Exeter Central Station - facilities, improvements and incidents

[whole diary]

[vacman]

visited Exeter Central the other day and notice that the barriers at each end have been installed and look like they're ready to go! very impressive new building at the new north road end of the station.

[The SprinterMeister]

visited Exeter Central the other day and notice that the barriers at each end have been installed and look like they're ready to go! very impressive new building at the new north road end of the station.

Should be a little easier to extract money from Polsloe Bridge passengers then. Well until they twig they can get off at St James Park and continue their traditional non payments...
 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

visited Exeter Central the other day and notice that the barriers at each end have been installed and look like they're ready to go! very impressive new building at the new north road end of the station.

Should be a little easier to extract money from Polsloe Bridge passengers then. Well until they twig they can get off at St James Park and continue their traditional non payments...
 

i did think that..... infact i can see more people gettin off there just to avoid cues at central even if they have a ticket

[JayMac]

From the Express and Echo (01/04/2011):

Network Rail acts over motorists' anger about Exeter's most notorious car park

Motorists are celebrating after rail bosses ordered changes in the way a city centre car park is patrolled by a private enforcement firm.

Network Rail, which owns the site outside Exeter^s Central Station, has instructed Premier Parking Solutions (PPS) not to issue tickets within five minutes of cars being parked at the site. They have also ordered new signs for motorists and instructed the enforcement firm to take a ^discretionary approach.^

The Echo has highlighted a string of complaints from drivers who claim they were issued with tickets within seconds of parking ^ sometimes while they were on their way to buy a ticket.

The review has been welcomed by Exeter MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Ben Bradshaw, who raised the issue on behalf of motorists. And drivers who claim they were unfairly given tickets have also backed the changes. Some are now asking for refunds from the parking enforcement firm.

In a letter to Mr Bradshaw, Network Rail^s chief executive David Higgins said drivers would be given extra time, which would allow them to buy parking tickets or drop people off. New signs will also be displayed at the parking bays.

Mr Higgins added: ^The parking operator has agreed that there must be a minimum period of five minutes between a parking infringement being observed and the issuing of a ticket. We have already impressed upon the operator the need for a more discretionary approach to infringements.^

Mr Bradshaw welcomed the changes as a victory for common sense: ^It means people who have to drop off passengers or nip into the station for change should no longer receive fines. On top of this, Network Rail has also impressed upon the parking operator the need for a discretionary approach on certain occasions. It is hoped that this will lead to a more understanding attitude for rail users who park at the station.^

He added: ^In these times of tough Government cuts when working families are being hit the hardest, we have to ensure that innocent people are not being unfairly penalised due to bureaucracy. These announcements are a very welcome change both for me and the hard-working people of Exeter.^

Caretaker Mike Jones, 58, from Westpoint, recently launched an action group after he was fined ^75 when the parking ticket he bought became dislodged in his car. Despite appeals, PPS has refused to drop the matter.

^Drivers are pleased this campaign has had an effect,^ he said. ^Since I launched it I have had some sorry accounts from drivers who have had parking tickets. The granting of five minutes will give drivers time to obtain a ticket from a machine. But it still leaves many still battling for a refund or to get the enforcement firm to drop its action. Sooner or later the Government will have to take enforcement companies to task.^

Among the cases featured in the Echo was Matthew Daniel, from Tiverton. He said he paid a ^75 fine ^under protest^ and added: ^m really pleased what has been achieved. But I still want my money back from PPS. They should go back in their records and give refunds ^ it^s all about fairness.^

Barman Andrew Oxley, from Pennsylvania, said: ^I got a ticket after leaving my car for half a minute while I went to the parking machine.^ He refused to pay the fine and is planning to go to court after PPS refused to drop it.

No one from PPS was available to comment.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Telegraph:

Man gets clamped 'in 30 seconds' outside Exeter train station

Network Rail is investigating after a motorist said his car was clamped 30 seconds after he got out to get change for a parking ticket machine.
The incident happened outside Exeter^s Central Station, which has become notorious for overzealous clampers.
Network Rail had recently given assurances that the parking firm Premier Parking Solutions would not affix clamps or issue tickets to any car parked at the station for less than five minutes.
Peter Webber, 48, a teacher, said his car was clamped about 30 seconds after he got out and went into the station to get change to feed the parking machine.
^I do feel I have been robbed of the ^100 clamping fee,^ he said. ^I left my car parked for 30 seconds. As I went into the station to get change for the parking ticket machine, I saw the attendant clamping my car. The way it was done was cold and ridiculous. I pointed out (to PPS) it takes 50 seconds to read the instructions on the ticket machine.^
In a letter to Exeter^s Labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Ben Bradshaw, Network Rail^s chief executive David Higgins said: ^The parking operator has agreed that there must be a minimum period of five minutes between a parking infringement being observed and the issuing of a ticket.^

[smokey]

Back in Wessex Day's, I witnessed something funny at Exeter Central.

If memory serves me right, there were some 20 minute bays in the Crescent at front of Central Station, for Rail Users Only.

Car Parks in a 20 min bay, driver legs it into town, Van parks on main road, and clamper clamps this Car, (as not on rail business).

Whilst this clamper clamps the car another clamping firm (working for Council) clamp the Wessex  van.

All Hell breaks out, & Police had to attend.

All I'll say is if you can't take it, don't dish it out!

[FlyingDutchman]

From Exeter Express and Echo


PLANS have been unveiled for a major facelift at Exeter's Central Station.

And the proposals could lead to the end of parking spaces in front of the building.

The proposal has been welcomed by business leaders in the city.

Devon County Council is proposing to pedestrianise the area to create an open space.

In partnership with Exeter City Council and Network Rail, it wants to enhance the entrance to the station, which was used by 1.6m passengers last year.

The number of users has increased by more than 40 per cent since 2004/5, and the county council expects it to increase further.

The cost of the scheme is around ^560,000. The county council will provide ^185,000, another ^185,000 will come from the city council and around ^160,000 will be provided by Network Rail.

First Great Western has already spent some ^750,000 on improvements to Central Station, including the restoration of the booking hall to its original central position.

As well as improving the pedestrian access to and from the station, there are also plans to create a cycle hub, which could include secure cycle storage, basic repair and maintenance facilities, bike hire and supporting activities as an additional option, if further funding is available from the Department for Transport.

Without the additional funding, parking for 15 cycles is included in the basic enhancement scheme.

Exeter and Devon's joint highways committee (Hatoc) is being asked to agree the scheme, in principle, before the detailed plans go before Devon's cabinet later this year.

Andrew Leadbetter, Devon's cabinet member with responsibility for Exeter, said: "Not only will this make a better approach to the city, it will get rid of the problem of people getting clamped.

The proposal has been welcomed by city centre manager, John Harvey, who told the Echo: "The important thing is that we give the best possible first impression to our visitors when they arrive in the city.

"This is a fantastic city centre but, if we are honest, sometimes the first impression at some of our key arrival points is not quite as we would wish. This is true just not just in Exeter but in many UK^▸ (United Kingdom) cities.

"It is important for Exeter that we work to address this and I welcome this proposal."

According to the county council, 85 per cent of passengers access the station on foot, so improving the pedestrian environment is important.

Four per cent of passengers are dropped off by car and just two per cent park their car at the station.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "This proposed enhancement of the forecourt at Exeter Central Station will help meet the need of passengers, as the vast majority currently access the station on foot.

"We're keen to hear the views of the Hatoc committee before this issue is brought before Cabinet later this year."

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the British Transport Police press release:

British Transport Police appeal for information after indecent exposure at Exeter Central rail station

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) officers are appealing for the public^s help to identify a man they would like to speak to in connection with an incident which took place at Exeter Central railway station.

Officers have today released CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) images of a man they believe will have information about the incident, which took place at around 1.45pm on Sunday, 25 March 2012.

Investigating officer, PC Tony O^Farrell, said: ^A group of around five men approached and then sat next to a female passenger who was waiting for a train at Exeter Central railway station.

"One of the men then stripped naked in front of the woman. The woman walked away from the group and boarded a train. It is understood the group of men then caught a train to Exeter St David^s railway station before boarding a replacement bus service to Newton Abbot.

^The man^s behaviour was completely unacceptable and, although unharmed, the victim was left extremely upset by his actions. I would ask anyone who knows the man in these photographs to come forward and contact BTP in confidence.^

Anyone who know this man, or his current whereabouts, is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In all calls, please quote incident reference B11/WWA of 10/05/2012.

Edit note: Images now removed due to expiry of copyright permission. CfN

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the British Transport Police press release:

CCTV images released after damage cause at Exeter Central station

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) officers are appealing for information after damage was caused to property at Exeter Central railway station.

Officers have today released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident, which took place on Friday, 4 October 2013.

Sgt Dave Mannion, of BTP, said: ^At about 5.15am on Friday, 4 October, members of rail staff were alerted to a male who was shouting loudly on platform 3 at the station. The male then kicked and smashed a bin and broke a perspex screen, leaving debris scattered on the platform.^

Enquiries have been ongoing to establish the identity of the man responsible for causing the damage. Officers are now releasing a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to as they believe he will have information which can assist the investigation.

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016. Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote incident reference B10/WWA of 06/11/13.

Edit note: Images now removed due to expiry of copyright permission. CfN

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Exeter Express & Echo:

Work to replace Exeter Central Station canopy continues

Work to replace the canopy over the entrance to Central Station in Queen Street is progressing.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: ^We are tendering for the work to be conducted. Once tenders have been returned and assessed we will be in a better position to put some dates and details forward.^

Improvements to the station were completed in December last year.

Devon County Council had initially thought that a new canopy was unaffordable but the improvement scheme came in more than ^100,000 under budget allowing for a new canopy.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Exeter Express & Echo:

One year on Exeter Central Station still does not have a new canopy


Exeter's Central Station

One year on Exeter^s Central Station still does not have a new canopy.

A partnership of the city council, Devon County Council and Network Rail spent ^660,000 re-modelling the station forecourt and it was completed in time for Christmas last year.

In February a report to the Devon and Exeter Rail Working Party said that the scheme had come in more than ^100,000 under budget and that, because of that, it would be possible to replace the canopy which had not been included in the original scheme.

In July a spokesman for First Great Western said: ^We are tendering for the work to be conducted. Once tenders have been returned and assessed we will be in a better position to put some dates and details forward.^

But nothing has so far been done and the canopy is deteriorating.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: ^The county council kindly helped fund improvements to the station frontage, but not the canopy. During the previous franchise, working with rail partners and local authorities, we invested over ^85 million in our stations. While we have to allocate our resources to balance the needs of all users across our network of 210 stations, we are working with Network Rail to find a suitable solution at Exeter.^

The spokesman added: ^The only thing we can add at this stage is that we are working closely with Network Rail to help develop a scheme that is not only affordable, but will deliver the benefits the local community wish to see.^

Councillor Rachel Sutton, lead councillor for city development, said that she would be more than happy to see the canopy replaced.

Cllr Sutton said: ^This really is a case of spoiling the whole for a ha^porth of tar. The station forecourt looks really great now but the canopy is getting worse all the time. Sooner or later it is going to become dangerous and they are going to have to do it anyway. We took it in good faith that they have the finances available and would do it. If they don^t then we are going to want to know where that money is.^

A spokeswoman for the county council said: ^Replacing the canopy at Exeter Central station was not part of the original forecourt improvement scheme approved by Cabinet. We have to be cautious as a new canopy, if needed, would prove a significant maintenance issue for Network Rail to take responsibility for.^

In March this year a spokesman for the county council said that it was hoping to ^use the saving towards schemes in the immediate vicinity, including the forecourt canopy, improving the pedestrian crossing strips across Queen Street and an interactive monolith sign to provide information about train and bus departures^.