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Author Topic: Bath Spa station - improvements, incidents (merged topics)  (Read 63571 times)
Tim
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« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2007, 16:14:12 »

The gates at Bath are a major non-improvement.  I know that there are arguements for and against gating stations and for and against automatic barriers.  I don't have a strong view either way but I do think that if you are going to do something you should do it properly. 

I'll just give you a single example of how the barriers at Bath have not been implemented as well as they might have been.   There is a single barrier that is wide enough for a wheelchair or buggy.  It has a wheelchair symbol on it which would suggest to a wheelchair user that the gate was suitable for them to use.  So they put their ticket in and wheel themselves through the gate.  Then just round the corner they realise that there are steps to both of the platforms and that they are now trapped "railside" and have to be let back through the gates  and make their way to the platform through the car park.  I understand that there may be plans for lifts to the platforms which is good but until they are installed wouldn't it be sensible for FGW (First Great Western) to provide signs that direct wheelchairs to the wheelchair acessable route to teh platforms rather than signs which mislead?
 
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tonya
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« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2007, 21:00:51 »

Following the half million pound refurb of Bath Spa we have ticket machines that wont sell you the next days tickets, longer ticket queues for more of the time, fewer ticket windows open, a crush at the barriers, and we've lost those those nice leather armchairs in the london bound waiting room.

Now, my assessment could be entirley wrong,which is why MTLS (More Train Less Strain) will be conducting an objective  survey of passesengers in the morning rushour inabout 2 weeks time. We will be asking them what they think of the station ' 'improvements' and the train service, and then most probably making the results public.

We are very keen for help, both for input into the survey quetsions and to stand outside the station from 7:15-8:30 one morning.The survey will have to be to the point and focussed as people will proably be rushing for trains, if indeed there are any.
If you would like to help either on the day or in the preparation, leave a message on this site and we'll be back in touch with the date, and other details.
If we have enough offers of help, it's possible that we could consiedr surveys at other stations too.
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Graz
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« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2007, 23:29:05 »

I much preferred it before the refurbishment. All the seats have gone in the booking hall, and my biggest complaint is the advance booking office is now merged with the main one and the friendliness and relaxed atmosphere of that office has now all but disappeared. I used to enjoy the desks and seats, plus the easy to find timetables but this has all gone. The decoration is also stark and gloomy and doesn't fit in well with the station.

There's only one positive thing to come out of this- the ticket gates mean I don't have to mess around with the incompetent staff on top of the stairs who don't even know Oldfield Park has a station- when I need to change platform! But I can see how easily the crowds build up in rush hour.
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Timmer
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« Reply #18 on: September 30, 2007, 20:07:39 »

No Tony your assessment is far from wrong and Im still trying to work out how on earth FGW (First Great Western) got the Bath Spa refurb so badly wrong. How anyone can call what they have done an improvement is beyond me. Better lighting would be a good place to start it so dull and unwelcoming in the ticket hall.

Wonder what the staff think of their new working environment? Though I notice that staff who were regulars at the stations for years and years dont seem to be there anymore. There seems has been a shortage of staff at the station for quite sometime now and probably why they got rid of the travel centre as its not so noticeable that FGW dont have the staff to manage it apart from closed ticket windows of course.

Come on FGW sort it out. Bath Spa is one of your most profitable stations and deserves better than this.
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martyjon
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« Reply #19 on: September 30, 2007, 21:07:51 »

Tonya, is the MTLS (More Train Less Strain) meeting at the Rummer still on for Tuesday October 2nd only I went in July and only Micheal was there just in case masses turned up and we had a drink and a chat together and he said there would be no meeting in August, but September came and I and another lady turned up but no leaders. I shall make the journey on Tuesday unless I see from this forum that the meeting is definitely a no-goer.
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tonya
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« Reply #20 on: October 01, 2007, 21:58:33 »

No meeting tomorrow 2nd October.
A mailing has just gone to MTLS (More Train Less Strain) email list, so we'll give them a few days to get on board and almost certainly have a planning meeting to finalise the questionnaire next Tuesday 9th. Will confirm here, so wathc this space.
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Lee
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« Reply #21 on: April 11, 2008, 00:51:40 »

The 19th-century station is being given a dramatic facelift hand in hand with the creation of a ^13 million new bus station (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232315&home=yes&more_nodeId1=163047&contentPK=20359638

The transport facilities are part of the ^360 million SouthGate development which is changing the face of the southern end of the city centre.

The bus station - which will feature a hotly-debated round tower where Churchill House once stood - will open in autumn next year, with the railway station opening in 2010.

The station revamp removes the existing north ramp and allows access into previously hidden station vaults, so that they can be opened up for use as restaurants or bars.

There will be new entrances to the station along with new passenger lifts to the platforms.
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Vous devez ĂȘtre impitoyable, parce que ces gens sont des salauds - https://looka.com/s/78722877
Timmer
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« Reply #22 on: April 11, 2008, 07:20:58 »

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.
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Tinminer
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« Reply #23 on: April 11, 2008, 10:12:39 »

^10M could re-open the Tavistock line!!
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Tim
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« Reply #24 on: April 11, 2008, 13:44:45 »

...true, but I don't think that this is money that has come from teh rail industry.  It is all part of the larger Southgate shopping centre development in Bath, funded by enyone who has a pension with Norwich Union.
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Graz
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« Reply #25 on: April 11, 2008, 13:58:11 »

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'.
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Lee
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« Reply #26 on: May 29, 2008, 19:48:07 »

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'.

More in the link below....
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232315&home=yes&more_nodeId1=163047&contentPK=20735839
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Vous devez ĂȘtre impitoyable, parce que ces gens sont des salauds - https://looka.com/s/78722877
John R
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« Reply #27 on: June 15, 2008, 21:01:37 »

Line problem in the station area.
Train services at Bath Spa are being disrupted due to an operating incident in the station area.Delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected.
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Tim
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« Reply #28 on: July 01, 2008, 14:17:02 »

What is an "operating incident"?
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swlines
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« Reply #29 on: July 01, 2008, 14:18:47 »

A bugger up to put it simply.

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