Crewe station is a Disgrace

[dk1]

I love Crewe for all it's faults. Water dripping out of broken gutters & all that. Yeah could be great but unfortunatley nothing is perfect & this place is really far to big for the current needs. I am sure it will improve in time but the staff are very good & if you dont roam around & stay in the main area it ain't that bad. Some excellent Indian restaurants nearby too

 

[martinsh]

I love Crewe for all it's faults. Water dripping out of broken gutters & all that. Yeah could be great but unfortunatley nothing is perfect & this place is really far to big for the current needs. I am sure it will improve in time but the staff are very good & if you dont roam around & stay in the main area it ain't that bad. Some excellent Indian restaurants nearby too

If it's far too big for current needs, then why does my train (almost) always have to wait outside for a platform to be available ?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Something they could do is reopen a couple at platforms behind 12 and divert the Manchester / North Wales-South Wales workings into there (using the Independents ex-Manchester) to avoid blocking the mainline / mainline platforms.

 

[allticketspls]

The thing that gets me about Crewe is that it is where Virgin Trains' Talent Academy is based. I always thought that it gives a bad impression for new recruits who get off the train to start their working lives with Virgin.

Having said that I did spend a fair bit of time at the station when I did my induction week at the Academy :P

 

[dk1]

If it's far too big for current needs, then why does my train (almost) always have to wait outside for a platform to be available ?

I dont mean so much platforms as some of the older buildings scattered around the station.

They have improved the overall roof recently with a refurb & a paint.

 

[158_Sprinter]

I always found Crewe station ok, having used it frequently for visiting family in Crewe. A bit run down and usually cold, but then so are most stations.
However I have noticed that later in the evening, when trains are less frequent, the local scallies come down onto the platform to take a look at passengers cases to see if there is anything worth pinching, as happened to my girlfriend last year whilst waiting for a connection to Shrewsbury around 9pm.
So perhaps it could do with being better lit and more attractive to evening/ night-time passengers.

 

[OuterDistant]

Moving it south would be daft - the Shrewsbury line would no longer be served.

Or the Stoke one!

 

[Proud Salopian]

I really like Crewe station, though it does need a little care and attention in parts!

I love how trains to and from Shrewsbury call on Platform 6, right by the pub! ("Crewe Hero"... shame there's not proper beer there though!)
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I always found Crewe station ok, having used it frequently for visiting family in Crewe. A bit run down and usually cold, but then so are most stations.
However I have noticed that later in the evening, when trains are less frequent, the local scallies come down onto the platform to take a look at passengers cases to see if there is anything worth pinching, as happened to my girlfriend last year whilst waiting for a connection to Shrewsbury around 9pm.
So perhaps it could do with being better lit and more attractive to evening/ night-time passengers.

Or maybe the police should do their job and actually keep a look-out at what is a known trouble spot!

Why are there no barriers at Crewe? That would stop random louts getting onto the platforms.

 

[TDK]

It is always used for the 07:33 Arriva Premier Service to Cardiff. That's about it!

When it was originally refurbished was it not for the Pendo drags to allow the Loco to be coupled by VT?

 

[Hydro]

Why are there no barriers at Crewe? That would stop random louts getting onto the platforms.

No good late at night, barriers are locked open once all the staff leave.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Or maybe the police should do their job and actually keep a look-out at what is a known trouble spot!

Why are there no barriers at Crewe? That would stop random louts getting onto the platforms.

VT aren't too keen on barriers - they removed them at Coventry as they didn't want to protect CT's revenue. Crewe would be easy enough to gate though, there's only one exit, except when replacement coaches leave from the side of p12. Further, there's only one way out of Wigan NW, Warrington BQ, Carlisle, Rugby, Birmingham International, Wolverhampton (I think), Stafford, Stockport, Macclesfield (I think), Stoke-on-Trent (I have seen ticket checks carried out manually there though)...

 

[60maniac]

There's an exit at the end of platform 12 as well over to the car park.

 

[RichmondCommu]

God has spoken.

It would of cost Virgin not a lot and not very much effort to make the station just mildly attractive.

Today, God burnt down Beardie's tastefully decorated Island Retreat....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14621678

Is the station not owned by Network Rail? Surely its up to them to ensure that the station is fit for purpose?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Now that the idea of a new station elsewhere has been abandoned.....

Did the difficulties of connections from both Stoke on Trent and Shrewsbury have any bearing on that decision?

 

[Rwhunited]

The thing that gets me about Crewe is that it is where Virgin Trains' Talent Academy is based. I always thought that it gives a bad impression for new recruits who get off the train to start their working lives with Virgin.

Having said that I did spend a fair bit of time at the station when I did my induction week at the Academy :P

If you are on about that building up on the carpark at the top, that isn't used anymore...
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Is the station not owned by Network Rail? Surely its up to them to ensure that the station is fit for purpose?

No Virgin have to maintain it, such as Euston and many other stations

 

[AlterEgo]

No Virgin have to maintain it, such as Euston and many other stations

No, they do not have to maintain Euston. It's a Network Rail station.

Wholesale repairs or major refurbishments are undertaken by Network Rail, who own all but a few stations on the network. Day to day maintenance is undertaken by the managing TOC.

Perhaps some of you who aren't happy with Crewe could suggest some changes to Sir Richard, who'll be passing through on Tuesday... More importantly, I'll be there too

 

[RichmondCommu]

No, they do not have to maintain Euston. It's a Network Rail station.

Wholesale repairs or major refurbishments are undertaken by Network Rail, who own all but a few stations on the network. Day to day maintenance is undertaken by the managing TOC.

Perhaps some of you who aren't happy with Crewe could suggest some changes to Sir Richard, who'll be passing through on Tuesday... More importantly, I'll be there too

Well I think we'd all agree that Crewe is in need of more than just day to day maintenance in which case surely the onus is on Network Rail to sort the place out. So rather than bothering Sir Richard why not write to Network Rail instead........

 

[AlterEgo]

Crewe really isn't that bad. It's a rough gem that just needs a little TLC - I always enjoy visiting it.

I guess I'm biased as a fan of faded splendour. Crewe and Chester are my favourite two stations!

 

[martinsh]

I guess I'm biased as a fan of faded splendour.

You'll like my girlfriend then !

 

[AlterEgo]

You'll like my girlfriend then !

Badoom-tish!

Taxi for one?