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

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

'Access for All' funds and joint-funding with the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) usually works wonders.

And GCC know it.

So, why all this fuss?

"Consultation to select new Management" - do they really mean re-franchising? :-)
Because FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have a contract to run the station until theirs runs out, so however much "consulting" GCC do beforehand, nothing is changing.

Really crap journalism.

[ellendune]

Since there is an option by exiting the station could I suggest that there are other stations without any disabled access that should have priority when it comes to allocation of funding. 

[ChrisB]

Which would be why Access for All funds haven't yet been allocated to Stroud....

[Lee]

There's more at http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/story-14454962-detail/story.html :

Better disabled access is needed at Stroud Railway Stations, says Green county councillor Sarah Lunnon.

The Stroud East ward member says groups should call for better access now the Government's consultation on the new franchise for the rail provider for the South West is under way.

"I have asked the county council to ask what is going to be done to improve access," she said.

"Kemble, Gloucester and Stroud all have access issues."

Rail passengers, local councils and other interested groups have until March 31 to say what improvements they want to see delivered by the new Great Western rail franchise, which is to be renewed in 2013.

[paul7575]

This is still barking up the wrong tree IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion).

If and when the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) are given 'full repairing leases' on their stations that still might not give them the ability or authority to make major modifications, such as adding lifts and footbridges where they don't already exist. 

This seems to be what the Access for All process is for, as mentioned earlier...

Paul

[w1bbl3]

I do agree the council / councilors are barking up the wrong tree.

It is also nice to note that local green councilor doesn't know which stations serve the golden valley line having omitted Stonehouse (also not accessible).

Railtrack made Cam and Dursley accessible on opening by installing a very long access ramp onto the foot bridge rather than building a lift. This wouldn't be possible at Stroud or Kemble as both stations and footbridges are grade II listed. Actually I'm not sure English hertatage would allow a typical platform lift to be installed as it would change the character of the existing listed footbridge, so improving accessiblity would likely require a new and somewhat expensive accessible footbridge and the existing being either left insitu or relocated to the hertitage railway. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for your very useful observations, w1bbl3 - and welcome to the Coffee Shop forum! 

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Stroud Life:

The Stroud Special tourist train scheme to bring visitors to the town is to be relaunched on Monday.

Representatives from the town's chamber of trade, community groups and tourist attractions will be gathering at London's Paddington Station to give it a new kick start.

The project has the backing of train operator First Great Western, which will be offering incentives for daytrippers travelling by train to Stroud.

"Independent traders in Stroud will be offering special deals to people travelling with the Stroud Special ticket," said Carole Garfield, chairman of Stroud and District Chamber of Trade. "We will encourage people to get involved in our festivals and visitor attractions."

The team going to London will include representatives from the Five Valleys Festival, the Museum in the Park and Painswick's Rococo Gardens.

Wearing Stroud Special sweatshirts, courtesy of Bateman's sport shop, the delegation hopes to make its mark on Paddington's main concourse.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Gloucestershire Citizen:

Laying platform to make town special

A group of business people from around Stroud took over the main concourse at London's Paddington Station last week to promote the town and its attractions.

First Great Western has launched the Stroud Special train ticket to encourage visitors to sample all that is on offer, from the area's artisan shops to attractions such as the Rococo Gardens in Painswick.

​
BEAR NECESSITIES: Carole Garfield with some of the traders promoting Stroud at Paddington

The Stroud Special initiative is a collaborative effort between Stroud Chamber of Commerce & Trade, local traders, festivals, Stroud District Council and First Great Western.

Representatives from attractions as diverse as the Farmers Market and Art Couture, Painswick went to Paddington wearing Stroud is Special T-shirts.

"Stroud and the surrounding valleys are vibrant, interesting and full of exciting things just waiting to be discovered," said Carole Garfield, chairperson of Stroud Chamber of Commerce and Trade. The town has captured the heart and imagination of many people, and it was once described by the London Standard as 'Notting Hill with wellies'.

"First Great Western is impressed with the community spirit behind Stroud Special and has given us this wonderful opportunity to promote our area to people passing through Paddington station."

Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western, said: "As part of our commitment to support local communities, First Great Western is delighted to be working with the Stroud Chamber of Commerce to extend the Stroud Special ticket. It is a great initiative which I hope will boost visitor numbers to Stroud and encourage more people to travel by rail."

When people purchase a Stroud Special train ticket they will find special offers in every independent local Stroud shop.

Community transport links have also been enhanced so that people can pre-book lifts outside the town centre.

[eightf48544]

So how much is the Stroud Special ticket, where is it valid from on what trains etc.

Might use it go on a day trip if it's cheap enough and without too many restrictions. Like not valid from London/Reading until after 09:30, or restrictions on trains back form Stroud.

Basically a cheap anytime return, any route, but valid only on the day.

[eightf48544]

Found somewhere it's ^32 and restricted trains one out one back.

Found I can do return for ^16  (without railcard) admittedley with Advanced tickets but an earlier train out and a possible choice of trains back.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Stroud News & Journal:

TOILET facilities at Stroud railway station have been improved thanks to a ^150,000 investment by First Great Western.

The operator carried out the upgrades as part of a UK^▸ (United Kingdom)-wide programme of station investments.

Stroud MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Neil Carmichael, who opened the facilities, said: "I use this station regularly and am delighted that First Great Western has invested such a large amount of money."

[JayMac]

I've heard the phrase used of shallow celebrities, "Some people will even turn up for the opening of an envelope."

Is the equivalent for an MP^▸ (Member of Parliament), "Turning up for the opening of a toilet"?

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

"You may very well think that: I couldn't possibly comment." 

[chuffed]

I cannot help wondering what he actually DID^» (Didcot Parkway - next trains) to declare the facilities open.....