Bolton Station Re-Modelling

[Nym]

You do realise theres three other sites, pretty much the same size, all immidiatly next to the Bus Station right?

One immediatly south of the Job Centre, and one to the West of the Bus Station. The only reason Tesco wants the bus station site is to Mucle out Bolton Market.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

You do realise theres three other sites, pretty much the same size, all immidiatly next to the Bus Station right?

One immediately south of the Job Centre, and one to the West of the Bus Station. The only reason Tesco wants the bus station site is to muscle out Bolton Market.

That would seem to fall into their plans for a prime centre Bolton development.

 

[ffcphone]

For those interested, here's the thoughts of a commuter who uses Bolton station daily.

The new booking hall is now a very large lifeless space filled with very little. There is only one ticket vending machine. Whilst there is a shuttered off space, presumably for a retail unit, said retail unit presumably doesn't have a tenant. Since the refurb I've not seen the old dear who used to offer everything from her small "stall".

The overbridge has been painted and new handrails installed.

The system of ticket inspection remains far from satisfactory although with the limited size of the overbridge I guess gates are not practical.

The two lifts stopped displaying their locations to waiting passengers some time ago.

Train information screens, installed a few years back now a la Piccadilly, haven't worked since the refurb at booking hall level anyway. Even those at platform level have more off days than on. And when initially installed, they used to offer a useful changing display indicating platform number and whether "on time" or "exp'd xx:yy". That useful live running info ceased over 12 months back I reckon now.

The canopy extensions I guess are handy but I don't ever recall bemoaning their absence previously. Additionally I've not checked to see whether the older canopies still pour water onto stopped trains thereby sometimes rendering a set of doors out of order unless you want to be soaked whilst boarding. The modern nature of the new canopy structures clashes with the older canopy. Shame they couldn't have done something more in keeping. In any event when I was last there (2 weeks ago) areas of platforms 3 and 4 remain coned off with little or no evidence of anything happening.

There are now a number of CCTV cameras. Hitherto none.

The cafe renovation between platforms 1 and 3 looks more appealing now although whether the food itself has improved I can't comment!

There is double if not more bench seats on the platforms now albeit metal lattice structures which can be very cold at 7:45am in my experiences!

I never use the toilets or waiting rooms so can't comment on these.

There was an indication £4 million pounds was being spent at Bolton. I'm no expert on railway station refreshes but £4m seems a hell of a lot for what has been achieved, from my point of view as a fare paying passenger.

 

[snail]

The canopy extensions I guess are handy but I don't ever recall bemoaning their absence previously. Additionally I've not checked to see whether the older canopies still pour water onto stopped trains thereby sometimes rendering a set of doors out of order unless you want to be soaked whilst boarding. The modern nature of the new canopy structures clashes with the older canopy. Shame they couldn't have done something more in keeping. In any event when I was last there (2 weeks ago) areas of platforms 3 and 4 remain coned off with little or no evidence of anything happening.

Have they moved the stopping points for the trains yet? I understood that was the reason for the new canopies, to reduce the distance from the overbridge to trains. I agree with you that they could have done more to make the new canopies fit in with the older design. I find Bolton a sad station to wait at if I'm changing trains there, too much of 'what might have been' or what used to be.

 

[Nym]

Have a look at where platform 5 should be, and where all the sidings used to be, now covered by half occupied commercial warhousing. Where a car park for the station would be really nice to have. Yes, there is also space for 4 track to the North, and used to be lines to Bury...

 

[yorksrob]

I was there this morning and it looked very nice. The historical part looked basically the same but a bit more cared for and looked after.

TBH it's usually Sunday when I pass through so it always seems a bit quiet. I was glad to see the retro BR style buffet sign was still there although I didn't notice whether the red star parcels one had gone

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whilst the matter of the refurbishment works are being discussed, what plans are there for the very old "etched glass" windows saying "Telegraph Office", "1st Class Ladies Waiting Room", etc. There are quite a few of these and they must have some historical interest.

I asked this question some weeks ago and now that matters are nearing completion, is there now any news on these historical windows.

 

[ffcphone]

Have they moved the stopping points for the trains yet? I understood that was the reason for the new canopies, to reduce the distance from the overbridge to trains. I agree with you that they could have done more to make the new canopies fit in with the older design. I find Bolton a sad station to wait at if I'm changing trains there, too much of 'what might have been' or what used to be.

For the last fortnight I've had access to a car so I've been lazy but I expect to return to my commute on Monday. When I was last there train stopping points on platform 4 remained in their usual place ie leaving quite a walk for passengers descending onto the platform from the over bridge.

Platform 3 was even worse in that a few months back at the start of the canopy installation, an area roughly from the buffet to the stairs to the over bridge was coned off and the stopping points were moved towards the Manchester end thereby exacerbating the issue. One can but hope once the works are completed trains will stop much nearer to the over bridge steps.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I asked this question some weeks ago and now that matters are nearing completion, is there now any news on these historical windows.

I'll have a look when my commute resumes next week. I didn't notice any works being carried out on the windows themselves so at a guess presume these remain unmoved. But will confirm next week.

 

[WatcherZero]

Article on the Bolton refurb in the latest issue of Railway Engineer:
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1s...m/item/details/361485/Rail-Engineer-July-2011

Also an article on the Northern Hub which im sure ive seen in another magazine though this version has much better maps.

 

[WatcherZero]

As an update, works still continuing delayed slightly by NR deciding to take the opportunity to renew platform edge coping stones. The final works will be completed by early Autumn including the final item in the works, the modifed platform stopping locations.

Some before/After shots of works at Bolton/Oxford Road/Rochdale
http://www.transportforgreatermanch...m_6-rail_infrastructure_report_appendices_2-5

 

[strange6]

I very rarely get off at Bolton station but from a platform perspective, I can't see where all the money has gone? I mean, they still even have the old 1940's 1st and 2nd class gentlemens and ladies waiting area glass etchings still fixed in place! And Oxford Road is still a dump!

 

[Lampshade]

I very rarely get off at Bolton station but from a platform perspective, I can't see where all the money has gone? I mean, they still even have the old 1940's 1st and 2nd class gentlemens and ladies waiting area glass etchings still fixed in place!

Well the new (and very smart) shelters on platforms 3 and 4 are quite a big clue

There appears to be a new waiting room created from an alcove between two station buildings, although with heating and lighting it's probably very nice.

That's all I've seen.

 

[strange6]

Well the new (and very smart) shelters on platforms 3 and 4 are quite a big clue

There appears to be a new waiting room created from an alcove between two station buildings, although with heating and lighting it's probably very nice.

That's all I've seen.

I may have to sample them if we get a cold winter

 

[yorksrob]

I very rarely get off at Bolton station but from a platform perspective, I can't see where all the money has gone? I mean, they still even have the old 1940's 1st and 2nd class gentlemens and ladies waiting area glass etchings still fixed in place!

Thats good - you wouldnt want a Dallas style 198o's greenhouse in its place ?
Keep the platform buildings and put some decent facilities in them.

 

[WatcherZero]

Oxford Road had greenhouse shelters, quite literally a greenhouse with seating inside. The wooden versions though smaller do fit in far nicer with the predominantly wooden station.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I very rarely get off at Bolton station but from a platform perspective, I can't see where all the money has gone? I mean, they still even have the old 1940's 1st and 2nd class gentlemens and ladies waiting area glass etchings still fixed in place! And Oxford Road is still a dump!

They've completely rebuilt the concourse (except for the building), installed: new toilets, a proper frontage to the cafe and new waiting rooms, built canopies from the central areas of the platforms to the footbridge, and moved the stopboards so that they stop more towards the west.

 

[yorksrob]

Oxford Road had greenhouse shelters, quite literally a greenhouse with seating inside. The wooden versions though smaller do fit in far nicer with the predominantly wooden station.

I must admit, I've always aimed for the wooden architecture when at Oxford Road - I've avoided the greenhouses when I've been there long enough

 

[Lampshade]

I do like what they've done with Oxford Road, keeping the new shelters in character with the original station

 

[yorksrob]

I do like what they've done with Oxford Road, keeping the new shelters in character with the original station

True - Ive not tried the new shelters but I love the arched canopy - beautiful

 

[ffcphone]

They've completely rebuilt the concourse (except for the building), installed: new toilets, a proper frontage to the cafe and new waiting rooms, built canopies from the central areas of the platforms to the footbridge, and moved the stopboards so that they stop more towards the west.

If memory serves £4m was being spent at Bolton. I'm sure I'm not the only daily commuter using Bolton to wonder where the vast majority of that has gone.

 

[WatcherZero]

Two large new canopies, redone ticket offices, platform resurfaced, deep clean, new glass platform building and another buffet conservatory structure replaced, all toilets knocked through to expand and refurbished.

Its been a pretty large refurb, they even added an extra, relaid the platform edge coping stones because the project was underbudget. The only thing im dissapointed with is they didnt fix the drops of water creating a line of algae down the support columns for the pedestrian bridge.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The only thing im dissapointed with is they didnt fix the drops of water creating a line of algae down the support columns for the pedestrian bridge.

Could this remedial work be done under the snaggings ?

 

[WatcherZero]

I dont know, they havent really touched the footbridge, just the station entrance so it may not be in the program.

 

[driver9000]

I very rarely get off at Bolton station but from a platform perspective, I can't see where all the money has gone? I mean, they still even have the old 1940's 1st and 2nd class gentlemens and ladies waiting area glass etchings still fixed in place!

They're older than that, they're from L&Y days

Nice bit of heritage being retained there, something sadly forgotten about in some projects.

Oxford Road is a listed building so I'm told....I quite like it really, will be nice when it's finished.

 

[ffcphone]

Correct me if I'm wrong. Were the new platform canopies not erected to help alleviate passenger concerns re long transfer times due to long walk down to over-bridge from train stopping points? And If so why, with all externally visible signs of work having gone some weeks back are trains still stopping where they used to?

And shame out of that £4m budget they couldn't get the side entrance electric doors working!!!

 

[WatcherZero]

According to Northern last week, their waiting on a station staff safety review before they can move the stepping point.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wish the new refreshment room could have been a liitle more longer than it has turned out to be. The counter still retains its original ambiance, with food to match. Who actually runs this establishment?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I wish the new refreshment room could have been a liitle more longer than it has turned out to be. The counter still retains its original ambiance, with food to match. Who actually runs this establishment?

It's an independent business if that's what you meant, I don't know who personally...

It is a top cafe though, just miss the bubble

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It's an independent business if that's what you meant, I don't know who personally...

It is a top café though, just miss the bubble

Thanks for the info. The two ladies are very efficiant and their barmcakes with a wide range of fillings are always very fresh. A good drink of tea is always assured there. It is always worth changing trains at Bolton for the Clitheroe train, rather than Salford Crescent, if you are travelling from Manchester Piccadilly, so you can visit this establishment.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Thanks for the info. The two ladies are very efficiant and their barmcakes with a wide range of fillings are always very fresh. A good drink of tea is always assured there. It is always worth changing trains at Bolton for the Clitheroe train, rather than Salford Crescent, if you are travelling from Manchester Piccadilly, so you can visit this establishment.

I'm sure it is, but on my usual trips I have a +4 connection at Bolton for the Piccadilly train from the Blackburn one; and by the time I get back there in the evening it is long closed for the day (saying that, I tend to change at Salford Crescent to avoid the stupidly long walk at Bolton).