Newport Station - problems, improvements and enhancements (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[Toiletdriver]

It helps 

But for me, I love reading the "experts" take on how I should do my job

[inspector_blakey]

I've probably already said it, but what an utter eyesore!

Yawn. I'm sure you have. Do you like anything that has been built since 1900 

[devon_metro]

I've probably already said it, but what an utter eyesore!

Yawn. I'm sure you have. Do you like anything that has been built since 1900 

I do actually

Was rather impressed by Cabot Circus in Bristol yesterday, oh and my house is quite nice, most parts of which are post 1900 

[Andypandy]

It looks very good inside and outside but when I got to Newport this morning,I wondering why the train that I was on from Hereford stopped a long way down platform 1. Got off and all of the 'crowd safety' people were shouting and pointing down so guessing that meant use the new bridge,so I did. It seemed to be a long walk than before, didnt have much time as I had to get the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train to Swindon. Got to platform 3 just in time.  These 'Crowd Safety' people love shouting and telling people where not to go. Trying to send me over the bridge when all i wanted to do when i was back was to go from 2 to 3. Anyway little moan over. =P Won't start on the ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) 175 refurb! =P Sure it will settle after Ryder Cup

[Glovidge]

I'm a regular user of Newport station and um whilst the new concourse etc has the feel of something ultra-modern, there are no toilets within the new building (you have to use the grotty ones on the platform) no shops or refreshment outlets within the new building as far as I can tell and where the old entrance took you more or less straight into Newport City centre you now have to walk a few hundred more metres.

However it is an improvement. Newport is still a s*it-hole though. I'm going to laugh at the confused American tourists going "geez this is quaint" as they walk past another boarded up pub/ shop/ house etc

[Andypandy]

I agree. The other thing that did confuzzle me was that the trains have either swapped platforms or moved up the platform. Waiting for the train back to Hereford the other day by the usual place and then looked up when it was coming that it stopped so a load of us charged up the platform which the driver though was funny! haa yehh! 

[Chris from Nailsea]

As posts on the subject of Newport Station, and various issues arising from it, have now appeared in several topics - and in a couple of boards - I've now merged them all here, 'in the interests of continuity and clarity' ... original headings have been preserved ... _{blah, blah} 

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Network Rail press release (including some rather headache-inducing time lapse video):

RAILWAY TEES UP FOR THE RYDER CUP

The railway has been readying its game in a drive to help serve one of the world^s largest golf tournaments.

Its success will affirm the readiness of Britain^s transport infrastructure in supporting top international events, says Network Rail.

Chris Rayner, western route director, Network Rail said: ^The 2010 Ryder Cup is a chance to showcase Wales on the world stage and our railway will play an important role. More than 45,000 visitors from around the world are expected to make their way into Newport this week and the railway is prepared to support the influx of fans from around the world.

^The Ryder Cup has brought tremendous economic benefits to Newport and its robust rail link was among the key factors for it to become the preferred host city. If Britain has ambitions to stage more top-class events, including the economy-boosting football World Cup, we must continue to invest in a railway on which Britain relies."

In a bid to support the Ryder Cup event, there will be no planned disruptive engineering work on the Great Western main line during the event period. This arrangement has also helped train operating companies provide extra train services for visitors travelling between London and Newport. The brand new Newport station has also been transformed in time into a modern and welcoming facility. The station will serve as the transport hub, where visitors can conveniently hop onto a shuttle bus and straight into Celtic Manor.

The value of hosting the event in Wales is estimated to be over ^70m. The Ryder Cup is broadcast into 750 million homes in 100 countries and covered by 2000 journalists around the world. The value of golf tourism in Wales had increased by ^18m since Wales was selected to host the tournament, to ^34m in 2009.

[John R]

http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/280910ChangesServices/

This has to be one of the most unhelpful pieces of information to post 2 days before the Ryder Cup commences. To "advise" passengers that services in South Wales may be replaced by buses on Sunday without giving more information is just crass incompetence.

Though the publicity by operators about any additional or strengthened services has been pretty poor. I note that on Saturday there is still only the 1tph from London to S Wales,  so no effort made there to cater for more passengers on early morning services. 

[Lee]

From eGov Monitor:

Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, Officially Opens Newport Train Station

The Welsh Assembly Government invested ^8.5m in a ^22m scheme with Network Rail to modernise the station.

Speaking at the launch Mr Jones said,

    "The redevelopment of Newport train station - through close collaboration with Network Rail - marks another step forward in building a more accessible and effective rail network and is testament to the ambitious programme that we have  to develop an improved rail infrastructure in Wales.

    "A modern integrated transport system is vital for a vibrant Welsh economy and we warmly welcome the development of this important station." 

Passengers at the station now have improved accessibility, with step free access from both terminals onto all the platforms. The station also benefits from increased and improved parking facilities.

Open in time for the 2010 Ryder Cup in October the station played a significant role in welcoming the World to Newport and Wales.

The investment also brings long-term benefits as it plays an instrumental role in the regeneration of the city.

Plans are now underway to complete the second phase of modernising the signalling system at Newport area. This scheme is part of a ^400m scheme to renew the signalling system in south Wales and once completed, it will significantly improve the reliability of rail services and the prospect of introducing more trains.

[Lee]

From the South Wales Argus

Councillors slam rail bosses over Newport station

Leading Newport councillors launched a stinging attack on Network Rail yesterday over the way it has handled complaints about the city's railway station - hours after its official opening.

Deputy council leader Ed Townsend branded Network Rail "singularly unhelpful" after the authority raised numerous complaints from members of the public about the ^22 million new station which opened in September.

The catalogue of complaints include the leaking roof, lack of an information desk, the fact there is only one ticket desk, the cafe and WH Smith are too far away from platforms two and three to be of any use, lifts are often not working, there is a lack of signs.

On December 4, we reported how Newport council's managing director Tracey Lee and Newport Unlimited chief executive Gareth Beer were calling for an urgent meeting to address the problems.

Speaking at yesterday's full council meeting, Cllr Townsend told fellow member Ray Truman: "I share your disappointment about the station. I do not like it."

He said he has had discussions with Network Rail about the site's accessibility and added: "I think they are being singularly unhelpful with every dealing Newport City Council has...It's about time they responded to the people of Newport not to the shareholders or their board."

Cllr Townsend said that leader Matthew Evans has raised the problems with deputy first minister and transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, in Newport yesterday to officially open the station, and first minister Carwyn Jones.

"We are desperately serious that Network Rail responds to our needs," he added.

Cllr Truman said: "It's about improving Newport city centre. The station has a big role to play in that and needs to be service-friendly for people."

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "Feedback from passengers are important to us and we take them very seriously.

"Improvements, which include improving signage and facilities for disabled passengers, were made to the station as soon as any issued were raised to our attention as we were determined to make it right.

"Our doors remain open to discuss any further concerns that the council may have. "Whilst we recognise that there is always room for improvement, we should also not lose sight of the benefits that the improved station has brought and mostly, boosting the competitive edge which the city needs."

At the opening, Mr Wyn Jones said he hoped the station, part-funded with ^8.5 million Assembly money, would act as an incentive to attract investment.

This month saw the passenger numbers coming through the new station pass the 900,000 mark and Network Rail are expected to hit one million within the next four weeks.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We put your concerns over new station 
 
At the official opening yesterday, the Argus put our readers' complaints to Mr Jones and rail bosses. Mr Jones referred our reporter to Network Rail. Here is what it had to say:

1. Lack of information desk and one ticket desk

Response: Access to information has changed, people using phones, internet and smart phones to get info and book tickets. "This is a modern, forward-looking station designed for now and many years in the future, it's a shift in demand."

2. W H Smith too far away

Response: Location of W H Smith was up to the store itself. "W H Smith was given the opportunity to go to certain locations - if they want to move somewhere else, there is a way they can do that."

3. Lifts don't work

Response: Network Rail said they had a minor technical fault with the lifts shortly after opening, but it was rectified straight away.

4. Lack of signs

Response: After the station opened, Network Rail had a walk through with some disabled people to highlight any issues, as a result of what was said, they added more signs, including one for the short-stay car park and for the lifts and added extra handrails in the toilets.

5. The leaking roof

Response: Network Rail's principal programme sponsor Mike Gallop said the leaks in the roof were teething problems which have been addressed

[Toiletdriver]

Ref above post.
A single ticket machine at the platform 4 entrance, good idea next to the main car park
WHSmith, eventually is to go onto platform 2/3 between the new steps and the old ramp, basically about where the benchs are.
Minor fault with the lifts???   All 3 lifts have spent at least 24 hours out of service on several occasions THIS MONTH!!!
Lack of signs, only installed this month, 3 months after the building opened.
Leaking roof, still leaks, and remember the snow on the inside!!!

[JayMac]

Can anyone bag me one of the InterCity Sleeper posters that are still on display in the disused ramp down to the old subway? Must've been there since the early 1980s!!! 

[Toiletdriver]

Can anyone bag me one of the InterCity Sleeper posters that are still on display in the disused ramp down to the old subway? Must've been there since the early 1980s!!! 

No, they are MINE!!!

[dog box]

Am i  the only person to be pretty un impressed with the upgrade it just appears to be steps ,steps and more steps.
And the lift shaft effort on the island platforms has reduced sighting considerably thus increasing safety risks for HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)