Station one of 10 worst

NINE months after improvements costing more than £1 million were unveiled at Warrington’s Bank Quay railway station, it has been named as one of the 10 worst in the country.
Bank Quay is rated ninth worst in the list compiled by the independent “Station Champions” – former Virgin Trains chief Chris Green and Town and Country Planning Association president Sir Peter Hall.
Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis immediately announced a £50 million fund to carry out urgent improvements at the 10 stations – seven of which are in the North West.
The other six, ranked in order of being most in need of modernisation are Manchester Victoria, Crewe, Stockport, Preston, Wigan North Western and Liverpool Central.
It was only on February 13 that improvements costing more than £1 million were formally unveiled in a ceremony led by Warrington South MP Helen Southworth, accompanied by her Warrington North counterpart Helen Jones.
They included a more appealing and easier-to-use entrance with automatic doors leading to a bigger, brighter concourse with big new windows, a higher ceiling and extra room for customers waiting to buy tickets in a new booking office. A more attractive approach to the station and improved catering also featured.
The work was funded by Virgin Trains, Network Rail, the North West Development Agency, and the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, Warrington Borough Council and catering firm Caterleisure.
The “Champions” report has called for a comprehensive list of minimum standards for all stations, aimed at improving the travelling experience of passengers and attracting more passengers onto the railways. This included improvements to parking, general facilities and the environment.
Lord Adonis, who has embarked on a whistle-stop tour of all 10 stations, said: “While touring the rail network in April this year, I was struck by the great variation in the passenger facilities at stations. Train travel has improved a good deal in recent years, but more needs to be done to improve conditions and services for passengers at stations.
“I want every station to be a good station – a hub of community life and somewhere that you wouldn’t mind spending time, with adequate facilities.
“I support the report’s recommendations of minimum standards for stations – classed by size – in terms of information, car and bike parking, facilities and environment. I intend to make these minimum standards a requirement in future rail franchise agreements with train operating companies.”
Other improvements brought into use at Bank Quay earlier this year included an improved area for taxis, a new bus stop next to the forecourt, better cycle parking and better arrangements for people with disabilities.
There were also the controversial “kissing” and “no kissing” zones which attracted worldwide publicity at the time.
Pictured: Bank Quay Station, after its £1 million facelift.