Chippenham - facilities, improvements, parking, events and incidents - merged posts

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

From the Western Daily Press:

Chippenham station car park restricted due to travellers

Car parking will be restricted at Chippenham car park due to travellers setting up camp this morning.

First Great Western tweeted about the issue this morning, warning commuters if they decide to bring their cars to the station.

The service said the travellers have put in an 'eight day claim' at Chippenham car park.

[TaplowGreen]

............one rule for some........

[grahame]

I note that third rail electrification has come to Chippenham

[JayMac]

Got some nice new canopies as well. Just like the ones at London Bridge. 

[grahame]

I'm using the opportunity of limited car parking to remind people in Melksham / Trowbridge / Westbury that they don't have to drive to Chippenham any more - https://www.facebook.com/TransWilts/posts/618739234892789

[JayMac]

I'm using the opportunity of limited car parking to remind people in Melksham / Trowbridge / Westbury that they don't have to drive to Chippenham any more - https://www.facebook.com/TransWilts/posts/618739234892789

Every cloud... 

[TaplowGreen]

I note that third rail electrification has come to Chippenham

......if that's the case, keep a close eye on all that copper wire for the next 8 days!!! 

[grahame]

Understand they've moved on ... and my Facebook post to recommend the use of the TransWilts has been viewed by 4,604 people resulting in 194 actions including 45 likes, 16 shares and 8 comments.  Great opportunity to remind people about the TransWilts - https://www.facebook.com/TransWilts/posts/618739234892789

[phile]

Understand they've moved on ... and my Facebook post to recommend the use of the TransWilts has been viewed by 4,604 people resulting in 194 actions including 45 likes, 16 shares and 8 comments.  Great opportunity to remind people about the TransWilts - https://www.facebook.com/TransWilts/posts/618739234892789

Did they leave the usual mess to be cleared up ?

[NickF]

A few miles down the line here is an article about a Footbridge at Corsham being replaced and a timelapse video:

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/11874351.VIDEO__Stunning_footage_shows_how_Network_Rails___orange_army__replaced_Corsham_footbridge/?ref=mr

[NickF]

Chippenham railway station pedestrian bridge behind schedule:

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/13593735.Chippenham_railway_station_pedestrian_bridge_behind_schedule/

[grahame]

Chippenham Station - new footbridge to be opened on Friday of next week.

https://www.facebook.com/TransWilts/posts/739813139452064

The bridge reopens the public right of way from south to north across the station, and now connects down to the island platform too.   Lifts are provided on the south side and in the centre, but not on the north side which is steps only.

[grahame]

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/better-travelling-experience-for-passengers-as-new-footbridge-and-lifts-open-at-chippenham-station?

Passengers travelling to and from Chippenham station will now find their journey a much easier experience after a new footbridge and lifts were officially opened by Network Rail today, Friday 22 January, as part of the company^s Railway Upgrade Plan.

The new bridge and lifts greatly improve accessibility at Chippenham by providing, for the first time, a step-free route from the station^s main entrance to both platforms, without the need for staff assistance. This will not only be of benefit to passengers with reduced mobility, but also those travelling with children or heavy luggage or those who simply find stairs a struggle.

An end - thank goodness - to the use of the barrow crossing to get wheelchairs onto the platform. Lift available all day, every day - right up to the midnight-plus train to Cardiff.

It has been a really really long job to get this bridge and the lifts in - with the issues of being around a listed building coming sharply against the need to provide access for all.  The three staircase, 2 lift project is now - however - complete.  Next stage - ticket gates?

[bobm]

Bit tied up at the moment, but will post some pictures later.

Slightly disappointed to note that the new footbridge is open to elements.  Fully appreciate it gives better access for those who cannot, or chose not to, use the stairs but the lack of a roof, while accepting the cost implications, is a bit of a shame to be honest.

What is the future for the original footbridge?

[grahame]

Slightly disappointed to note that the new footbridge is open to elements.  Fully appreciate it gives better access for those who cannot, or chose not to, use the stairs but the lack of a roof, while accepting the cost implications, is a bit of a shame to be honest.

3 million pound project as it is!

What is the future for the original footbridge?

It remains ... and I think it will be needed to avoid serious gateline queues on evening arrivals.  It will be interesting to see how they do that ... until it happens (said to be very soon) there will remain strong revenue protection at Chippenham.