Kite159
Veteran Member
and Sankey for Penketh I would strongly consider too.
Although with only a token weekday service (from memory 2 trains each way a day) since Warrington West opened up it won't save that much money if Sankey gets closed.
and Sankey for Penketh I would strongly consider too.
I'd absolutely consider banishing Ardwick to the depths of history as well, unless someone can convince me of a good reason for keeping it.
The Denton line stations can join them too
and Sankey for Penketh I would strongly consider too.
Golf Street – only a stone's throw from the main station in Carnoustie and served by just two trains a day each way.
No, the golf specials all run to Carnoustie (or at least they did for the last Open), which is better equipped for large crowds.Isn't this station primarily used when there are major events at the golf course, so the calls it normally gets are just to keep it open for that purpose?
Barry Links is probably more useless.
Add on that Golf Street doesn't have long platformsNo, the golf specials all run to Carnoustie (or at least they did for the last Open), which is better equipped for large crowds.
Monifieth and Broughty Ferry recently had their service upgraded to hourly (from three and ~eight trains each way per day respectively according to Wikipedia) Both saw big usage jumps with Monifieth passenger numbers doubling.They look pretty falling-to-bits now if the photo on the Wiki article is anything to go by.
I would say of these three, serve them properly or close them. Nobody local is going to use them with a Parly service. Stations 1km apart aren't totally useless - plenty of Merseyrail stations are like that and nobody is calling for those to close - but it does require commitment to serving them properly.
As already mentioned Golf Street is very close to Carnoustie. Closing it and refurbishing Barry Links is an option too.
Not sure how that 50,000 number is calculated, so it may not be relevant here, but the Newhaven station's season ticket numbers used to be heavily inflated by people buying season tickets between Town and Harbour for the Gold card trick. I remember there was actually a report done about the line that mentioned this and said it sort of stuffed their modelling a bit.In theory Newhaven Harbour is used by 50,000 passengers a year. Of the Settle and Carlisle stations only Appleby has slightly more at 60k. Wouldn't it be better value in cost saving to close the whole Settle to Carlisle retaining a short section at the south end for the quarry. There would be enormous infrastructure savings and it would make an excellent cycle path.
I agree.Of the Settle and Carlisle stations only Appleby has slightly more at 60k. Wouldn't it be better value in cost saving to close the whole Settle to Carlisle retaining a short section at the south end for the quarry. There would be enormous infrastructure savings and it would make an excellent cycle path.
In the busy Summer Saturdays of yesteryear (50s,60s,70s) when Yarmouth saw regular trains from London, & many destinations in the North of England & the Midlands, many trains where operated as via Reedham in the up direction & via Acle in the down. For this reason IBH signals where provided in the down direction only at Stracey Arms to break up the Acle to Breydon Junction single line section. Berney Arms could also switch in as could another signal box at Postwick between Brundall & Whitlingham. Local trains where slightly thinned out to accommodate the extra express services.Yes I always understood it was retained because the Acle route was deemed not to provide enough capacity for the busiest times. Whether that still applies nowadays is of course another matter!
In theory Newhaven Harbour is used by 50,000 passengers a year. Of the Settle and Carlisle stations only Appleby has slightly more at 60k. Wouldn't it be better value in cost saving to close the whole Settle to Carlisle retaining a short section at the south end for the quarry. There would be enormous infrastructure savings and it would make an excellent cycle path.
There is already a shuttle between Arbroath and Dundee that takes ~24 minutes. Looking at one of the trains also serving Golf Street, Barry Links, and Balmossie, it takes 32 minutes. Is the journey time increase worth it? I'm inclined to say yes. Arbroath does also have fast trains that call at Dundee.
It's been some years since I last travelled on the line, but at that point, strange to say, but Settle station was still on the Settle and Carlisle line.In theory Newhaven Harbour is used by 50,000 passengers a year. Of the Settle and Carlisle stations only Appleby has slightly more at 60k. Wouldn't it be better value in cost saving to close the whole Settle to Carlisle retaining a short section at the south end for the quarry. There would be enormous infrastructure savings and it would make an excellent cycle path.
I've heard just now that there are rumours of Alton and Bentley potentially facing the axe.
I would be amazed, they are hardly poorly used.
Which Bentley, Hampshire or South YorkshireI've heard just now that there are rumours of Alton and Bentley potentially facing the axe.
17 K population and a train every half an hour? Doesn’t seem likelyWho knows, this govt seems to be going out of their way to self-destruct the Conservative vote in areas like London, the SE and Home Counties.
But yes I’d be surprised if it were true.
HampshireWhich Bentley, Hampshire or South Yorkshire
I would be astonished. Are you able to say where you heard it from?I've heard just now that there are rumours of Alton and Bentley potentially facing the axe.
And 679,324 passengers a year in 2019/20 to add!17 K population and a train every half an hour? Doesn’t seem likely
My brother; his train was cancelled at Farnham last night and he had to get a lift the rest of the way; he heard it from the person who gave him the lift.I would be astonished. Are you able to say where you heard it from?
I've heard just now that there are rumours of Alton and Bentley potentially facing the axe.
In all honesty, does anyone still have any faith in this 'government's' stewardship of anything?If such theories are gaining credence in the Home Counties, it doesn't suggest a lot of faith in the Governments stewardship of the railway
In all honesty, does anyone still have any faith in this 'government's stewardship of anything?
Forgive us if we don't treat that evidence as "robust"My brother; his train was cancelled at Farnham last night and he had to get a lift the rest of the way; he heard it from the person who gave him the lift.
Now, if they closed some fairly well used stations in say Hampshire……..If you were looking to find someone who did, you'd probably start in the Home Counties !
To be fair I don’t think that is going to be a particularly reliable source. It sounds a bit like ‘man in a pub’ syndrome.My brother; his train was cancelled at Farnham last night and he had to get a lift the rest of the way; he heard it from the person who gave him the lift.
10-20 miles is the sweet spot for a particular market – basically the bike hire/bikes-on-roofrack market. The Camel Trail, Monsal Trail etc. do very nicely from that.It wouldn't make an excellent cycle path. Too long (the sweet spot is maybe 10-20 miles) and massive maintenance costs.
(But it'll never happen.)