When Will First Great Western Learn?

[Fgw+xc+swtconn]

Now lets admitt it First Great Western, own some horrible stations. The stations you get scared of in the dark. The stations where kids like to hang around. eg: Ivybridge, Devonport, Keyham, Calstock. Now when will these stations be upgraded? Probably never. And the vandalisim is why this will never happen. Is CCTV really enough? Probably Not. Maybe the time to say goodbye to unstaffed stations?

 

[royaloak]

FGW dont own any stations, nearly all mainline stations are owned by Network Rail.

 

[devon_metro]

Now lets admitt it First Great Western, own some horrible stations. The stations you get scared of in the dark. The stations where kids like to hang around. eg: Ivybridge, Devonport, Keyham, Calstock. Now when will these stations be upgraded? Probably never. And the vandalisim is why this will never happen. Is CCTV really enough? Probably Not. Maybe the time to say goodbye to unstaffed stations?

I don't know what you are proposing?

As it stands these areas of Plymouth are dumps. As a result you get lots of chavs who cause lots of damage. You can't just staff stations overnight. Unless of course you wish to see the fares you pay skyrocket?

 

[Greenback]

There are horrible stations all over the UK. I'm not a cheerleader for FGW by any means, but anti social behaviour affects all TOC's. I'd love to see all stations staffed, but this would require a huge rethink in government policy as the cost would be enormous, and this would have to be paid for through subsidy/taxes and fare increases.

 

[2030720310]

FGW dont own any stations, nearly all mainline stations are owned by Network Rail.

I thought Network Rail only owned 'major stations' such as Euston, Birmingham New Street etc?

 

[Greenback]

NR own almost all stations (one exception being Fishguard Harbour!), which are leased to TOC's. NR operate large stations such as Euston, themselves.

 

[Aictos]

I thought Network Rail only owned 'major stations' such as Euston, Birmingham New Street etc?

Network Rail own all the stations in the UK but only manage 18 of the busiest stations directly which are:

London Bridge
London Cannon Street
London Charing Cross
London Euston
London Fenchurch Street
London Kings Cross
London Liverpool Street
London Paddington
London St Pancras International
London Victoria
London Waterloo
Birmingham New Street
Edinburgh Waverley
Gatwick Airport
Glasgow Central
Leeds City
Liverpool Lime Street
Manchester Piccadilly

All other stations are leased out to the TOCs who then manage them on behalf of NR but there are some stations which are operated by a TOC but whose services don't call at that station ie Lockerbie station is owned by Network Rail, and managed by First ScotRail but all services are provided by either Virgin Trains or First TransPennine Express.

 

[thefab444]

NR own almost all stations (one exception being Fishguard Harbour!).

I think Warwick Parkway is actually owned by Chiltern Railways, and there's a number of airport stations that aren't NR owned.

 

[Drsatan]

There are horrible stations all over the UK. I'm not a cheerleader for FGW by any means, but anti social behaviour affects all TOC's. I'd love to see all stations staffed, but this would require a huge rethink in government policy as the cost would be enormous, and this would have to be paid for through subsidy/taxes and fare increases.

Alternatively, to avoid vandalism, unstaffed stations in city centres should be designed accordingly e.g. no dark corners, CCTV cameras, no (probably derelict) station building which could be damaged, no waiting shelter (unless it's of the lockable type trialled at Gospel Oak station), etc.

 

[the sniper]

I think Warwick Parkway is actually owned by Chiltern Railways, and there's a number of airport stations that aren't NR owned.

I which case the new (and as yet, still unused) platforms at Birmingham Moor Street may also be owned by Chiltern. Anyone know for sure?

 

[louis97]

Now lets admitt it First Great Western, own some horrible stations. The stations you get scared of in the dark. The stations where kids like to hang around. eg: Ivybridge, Devonport, Keyham, Calstock. Now when will these stations be upgraded? Probably never. And the vandalisim is why this will never happen. Is CCTV really enough? Probably Not. Maybe the time to say goodbye to unstaffed stations?

There is actually ment to be some sort of new CCTV system and Information System to be fitted to station such as Ivybridge, stations alone the Tamar Valley Line, all this to be controlled from Plymouth, and Plymouth will be able to send announcements out to stations, regarding trains/dangerous behaviour. All supposed to be happening through out 2010. So we shall see what actually happens:roll:!

 

[Fgw+xc+swtconn]

There is actually ment to be some sort of new CCTV system and Information System to be fitted to station such as Ivybridge, stations alone the Tamar Valley Line, all this to be controlled from Plymouth, and Plymouth will be able to send announcements out to stations, regarding trains/dangerous behaviour. All supposed to be happening through out 2010. So we shall see what actually happens:roll:!

Cool. Looking foward to that.

 

[Aictos]

FCC are the same, now the basic idea of having help points installed is to have a CCTV camera face the help point to be able to help the CCTV operator keep a eye on the area, now FCC has kindly put one up a few months ago at my station but neglected to install the CCTV with it.
This is despite the fact that my station is manned 24/7, CCTV is wanted by the operators as they like I have put above can do their job better by keeping a eye on the area.

We also used to be able to monitor the car park CCTV in the platform office but following "investment" of 2 additional cameras, it got relocated to the rear of the booking office where it sits waiting to be used, just so cuts to the cost could be made.

I've seen what CCTV can do as I've been lucky enough to have a visit granted to visit FCC's Central Control Centre where they monitor quite a lot of the CCTV.

Yes it would be nice to staff all stations but that will cost money, better off keeping the existing staffing levels and putting in additional CCTV where needed.

It's not just my station, the Long Line PA needs additional speakers across the whole GN route.

 

[Chris B]

NR own almost all stations (one exception being Fishguard Harbour!), which are leased to TOC's. NR operate large stations such as Euston, themselves.

Indeed, and the only one where smoking isn't banned on trhe uncovered section!

Moor Street is owned by Network Rail - all of it....

 

[Greenback]

Indeed, and the only one where smoking isn't banned on trhe uncovered section!

Moor Street is owned by Network Rail - all of it....

Or the covered section, last time I was there!

 

[Chris B]

Hmmm, the covered section could well come under the national enclosed-spaces ban, rather than the National Rail / ATOC station ban....

 

[Greenback]

I don't mean the inside, but the platform has a canopy and there were ashtrays along the platform under the canopy. If it was illegal I'm sure the council would have stopped it.

 

[Chris B]

That's the answer to a useful quiz question as it's the only rail station on which you can still smoke!

THe reason is that the station is owned by the Fishguard Harbour authority, not Network Rail.

 

[SWT Driver]

It's illegal to smoke on any railway station that's owned by NR, regardless of it being under cover or open, that's been the law since the smoking in enclosed spaces & work place law came in.

I know it doesn't make any sense if it's an open platform, but that decision was made to make it easier to enforce. For those who don't know it's a fixed penalty offence & the fine is £50.

 

[Chris B]

And my point is that Fishguard Harbour (station) is NOT owned by NR, and doesn't come under those regulations.

It's the only UK station that doesn't....

 

[A60K]

What about Prestwick Airport station (genuine question, I know it's privately-owned but don't know how the smoking ban is applied)?

 

[Failed Unit]

What about Prestwick Airport station (genuine question, I know it's privately-owned but don't know how the smoking ban is applied)?

Yes as it falls under the much tougher Scottish regulation, which bans smoking from all enclosed spaces no matter who owns them!

Just to quantify, the exposed platform is fine but any shelters are not (bus shelters are covered in Scotland however I can't remember if it is only the 3 side ones)

 

[jopsuk]

Bus shelters in scotland- smoking banned if more than 50% of the total length of the sides is enclosed.

 

[Chris B]

That's the same as in England!