Stations being done up - when and where?

[daccer]

Lord Adonis has made a big deal of his disappointment with the state of the network's stations and has ensured CP4 includes a chunk of cash for addressing the problem as well as appointing station Czars. I was wondering if there is any concrete signs of this problem beign addressed and are stations starting to get some tlc finally. If your local station is getting some attention can u include it here and say what is being done and has the investment made a difference especially in relation to the amount of money that was spent.

I don't live in the Uk at the moment but on my trips back I get to see how things are developing and I have to say I cant wait to see the end result at Kings Cross and I think the Paddington Span 4 refurb will make a major improvement to the station.

 

[Mojo]

Work on Birmimgham New Street started a month ago.

 

[EM2]

The canopy at Nelson in Lancs has been refurbished and a new transport interchange built.
http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/nelsonnews/Historic-Nelson-Station-is-looking.5611106.jp

St Albans now has lifts to all platforms, an enlarged ticket office and better access.
http://www.hertsad.co.uk/content/herts/news/story.aspx?brand=HADOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHAD&itemid=WEED08%20Oct%202009%2009%3A46%3A32%3A287

 

[Mintona]

Faversham is being painted, and the platforms are being extended at the London end.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

To tell the truth I would of rather kept the orginal Network SouthEast style at my local station but sadly it was refurbished.

But I guess its not just about Train Enthusiats views but the commuters which travel through the stations everyday and want a clean up-to-date station.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Hartlepool - Roof to be lifted before the end of the month, work on new one to start next month. Interchange has started, cleared etc.

A lot going on at the station!

 

[daccer]

i saw some photos showing Halifax getting painted and restored recently. i cant help thinking that the state of the station must have some effect on the numbers who choose to use it. if the station is decrepid and uncared for it often gives the appearance of being dangerous also (Wakefield kirkgate springs to mind) and must deter some passengers who can choose whether to travel by train or not. Surely the place where you start and end your journey forms an integral part of the experience and so affects overall customer satisfaction and as such deserves to be treated with as much care as the trains themselves. It amazing how the addition of some tlc and a few hanging baskets can make a massive difference. It is in attention to detail that the railways can fall down badly and the stations are normally the 'details' that get missed the most.

 

[Mojo]

Many stations on the Severn Beach line have recently been done up by the Community Rail Partnership. Nothing in comparison to some major projects but the places look much more loved now.

Avonmouth: http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=131&pictureid=631
Sea Mills: http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=131&pictureid=633
Redland: http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=56
Montpelier: http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=131&pictureid=617
Stapleton Road: http://www.railforums.co.uk/album.php?albumid=131&pictureid=635

 

[Drsatan]

Southampton Airport's having a lift installed but there's no sign of any other improvement works at the station.

 

[whoshotjimmi]

i saw some photos showing Halifax getting painted and restored recently. i cant help thinking that the state of the station must have some effect on the numbers who choose to use it. if the station is decrepid and uncared for it often gives the appearance of being dangerous also (Wakefield kirkgate springs to mind) and must deter some passengers who can choose whether to travel by train or not. Surely the place where you start and end your journey forms an integral part of the experience and so affects overall customer satisfaction and as such deserves to be treated with as much care as the trains themselves. It amazing how the addition of some tlc and a few hanging baskets can make a massive difference. It is in attention to detail that the railways can fall down badly and the stations are normally the 'details' that get missed the most.

Wakefield Kirkgate isn't a safe place to be - as the recent past would suggest. There was big talk of major redevelopment at Kirkgate but, alas, nothing has happened for a long time......

 

[Dai.]

Newport Station is getting a complete refurb,

 

[Geezertronic]

Work on Birmimgham New Street started a month ago.

Not been to New Street for a while now as I travel from International. Do you know what they have started doing?

 

[Mojo]

Not been to New Street for a while now as I travel from International. Do you know what they have started doing?

Yes, they are building the new concourse in the former Pallasades lower car park. If you come out on Bridge 1c you will see the outside of the worksite if you look where the entrance to the carpark used to be.

 

[jon0844]

But I guess its not just about Train Enthusiats views but the commuters which travel through the stations everyday and want a clean up-to-date station.

I am sure even commuters would be happy to have a standard look to stations, rather than a lot of TOC-specific nonsense.

I'm even more sure that irregular travellers and tourists would prefer a standard look too.

Perhaps the money could then be spent on the building itself, not branding.

St Pancras is a good example of how NOT to do things with individually run ticket offices all able to sell tickets for anywhere. Putting FCC and EMT 'UK Rail Tickets' (both with slightly different sized text) next to each other is jut class, and roll-on SET...

I really hope King's Cross gets a whole bunch of separate ticket offices, with separate queues, for FCC, FHT, GC, DOT... At the moment, we have one single night window doing all tickets - best change that too.

 

[route:oxford]

I am sure even commuters would be happy to have a standard look to stations, rather than a lot of TOC-specific nonsense.

I'm even more sure that irregular travellers and tourists would prefer a standard look too.

Perhaps the money could then be spent on the building itself, not branding.

Has there ever really been a "standard look" to stations?

The Great Western Style was very different to the Caledonian Style - although both clearly recognisable as a railway station.

Generally speaking, outside influence is most likely to control how a railway station will look in future. A passenger bridge will be designed to meet the current disability regulations, accommodate future knitting and predicted gauge requirements.

One thing that does need standardised though... Or at least improved considerably.

Autmatic Ticket Machines.

They should be able to print a ticket in under one second. I've never timed one, but waiting for a Return ticket with 4 seat reservations plus receipt seems to take forever - 7 seconds should be more than adequate.

 

[whoshotjimmi]

Is branding really the most important thing at a station? Obviously, the TOC's will have you believe so, but would it not be of more benefit to them if their passengers travelled from a fabulous looking station, regardless of branding? Surely passengers travelling from a smart, friendly station will automatically think more of the company that operates it? Take Wakefield Kirkgate as a prime example - the shoddy, run down affair that it is today can't be good for business and that already has Northern and Metro branding. A new facade, tidying up the platforms, some modern amenities and a feeling of safety and security would surely improve passengers' confidence about travelling from the station and, as such, enhance the reputation of the operator.

Someone mentioned that GWR stations looked different to Caledonian stations but they were still recognisable as a station - the point being absolutely nailed. GWR stations are noted for their style and are talked about fondly by enthusiasts. 1960's era stations are, in the main, widely dismissed and disliked and are now being revamped (euston, new street, the old leeds). They all looked the same. Were they well liked? Regardless of branding or otherwise, one has to say not. GWR stations were not liked for their branding, but for their beauty.

 

[jon0844]

I am not suggesting every station looks exactly the same - that would be impossible, and stupid - in fact, give each station building its own identity if possible. And I know that in more recent years, you had different regions - and NSE was quite unique.

But, painting stations in TOC colours is always going to cause problems come a new franchise, and separate ticket offices (as I mentioned) is just silly at stations served by more than one operator.

We have a standard symbol for the railway, which is great, but I do believe that at the very least we should also have standard signs (like airports) and symbols. This is gradually happening (symbol/icon wise) but the TOC still has to customise things - and some are better than others.

As I've also said elsewhere, National Express has route maps with stupidly small writing that can't be read easily from a distance. Another TOC will do a railway map in a totally different style. Timetables are done in different formats.. you get the idea.

However, this is now going a bit beyond the original point about stations so I'll shut up.

 

[EM2]

St Pancras is a good example of how NOT to do things with individually run ticket offices all able to sell tickets for anywhere. Putting FCC and EMT 'UK Rail Tickets' (both with slightly different sized text) next to each other is jut class, and roll-on SET...

SET won't get a separate ticket office, their tickets are sold at the EMT office.
I *believe* that it was FCC who insisted on a separate ticket office rather than use the existing one.

 

[jon0844]

If true, they should have been told to bugger off! There should be one single ticket office (okay, perhaps the separate one for Eurostar, which one day will be for any other operator through the tunnel) for all operators.

By all means have individual posters/screens for FCC, EMT, SET information inside as required.

 

[Proud Salopian]

Lots going on at Shrewsbury, but it's thanks mainly to Arriva Trains Wales, the Welsh Assembly (thanks for the money guys, lol!) and Shropshire Council. New waiting room on Platform 3, new lift from forecourt to Platform 3, completely new electrical wiring across the whole station, and a few other odds n ends being tidied up.

Sadly they don't seem to be doing anything about toilets at Shrewsbury, which is IMO the one big let-down at the station. Oh that and the fact that the track, especially in the bays (Platforms 5 & 6) is covered in sh*t. Thanks Network Rail for not caring!

 

[berwickspotter]

The roof is busy getting replaced at Berwick-upon-tweed station as i speak

 

[daccer]

Looks like work has begun at Ed Waverley and also Sunderland is in the midst of a total refurb. There does seem to be a general move to eradicate some of the worst excesses and cock ups of the 60's and 70's - Peterborough. Luton and Stafford seem to have plans in place for long term developments. I would hope Crewe finally gets a make over that befits its status and obviously Kirkgate's plans should be fast forward as it really is a disgrace. I did see also that plans for Reading may involve moving the station facilities back into the old Station building (now a pub) and kncocking down the 'new' station building - anyone know more about this?

It is a damning indictment that a whole generation of redevelopments are deemed to be inadequate after less than 40 years of use whereas buildings with more than a hundred years on the clock can still be fit for purpose - lets hope the lessons are being learnt by today's architects. As a matter of interest can anybody point to a BR station redevlopment that improved the station and is standing the test of time!

 

[jon0844]

What gets me is that we've continued to make horrid, cold, unwelcoming stations out of concrete even today - like Stratford International and Ebbsfleet.

 

[me123]

Glasgow Queen Street will be refurbished, I think alongside electrification. It will be dramatic in an attempt to increase the platform lengths; I understand they're going for an "airport style travel experience" which presumably means that the concourse will be above the running tracks and the tracks themselves extended towards George Square. Of course, this is some way away. In reference to 60s and 70s, Queen Street was given a lovely concrete building blocking the station itself. I hope this is removed!

Dalmarnock Station (IMO, the worst in Glasgow) will also get a major overhaul as part of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

 

[jopsuk]

I'm sure I've seen something about the Queen Street concourse being put UNDER the extended upper level tracks, with a flat entrance to George Square.

By "airport style" I guess they mean "shopping centre" though.

 

[Greenback]

Yes, there will be a huge range of 'retail opportunities', a big empty space for 'security reasons' and a very small area to wait with niwhere to sit down!

 

[JustinStacey.x]

Glasgow Queen Street will be refurbished, I think alongside electrification. It will be dramatic in an attempt to increase the platform lengths; I understand they're going for an "airport style travel experience" which presumably means that the concourse will be above the running tracks and the tracks themselves extended towards George Square. Of course, this is some way away. In reference to 60s and 70s, Queen Street was given a lovely concrete building blocking the station itself. I hope this is removed!

Dalmarnock Station (IMO, the worst in Glasgow) will also get a major overhaul as part of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Dalmarnock and Bridgeton! I dare alight there for fear of upchucking hock:

 

[yorksrob]

Looks like work has begun at Ed Waverley and also Sunderland is in the midst of a total refurb. There does seem to be a general move to eradicate some of the worst excesses and cock ups of the 60's and 70's - Peterborough. Luton and Stafford seem to have plans in place for long term developments. I would hope Crewe finally gets a make over that befits its status and obviously Kirkgate's plans should be fast forward as it really is a disgrace. I did see also that plans for Reading may involve moving the station facilities back into the old Station building (now a pub) and kncocking down the 'new' station building - anyone know more about this?

It is a damning indictment that a whole generation of redevelopments are deemed to be inadequate after less than 40 years of use whereas buildings with more than a hundred years on the clock can still be fit for purpose - lets hope the lessons are being learnt by today's architects. As a matter of interest can anybody point to a BR station redevlopment that improved the station and is standing the test of time!

Well, generally I'd agree, particularly with regards to some of the wonderful trainsheds and other superb buildings that were sadly demolished.

There were, however a few successes in which a BR redevelopment improved a station environment. Off the top of my head, Coventry and Manchester Oxford Road appear to have stood the test of time, and Ashford in Kent was only really superceeded because of the channel tunnel project. (it's replacement is already beginning to look a little careworn after 15 years)

 

[Geezertronic]

You are joking about Coventry I hope?

 

[90019]

Looks like work has begun at Ed Waverley

So it's still going ahead?

Last i heard was that there were doubts about it happening, but that was a while back. Plus I haven't been to the station for months.