Weymouth - station, facilities, improvements, events and incidents - merged posts

[whole diary]

[rogerw]

Whilst at Weymouth today I noticed that the notices state that the toilets are closed on the advice of BTP^▸ (British Transport Police).  I also understand that the problems on the 2023 departure have now transfered to earlier departures because of the police presence on the former service

[Red Squirrel]

Last time I went to Weymouth, I didn't go out the front of the station - our train did a rather odd manoeuvre involving backing up and then heading off down Commercial Road - which was a lot of fun and had the added benefit that my eyes were not assaulted by the truly abysmal station building.

Actually, from the dates I suspect that it was in the process of being built (if that is the correct term for assembling an architectural wart) when I last passed through. It is a product of the era that brought us the Serpell Report and the dequadrification of Filton Bank. If it acts as a magnet for ne'er-do-wells, then little wonder - its architecture is so similar to that of a Young Offenders' Institute, they probably feel right at home.

[grahame]

... passenger requested if station staff could open one of the toilets and the station staff opened one of the toilets ...

[MrC]

It is a product of the era that brought us the Serpell Report and the dequadrification of Filton Bank. If it acts as a magnet for ne'er-do-wells, then little wonder - its architecture is so similar to that of a Young Offenders' Institute, they probably feel right at home.

Sorry but I have to disagree. The issue with Weymouth (and similar seaside and holiday towns) is not the infrastructure but more that changes to social care, increasing numbers of anti-social elements and the growth of care in the community (amongst other policies) has led to the under-funded police and (para-)medical services as the only way to handle certain members of the population. Weymouth station is slap bang in the middle of a depressed seaside town with a huge drugs and drink problem so it's no wonder it's ended up the way it has. It's also the destination for a great number of summer travellers (mostly from Yeovil and points North) who's only aim is to get absolutely paralytic. The only way to avoid the issue would be to have the building permanently walled off with one or two entrance points and/or a permanent security staff presence. I can't see many on here welcoming either a walled-up station or an increase in their ticket prices to pay for heavy 24x7 security.

And frankly the current station architecture while not perfect is vastly better than the old dump with far better access to and from the car park/drop-off points, together with better disabled access.

[Bmblbzzz]

I don't know Weymouth but my general thoughts coincide with MrC's above. My first thoughts on seeing "toilets closed due to criminal misuse" (note misuse not damage) is "shooting gallery" and on knowing this is a seaside town, I add a depressed local economy and stag parties. (Yes, that's a lot of stereotyping in one sentence: by no means all stag parties are destructive, some coastal towns are thriving and there might be other reasons for this specific toilet closure - but as a generality, those are my thoughts.)

[WSW Frome]

The current Weymouth Station (building) was built around 1983 to replace the vast and decaying Brunel era wooden relic. This had received bomb damage in the war and heavily modified to make is safe/usable. It was far too large for the then current traffic and much land was surrendered mainly for retail use! When new it was quite an improvement but is slightly neglected now. I am a regular traveller to Weymouth and, have perhaps once, seen the toilets locked out of use. They have not been closed "for years." They are, however, never currently available in the eveings - presumably once the ticket office closes. This has been the situation for a long time.

If I have not used the 20.21 Sat for a while now and maybe it is getting worse but I have had few negative experiences.

[grahame]

The issue with Weymouth (and similar seaside and holiday towns) is not the infrastructure but more that changes to social care, increasing numbers of anti-social elements and the growth of care in the community (amongst other policies) has led to the under-funded police and (para-)medical services as the only way to handle certain members of the population.

Weymouth station is slap bang in the middle of a depressed seaside town with a huge drugs and drink problem so it's no wonder it's ended up the way it has. It's also the destination for a great number of summer travellers (mostly from Yeovil and points North) who's only aim is to get absolutely paralytic.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) earlier today ...

More than half of England's coastal communities could see a decline in the number of residents aged under 30 by the year 2039.

Analysis by BBC News of population projections has found seaside towns in northern England could see the biggest decline in under-30s.

The Parliamentary Group for Coastal Communities said funding cuts meant seaside towns were "being left behind".

The government said it had invested more than £200m in coastal communities.

The coastline in England is home to some of the most beautiful but also poorest places in England.

The article picks out Northern England ... but I wonder about some towns in the South West too, including Weymouth.

[grahame]

The current Weymouth Station (building) was built around 1983 to replace the vast and decaying Brunel era wooden relic.

Lots of history and very interesting pictures at http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/w/weymouth/

[grahame]

An article from the Dorset Echo from last November was just recycled on my feeds for some reason ...

Dorset Coastal Forum bid for funding - including Weymouth train station revamp

Moves to breathe new life into a gateway to Weymouth have taken a major step forward with hopes for a £4 million funding bid for a range of projects clearing the first hurdle.

Transforming Weymouth railway station into a revamped hub, improving the look of the area and creating better access, is among the projects included in an application to the government for regeneration funding to boost our seaside communities.

The comments on the article, as ever, set the local mood though ...

I'm sure the druggies will appreciate any upgrade.

Why bother upgrading the train station when the trains are disrupted so often?

Still used as a railway station is it? There doesn't seem to be many trains using it these days due to strikes, breakdowns, engineering work, lack of drivers etc., etc...

What Weymouth Station really really want is more platforms and double track on the APPROACH to the station.

I thought that the railway station was privately owned by railtrack. So way aren't they paying for the upgrade.

There seems to be elements in Weymouth who are less than proud of their station ...

[grahame]

Whilst at Weymouth today I noticed that the notices state that the toilets are closed on the advice of BTP^▸ (British Transport Police).

From Gloucesterhire Live

Urine trouble: British Transport Police warn train passengers of humiliating consequences for weeing in public - as this man found out

Does strike me that just about all options to perform a natural body function that some of us need quite regularly are being taken away.  Wise advise I was given on how to say no:
* Express regret
*.Give reason
* Suggest alternative
With a practical alternative, fair enough but everyone has been reading "just say no".

I wonder if BTP at Weymouth have their own / access to staff toilets ...

[ChrisB]

The trains generally have a toilet. Those without a ticket shouldn't rely on stations

[martyjon]

The trains generally have a toilet. Those without a ticket shouldn't rely on stations

They should be able to rely on a station toilet if like Bristol the LA has shut all public loos.

 

[grahame]

The trains generally have a toilet. Those without a ticket shouldn't rely on stations

They should be able to rely on a station toilet if like Bristol the LA has shut all public loos.

 

Indeed ... there really should be a minimum level of toilet provision.   For those meeting and greeting, seeing people off, arriving back at the station in good time, awaiting a delayed or cancelled train, just arrived thinking "we'll go to the loo when we get there", etc.   There are public loos in Weymouth - on the front, about 200 yards from the station.  Think some are still open but some closed.

Just on the train is - in my opinion - below that minimum level for a place like Weymouth.

[ChrisB]

Not if the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) would need to pay for full-time security, I don't.

[rogerw]

It is OK to say "go on the train".  My very crowded 3 coach train to Weymouth last Saturday only had one out of three toilets in working order.  I suspect that ran out of water long before the end of the day.