousand passengers and 117 thousand interchanges. Those figures date to before the timetable improvements on the Birmingham-Cheltenham axis to roughly every 30 mins with introduction of long distance XC services. All trains on the east-west route call anyway. So it’s now even more conducive to passengers using it as an interchange.

 

[embers25]

Does anyone know why the Plymouth trains stop northbound only and the Manchester trains stop southbound only. Why can't both stop both ways. I assumed it was XC trying to make splitting tickets at Parkway more difficult for passengers given splitting at Worcester Parkway can save a fortune.

 

[bleeder4]

Just as an aside, when I was there at the weekend I noticed there is now a vending machine there offering drinks and snacks. That resolves one of the longstanding complaints about no food/drink facilities. There is the guy in the coffee shack out front there occasionally as well (although he doesn't seem to do weekends)

 

[Falcon1200]

Another aside; I changed trains at Worcestershire Parkway a couple of weeks ago and was astonished to find that there is no heated waiting area at the station, at all. Not good on a cold day with a longer wait than expected thanks to an XC cancellation!

 

[ABB125]

Another aside; I changed trains at Worcestershire Parkway a couple of weeks ago and was astonished to find that there is no heated waiting area at the station, at all. Not good on a cold day with a longer wait than expected thanks to an XC cancellation!

When you walk through the station, it can feel incredibly desolate and windswept at times... I wonder what the reason was to not build a "floor" along the passageways between platforms? (Obviously there is a floor throughout the station. But it doesn't meet the glass side walls anywhere along the boomerang-shaped part of the station, so there's a gap all the way round the station, which the wind can blow through.)
I'm guessing the reason is that the entrances to the footbridge are open, so there's no point making it a closed space.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Another aside; I changed trains at Worcestershire Parkway a couple of weeks ago and was astonished to find that there is no heated waiting area at the station, at all. Not good on a cold day with a longer wait than expected thanks to an XC cancellation!

Yes, although Worcestershire Parkway is an excellent interchange for the Cotswolds Line coming from the Midlands, the station facilities are dismal. No heated waiting area, no retail outlets, just one toilet and no pub within walking distance if you have, say, a 30 minute wait. I wonder if there's the possibility of someone opening a micropub there?