Plymouth Station - refurbishment, improvements, timetable changes, events and incidents (merged topic)

[whole diary]

[plymothian]

Pretty much the same as what any redevelopment of a 'public' area does - nothing.

Mind you, there's been no press release or info on what they're doing at PLY^» (Plymouth - next trains) at the moment anywhere

[Plymboi]

Anyone actually know the plans for the imporvements i see they have expanded the covered area to incorerate a new entrance and the cash machine is now located inside, very very good idea and very much needed. The station looks better now from the outside. (Just that stupid greenhouse on the top and the monstroity of a building next to it ).

I am hearing that they are incorprating toliets onto the station building which was much needed and long overdue. However is anything else being redone? and where are the toliets going to be located?

Any pictures anywhere? or any idea of what will look like?

[paul7575]

Try Plymouth City Council's planning website, search where Network Rail is the applicant. 

That often throws up quite detailed drawings etc...

Paul

[vacman]

The toilets will be 20p toilets aswell

[bobm]

Although it is only temporary I can envisage problems at the gateline.  I got off the 15:03 from Paddington on Thursday and it took four minutes to get through the barriers and it appeared people waiting to enter the station were being held back while the staff tried to clear passengers off the platform.

[Plymboi]

I canot find any planning info or anything its like it doesnt exist.

I hope they replace the old very aged departure screens with flat lcd screens make it nicer looking. And get rid of the grey horrid ticket office

I really would like to see whats going on but not even FGW^▸ (First Great Western) knows its going on according to there wensite ha

[Plymboi]

Visited yesterday as went to Torquay and its abit meh! Thw outside looks good. And then i dont see hp anything isnide has improved the station. There are no toliets, no extra lounge seats in the station building. it makes the rest of the station look tacky and old and there is no straight through design espcially the floor. I not sure if its fisnihed but meh. Looks nicer though ha

[JayMac]

From the Plymouth Herald:

Six railway workers are on track for an extra-happy New Year thanks to a surprise ^500 cheque.

City marine Plymouth Yacht Haven handed over the gift as a festive 'thank you' to the customer-conscious sextet.

The First Great Western employees each got a slice of the cash in recognition of their efforts to boost customer service at Plymouth Railway Station during 2011.

Marina manager Laura Whinney said: "We believe that excellent customer service is vital to the growth and prosperity of Plymouth, and Plymouth Railway Station is a key gateway to the city.

"The station team are in a position to make a real difference and we are delighted to support and reward their achievements."

[chrisoates]

Some unrewarded good service on a PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) PNZ HST^▸ (High Speed Train)  - a drunk was being a pain largely because the school children were egging him on - at Camborne the on-board staff got him off with such little fuss that it was only when he banged at the window from outside that I realised he had gone.
TM^‡(resolve) contacted Control to warn the following train.

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the British Transport Police press release:

Did you witness incident at Plymouth rail station? British Transport Police appear for information after rail worker assaulted

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed an incident at Plymouth railway station, which saw a female member of rail staff assaulted twice, to come forward.

Officers are urging anyone who saw what happened at around 7pm on Saturday, 8 September to contact them to assist their enquiries into the incident.

PC Amanda Showler, one of the investigating officers, said: ^The female member of staff had just finished a meal break and was on platform 7 at Plymouth rail station when she was assaulted by two men in an apparently unprovoked attack. A second assault then took place in the subway area of the station a short time later.

^At this stage, I am appealing for any passengers who were at the station and who saw either attack to come forward.  Were you on the platform or in the subway?  Did you see what happened?  If so, I would urge you to contact BTP straight away as you may have some vital information which can assist the police investigation.^

Anyone who has information which they believe can help should 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 534 of 08/09/2012.

*Two 28-year-old men from Ivybridge were arrested at Plymouth station on suspicion of assault shortly after the incident. The men were later released on police bail until Thursday, 11 October 2012 pending further enquiries.

[old original]

Short item from this week's Herald

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Final-phase-station-revamp-starts-year/story-16994735-detail/story.html

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the First Great Western press release:

First Great Western (FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) has become the 40th business to sign up to Plymouth City Council^s 1,000 Club in a move to help tackle unemployment among the City^s young.

The train operator, which runs both engineering and customer service apprenticeship schemes, joined the club to help provide more opportunity, and advice and guidance, to get people on the road to employment.

FGW Operations Apprenticeship Scheme Manager Andrew Perry said: ^First Great Western employs over 5,000 staff across the Great Western network and is delighted to join Plymouth City Council^s 1000 Club. 

^We are very supportive of efforts to improve the employment of young people, and recently launched our own 16-18 year old apprenticeships.   

^Whether you want to be an engineer or a member of our helpful and courteous train staff, it is vital that we help to provide those opportunities for the communities which we serve.^

Council Leader Tudor Evans, who spent Friday morning with a First Great Western apprentice at Plymouth Station, said: ^We^re thrilled that a national company is getting behind our campaign and is prepared to invest its time, energy and efforts into helping the next generation get a feel for employment.

^The company is opening up opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds ^ an age group that some other companies have found it easier to ignore. It is particularly impressive to see this level of commitment during a difficult economic period for the country.^

Launched at the end of September, the 1,000 Club aims to make it easier for employers and young people to team up to better suit each other^s needs. This could include work experience, graduate internships and jobs, both full and part-time.

The 1,000 Club has been established through the Plymouth Growth Board ^ a partnership between business and senior public sector leaders. It aims to make sure plans to increase and spending power in Plymouth happen.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Plymouth Herald:

Warning for rail passenger

Transport cops dished out a warning to a man who tried to board a moving train.

Regular police officers also attended Plymouth Railway Station shortly before 8am on Wednesday morning.

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) said several calls had been received about the incident.

A 33-year-old man admitted trying to board the train and received a warning, a spokesman said.

He said: "BTP officers were called to Plymouth Railway Station on Wednesday, January 9 following reports of a man attempting to board a train as it was leaving the platform. Officers attended alongside colleagues from Devon and Cornwall Police at 7.49am. A 33-year-old man admitted the offence and received a warning from officers. No further action will be taken."

Generally I don't comment on the standard of journalism in such items, but isn't "Transport cops dished out a warning" an appalling misuse of the beautiful English language?

[ChrisB]

Its also wrong. Its very likely that they dished out a Caution

[vacmanfan]

Probably just a warning. A caution is very different.