Trowbridge Station - facilities and improvements

[whole diary]

[tramway]

I chose the lamp icon as we are getting new lighting according to the contractors this morning.

If I had been consulted on what improvements would have benefited passengers if there was money to spend new lighting would have been last on my list.

[rogerw]

I agree.  Top priority for me would be better waiting facilities, particularly on the Westbury  bound platform.

[tramway]

Trowbridge did have very nice station buildings at one time but were wiped out during the late 70^s early 80^s, there are quite a few images in the link below. It still makes me angry realising what was lost.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allan.tidders/GWRModelTrains/trowbridge-info.pdf

I agree Westbury bound passengers need better facilities, and I would include some form of canopy and enlarged facilites on the Bath side including a small shop.

[tramway]

And a better PA^▸ (Public Address (broadcast loudspeaker announcements) or Passenger Assist (railway staff providing physical assistance to passengers with mobility issues), depending on context). At the moment the only people who can hear a local station announcement are those within about 10 yards of the ticket office.

It would save station staff having to walk out and shout at everyone when there are problems.

I don't hold out any hope that the regeneration around the station will involve 'Green' principles. If Accrington can do it.

http://www.railway-technology.com/features/feature106295/

[rogerpatenall]

Trowbridge did have very nice station buildings at one time but were wiped out during the late 70^s early 80^s,

Yes - there was a nice little buffet on the northbound platform - I remember buying Blackberry and Apple Gala pies (I think they were called) in the early sixties. . .

[tramway]

Even without a food outlet I'm afraid there are still a few fruitcakes still available at the station. 

[bobm]

From FGW^▸ (First Great Western)

Trowbridge station car park resurfacing
(Ticket office side car park)

From 2300 hours on Friday 21 March until 0600 on Monday 24 March cars will be unable to enter, exit or remain parked in the car park situated on the Ticket Office side of the station, whilst resurfacing work is carried out.
 
The car park on the town side of the station will remain open.This work will also have an impact on disabled access to the station.
 
There will be no level access to the station through this car park whilst these works are being undertaken.

Customers will only be able to access the Bath-bound platform from the town side of the station.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Wiltshire Times:

^1m boost for Trowbridge Train Station


Station manager Nick Reid, left, Cllr Horace Prickett and volunteers from the Community Rail group take a close look at the plans for the improvements

Major improvements to Trowbridge Train Station worth almost ^1 million are on the way, with work due to begin in January.

Plans include the resurfacing of the car parks for platform one and two, new lighting and an improved layout, plus charging points for electric cars.

Work which includes the demolition of the former taxi office to create additional car parking spaces, is due to start in early January and take until the end of March.

Pedestrian access to the station will also be made easier with handrails on the footbridge and an upgrade of the steps and ramp to platform one.

There will also be new waiting and cycle parking shelters on both platforms and new ticket machines.

Wiltshire Council, with funding from the government^s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, alongside Network Rail and First Great Western, are spending ^984,000 to improve the station and make life better for travellers.

Cllr Horace Prickett, Wiltshire Council portfolio holder for transport, said: ^This is very significant for Trowbridge and a vast improvement on what is here at the moment. People who use Trowbridge Station will notice a huge difference and I^m sure their travelling will be greatly improved. Enhancements to car parking and waiting shelters will be particularly welcomed by commuters.^

Trowbridge Station manager Nicholas Reid said: ^First Great Western are delighted to announce that plans for this work are due to be signed shortly, improving access to the station and many other facilities.^