People's least favourite stations

[nathanclass323]

I noticed (and replied to) the thread called 'Favourite Stations' and there were quite a few replies back. I was wondering which stations in the UK (or abroad) people don't like.

To get started, I really can't stand Wakefield Kirkgate despite the once amazing looking architecture.

 

[bicbasher]

Queens Road Peckham. A long walk up dingy stairs to the ticket office and island platform, although this station is undergoing modifications.

Sydenham Hill. It has the feel of being remote despite being near Crystal Palace and Dulwich in south London. Main access to bus routes is via a walk along a steep path which I wouldn't suggest using at night.

 

[dvboy]

Dudley Port.

 

[Nym]

Euston LUL...

Badly layed out and woefully under capacity...

 

[Whistler40145]

Blackpool North. Although I always stand up for my hometown, I don't find the station very appealing.

 

[Lampshade]

1. Green Lane
2. Burnley Manchester Road
3. Wigan North Western
4. Crewe
5. Every other Merseyrail/City Line station because of the HIDEOUS yellow.

 

[SussexSpotter]

1) Newhaven Marine...... (ghost trains only , eerie atmosphere, very run down)
2) Southease (eerie atmosphere, unstaffed and very baron)
3) Moulscoombe (...bit of a dump)
4) Hampden Park (...bit of a dump)
5) Aldrington (...bit of a dump)

 

[gnolife]

4 & 5) Perth and Stirling. These two are on my list for the same reason, because of an incident a bit over a year ago which had me being threatened with an enforced visit to one of these stations instead of my intended alighting point from that service at King's Cross, which would have left me stranded quite a few miles from my hometown. I'm not going to go into any more detail here.
3) Entwistle. Aside from being a remarkably uninteresting station, due to it being a request stop served by units with no gangway connection, I have had a number of incidents of missing this station by jumping in the first available door at MCV, which, unfortunately for me, tends to be into a 153 which is coupled to a 150/1.
2) Belvedere. London Challenge 2013. Enough said really.
1) Lostock Gralam. This station in rural Cheshire had the a bus bench as facilities the last time I used it (about 3 years ago now). Unfortunately for me, the last train out towards Manchester had been cancelled, and because of the lack of information system, I didn't know that the train was cancelled, and also didn't know if there was any replacement transport, and so had to spend a lovely chilly night in mid-January freezing my backside off because I had no alternate means of getting home. This incident was made worse by the guard on the first train out the next morning attempting to charge me for a SDS from Lostock Gralam to Navi Road (my intended destination) because I had not taken the replacement bus from Lostock Gralam that I hadn't been told about.

 

[Pride Of Crewe]

Pontypool Road

 

[wimbledonpete]

Clapham Junction - spent far too many years changing trains there. Horrible mishmash of buildings, dingy, narrow subway that gets choked up and used to leak something chronic (not great in the days of toilets that flushed straight on to the track) and in winter a constant perishing wind. Not to mention some short platforms that can't take full length trains and cause an operational bottleneck.

Now, however, my office has moved so I don't need to change there any more and my life has become a hoot and a half.

 

[mister-sparky]

Clapham Junction - spent far too many years changing trains there. Horrible mishmash of buildings, dingy, narrow subway that gets choked up and used to leak something chronic (not great in the days of toilets that flushed straight on to the track) and in winter a constant perishing wind. Not to mention some short platforms that can't take full length trains and cause an operational bottleneck.

Now, however, my office has moved so I don't need to change there any more and my life has become a hoot and a half.

Well if you did you'd have a brand new, spacious overbridge to choose from instead. The station has had alot of money spent on it in the last few years with more money to come, and it's looking great now.

 

[12CSVT]

St Pancras International. Probably the most impractical transport interchange you could imagine. Takes ages to get from one part of the station to another, ie EMT platforms / FCC platforms to Underground, or EMT platforms to FCC platforms.

It is clearly obvious that the whims of shoppers were a higher priority than the basic needs of rail travellers when the station was designed.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

In response to the OP, I expected to see 'Wakey Kakey' get mentioned pretty quickly. I haven't been there for ages but might have chance to check out the 'improvements' on the pacer bash next week. That said, in enthusiast circles I've heard cautious praise in general over the last 6 months or so...

Personally I'm not a fan of Leeds. Obviously the rebuild improved it and was much needed, but it's disappointing to see the effects of over a decade of diesel fumes on the once-beautiful new roof! Maybe it deserves a clean just as the TP-wires go up...

The inability of a significant minority my fellow Northerners to grasp how ticket barriers work is also a pain in the 'trailing unit'!

 

[causton]

Well if you did you'd have a brand new, spacious overbridge to choose from instead. The station has had alot of money spent on it in the last few years with more money to come, and it's looking great now.

I wouldn't exactly say looking great - the bridge and underpass are still jam-packed with people, especially with the Overground expanding in that corner of London! The variety of shops opening on the bridge has reduced the room for movement and it's still not that easy to get around - plus there are still works going on, the platforms are still (slightly-dangerously) curved and some are way too narrow...

...it's a start though!

 

[EM2]

St Pancras International. Probably the most impractical transport interchange you could imagine. Takes ages to get from one part of the station to another, ie EMT platforms / FCC platforms to Underground, or EMT platforms to FCC platforms.

It is clearly obvious that the whims of shoppers were a higher priority than the basic needs of rail travellers when the station was designed.

So how would you change it?

 

[TheJRB]

Both Folkestone West and Folkestone Central spring to mind for me. Having spent a while on each of these, I really see nothing to like about either.

I have become slightly disillusioned with Colchester after being expected to make a three minute connection (slightly less due to the delay of the southbound Norwich train) from the very far end of platform 3 and platform 4. My grandfather and I had just enough time to wave to the driver!

I'm not terribly fond of Euston either. It seems like everybody walks wherever they want without a moment of consideration for anybody else. Plus the inevitable stampedes when platform numbers are first announced. I've almost been shoved past by people even though they're not going to get through the ticket check any fast than anybody else!

 

[wimbledonpete]

I wouldn't exactly say looking great - the bridge and underpass are still jam-packed with people, especially with the Overground expanding in that corner of London! The variety of shops opening on the bridge has reduced the room for movement and it's still not that easy to get around - plus there are still works going on, the platforms are still (slightly-dangerously) curved and some are way too narrow...

...it's a start though!

I agree it's had lots of money spent on it but I'm not sure it's been spent in the best way - new canopies that don't cover the width of the platform and have huge gaps in them, for example. But the new staircases are impressive and do help with flow.

Ultimately it's all tinkering with a site that's not really fit for purpose - in an ideal world with unlimited money the whole thing needs starting again.

I would say, however, that there are some great staff there - must be a massive challenge working in such a busy place.

 

[crispy1978]

Definitely Wakefield Kirkgate. Just looks horrendous.

Burnley Manchester Road isn't brilliant either.

Warrington Central looked run down last time I was there too (2/3 years ago)

 

[Andrewlong]

I agree it's had lots of money spent on it but I'm not sure it's been spent in the best way - new canopies that don't cover the width of the platform and have huge gaps in them, for example. But the new staircases are impressive and do help with flow.

Ultimately it's all tinkering with a site that's not really fit for purpose - in an ideal world with unlimited money the whole thing needs starting again.

I would say, however, that there are some great staff there - must be a massive challenge working in such a busy place.

It's a pain the distances you have to walk to get from say platform 5 to 14 plus it's really crowded. But when you travel at rush hour what do you expect ? I would like to see more toilets and ticket machines or at least somewhere where there is an enquiries stand and you can buy them.

 

[moogal]

So how would you change it?

For a start:

• An entrance to the Underground somewhere actually near the platforms
• A ticket office somewhere actually near the platforms
• More ticket machines
• Sort out the escalator configuration so you don't have to double back halfway along the station to get to platform level from the ticket office

 

[Andrewlong]

1) East Croydon - I hate those awful long long ramps and that despite being told not to run, people still run down them when their train is coming in. Plus it takes an eternity to change platforms. Up the ramp, along the top and down the next ramp. Grrrrrrh!
2) Leamington Spa - there is nothing to do there between trains. It's not even near the shopping centre. Soooooo boring.
3) Birmingham New Street - soulless place. I know it's changing but when you are on a platform it's depressing. Contrast with Moor Street.
4) Wokingham - it's a building site and yes there there will be a new station. But it's a long walk from the car park, the current station is a portacabin since removing the footbridge to replace with a lift - you have to walk further to use other bridge. Plus it costs £6.50 to park your car all day whereas at Winnersh Triangle it's £2.00
5) Winnersh Triangle - built in the mid 1980's when the disabled and those who couldn't climb steps were ignored. Don't go there if in a wheelchair. Truly appalling.

 

[Whistler40145]

Manchester Oxford Road, Stafford, Birmingham International, Tamworth Low Level & Coventry.

Along with Wigan North Western, they all have that same look of the late 1960s to early 1970s.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Port Talbot

 

[12CSVT]

For a start:

• An entrance to the Underground somewhere actually near the platforms
• A ticket office somewhere actually near the platforms
• More ticket machines
• Sort out the escalator configuration so you don't have to double back halfway along the station to get to platform level from the ticket office

Some more I could add
1) There should have been far more escalators to/from the EMT platforms (two isn't enough during the peaks, or even off-peak when two trains arrive within a few minutes of each other).
2) The lifts from the FCC platforms to concourse level should have been extended upwards to EMT platform level for the benefit of those transferring between those sets of platforms).
3) Other than the likes of WH Smith's and some of the food retailers there is no real need for many of the shops to be there. Had the long passagway between the FCC platforms and Underground Circle Line / Metropolitan Line entrance been clear of shops, there would have been space for a travelator link. In addition, you wouldn't have to contend with hordes of shoppers wandering aimlessly when trying to get from one part of the station to another.

 

[CC 72100]

Going to be controversial here, and admit that I'm not a big fan of Bristol Temple Meads.

I find that the platforms (particularly under the main arch) are cold and draughty, the subway underneath can get very warm, feels quite cramped, and can be difficult to use if you're going against the flow. I'm also not very keen on how close the barriers are to the platform, and that can create a real bottleneck.

As I said, this may be a strange choice, but I'm yet to experience some of the delights in the North west mentioned already on this thread.

 

[harry42]

Alfreton

 

[route:oxford]

St Pancras International. Probably the most impractical transport interchange you could imagine. Takes ages to get from one part of the station to another, ie EMT platforms / FCC platforms to Underground, or EMT platforms to FCC platforms.

It is clearly obvious that the whims of shoppers were a higher priority than the basic needs of rail travellers when the station was designed.

Since when did the "basic needs" of a traveller at an international transport hub not include a broad range of shopping options?

It's great! Free and plentiful lavatories, loads of places to eat, buy items for travelling, books, magazines. The essential M&S...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

4 & 5) Perth and Stirling. These two are on my list for the same reason, because of an incident a bit over a year ago which had me being threatened with an enforced visit to one of these stations instead of my intended alighting point from that service at King's Cross, which would have left me stranded quite a few miles from my hometown. I'm not going to go into any more detail here.

Are you really judging a station because you were "threatened" with being thrown off the train there?

1) Lostock Gralam. This station in rural Cheshire had the a bus bench as facilities the last time I used it (about 3 years ago now). Unfortunately for me, the last train out towards Manchester had been cancelled, and because of the lack of information system, I didn't know that the train was cancelled, and also didn't know if there was any replacement transport, and so had to spend a lovely chilly night in mid-January freezing my backside off because I had no alternate means of getting home. This incident was made worse by the guard on the first train out the next morning attempting to charge me for a SDS from Lostock Gralam to Navi Road (my intended destination) because I had not taken the replacement bus from Lostock Gralam that I hadn't been told about.

Again, judging a station based on a linked incident.

I'd recommend buying a mobile phone to protect yourself from it happening again.

 

[12CSVT]

Since when did the "basic needs" of a traveller at an international transport hub not include a broad range of shopping options?

It's great! Free and plentiful lavatories, loads of places to eat, buy items for travelling, books, magazines. The essential M&S...
.

So the convenience of holiday makers making pleasure trips is more important than the needs of commuters who need to get from A to B as quickly and stress free as possible ?

Anyway, there are ample shopping facilities down the West End (not exactly a million miles from St Pancras) where the tourists can dawdle and wander aimlessly without holding up thousands of daily commuters.

 

[nathanclass323]

In response to the OP, I expected to see 'Wakey Kakey' get mentioned pretty quickly. I haven't been there for ages but might have chance to check out the 'improvements' on the pacer bash next week. That said, in enthusiast circles I've heard cautious praise in general over the last 6 months or so...

Personally I'm not a fan of Leeds. Obviously the rebuild improved it and was much needed, but it's disappointing to see the effects of over a decade of diesel fumes on the once-beautiful new roof! Maybe it deserves a clean just as the TP-wires go up...

The inability of a significant minority my fellow Northerners to grasp how ticket barriers work is also a pain in the 'trailing unit'!

Glad to say I've only ever had the horror of using Kirkgate a few times! I quite like Leeds if I'm honest.

I don't particularly like Duffield station much due to it being an island platform and the steps are incredibly steep. Luckily there's a bus from Derby to Duffield every 15 minutes.

 

[route:oxford]

So the convenience of holiday makers making pleasure trips is more important than the needs of commuters who need to get from A to B as quickly and stress free as possible ?

Clearly you aren't aware of this, but quite a few Eurostar journeys are business trips rather than "holiday making". There's more than a few people commute on the Eurostar too.

Anyway, there are ample shopping facilities down the West End (not exactly a million miles from St Pancras) where the tourists can dawdle and wander aimlessly without holding up thousands of daily commuters.

Yes, the "tourists" can "dawdle" and "aimlessly" get on the tube to the West End in the 90 minutes they've astutely allowed themselves in case of connection issues.

Maybe take their luggage with them as well.

That would be popular in the peak...