Borderlands line improvements

[emoaconr]

I noticed today that these devices to hold electronic departure boards have been fitted at each station between Gwersyllt and Hawarden (Wrexham General, Shotton and Bidston already have them). I don't know about Wrexham Central yet, but there was a new PA system installed there last year which has been left unused, in addition to the new ticket machine.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p105/marbles333/mj2011-04-23-1.jpg

Also, Caergwrle has seen another re-paint - this time to dark blue - on lampposts, signs, shelters, posts etc. Last year there was an odd lime green colour which replaced the Arriva turquoise. Yet there are stations (particulary over the other side of the Dee) that have the peeling red and dark green of NWT and have seen no improvement at all over recent years! Wrexham General itself was re-painted back in February, retaining the red and green theme.

Of course all improvements are welcome, but it just seems all a bit inconsistent :P

 

[lancastrian]

It sounds to me that two possibilities are the reason for this. The first is that when I used to work for British Rail, if something was repainted, then it was either due for closure or demolition.

The second, and to be honest the likely reason is that the stations, south of the Dee are under the control of the Welsh Authority Government and those north of the Dee, are in the control of Northern. So they aren't being painted. Yet another great benefit of devolution.

To be honest, the whole of the Bidston to Wrexham central line and services, should be electrified on the third rail, and transfered to Merseyrail. Not only will this bring consistance to the whole route, things will be greatly improved for people from the Wrexham area who wish to work on Merseyside.

 

[emoaconr]

The second, and to be honest the likely reason is that the stations, south of the Dee are under the control of the Welsh Authority Government and those north of the Dee, are in the control of Northern. So they aren't being painted. Yet another great benefit of devolution.

To be honest, the whole of the Bidston to Wrexham central line and services, should be electrified on the third rail, and transfered to Merseyrail. Not only will this bring consistance to the whole route, things will be greatly improved for people from the Wrexham area who wish to work on Merseyside.

Mhm I expect the WAG has paid for a substantial proportion of these improvements. But given the fact that the entirety of the stations this line are operated and managed by ATW from Wrexham through to Bidston, it just goes to show that if it wasn't for the WAG's money, ATW would not be interested in improvement at all.

The Borderlands line is one line with services running the entire length - but when it comes down to money and investment (particulary the argument over its electrification), its ridiculously split into two.

Personally I don't believe the All-Wales franchise is a viable unit and is in effect, three very separate railway systems united only for political purposes. I do recognise services have improved in recent years a lot on this line, but I always get angry how much potential it has. Even Merseyrail recognise this - ATW are rather oblivious to it all.

With the painting and cosmetic changes, I'd say the problem lies more with ATW than the WAG to be honest. The franchises which don't benefit from WAG funding get along alright. ATW can do it with their English stations - we've seen it recently in Chester, Hereford and Ludlow. But I guess the smaller stops aren't a priority.

 

[Gareth Marston]

It sounds to me that two possibilities are the reason for this. The first is that when I used to work for British Rail, if something was repainted, then it was either due for closure or demolition.

The second, and to be honest the likely reason is that the stations, south of the Dee are under the control of the Welsh Authority Government and those north of the Dee, are in the control of Northern. So they aren't being painted. Yet another great benefit of devolution.

To be honest, the whole of the Bidston to Wrexham central line and services, should be electrified on the third rail, and transfered to Merseyrail. Not only will this bring consistance to the whole route, things will be greatly improved for people from the Wrexham area who wish to work on Merseyside.

The £ for the CIS system has come from TAITH- the consortia of North wales local authority's elsewhere EU money is being used in Convergence Areas (old Objective 1). ATW aim to have all stations with a CIS screens by 2015.

Agree entirely with 3rd rail and being part of Merseyrail system. Its the right solution.

 

[lancastrian]

With the painting and cosmetic changes, I'd say the problem lies more with ATW than the WAG to be honest. The franchises which don't benefit from WAG funding get along alright. ATW can do it with their English stations - we've seen it recently in Chester, Hereford and Ludlow. But I guess the smaller stops aren't a priority.

I would agree with you over this. While Chester, Hereford & Ludlow are stations which have a lot of people using them, the smaller stations that you mentioned have relitively much fewer. The sooner that the Bidston - Wrexham line is handed over to Merseyrail, the better. I am sure that they would run it much better than Arriva.

I also agree that the railways in Wales are in fact three seperate systems, which can only be linked together by using lines in England. It would make much more sense to run the lines in North Walesd as part of the Northern/Trans Pennine system, as most people seem to want to travel to either Merseyside or to Greater Manchester.

As for the Camrian Lines, they should never have been given to the GWR at grouping, they had much more in common with the LNWR. Apart from the Mid Wales Line, all the Cambrian services connected with the LNWR at Whitchurch. Another example of why politicans should not be allowed to get involved with Transport systems, especially railways.