Windermere Station Rebuilding Plans

[thenorthern]

Consultation on railway station upgrade plans​

People are being invited to have their say on plans to "transform" the way rail passengers arrive into a national park.

Westmorland and Furness Council is setting out three options to rebuild and change the layout of Windermere Station in Cumbria, aiming to make it a more welcoming arrival point for visitors to the Lake District.

It says the feedback from drop-in events will influence which option is chosen, or whether a combination of the three is preferable.

The scheme is part of a wider "Windermere Gateway" project, including potentially hundreds of new homes nearby, that ran into funding problems earlier this year.

Drop-in consultation sessions, external are taking place at the Marchesi Centre on Holly Road between 14:00 and 19:00 BST, and on Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00.

The consultation is also available on Westmorland and Furness Council's website, external.

The Liberal Democrat-led council says its consultants Mott MacDonald have drawn up three possible designs.

They cover the station building itself, the forecourt, public spaces, signage and the way people move between trains and other forms of transport, including buses, taxis, and walking and cycling routes.

They all include a new station building and canopy over an adjacent area, that would both be bigger than the existing ones.

Windermere train station plans released for public consultation

People are invited to give their views on proposals to change the layout of Windermere station.

www.bbc.co.uk

Seen this on BBC News, not sure what to think of it, the current station is a bit drab but given it's location behind a supermarket, it's never going to be the most attractive location.

When does the current building at the station date from? I think I remember it being smaller in the early 2000s but I might be wrong.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

This is an extract from Mr W Pedia's article on the station:
"The station was at one time bigger than at present, with four platforms and an overall roof.[3] Three tracks were taken out of use when the branch was reduced to a one-train operated single line in 1973 as an economy measure. The single track was cut back to a new truncated station in 1986 (my bold), following the demolition of the train shed and the building of a Booths supermarket; this has been designed to mimic the appearance of the original train shed and incorporates the facade and canopy of the original station."

 

[John Webb]

From the Geograph website - click on photos to go to the larger originals:
Windermere station, with train, 1951

© Copyright Walter Dendy, deceased and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

From 2007:
Dead end

© Copyright Alexander P Kapp and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 

[Pinus contorta]

Booths bought the building circa 1985 and redeveloped the platforms that wrer taken out of use in the 1970s ( i think it was) when the line was stripped down to the bare bones. The traffic hub outside was designed with 1980's data of passenger growth in mind. Obviously the wet weather ( lake district) and minimal waiting facilities have to be taken in the 1980's context.

 

[yorksrob]

I notice in the photos of the old station there seemed to be a length of platform canopy outside of the trainshed.

Seems stingy not to have even retained this after repurposing of the shed.

 

[thenorthern]

I notice in the photos of the old station there seemed to be a length of platform canopy outside of the trainshed.

Seems stingy not to have even retained this after repurposing of the shed.

As far as I know most of what is now the Booths supermarket was largely rebuilt when the station was reduced in size in 1986, while it looks similar most of it is not the actual station building. The old station roof had it's glass removed long before it closed so it made sense to just remove it all. Plus it was the 1980s and British Rail liked to do things on the cheap.

 

[yorksrob]

As far as I know most of what is now the Booths supermarket was largely rebuilt when the station was reduced in size in 1986, while it looks similar most of it is not the actual station building. The old station roof had it's glass removed long before it closed so it made sense to just remove it all. Plus it was the 1980s and British Rail liked to do things on the cheap.

Indeed. That little platform canopy would have been a marvelous asset though.

In the name of austerity, I do think the rush to remove platform canopies was a mistake. Generally you have zero or one wall to worry about, the rest held up by iron columns - far more vandal proof than a glorified bus shelter.

 

[thenorthern]

Indeed. That little platform canopy would have been a marvelous asset though.

In the name of austerity, I do think the rush to remove platform canopies was a mistake. Generally you have zero or one wall to worry about, the rest held up by iron columns - far more vandal proof than a glorified bus shelter.

Not just vandal-proof but also rot proof. Until around 2076 it was brown and looked ok but someone at First Transpennine Express decided to paint it white and since then it's begun to show it's age and the wood seems to be rotting.

 

[takno]

Indeed. That little platform canopy would have been a marvelous asset though.

In practice, selling the old station off to Booths means that Windermere has unusually good facilities, with quite a lot of places to stand around, a reasonable cafe and good toilets, and it's kept pretty clean. It's arguably the worst Booths in the country, and ideally there would be two platforms with a bit more shelter on them, but it could be a lot worse.

Overall if I was spending money on transport in Windermere I'd focus on making more of the bus services at least hourly, and possibly putting in a loop between Burneside and Kendal.

 

[yorksrob]

Not just vandal-proof but also rot proof. Until around 2076 it was brown and looked ok but someone at First Transpennine Express decided to paint it white and since then it's begun to show it's age and the wood seems to be rotting.

Is this the current shelter ? Yes, white shows up the dirt and can look tired at the best of times !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2026 ==

In practice, selling the old station off to Booths means that Windermere has unusually good facilities, with quite a lot of places to stand around, a reasonable cafe and good toilets, and it's kept pretty clean. It's arguably the worst Booths in the country, and ideally there would be two platforms with a bit more shelter on them, but it could be a lot worse.

Overall if I was spending money on transport in Windermere I'd focus on making more of the bus services at least hourly, and possibly putting in a loop between Burneside and Kendal.

Oh agree - I'm just saying it's a shame they didn't keep the canopy beyond the train shed. You can get a good beer in Booths.

 

[Pinus contorta]

I haven't read the lake district park authority transport plan report in full. I assumes the scope to improve the station which we are commenting on is just one aspect of the attempt to make wheels and legs move in the national into the future. Theres limited scope to make or improve park and ride facilities on greenfield sites so they have to make improvements to what is already in situ.

The lack of progress with electrification of the railway from Oxenholme does seem to be a bit baffling in the least.

 

[yorksrob]

Yes, electrification would be a quick win and eliminate a lot of diesel under wire working.

To be fair, the £3 bus fare has been magnificent for onward travel. I remember having to pay £11 !

 

[starlight73]

Here are the previous threads with speculative discussion about electrification and Northern’s future trains

Should/will Windermere be wired as part of the 2026-2036 WCML rewire?

Correct - another little known fact (albeit slightly off topic) is that Oxenholme Feeder Station, being originally destined for another location on West Coast where planning permission was refused, doesn't have the spare physical capacity to accommodate an extra Circuit Breaker necessary to feed...

www.railforums.co.uk

Reducing DMUs on Barrow and Windermere services?

Continuing a side discussion on whether the through Barrow/Windermere services could be split into EMU and DMU services to free up 195s... Platform 3 at Oxenholme is not set up for multiple trains. If the Dmu comes in from Windermere what happens to it to allow the Emu from Manchester to...

www.railforums.co.uk

Northern New Fleet and Cascade allocations (speculation).

I figured this needed its own thread. Will the North East get more 158s or the new MMUs? They have said new trains would arrive in the North East by 2030/31. That’s an email I got back from them with regards this question in May. Why would the North East need the MMU's quite early on...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Russel]

Yes, electrification would be a quick win and eliminate a lot of diesel under wire working.

To be fair, the £3 bus fare has been magnificent for onward travel. I remember having to pay £11 !

Yeah I remember paying nearly £5 before the cap came in to get from Windermere station to Ambleside once, the cost really took me by surprise.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Seen this on BBC News, not sure what to think of it, the current station is a bit drab but given it's location behind a supermarket, it's never going to be the most attractive location.

When does the current building at the station date from? I think I remember it being smaller in the early 2000s but I might be wrong.

The 'new' station building was reconfigured a few years ago which may have made it feel bigger than in the early 2000's. I can remember it being done but not what and when.

 

[The Bear]

The single track was cut back to a new truncated station in 1986 (my bold), following the demolition of the train shed and the building of a Booths supermarket;

The current station building at Windermere was officially opened on 17th April 1986.

The 'new' station building was reconfigured a few years ago which may have made it feel bigger than in the early 2000's. I can remember it being done but not what and when.

It's not new by any stretch, it might look bigger but with angling of the doors out onto the platform it actually reduced the overall internal size of the waiting area.
A second waiting shelter was also provided for use after the booking office closes at night.


As far as I can see the national parks plan doesn't in any way enlarge the station's facilities or address any of the fundamental issues the station has to help it cope better with the number of passengers who now use it, particularly in the peak summer season. The plan only focuses on improving things around the edges so to speak - bus stops, road junctions & green spaces etc.
One of the main fundamental problems with Windermere is the width of its platform. In the hight of the summer it's such a scrum with one load of passengers alighting and another trying to board, plus some services have minimal turnaround time. Due to the aforementioned scrum some traincrew in past have resorted to climbing down and walking along the cess on the off side to change ends.
Of course none of this was foreseen when the branch was rundown, singled and reduced to one train working in 1973.

The lack of progress with electrification of the railway from Oxenholme does seem to be a bit baffling in the least.

As for the plug being pulled on electrification - the answer is simple; short sighted penny pinching in the DfT. From memory some of the reasons given for not electrifying were quite laughable.
The current diesel unit (& crew) diagrams are usually tied in with Furness services.

The highest priority for campaigners, local MP & the like has now shifted from electrification towards a passing loop to double the service frequency.
But NR has repeatedly told them that won't happen until Carlisle PSB area goes under a ROC, which isn't going to be any time soon........

 

[Pinus contorta]

Yes, electrification would be a quick win and eliminate a lot of diesel under wire working.

To be fair, the £3 bus fare has been magnificent for onward travel. I remember having to pay £11 !

Was 11 quid the cost of the explorer ticket that allowed you to hop on or off, or was that merely 2 singles (or a return)?

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Was 11 quid the cost of the explorer ticket that allowed you to hop on or off, or was that merely 2 singles (or a return)?

Many singles were very close to the cost of an Explorer Ticket, for example a single from Windermere to Coniston.

 

[yorksrob]

Was 11 quid the cost of the explorer ticket that allowed you to hop on or off, or was that merely 2 singles (or a return)?

I was staying near one of the other lakes, so might have been a single each way.

 

[jon0844]

I'd have thought it would make more sense now to look at bi/tri-mode trains with batteries than put up wires. That should stop the inevitable years of consultation and attempts to halt the project because of the view being spoilt.

If you had at least one more bay, you'd have the ability to charge/top-up at the station.

 

[The Planner]

Not just vandal-proof but also rot proof.

Crewe has arrived in the chat.

 

[yorksrob]

I'd have thought it would make more sense now to look at bi/tri-mode trains with batteries than put up wires. That should stop the inevitable years of consultation and attempts to halt the project because of the view being spoilt.

If you had at least one more bay, you'd have the ability to charge/top-up at the station.

For trains that are already under the wires between Manchester and Oxenholme ? I don't think so. The sort of nonsense McNulty the aeroplane guy came up with.

Crewe has arrived in the chat.

Crewe's a grand station in need of a lick of paint.

 

[Brush 4]

......and reglazing of the canopies at the south end. More likely is that Crewe will be mostly demolished under the revived HS2 to Manchester, when AB becomes PM.

 

[yorksrob]

......and reglazing of the canopies at the south end. More likely is that Crewe will be mostly demolished under the revived HS2 to Manchester, when AB becomes PM.

That will be a shame.

 

[pr1]

Yes, electrification would be a quick win and eliminate a lot of diesel under wire working.

To be fair, the £3 bus fare has been magnificent for onward travel. I remember having to pay £11 !

The "ramp" we're going to experience from capped fares when they finally go will be unreal!

 

[yorksrob]

The "ramp" we're going to experience from capped fares when they finally go will be unreal!

Fares regulation for public transport should be the norm, not the exception.

 

[Russel]

Crewe's a grand station in need of a lick of paint.

It needs more than paint!

 

[Pinus contorta]

I have had a look at the station designs again and any attention to improvig the passenger experience has to be a plus. But getting the buses turning up & run on time will be the big crunch

 

[AndrewE]

I'd have thought it would make more sense now to look at bi/tri-mode trains with batteries than put up wires. That should stop the inevitable years of consultation and attempts to halt the project because of the view being spoilt.

There has never been any opposition at all to wiring the branch (apart from the people who don't want any bit of the railway improved.) Every official body - and unofficial ones too - want it to happen, and it must only be the Treasury that has stopped it or NR's lack of will or resources. It is recognised as a straightforward job, the prep has been done, it would get diesel units off the rails and out of Manchester and should be at the top of the list as an easy win.
I accept that batteries have got to the stage where they could do the job, if such units were actually available and approved - and worked. To my mind batteries would be an unnecessary complication when a trolley wire would do the job and take a few months to complete.

 

[D6130]

There has never been any opposition at all to wiring the branch (apart from the people who don't want any bit of the railway improved.) Every official body - and unofficial ones too - want it to happen, and it must only be the Treasury that has stopped it or NR's lack of will or resources. It is recognised as a straightforward job, the prep has been done, it would get diesel units off the rails and out of Manchester and should be at the top of the list as an easy win.
I accept that batteries have got to the stage where they could do the job, if such units were actually available and approved - and worked. To my mind batteries would be an unnecessary complication when a trolley wire would do the job and take a few months to complete.

IIRC, trolley wire catenary is limited to a maximum speed of 40 km/h or 25 mph.