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Future for Stoke-Stafford stations

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MidnightFlyer

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As most of you are aware, Barlaston, Wedgwood and Norton Bridge stations are still open despite not seeing a stopping passenger train for nearly a decade, served instead by rail replacement buses. Whilst I can't envisage there being much change in the immediate future, does anyone know what is likely to happen in the long run? I can't imagine Norton Bridge will ever 'reopen', indeed I think the remodelling there (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/11026.aspx) will spell its end, however I'm wondering if as part of the improvements, the Manchester-Stoke local could be extended to Birmingham, serving the two stations (and Stone, which from what I can gather is a real success story). I'm aware pathing may be an issue for this, however even if it had to take on the role of a stopper between Wolverhampton and New St, I think it would be a great development. Failing that, even an extension to Stafford would be welcome, though then there's the issue of where it could be platformed there. It's so sad to see that in a time of record number and rail revival, stations have been left to rot by this.

I'm not sure if it my plans could be justified, but what does everyone else think (or hope) the future holds for Stoke-Stafford locals?

Cheers
 
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VTPreston_Tez

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I agree with your proposal at least to Stafford. Pathing is a massive problem however as you stated, and Platform 1 will be rendered nearly useless at Stoke. It may be worth a Liverpool-Stafford stopper operated by LM or even extending that across Birmingham but that's just my two cents.
 

323235

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I would like to see at the very least Barleston served by some sort of regular rail services, although not so long ago I read from some sort of parish newsletter published for that area that the local people campaigning for reintroduction of services were actually worried about the extra time that motorists would have to wait at the barriers for such a service to call at the station which seemed a somewhat self defeating and bizarre argument.
 

DownSouth

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How is the passenger volume on the current buses? Is it enough to justify taking up heavy rail paths?

Is there space in the existing rail corridor for a light rail line, or on local roads for on-street running instead?
 

6Gman

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How is the passenger volume on the current buses? Is it enough to justify taking up heavy rail paths?

Is there space in the existing rail corridor for a light rail line, or on local roads for on-street running instead?

Low
No
No
No

:)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
As most of you are aware, Barlaston, Wedgwood and Norton Bridge stations are still open despite not seeing a stopping passenger train for nearly a decade, served instead by rail replacement buses. Whilst I can't envisage there being much change in the immediate future, does anyone know what is likely to happen in the long run? I can't imagine Norton Bridge will ever 'reopen', indeed I think the remodelling there (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/11026.aspx) will spell its end, however I'm wondering if as part of the improvements, the Manchester-Stoke local could be extended to Birmingham, serving the two stations (and Stone, which from what I can gather is a real success story). I'm aware pathing may be an issue for this, however even if it had to take on the role of a stopper between Wolverhampton and New St, I think it would be a great development. Failing that, even an extension to Stafford would be welcome, though then there's the issue of where it could be platformed there. It's so sad to see that in a time of record number and rail revival, stations have been left to rot by this.

I'm not sure if it my plans could be justified, but what does everyone else think (or hope) the future holds for Stoke-Stafford locals?

Cheers

Given the use of the line (2 Euston - M/cr Pendolino ph; 2 Bhm - Mcr Voyager ph; 1 Etn - Crewe Desiro ph) track capacity is probably an issue.

Norton Bridge & Wedgwood are located nowhere in particular. Barlaston is a decent-sized village - perhaps the Desiro could call there?
 

MidnightFlyer

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Given the use of the line (2 Euston - M/cr Pendolino ph; 2 Bhm - Mcr Voyager ph; 1 Etn - Crewe Desiro ph) track capacity is probably an issue.

Norton Bridge & Wedgwood are located nowhere in particular. Barlaston is a decent-sized village - perhaps the Desiro could call there?

That did cross my mind, however I'm sure it has been proposed in the past (recently I should add) to divert the LM Crewe-Euston service via the WCML and not Stoke, and also divert 1 XC service an hour (the Bournemouth services I think) via Crewe as well, which would remove one (potentially two, or indeed no) paths.
 

Eagle

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That did cross my mind, however I'm sure it has been proposed in the past (recently I should add)...

It was proposed by LM, who I believe were told "we'll sort all this out nearer the WCML recast". They also wanted to extend the London–Crewe to Liverpool and divert one Birmingham–Liverpool to Preston.
 

Crossover

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I have made comments about this before. I think pathing would be an issue now for most of the stations and to be honest, Barlaston and Wedgewood seem to be in the middle of nowhere now.

Each of them are next to an LC which could be a problem and are so close together (about 45 chains between them IIRC) that only one would really be necessary I'd have thought.

As for an extension to Stafford of the Northern service, it could probably use platform 6 as, off the slows, it would only have to cross the platform 5 line so wouldn't knacker up the station too much (unlike the Rugeley service it used to have which had to cross the whole southern station approach in each direction)
 

gary47

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They ought to reopen platform 2 at Stafford and bring the Cannock chase service back.
 

Crossover

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No paths between Rugeley TV and Stafford I believe, certainly not to cross both Up lines at Stafford.

I think the assumption is that platform 2 is the small platform where the Thunderbird often used to be.

Hiowever, I have been led to believe platform 2 was actually at the North end of the station (where the non multi-storey car park is) which isn't much use for Chase Line services
 

neilmc

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The answer is surely that if a TOC wishes to operate a stopping service between two given points they should be made to provide a given level of weekday service at EVERY station on the line, I would suggest a minimum of five trains per day (morning peak, mid-morning, mid-afternnon, evening peak and late evening) although easements could be made for the Far North line and similar. This would stop closures by stealth.
 

Mutant Lemming

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It would be nice for me to have the convenience of being able to catch a train to Norton Bridge to visit the quirky village pub but not really economically viable. At one time Norton Bridge was considered a railhead station for nearby Eccleshall but it is not a great deal further to catch a bus to Stafford or to drive in to Stone for a greater choice of trains and direct destinations. With Wedgwood it is handy for the factory and visitor centre but most people visit by car and those buying expensive chinaware products are hardly likely to want to make a more arduous and potentially breakage frought route to take them home. I even doubt the usage for Barlaston would warrant more than a few peak hour callings. Sometimes there are stations that don't really justify a service and the expenditure involved in upgrading and operating them.
 

Tiny Tim

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Devizes, Wiltshire.
In what sense are these stations 'open'? Are they in use by bus passengers? I presume no staffing, but are the buildings being maintained? It seems like an expensive bus stop if so.
 

6Gman

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It would be nice for me to have the convenience of being able to catch a train to Norton Bridge to visit the quirky village pub but not really economically viable. At one time Norton Bridge was considered a railhead station for nearby Eccleshall but it is not a great deal further to catch a bus to Stafford or to drive in to Stone for a greater choice of trains and direct destinations. With Wedgwood it is handy for the factory and visitor centre but most people visit by car and those buying expensive chinaware products are hardly likely to want to make a more arduous and potentially breakage frought route to take them home. I even doubt the usage for Barlaston would warrant more than a few peak hour callings. Sometimes there are stations that don't really justify a service and the expenditure involved in upgrading and operating them.

I refer the hon gentleman to my new thread "Stations which should close".
 

MidnightFlyer

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The stations are inaccessible to the public. Nothing remains at Wedgwood; Norton Bridge's overbridge has gone, and the waiting room on the isolated platform boarded up. Barlaston's shelter has been filled in, though the large station building still stands, on the platform, and looks in quite good nick.
 
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