Defintitely "the tunnel" is such a dismal approach to the town and makes such a contrast to the generally clean and bright trainshed.
Chester is fine - both sets of toilets have been refurbished this year. I go through Chester quite a bit and like it as a station.
I find it rather grubby, and should be better being a tourist city
It is nicely period with a few modern touches!
Yes indeed. I wonder if the station will receive a heavy overhaul/partial rebuild when the proposed (and approved) Solum regeneration is built). It's funny because, when i first started using it (1980s) before it was rebuilt to its current form, it was tired to the point of decrepitude, but in SR green and yellow paint and looking as if it was still in the 1960s - I used to think it was a wonderful time capsule!
The clue is in the name...
Sadly, as someone involved with Tubelines station works under PPP (following years in LU), I can only agree. The works' scopes were significantly more 'shallow' in general than under LU, with a few exceptions. Tubelines were generally regarded as much better than Metronet from this point of view, but even so it was not satisfactory.
As I understand it, the platforms and footbridge will remain untouched whilst only the facade and concourse are rebuilt as part of the Solum regeneration.
I second this.
I think Hellifield looks great.
I was in Paignton last year it didn't seem all that bad. If you think it is you want to visit Wigan, Bolton, St Helens or other post industrial Lancashire towns. You would then think Paignton is lovely.
Hopefully the current work to add a new platform will also see improvements made to the rest of the station.
Couldn't agree more. Big black hole in the middle of Wigan due to demolition and redevelopment. St. Helens has begun the same process.
That's a shame. The footbridge definitely needs replacing - ideally a second separate bridge for pedestrians with no access to the platforms, to prevent bridge passes being used for fare evasion. The platforms are really poor too: the lack of waiting rooms is really annoying given how poor the current canopies are, with large amounts of the platform uncovered and the existing canopies leaking more than a colander.
I dont agree, its neglected, but your welcome to your opinion
Agree on this one. Used Stamford Hill for the first time the other week (although I've travelled through here weekly for years) and it was the first time I was able to take a proper look at the state of the station - not a good impression. And ok, there are 4tph southbound, but they need to sort that shelter/storage room situation out.
I was surprised by the state of Stamford Hill when I last used it, normally TfL/LO keep their stations in better condition than other operators, and certainly in a better condition than this.
