Great Western Coffee Shop

Just to follow on from this, I understand that the new ticket office will be a "single point of sale" (located in the existing travel centre area) replacing the existing ticket office and travel centre. I would guess that some windows will be dedicated to advance purchase or immediate travel depending on the time of day. The current ticket windows will be removed to make extra room for the gateline, and more self service ticket machines.

So to confirm their will not in essence be a dedicated travel centre as was previously  ???

Random bag and car searches are being carried out at Bath Spa (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=17720067&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047

Fears are rising that careless drivers could cause an accident while dropping off train passengers at Bath Spa (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=18048960&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047

Motorists avoiding the SouthGate development works are stopping in Rossiter Road so passengers can cross Halfpenny Bridge to get to the railway station.

Now Bath and North East Somerset Council has said that parking attendants will put on extra peak-time patrols to deal with the problem.

Sounds quite promising. Its long overdue for sure.

Lets hope that a part of this ^10 million includes undoing last year's revamp of the ticket hall and turning it into something more welcoming.

Agreed!! The 'transport hub' was a good idea in principle but I wish they kept the facade of Churchill House and scrapped that hideous tin can 'round tower'.

Things didn't quite go as planned for one of the rail replacement buses between Bath and Westbury on the weekend:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/20-escape-coach-blaze/article-411162-detail/article.html

"Some people phoned First Great Western customer services but they just told them to call National Rail Inquiries" (interesting article spelling error.)

A bugger up to put it simply.

Could be a problem with a train dumping its gearbox on the track for instance ...

from the Chronicle

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Person-hit-rail-incident/article-447274-detail/article.html

I thought that the station was closed at 2am and I'm not sure how there could be disruption until 5am as there arn't any passenger trains during that time?

Might be wise to wait for more info before commenting further

also worth noting there are ECS moves from bristol to frome and westbury early in morning so if they are delayed then the services they form could be delayed.

operating incident is usually a SPAD or other serious incident and not a train fault.

The Chronicle story has changed since it first appeared.  It now seems that the victim was hot by the sleeper train at 3am. but that the emergency services were not called to the station until 3:50 am and that services were disrupted from 3:50 onwards.

Does the 50 minute delay in getting to the victim mean that the sleeper driver didn't know that he had hit someone and that help was called by someone else?

The station was of course closed at 3am.  The victim wasn't meant to be there and I assume was either suicidal or up to no good?

Aren't any sets stabled overnight at Westbury smithy?

I am hearing that person was a victim of  a stabbing and fell/was pushed onto track.  Not struck by train which apparently passed over them.  No word on victim.  Usual rider applies, this is  only word of mouth.

The family of a University of Bath student hit by a train are keeping an anxious bedside vigil.  The university said that it was doing all it could to support the family of 19-year-old Rhys Thomas, who was struck by the sleeper train in the early hours of last Tuesday at Bath Spa station.

The student was last night said to be in a critical but stable condition at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.  Mr Thomas, a second year undergraduate student in the department of physics, is from South Wales.  A University of Bath spokesman said: "Our thoughts at this time are with Rhys and his family."

The incident is not being treated as suspicious but British Transport Police are still conducting an investigation.

Amusingly buses are still showing on the live departures.

Dan Panes of First Great Western, which owns Bath Spa

This is also the subject of a discussion at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4215.msg34568#msg34568  ;)

Can I point out that this was posted 14mins before John put his link to it :P

An investigation is under way in Bath after the main railway station's booking office was raided by thieves.

Police were called to Bath Spa station shortly after 0100 BST on Tuesday when the alarm went off.

When railway staff arrived just before 0500 BST they discovered the burglary had taken place.

Det Sgt Andy Porter, from Bristol Transport Police, said: "Scenes of crime officers are carrying out a detailed search of the station."

Passengers who do not already have tickets are being asked to pass through the station, and buy tickets after getting on board a train.

Rail watchdogs have now given their blessing to a controversial lift system planned for Bath Spa railway station. The Office of Rail Regulation has been keeping a close eye on plans to remove the access ramp to the London-bound platform 2 at the station and replace it with a lift for disabled people and cyclists.

The latest plans were given planning permission earlier this year but the Government safety body had mounted its own investigation into a string of complaints from the public. Now the ORR has issued the findings of its inquiry and says it has no problem with the planned lift as long as it is thoroughly tested before the ramp is demolished.

Among the concerns expressed were that the lift was too small, that the loss of the ramp would increase congestion on the stairs and even that its removal might lead to structural collapse of part of the station.

Train operator First Great Western had changed the location of the lift earlier this year amid concern from its own independent safety consultant, who has now issued a series of reports.

The consultant - known in official terms as the independent competent person (ICP) - has assessed the plans based on a 50 per cent increase in passenger numbers at the busy station.

A letter from the ORR to people who have expressed concern says: ^The ICP considers that the lift has sufficient capacity to cater for those passengers who will require alternative step-free access after closure of the ramp.^ It says the consultant believes safety risks on the stairs could be ^reduced to acceptable levels^ while Network Rail is said to have no grounds to believe the removal of the ramp would compromise structural safety. The letter says: ^Having read the ICP report, we consider that the ORR Safety Directorate has no evidence for regulatory intervention in the overall scheme of development as outlined.^ The body says there was already agreement that the ramp would not be removed until the new lift and stairs were operating satisfactorily.

The ORR says: ^We regard it as critical that the new stairs and lift are completed and open, before the closure and demolition of the ramp. The opportunity should be taken to establish the workability in practice of the station with the new lift and stairs and no access to the ramp, prior to ramp demolition commencing.^

The letter, from rail inspector Simon Smith, says the ORR will ^maintain its scrutiny of the safety arrangements of the project as it progresses.^

The project is a joint one, involving First Great Western, SouthGate developer Multi and Network Rail, as well as Bath and North East Somerset Council.

A spokeswoman for First Great Western said no start date had yet been finalised.

11 November 2010

Train services at Bath Spa are being disrupted due to signalling problems. Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 45 minutes can be expected.

Ha. I have to admit, as a b3ta secret moderator I had actually seen that one before. But it's still marvellous!

Bath Spa railway station revamp is under way

Work to restore the 170-year-old Bath Spa railway station building has got under way.

First Great Western said the revamp would see extra entrances added and access to the platforms improved.

The firm said there would also be a "restoration of a number of historic architectural features".

But the Federation of Bath Residents Associations' said they were unhappy with a lack of communication over the station changes.

Plans for the revamp were first unveiled 10 years ago and Robin Kerr said that residents had not had enough of a chance to have their say.

"For more than 10 years the people have Bath have not been consulted and have had no opportunity to comment on the changes that have happened."
 
One of the biggest changes since the plans were initially given the green light is a goods lift being converted to passenger use.

Dan Panes, from First Great Western, said when the firm took over the running of the station a decade ago they realised the old smaller lift was "a big issue".

He added that all of the statutory planning consultations had been completed but they "could have been better" in talking to commuters.

Other improvements planned at the station include new toilets and outside there will be improved drop-off points and additional parking spaces.

The work is due to be completed in summer 2011.

New-look station will be completed by next summer

Work to create new entrances and a lift at Bath Spa railway station will be finished by next summer.

The facelift, which will also develop a new waiting room and booking hall interior, is largely being funded by SouthGate developer Multi and other firms involved in the nearby shopping centre.

But operator First Great Western is putting its own money into a new waiting room and toilet facilities.

The most contentious part of the plans has been the size of a new lift which would replace the ramp to the London-bound platform, which FGW has now enlarged.

There will be:

● new entrances to the west and south of the station;

● new step-free access to both platforms;

● extra parking spaces for rail users in the shopping centre's own car park;

● a new pedestrian-only link between the rear and front of the station;

● better drop-off and pick-up points;

● new toilets;

● the restoration of a number of historic architectural features.

FGW said it had made the lift bigger to better accommodate cyclists and disabled customers.

Spokesman Dan Panes said: "Bath Spa station was built more than 160 years ago as a gateway to the city, and it has changed very little since then.

"This work is designed to bring the station into the 21st century, improving access and facilities while steadfastly maintaining its heritage and its reputation as one of the UK's most stunning stations."

He said the fact that there was only a single entrance and exit to the station meant it got very busy at peak times.

"We'll open up two additional entrances ^ one at the back of the station and one that takes the place of the former Upper Crust shop."

makes you wonder why they bothered if they knew that major work was going to take place at the station a couple of years later.

I suspect that a lot of this kind of unneccesaary revamp work goes on because it gives the impression that the TOC is investing in the railway and is cheaper and easier than actually investing in the bits of the railway that matter (track, signals, rolling stock)

Track and signals of course, not being the responsibility of the TOC...

Are we to surmise that the BBC, the Bath Chronicle, and First Great Western have all never noticed that Bath Spa station already has three entrances/exits, including step-free access to both platforms?
 

Welcome mfpa.

If I understand your point correctly, I think the commments only relate to the improvement to the lift due to the fact that AFAIK the London platform will eventually lose it's step free access.

From the BBC: (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-11956973)
From the Bath Chronicle: (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/New-look-station-completed-summer/article-2985922-detail/article.html)

New entrances at Bath Spa railway station due to open

Several new pedestrian entrances to Bath Spa railway station are due to open at the weekend.

A revamp to the 170-year-old station will see a "restoration of a number of historic architectural features".

As part of the scheme, new entrances will be opened at the west and south sides of the station.

Sarah McManus, from First Great Western, said there would be "at least a 50% reduction" in congestion in the ticket office because of the changes.

In the next few weeks, scaffolding on the front of the station will be taken down where the canopy has been cleaned and windows re-glazed.

Other improvements planned at the station include new toilets and outside there will be improved drop-off points and additional parking spaces.

A goods lift is also being converted to passenger use.

Car and cycle parking at Bath Spa railway station is being moved as part of a controversial shake-up which will remove a ramp and create new entrances.

The changes to Brunel's 19th century station are part of the latter stages of the SouthGate development and aimed at creating more space and improving accessibility.

New lifts to both platforms are being installed to replace the access ramp to the London-bound platform, although this will not be removed until the new arrangements for disabled people have bedded in.

There has been opposition from some users who say the ramp should have been preserved and that the lifts ^ which each have a capacity of eight ^ will not be able to cope with demand.

The work is also creating two new entrances to the station and new facilities for cyclists, while the project will eventually lead to the opening up of vaults for commercial use.

The lower south car park closed last week, while the north ramp car park will shut on Sunday.

Pay-and-display passengers will have to use the SouthGate centre car park, where there will be a designated area for rail commuters, while drivers using the Apcoa Connect pay-by-phone service will have to use the upper south car park, although they have been warned that a new traffic management system will cause delays there.

Cycle parking on platform 2 was removed last week and all cycle storage is being relocated to an area behind platform 1.

The new entrances, lift and stairways will open on Sunday.

First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood said: "The current station layout has served customers at Bath very well since it was built 160 years ago. The growth in passenger numbers in recent years means we've had to look carefully at what our customers need for the next 160. We will have tripled the number of exits to the station, installed new stairways and lifts to both sides of the station, and moved secure cycle storage off the platforms to create more space and reduce congestion. The work to the station, as well as the wider regeneration the SouthGate Partnership are doing around it, will be a fitting gateway to the city for a very long time to come."

The firm says the changes should reduce passenger congestion around the ticket office, and that the ramp will be removed at some point in the next year.

Councillor Paul Crossley, leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, welcomed the improvements, saying: "The council has been committed to the completion of the Bath Spa station as part of the wider transport facilities to create a modern bus-and-rail interchange at SouthGate. The opening of the initial stage of the station moves the project one step closer to the achievement of a modern, welcoming arrival point for the city."

But one rail passenger said: "I've just seen one of the new lifts. There isn't room for a cat, let alone room to swing one."

First Great Western's decision to cash in on land at Bath Spa station has, according to critics, made life almost impossible for those who are confined to a wheelchair.

For decades it was possible to reach the platform by car. But now the ramp, which was built by Brunel, has disappeared to pave the way for a multi-million pound redevelopment scheme.

It is the latest in a series of moves by a company dubbed ^Worst Great Western^ by its customers.

First Great Western's decision to cash in on land at Bath Spa station has, according to critics, made life almost impossible for those who are confined to a wheelchair.

It is certainly slower to get from platform 2 to the pavement, now that the ramp is blocked off and we have to troop down the new steps at the speed of the slowest.

Really?  The new system is much quicker for the vast majority of people, not least because they ahve doubled the staircase capavity and the numebr of exit ticket gates which removes too previous bottlenecks.  The ramp was only quicker if you were one of teh few people parked there. 

Station lift breaks down as monitoring period is extended

One of the lifts at Bath Spa railway station broke down at the weekend.

This time it was the one on the Bristol-bound side of the station, where a trial period to test whether a controversial new lift system is working correctly has been extended by a week.

Transport campaigners had been fighting to persuade rail officials to allow extra time for the system to bed in before the removal of a 19th-century ramp on the London-bound side.

The new lifts at the busy station broke down in their first week of operation, although the one on the Bath-bound side has since worked without a hitch.

The ramp which it is replacing had been due to be demolished after just a fortnight ^ a period which campaigners said was too short to prove that the lifts were safe and efficient.

There has also been concern about the size of the lifts, installed as part of a refurbishment programme by rail operator First Great Western.

The fortnight ran out at the weekend but the lifts will be monitored for another full week.

A FGW spokesman said the firm apologised for Saturday's problems with the Bristol side lift, but pointed out that ramp access would remain on that side.

He said it was too early to say whether this would lengthen the trial period again.

Meanwhile, the line between Bristol and Weymouth through Bath and Bradford on Avon could be designated a community rail service.

The move, which will be the subject of a consultation exercise involving the Department for Transport, would mean more direct local influence over the planning and running of services.

the Bath-bound side

???

Airport-style metal detectors are to be used to screen passengers arriving at Bath Spa station.

Police said the equipment, which will be in place on Friday, will screen visitors arriving in the city for knives and other weapons.

Officers from British Transport Police said they would also send passengers that arrive at the station "obviously drunk or rowdy" back home.

Sgt Richard Durnford said the operation was to ensure the city was safe.

"The whole point is that you've got people coming from far and wide to come to Bath to have a nice time," he said. "Some of them are coming armed with knives, coming with drugs, and already drunk and disorderly. We're going to be sorting them out before they even get a chance to set foot on the streets of Bath."

Sgt Durnford said officers would use their "discretion" to profile passengers to be screened.

A sniffer dog will also be on patrol to search for any drugs brought into the station.

Even if you are quick off the train and first onto the stairs, it is still not as quick to reach the pavement as it was down the ramp. This extra minute (or less) makes the difference between catching the bus about to leave the bus station or missing it.

Ah, but does your average n'er-do-well actually scan the news media before setting out on his/her journey?

Police hail Bath Spa Station exercise a success

Visitors travelling through Bath Spa Station at the weekend were checked for alcohol, weapons and drugs as part of an initiative to crack down on city centre trouble.

An airport-style metal detector was set up in the station last Friday night and a team of special constables, joined by officers from the British Transport Police, searched visitors.

​There was also a specially-trained sniffer dog looking for people with drugs.

One man from Wales was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply, while another was given a caution after being found with a quantity of cannabis for his own use.

Two others admitted using drugs earlier in the evening.

BTP Inspector Andy Irwin-Porter said the operation had been a success and they were looking at repeating it again in the future. He said: "It was a successful joint operation that served to reassure people that they can feel safe and be safe when they come to enjoy a night out in Bath. Many of the problems in the city are caused by people visiting Bath for a night out, travelling into the city by train. They don't have the same belonging and responsibilities towards those who live and work in the city and the effects that disorder brings to the reputation of a beautiful and historic place.

"Partnership working with the Avon and Somerset special constables, the train operators and the local authority provided reassurance and reduced the opportunities to misuse alcohol leading to disorder in the city and later on the trains. Mostly we had a positive reaction with the majority of people being supportive of what we were doing. We have carried out similar exercises across the region and will look at repeating the exercise in Bath."

City centre Sergeant Richard Durnford said he hoped the exercise had sent out a reassuring message to the people of Bath that the police would not tolerate anti-social and criminal behaviour. He said: "The special constables worked closely with BTP and achieved their main objective of protecting the public. It provided a visible reassurance to the public and a deterrent to potential trouble-makers, and sent out a clear message that police will take firm action against people carrying drugs or weapons and committing alcohol-related crimes."

The 11 special constables and nine BTP officers later went on to patrol pubs and clubs in Bath city centre.

The exercise was part BTP's nationwide Operation Shield and Avon and Somerset's Operation Relentless - a three-month campaign to keep people safe throughout the summer.

From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Police-hail-Bath-Spa-Station-exercise-success/story-13411692-detail/story.html):

A protester chained himself to railings at Bath Spa railway station today.

Legal campaigner Carlo Ambrosino, of Larkhall, argues that planning consent for the removal of the station ramp to make way for new restaurants has run out.

Mr Ambrosino, who has fought legal battles over Churchill House and the Bath Transportation Package, says he will return tomorrow to carry on his protest.

I also noticed that he has gone home to his warm bed and will be back tomorrow

No police action for rail protester

Police are to take no further action against a campaigner who chained himself to Bath Spa railway station.

Carlo Ambrosino, 48, of Larkhall, was arrested for trespass last month during a one-man protest against the demolition of the station ramp.

He argued that planning consent for the work had expired, so it should not be allowed.

However, Bath and North East Somerset Council has maintained that the development, to build new restaurants in the area, is all above board.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "I can confirm that no further action will be taken by BTP against a 48-year-old man from Larkhall, Bath, who was arrested on suspicion of causing an obstruction during a protest outside Bath Spa railway station on Friday, January 13, 2012."

Angry passengers have complained about an overflowing drain at Bath Spa railway station which they say is leaving a trail of urine across the car park.

One man, who had gone to pick up a friend from the station, said he had to walk through urine which was leaking from a manhole cover. He said: "Foul and not a nice first impression of Bath for tourists and visitors. We notified a member of station staff who said it had been going on for a week and begged us to complain because they had to deal with the smell all day."

Others have gone to Twitter to voice their annoyance at the matter.

@_nadnerb said: "Well that's two days now that there's raw sewage seeping from a manhole behind Bath Spa train station. Sort it out."

A spokesman for First Great Western apologised for the unpleasant situation and said it was doing everything possible to fix the drain. He added that the problem did not present a health risk to the public.

Work to start on Bath Spa Railway Station's new ticket office

(http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276329/Article/images/20071953/5486193-large.jpg)
Bath Spa Station

Work is about to start on Bath^s Railway Station^s new ^500,000 ticket office.

First Great Western has confirmed the work, which will take six months to complete, will start on Monday.

Station manager Peter Rignall said the work would involve remodelling the existing ticket office and the station^s foyer area.

^First Great Western pride^s ourselves on putting our customers first and supporting the communities we serve. We recognise the key role that rail travel has in supporting the local and national economy and we are delighted to be able to start this work.^

Bath Spa named Best Station in international awards

Bath Spa station is celebrating two awards in this year^s prestigious International Station Awards. The team won Best Medium-Sized station and then took home the top prize as overall winner of Best Station.

The award recognises the success of recent renovations at the station as part of wider works to improve Bath city centre while still keeping its original Brunel-era features. The station has benefited from an expanded access providing more flexibility to move passengers through the station and new lifts to platforms.

The station, which sits in a World Heritage Site, recently received a coveted Red Wheel plaque from the Transport Trust. It sees 5.8 million passengers pass through each year, including high numbers of foreign tourists as well as commuters and its 48-strong team is led by Station Manager Peter Rignall.

Peter said: ^These awards came as a massive surprise and we^re pleasantly astounded. It is a reflection of how well the team delivers customer service. The judges were impressed by how cheerful and knowledgeable our staff are and it was heartening to see how well the team pulled together when we were shortlisted.^

For more information on how this work will affect rail journeys please visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or call 08457 000 125.

Rail firm's pledge after second evening of frustrated queuing at Bath railway station

(http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276329/Article/images/20245974/5568778-large.jpg)
The queues last night. Pic: Fraeya Whiffin

Rail operator First Great Western is looking at whether it can further boost the number of carriages on trains through Bath next weekend.

Bath Spa railway station was engulfed by frustrated queueing passengers for the second time in a week on Saturday night. Unprecedented queues formed in front of the station as people leaving the city after shopping at the Christmas Market or watching Bath Rugby^s clash with Exeter went to go home.

Although FGW had laid on enough extra carriages to increase overall capacity throughout the day by 2,000 seats on Saturday, its ability to do more was compromised by the need to provide additional space on trains to Wales because of the Wales-Australia rugby match and Cardiff City^s home game with Arsenal.

At one point, passengers were stopped from entering the station to allow crowds already on platforms and the concourse to catch their trains and free up some space.

The station had also seen scenes of chaos on Tuesday evening when services had been delayed or cancelled by signalling problems.

There were also long queues for park and ride buses on a day which brought nearly 150 coachloads of visitors to the city for the first Saturday of the market.

A spokesman for FGW said: ^The first weekend of the ever-popular Bath Christmas Market and the Bath game against Exeter meant demand was always going to be high.^

He added: ^Customers had been advised to leave extra time for their journeys and that they may not be able to board the first train available. Clearly safety is paramount and we will have to have people queuing up outside the station at times to allow safe access to trains.^

Staff from across the firm will be helping to marshal passengers at busy times over the Christmas period.

The spokesman said the fact that there were fewer competing events this coming weekend should mean the firm was better placed to raise capacity again.

Ironically, the station has just won the title of international railway station of the year.

Roads were clogged for much of the day, with people trying to get into Bath from the north held up by the slow movement of an abnormal load at times.

Meanwhile, the Green Party in the south west has launched an electronic petition to get the franchise for the services currently provided by FGW taken into public control.

Bath spokesman Jon Lucas said: ^Those of us who rely on First Great Western^s train services in Bath will hardly be surprised to hear that the idea of taking our railways back into public ownership has never been more popular. Since privatisation, the cost of train travel has risen by 23 per cent in real terms and the drain on the public purse has more than doubled. Passengers have to put up with some of the highest fares in Europe and for many years have put up with overcrowded trains and unreliable services.^

The party wants the franchise returned to public ownership when the current contract expires in two years^ time, saying this could save taxpayers more than ^1 billion a year and lead to lower fares and better services. The petition is at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/56244.

More trains to and from Bath to cope with Christmas Market crowds

First Great Western will be running more trains in Bath this weekend after long queues at the start of the city^s Christmas Market.

At one point last Saturday, passengers had to be stopped from entering Bath Spa railway station, with queues stretching along Dorchester Street, while not far away, hundreds more queued for park and ride buses.

First Great Western has now said it will be running 12 additional trains to and from Bath on Saturday.

There will be six more evening trains, providing 3,000 extra seats, as well as an increase in lunchtime and morning services.

However, people are still being advised that it could be busy.

Bath Spa station manager Peter Rignall said: ^It^s is great to see the Christmas Market here in Bath, with 150 chalet stalls, proving ever popular. While our friendly and approachable staff will be on hand to help keep people moving, I would urge customers to allow time for their journeys, as during the evening peak some passengers may not be able to board their first choice train.^

On top of the usual timetable, extra services will run at from Westbury to Bristol Temple Meads at 10.17, 10.54 and 12.15, we well as Bath to Bristol Temple Meads at 17.46, 18.45 and 19.55.

There will also be trains running from Bristol Temple Meads to Westbury at 09.10, 10.04 and 11.13, and Bath to Westbury at 16.21, 17.25 and 18.25.

First has already been expanding its park and ride services over the Christmas period, but has agreed to look at whether it has the resources to improve this further.

Cancellation of the 10:04 Bristol Temple Meads to Westbury due 10:44.

This train will be cancelled.

This is due to a train late from the depot.