Polsloe Bridge Rail Station and Whipton Bridge Halt

[whole diary]

[exeterkiwi]

Hi


I don't know what other people think of this rail station but I think it need some work done to it.


option 1
Ramp and maybe a Ticket machines installed and re surface platform

option 2

rebuild the station

It will be nice is they rebuild the station completely since there is space

Option 3

build a new station at Whipton Bridge

This station will be situated on the West of England Main Line


Option 4

This is selecting option 2 and 3

[PhilWakely]

I certainly agree that the station is in desperate need of a spring clean. Apart from the lifting of the original Exmouth-bound track, the removal of the few concrete steps up to the original Exmouth-bound platform and the mass of undergrowth covering the original Exmouth-bound platform, the station is essentially still in the state it was in back in the 1950s.

See here, here, and here

Sadly, however, I would doubt whether any of your ideas will even get to the drawing board, let alone see the light of day. I suspect the costs of a rebuild would be excessive, requiring track realignment to widen the platform and a re-design of the access path as it is rather steep.

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), there was an article in the Exeter Express and Echo a little while back where the local councillor was calling for a TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) at Polsloe Bridge, but that seemed to get very short shrift from the powers that be - even though I have got on trains there when there have been as many as THREE ATEs on the platform!

As for building a complete new station on the site of the old Whipton Bridge Halt, which would serve the Devon Metro route between Barnstaple and Axminster once (if) that becomes a reality in the future, there is no space on the Up side for the necessary infrastructure. I doubt whether there is sufficient interest in having the two stations serving the same area - with little interest in journeys eastbound from Whipton Bridge or westbound to Whipton Bridge from the East Devon area

[plymothian]

I think Polsloe Bridge should become a 2 track station again so that late services do not get held on the mainline. 
The affect of disruption on the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) and SWML^▸ (South Western Mail Line) just snowballs on to the branch lines, having an additional passing place could help reduce this impact. 

As the platform at POL is so long already, or maybe given a slight extension, the Penryn solution might be possible that can fit at least a 4 car 150 on each half.  The station access could then be relocated closer to the midway point.

[exeterkiwi]

Hi

Here are some pictures pf the current station at Polsloe Bridge

https://www.flickr.com/gp/144325458@N02/758C9b

Guy

[Rapidash]

Nothing short of a complete rebuild will ever more than paper over the cracks. The platform is too narrow, the slabs are in some places starting to move underfoot, and it's just foul waiting there in winter.

 There will probably never be a tvm there - just look at what happened at Torre when it finally got activated. Robbed inside of a week!

As for Metro services causing delays on the mainline. ...Uh. .whut. Literally every other day my commute is delayed by late running Plym/Pad/Brum services.

In fact on Monday,  I was delayed TWICE just getting to Exeter in the morning. Perhaps priorities need looking at?!

Also, why are the platforms so long? Seems bizarre for a halt, especially compared to SJP's midget platform next door.

[The Tall Controller]

The platform is a survivor from the days of steam when trains stopping there were much longer. SJP's Exmouth bound platform is limited purely by where it is. Extending it isn't easy.