Stations that ought to be closed down.

[ValleyLines142]

I wouldn't object to Pilning station closing, it's completely pointless with two train a week. Severn Beach is nearby anyway.

I think Patchway is a pointless station as well, the 73 and 74 buses (and the 75 I think?) runs frequent into Bristol city! It only has an hourly service too!

 

[12CSVT]

what about Dunston?

Northern should be compelled to give Dunston (and Blaydon) a proper service. They're both in built up areas.

 

[markem41]

Wasn't there a plan floating around that would have seen the station closed and replaced with a permanent facility at the White City roundabout? If yes, what ever happened to it - and if no, then how did this suggestion end up on the Internet (oh of course - that says a lot )?

White City 'Interchange' was part of the proposed rail improvements if the Gtr Mcr TIF bid and congestion charge had been voted for.

 

[Spaceflower]

Northern should be compelled to give Dunston (and Blaydon) a proper service. They're both in built up areas.

Yeah, I used to be a regular user of the Blaydon parliamentary morning and evening trains.
I'm surprised at its poor service/usage as its ideally located for both Blaydon town centre (cough) and local interchange facilities. I can only assume the new Scotswood road and the frequent Newcastle 'toon' buses means a quicker and probably cheaper journey to Newcastle and owing to the ability of the bus to deliver you closer to your door. A particularly important point when considering the steep bank you have to ascend to get to the many housing estates.
Having said that it is on the Network 1 travelcard, even though I find most ticket office staff will inform you that you can only go as far as Metro Centre!

I do have a feeling the need to keep to times and free up capacity (seats) may be an issue too?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Ardwick may prove useful if a much needed redevelopment around the station area ever takes place.

Well, it currently has its very own high-level linear arboreal forest growing on the long-disused railway viaduct and a growing spoil heap factotum on one side and a storage base for a vast number of shipping containers on the other side at present.

Have you any particular development in mind ?

 

[Anvil1984]

Yeah, I used to be a regular user of the Blaydon parliamentary morning and evening trains.
I'm surprised at its poor service/usage as its ideally located for both Blaydon town centre (cough) and local interchange facilities. I can only assume the new Scotswood road and the frequent Newcastle 'toon' buses means a quicker and probably cheaper journey to Newcastle and owing to the ability of the bus to deliver you closer to your door. A particularly important point when considering the steep bank you have to ascend to get to the many housing estates.
Having said that it is on the Network 1 travelcard, even though I find most ticket office staff will inform you that you can only go as far as Metro Centre!

I do have a feeling the need to keep to times and free up capacity (seats) may be an issue too?

Dunston and Blaydon are getting regular services soon. Im not sure if its on this timetable change in May or next but the Metrocentre shuttles will stop at Dunston and Hexham stoppers stopping at Blaydon. The Network One cards are indeed valid to Blaydon however only if the train stops there if splitting a ticket

 

[Ivo]

I think Patchway is a pointless station as well, the 73 and 74 buses (and the 75 I think?) runs frequent into Bristol city! It only has an hourly service too!

Patchway isn't pointless. Not everyone will travel on the bus where the choice exists. (With Pilning, the choice does not exist.)

 

[bluenoxid]

Dunston and Blaydon are getting regular services soon. Im not sure if its on this timetable change in May or next but the Metrocentre shuttles will stop at Dunston and Hexham stoppers stopping at Blaydon. The Network One cards are indeed valid to Blaydon however only if the train stops there if splitting a ticket

I think it is December.

Why close a station?

Well, they cost money to maintain and operate. Timetables, inspections, checks, stopping the trains, etc.

I would encourage an inspection of these low use stations and make a decision to look at the station, the surrounding area, the services through the station and the capability to stop additional trains.

For example, Teesside Airport is atrocious for the airport so a good report would look at the investment required to increase passenger usage. Should land nearby be redeveloped for housing (probably not, it sits at the end of the runway)?

So with this report, we have a view on the potential. With that, an informed decision can be made on mothballing these stations. Hopefully, that would not lose them any "grandfather rights".

 

[yorksrob]

I think it is December.

Why close a station?

Well, they cost money to maintain and operate. Timetables, inspections, checks, stopping the trains, etc.

I would encourage an inspection of these low use stations and make a decision to look at the station, the surrounding area, the services through the station and the capability to stop additional trains.

For example, Teesside Airport is atrocious for the airport so a good report would look at the investment required to increase passenger usage. Should land nearby be redeveloped for housing (probably not, it sits at the end of the runway)?

So with this report, we have a view on the potential. With that, an informed decision can be made on mothballing these stations. Hopefully, that would not lose them any "grandfather rights".

Yes, but if you 'mothball' them. will they in reality be easy to reopen, or will it in effect be a case of reopening from new - as most reopenings of existing platforms seem to require a complete rebuild these days.

Alternatively, do you propose to maintain them, in which case savings from closure will be minimal to say the least !

 

[bluenoxid]

Yes, but if you 'mothball' them. will they in reality be easy to reopen, or will it in effect be a case of reopening from new - as most reopenings of existing platforms seem to require a complete rebuild these days.

Alternatively, do you propose to maintain them, in which case savings from closure will be minimal to say the least !

How many will actually reopen once they are mothballed though?

Personally, I would rip the platform edgings off to remove them out of the dynamic Kinetic Envelope. Whilst an immediate reopening would be easier to do, anyone expecting to reopen a station without work after a decade is slightly deluded. However, the operational station will still face that work at some point. All maintenance that will have to be paid for anyway (costs saved if mothballed and never reopened). I would advise that they are not maintained (beyond visual inspections of structures as per other closed stations in the UK).

 

[yorksrob]

I think my point is that you're presenting mothballing as an 'acceptable' alternative to closure which can easily be reversed should the need arise, when we both know that as far as reopening prospects are concerned, mothballing after any amount of time is, in reality, another name for closure.
I feel that the present system in which closure is avoided unless there is a compelling benefit to be gained by closure, is far preferable.

 

[Eire Sprinter]

Pilning:
The potential significant “unique selling point” of Pilning railway station (in comparison to Severn Beach railway station) is that it can offer a journey time into Bristol (Temple Meads) which is around half the duration of the journey from Severn Beach into Temple Meads.

The Severn Beach line has improved in recent years but Severn Beach to Temple Meads is a 38 minute journey whereas the weekly (Saturday) train from Pilning to Temple Meads takes 20 minutes (the return is 19 mins.).

A secondary selling point is that Pilning offers potential connectivity to the cities of Newport and Cardiff (and other places in Wales).

Polesworth::
It's amazing that despite just a daily M-S unidirectional train that Polesworth's usage figures are in fact growing.
2010-2011 = 690
2011-2012 = 1376 (4/5 a day approx.). Presumably people are taking the train into Tamworth/Lichfield and bussing it back. Lichfield is about an hour away by bus but just twelve minutes by train. Tamworth is about 20 minutes by bus but a mere 5 minutes by train.

With a meaningful service in both directions these figures could surely be increased manyfold.

 

[The Planner]

Surely you would have to keep Pilning in a good state if closed incase of an emergency down the big hole? may aswell keep it open.

 

[bluenoxid]

I think my point is that you're presenting mothballing as an 'acceptable' alternative to closure which can easily be reversed should the need arise, when we both know that as far as reopening prospects are concerned, mothballing after any amount of time is, in reality, another name for closure.
I feel that the present system in which closure is avoided unless there is a compelling benefit to be gained by closure, is far preferable.

Your system leaves the railway system frustrated by its legacy, running train services that people cannot use effectively. We don't confront the actual problems that are causing the lack of demand, rather running pointless services to stop the "thin edge of the wedge"

Mothballing aspects of the railway infrastructure means that it can get rid of those shackles but the sites remain. Closure shuts the door completely on that site. Yes, the station will be effectively closed but we can restore these stations quicker than a full closure.

Many of these stations are effectively closed anyway thanks to the poor rail service. Lets put them out of their misery.

 

[yorksrob]

Your system leaves the railway system frustrated by its legacy, running train services that people cannot use effectively. We don't confront the actual problems that are causing the lack of demand, rather running pointless services to stop the "thin edge of the wedge"

Mothballing aspects of the railway infrastructure means that it can get rid of those shackles but the sites remain. Closure shuts the door completely on that site. Yes, the station will be effectively closed but we can restore these stations quicker than a full closure.

Many of these stations are effectively closed anyway thanks to the poor rail service. Lets put them out of their misery.

But not really though. I admit that the case of a halt on a mainline can cause problems, but how many of these stations are actually on main lines ?

I also alert you to the cautionary tale of Winchelsea and Three Oaks, two halts that are close to my heart. After having been reduced to one or two stops per day, they have since gained a two hourly service due to local demand. Would this have been possible had the physical structures been altered ? I doubt it.

 

[Eagle]

But not really though. I admit that the case of a halt on a mainline can cause problems, but how many of these stations are actually on main lines ?

Pilning and Polesworth are.

 

[yorksrob]

Pilning and Polesworth are.

I don't know that area enough to be able to commemt. However, I see that others have suggestedthat Plining serves a purpose to the community

 

[Cliveblackpool]

I think Ivo summed it up well, Severn Beach is the closer to Pilning than Pilning station itself.

Coombe Junction is fairly pointless as well, you could walk from Liskeard to Coombe Junction as quick as the train. Admittedly, it would take a bit longer in the other direction because it's uphill.

Coombe Junction - When the signal Box was open it certainly made sense to turn round there.
They could electrify the points, and having the controls on the platform would be far easier for the guard, and stopping there would therefore not add any time to the journey.
If the halt was a few hundred yards up the track it would be next to a large industrial estate. Maybe in the more distant future there may be potential for a park and ride to Looe from that site.

 

[ushawk]

Doleham is near absolutely nothing and may as well be closed, only a couple of trains stop there each day !!

Pevensey Bay may as well also be shut, has a limited service calling there, it's out of the way of the actual town up along the busy A259 which has no footpath. The 99 bus between Eastbourne - Pevensey - Bexhill - Hastings is much more frequent and easier to use anyway.

 

[dk1]

Berney Arms is most definatley not a case for closure. Does pretty well during Summer & often picks up residents of the pub in Winter as well as the more hardened walker. Back in the 80/90s BR used to run the 'Via Reedham' service to Yarmouth independantly to the regular service. The 'via Acle' departed Norwich at xx.40 & Yarmouth at xx.15 with additional trains at 09.15 & 15.00 returning at 12.00 & 16.07 for example.

 

[yorksrob]

Doleham is near absolutely nothing and may as well be closed, only a couple of trains stop there each day !!

Pevensey Bay may as well also be shut, has a limited service calling there, it's out of the way of the actual town up along the busy A259 which has no footpath. The 99 bus between Eastbourne - Pevensey - Bexhill - Hastings is much more frequent and easier to use anyway.

Poor old Doleham, I'd feel personally bereft if it ceased to exist, but that is because the Marshlink is so much a part of my being.

Pevensey Bay - I speak as someone who has actually used it to go and look around the Roman Castle. Closure would be rubbish for local tourism.

 

[Altnabreac]

Proposing station closures is politically dangerous for relatively small financial savings as Scottish Ministers discovered when Transport Scotland foolishly mentioned station closures in Rail 2014 http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk...publications-and-consultations/j203179-00.htm Communities are very committed to their stations even if they don't actually use them much!

When I looked at the list of stations with less than 5,000 entries and exits in Scotland to see whether any of them should close surprisingly few served no purpose. I was looking for stations that did not: Serve an obvious community of more than a few houses, or served a tourist attraction, or served an area of interest to walkers and cyclists. Of the rural ones the ones worth closing in my opinion are therefore:
Scotscalder - Ideally close both here and Georgemas Junction and replace with new Halkirk station and a W-N curve for the Thurso line.
Kildonan - virtually no community, little usage and no tourism / walking potential. With a new AHB crossing not stopping here could speed journey times.
Achanalt - no users, no reasons to go there.
Duirinish - few users, close to Plockton and little tourism potential.
Beasdale - Totally pointless. Any use from nearby hotel can use Arisaig which is equidistant anyway.
Locheilside - Loch Eil Outward Bound is nearby for what little demand there may be.

As regards the limited service central belt stations I reckon both Balmossie and Monifieth have potential if given a decent service. Springfield could also prove useful if the old hospital site is developed. Therefore I would only propose closure at:
Golf Street - to close to Carnoustie to be useful even with better service.
Barry Links - too far from housing and too close to Carnoustie for many stops.
Breich - Breich itself is both tiny and nowhere near the station. Addiewell nearly as close to the village.

 

[Gathursty]

Of the rural ones the ones worth closing in my opinion are therefore...

What would be your opinion on Altnabreac*, Mr/Ms/Mrs Altnabreac?

*I would like ABC left open, at least until I've been there. I hope the people in the cottage will be in and happy to take a picture of me on the platform too.

 

[HSTEd]

Mothballing aspects of the railway infrastructure means that it can get rid of those shackles but the sites remain. Closure shuts the door completely on that site. Yes, the station will be effectively closed but we can restore these stations quicker than a full closure.

Many of these stations are effectively closed anyway thanks to the poor rail service. Lets put them out of their misery.

But any "reopenings" would legally be openings of new platforms at new stations.

That means you need to arrange for DDA compliant access, improved platform surfaces, the list goes on.

Additionally new stations are not permitted to have platforms on curved trackwork that leads to a concave rather than convex platforms without expensive risk assesment work.

The "cost" of having one train per week running to these stations is effectively zero (there are no pathing concerns since they could be the last trains of the day if neccesary, meaning that nothing is behind it to "catch up").
It would probably cost more to "rip out the platform edges" than to keep going as we are.

Additionally minor maintenance work is likely to be far less expensive than the complete reconstruction required during a hypothetical "reopening".

 

[Ivo]

Surely you would have to keep Pilning in a good state if closed incase of an emergency down the big hole? may aswell keep it open.

Being a couple of miles further away aside, what's wrong with Patchway or even Parkway?

However, I see that others have suggestedthat Plining serves a purpose to the community

It really doesn't. Whilst I appreciate some of the points that have been made - such as it being twice as fast to Temple Meads from Pilning than it is from Severn Beach - there is no physical need for Pilning to exist. It serves only the village of the same name and a few farmhouses, which collectively have literally a few hundred - perhaps 1,000 - inhabitants.

The connecting 625 bus is more than enough. It provides hourly connections to Severn Beach, Cribbs Causeway, Parkway and the University of the West of England - not to mention that it actually serves the village itself and not the end of a narrow lane 15 minutes's walk away!

And as for travel to and from South Wales, as suggested by Eire Sprinter, there really is no demand for this. And even if there was, the 625 bus proves valuable owing to its connection to Parkway.

Why am I promoting a Rotala-operated bus service?

 

[306024]

half a million entries/exits per annum- perhaps increasing with Crossrail?

Maryland is a stones throw (don't try it) from Stratford, and half a million per year is not a big number at all in the context of the rest of the stations on the GE metro service, unless of course you are one of the half million.

Maryland was closed during the Olympics to allow more time for people to board / alight at Stratford, which worked well. Closure would help operationally but I guess never be acceptable politically.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Berney Arms is most definatley not a case for closure. Does pretty well during Summer & often picks up residents of the pub in Winter as well as the more hardened walker. Back in the 80/90s BR used to run the 'Via Reedham' service to Yarmouth independantly to the regular service. The 'via Acle' departed Norwich at xx.40 & Yarmouth at xx.15 with additional trains at 09.15 & 15.00 returning at 12.00 & 16.07 for example.

Would be nice to have those sort of resources available today. Anyone noticed what a coincidence it is that the train times are perfect for a lunch time trip from Norwich to the pub and back?

 

[Andrewlong]

I'm not advocating closing these, but when you see how poor the train services are to Stratford Upon Avon from Leamington Spa and the south - you wonder how Statford survives given it is the home of the Bard. Services are not even hourly. There is a direct service to London Marylebone but that is infrequent.

And then there is the service to Birmingham - hourly. Given the frequency, a new station Stratford Parkway is under construction. Perhaps a sign that frequencies will increase.

 

[Altnabreac]

What would be your opinion on Altnabreac*, Mr/Ms/Mrs Altnabreac?

*I would like ABC left open, at least until I've been there. I hope the people in the cottage will be in and happy to take a picture of me on the platform too.

I think it serves a purpose for hikers and cyclists accessing the surrounding countryside including the flow country which is beautiful to walk in and under appreciated.

I have stayed in the hotel at Forsinard and cycled in to Altnabreac climbing some local hills on the way. A great day out and recommended.

Similar useful stations for walkers but with virtually no resident population are Corrour and Falls of Cruachan.

 

[Eagle]

And then there is the service to Birmingham - hourly. Given the frequency, a new station Stratford Parkway is under construction. Perhaps a sign that frequencies will increase.

You'd be right. Birmingham to Stratford becomes half-hourly on Saturday from next month. There's also talk of extending some Dorridge services there too (which would also give a decent service to Claverdon and Bearley). It'll be the best service Stratford has had since Beeching.

I'd wager not that many people use the train for travelling from Stratford to Warwick or Leamington as the bus is far more frequent, about as quick and somewhat cheaper. But for travelling to Birmingham, the major urban area in the region, it's indispensable.

Of course I have no idea why you're bringing this up in stations for closure, Stratford has a perfectly decent service for a town of its size, and annual usage figures around the 650,000 mark.

 

[MarkyT]

Coombe Junction - When the signal Box was open it certainly made sense to turn round there.
They could electrify the points, and having the controls on the platform would be far easier for the guard, and stopping there would therefore not add any time to the journey.
If the halt was a few hundred yards up the track it would be next to a large industrial estate. Maybe in the more distant future there may be potential for a park and ride to Looe from that site.

Agree on the station closure, but now Moorswater freight is finished (I think?) How about creating a new alignment to take trains direct from Liskeard towards Looe without reversal. That might just get the journey time down to 20 odd minutes allowing a regular hourly service with one unit. Alternatively a light rail conversion could allow a short extension to a new stop near Liskeard town centre, in Girt Lane car park where trams could reverse. In addition at the Looe end, light rail could allow a short extension closer to the river bridge.