Batley Station gets multi-pound improvement!

[MidnightFlyer]

I believe the plan for Kirkgate is (was?) exactly as you describe. I fully back any such projects, however I would think if it was to be a multi-station scheme it would have to be rail staff trained to run a shop rather than vice versa, owing to the complexity of the rail side of matters. Smaller independent operations exist at the likes of Ludlow, but I think the M to Go concept is a more solid and permanent solution.

Way back in the early 2000s I believe Connex South Central planned to take the ticket office-shop concept to a whole new level before they were stripped of the franchise. Leatherhead was flogged to Spar and Cooden Beach got turned into a Costcutter (or something) as a trial. It would have been interesting to see how far they would have taken it if time had allowed, and whether the concept would have spread further afield. I was down at Cooden Beach a couple of weeks ago and both the booking office and shop survive but now as separate entities, and judging from what I saw both pick up a fair trade.

 

[Crossover]

Mirfield had a full compliment of working screens - for probably about a week! Still all OK on the island but platform 3 one went back to being blank again. The last time I was there (last Monday) the one on platform 3 had been removed - but oddly, not just the header but the entire post had gone too, leaving just a concrete plinth with a hole in it where the cable should come through

Not sure if it has been removed by the TOC or half inched by a scrote!
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The Vic stopper was well patronised when I used it yesterday too, some of it's trade may be lost due to the trainline though, as it doesn't show the 2 minute same-platform connection for Huddersfield at Dewsbury, instead telling people to change at Mirfield.

No booking engine will suggest that connection though, not just the trainline, given it is a connection that doesn't satisfy the minimum connection times. Of course, us locals know it is about as solid a connection as you could possibly hope for!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I had noticed the strange disappearance of Mirfield P3 P.I.S. screens. It's worth noting that the seldom-used platform 2 hasn't been provided with a display (and indeed has not even a solitary bench). Considering that Mirfield is to become the 'Clapham Junction' of the North, it would not surprise me if platform 2 finds itself being used more and more...

 

[Crossover]

I had noticed the strange disappearance of Mirfield P3 P.I.S. screens. It's worth noting that the seldom-used platform 2 hasn't been provided with a display (and indeed has not even a solitary bench). Considering that Mirfield is to become the 'Clapham Junction' of the North, it would not surprise me if platform 2 finds itself being used more and more...

Providing it on p2 at this stage would have probably pushed the budget a bit too far

I did wonder whether the one on the island could show both platforms if needed. Does p2 end up with verbal announcements even? I believe one train a day is booked at p2 so at the moment it isn't a problem I guess

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The PIS is now operational at BTL. Doesn't appear to warn of passing services either in the countdown or flashing up as the train approaches.
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While waiting for the 1011 to Huddersfield, the screen on P2 has reverted to simply displaying 'Welcome to Batley'...

 

[Crossover]

Well, it took ages before the Mirfield p3 screen returned and was made to work again. I think I saw it working once before it stopped working again a few weeks ago. Pretty sure on Saturday morning it had gone entirely again but on returning in the evening there was one there, albeit not working. I'm also sure the footings have been changed (where the post looks to be concreted in with the bolts holding it up basically joining two parts of the pole together). Either way, that platform is proving to be a bad omen as far as CIS goes!

Could have done to be working on Saturday too, as there was a farce ongoing with the last GC to Bradford of the night