The future of Barlaston / Norton Bridge / Wedgwood railway stations.

[323235]

I can't see how the private road is an issue as it has been a railway station since 1940 with no issues. Our railway station in Poynton has a private road to access the ticket office side and people park on it all the time - much to the annoyance of the residence.

It didn't seem that private when I last visited as I walked up and there were plenty.

My inclination though is that Barleston always had a much higher chance of being re-opened, even without any knowledge of if Wedgwood is to be re-opened.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Certainly the road is less private now than it used to be-it used to close at night! But The Wedgwood Estate (as in the Pottery firm), who own the land and road, have notices up saying it is a private road, etc. The Rail Replacement Bus can't access the station. The train times are unlikely to suit the factory shifts, so no real custom from there, and the new houses are not, should we say, "affordable housing" Everyone moving in isn't going to be reliant on public transport! For all those reasons, Barlaston is the most likely candidate for reopening.
Barlaston however, is unlikely to see many (any) new properties built, and is unlikely to support a train and bus service, and arguably the bus service is of more use to the locals. Wedgwood has a massive car park, so could be a "park and ride" type station for the local area, including the local conurbations of Blurton, Trentham and Hanford. For all those reasons Wedgwood is the most likely candidate for reopening.
One thing everyone is agreed on though, is that the current system is useless and needs to be resolved one way or another.

 

[DenmarkRail]

Certainly the road is less private now than it used to be-it used to close at night! But The Wedgwood Estate (as in the Pottery firm), who own the land and road, have notices up saying it is a private road, etc. The Rail Replacement Bus can't access the station. The train times are unlikely to suit the factory shifts, so no real custom from there, and the new houses are not, should we say, "affordable housing" Everyone moving in isn't going to be reliant on public transport! For all those reasons, Barlaston is the most likely candidate for reopening.
Barlaston however, is unlikely to see many (any) new properties built, and is unlikely to support a train and bus service, and arguably the bus service is of more use to the locals. Wedgwood has a massive car park, so could be a "park and ride" type station for the local area, including the local conurbations of Blurton, Trentham and Hanford. For all those reasons Wedgwood is the most likely candidate for reopening.
One thing everyone is agreed on though, is that the current system is useless and needs to be resolved one way or another.

To be fair, the bus to Stafford is only hourly, and assuming the train is hourly, it would be a huge service upgrade for residents.

 

[Deafdoggie]

To be fair, the bus to Stafford is only hourly, and assuming the train is hourly, it would be a huge service upgrade for residents.

Ah! But you forget the bus driver takes no cash in Barlaston as they have free bus travel, as they are over 60! the train therefore is more expensive, doesn't pass Trentham Estate (Most Barlaston residents have an annual pass), nor goes to Hanley (Stoke City Centre) It is therefore not as attractive proposition to them. Of course, this doesn't apply to everyone, but certainly most.

On bus usage alone, Barlaston is the winner for passenger numbers, very few people board or alight at Wedgwood. In terms of fares paid (not free travel passes) Wedgwood wins though. No one has travelled Wedgwood-Barlaston in either direction.

 

[DenmarkRail]

Ah! But you forget the bus driver takes no cash in Barlaston as they have free bus travel, as they are over 60! the train therefore is more expensive, doesn't pass Trentham Estate (Most Barlaston residents have an annual pass), nor goes to Hanley (Stoke City Centre) It is therefore not as attractive proposition to them. Of course, this doesn't apply to everyone, but certainly most.

On bus usage alone, Barlaston is the winner for passenger numbers, very few people board or alight at Wedgwood. In terms of fares paid (not free travel passes) Wedgwood wins though. No one has travelled Wedgwood-Barlaston in either direction.

While I don't want to get into an argument about free bus rides for elderly people, I feel that sooner or later D&G will realise that these services make no money, and pull out once the funding is gone (which I think, its heading that way).

Seriously, this service wouldn't make a huge difference for me (I live in Eccleshall, so before the bridge went, I walked to Norton Bridge) but I can see the genuine use for it. There have been times where I have got the train to Stone from Stafford, and then got a lift from Stone, simply because its easier.... I think a fair few people would ditch their cars to commute. But the moment has gone for Norton Bridge sadly... I'll fight for Barlaston instead.

 

[Deafdoggie]

While I don't want to get into an argument about free bus rides for elderly people, I feel that sooner or later D&G will realise that these services make no money, and pull out once the funding is gone (which I think, its heading that way).

Seriously, this service wouldn't make a huge difference for me (I live in Eccleshall, so before the bridge went, I walked to Norton Bridge) but I can see the genuine use for it. There have been times where I have got the train to Stone from Stafford, and then got a lift from Stone, simply because its easier.... I think a fair few people would ditch their cars to commute. But the moment has gone for Norton Bridge sadly... I'll fight for Barlaston instead.

Without a doubt the bus service will change if (when?) the rail subsidy is removed, but I guess there will be some form of bus service for Barlaston. One of Barlaston or Wedgwood will close (lets be honest we don't need both) it is just which? My money would be on Wedgwood being closed, particularly as they have just spent money on Barlaston. But isn't there an old signalman's joke "You know when they are going to close your box-they come and paint it!"?

 

[DenmarkRail]

Without a doubt the bus service will change if (when?) the rail subsidy is removed, but I guess there will be some form of bus service for Barlaston. One of Barlaston or Wedgwood will close (lets be honest we don't need both) it is just which? My money would be on Wedgwood being closed, particularly as they have just spent money on Barlaston. But isn't there an old signalman's joke "You know when they are going to close your box-they come and paint it!"?

While I know health and safety is out of control in England (hence why this can't happen) I would love for someone to actually buy the platform at Wedgwood or Barlaston (whichever closes) and turn it into a garden station, where people can just sit and watch the trains go by, even though none stop. I always wanted it with Norton Bridge, but it was the health and safety card which prevented it.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Norton Bridge closed because you can't get to the platform, following removal of the bridge. But an interesting thought...Would it still be open if the bridge had survived? Both Wedgwood and Barlaston had to have the platforms fenced off due to the number of people jumping in front of trains. There is a camera on the end of Wedgwood platform pointing across the tracks so they can see anyone contemplating suicide in advance now. Is this Health and Safety? Or just a reaction to the actual problem? Certainly the fatality level has dropped.

 

[pdeaves]

I would love for someone to actually buy the platform at Wedgwood or Barlaston (whichever closes) and turn it into a garden station, where people can just sit and watch the trains go by

That should be possible (probably with a fence). Errol, near Perth, is an example where this already happens.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Norton Bridge closed because you can't get to the platform, following removal of the bridge.

No, it closed because the slow lines have been moved a mile and a half to the west and no longer pass the platform. If it was useful the bridge would have been replaced.

 

[DenmarkRail]

No, it closed because the slow lines have been moved a mile and a half to the west and no longer pass the platform. If it was useful the bridge would have been replaced.

A) The stations operations were suspended in 2004, long before the slow line was moved.
B) The station was useful, as most stations are, just the services given were dismal leading to a lack of use.

 

[Deafdoggie]

No, it closed because the slow lines have been moved a mile and a half to the west and no longer pass the platform. If it was useful the bridge would have been replaced.

The platforms are very much still there. It is the bridge that’s gone. The bridge went first, very many years before the slow lines moved. Of course the station was useful to those that used it, but Norton Bridge has never really been more than a hamlet & you do have to ask why it was ever built!

 

[Bletchleyite]

A) The stations operations were suspended in 2004, long before the slow line was moved.
B) The station was useful, as most stations are, just the services given were dismal leading to a lack of use.

It was suspended allegedly temporarily to free up paths for the VHF timetable by cancelling the local services which would have served it before. AIUI the footbridge was dangerous and so was removed, but could have been reinstated if necessary - there are enough stations on the WCML with brand new footbridges, even Cheddington which must be the least-used station south of MKC by some margin.

However, once the slow lines were moved there was no chance of serving it as you aren't going to stop on the fasts for it. A new station could have been opened 1.5 miles to the west of the village, but nobody would ever use it so it would be a waste of money. It would be cheaper to give anyone living within walking distance of it a free taxi on demand to Stafford for life.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Services ceased May 2004. Bridge removed Dec 2004 to “improve freight clearance” The resiteing of the slow lines didn’t really impact on the bridge. Only subsequently on closure.
Polesworth had their bridge removed in 2005, due to safety concerns. Around half the number of passengers currently use Polesworth as used Norton Bridge when trains stopped running there. Roughly the same number as used Etruria when that shut in 2005. Again, Etrurias problem being it was an island platform sat on the fast lines, although it did have access!

 

[DenmarkRail]

It was suspended allegedly temporarily to free up paths for the VHF timetable by cancelling the local services which would have served it before. AIUI the footbridge was dangerous and so was removed, but could have been reinstated if necessary - there are enough stations on the WCML with brand new footbridges, even Cheddington which must be the least-used station south of MKC by some margin.

However, once the slow lines were moved there was no chance of serving it as you aren't going to stop on the fasts for it. A new station could have been opened 1.5 miles to the west of the village, but nobody would ever use it so it would be a waste of money. It would be cheaper to give anyone living within walking distance of it a free taxi on demand to Stafford for life.

I have an upcoming piece on my website, about how essentially network rail allowed these stations to fail, rather than investing in them, to let them flourish.... It’s in much more detail than this, and it’s more of an opinion piece, but it essentially draws out about how all of these stations had such bad services, people lost faith in the service. It’s exactly the same at Polesworth... the reason more people don’t use it, is because a single service isn’t sustainable.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I have an upcoming piece on my website, about how essentially network rail allowed these stations to fail, rather than investing in them, to let them flourish.... It’s in much more detail than this, and it’s more of an opinion piece, but it essentially draws out about how all of these stations had such bad services, people lost faith in the service. It’s exactly the same at Polesworth... the reason more people don’t use it, is because a single service isn’t sustainable.

I think that's true of Polesworth and I do think that needs it properly reinstating (though I admit most of the demand is for Brum rather than the Trent Valley WCML), but not of Norton Bridge, it's got about as much traffic potential as Bescar Lane or something, there really is nothing there and there's no point keeping it as a Parkway as there are plenty of more convenient places to drive to with a better service.

I'm no fan of closing stations per-se, but this one really did have very little raison d'etre compared with the benefits of getting rid.

 

[DenmarkRail]

I think that's true of Polesworth and I do think that needs it properly reinstating (though I admit most of the demand is for Brum rather than the Trent Valley WCML), but not of Norton Bridge, it's got about as much traffic potential as Bescar Lane or something, there really is nothing there and there's no point keeping it as a Parkway as there are plenty of more convenient places to drive to with a better service.

I'm no fan of closing stations per-se, but this one really did have very little raison d'etre compared with the benefits of getting rid.

I'm not disrespecting your opinion in anyway, I think your clearly a really clued up person in this respect, but a lot of people for Norton Bridge walked from Eccleshall... When you look at it, from someone who has never been, it seems really impractical, I know, but in practice it worked.

Anyway, I don't want to debate a dead station... Its gone forever, and I accept that. I'd rather discuss Wedgewood, and Barlaston, which could really see some nice investment, even if they aren't reopened.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm not disrespecting your opinion in anyway, I think your clearly a really clued up person in this respect, but a lot of people for Norton Bridge walked from Eccleshall... When you look at it, from someone who has never been, it seems really impractical, I know, but in practice it worked.

I'm genuinely surprised at that, it's about 4km away along country lanes. You might think they'd cycle but I'm genuinely surprised anyone would walk.

Anyway, I don't want to debate a dead station... Its gone forever, and I accept that. I'd rather discuss Wedgewood, and Barlaston, which could really see some nice investment, even if they aren't reopened.

I do support the reopening of one of those, probably Barlaston.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

I feel that sooner or later D&G will realise that these services make no money, and pull out once the funding is gone (which I think, its heading that way).

Once the funding has gone I really am expecting to see Norton Bridge be treated to a single shopper bus that'll run to Stoke on Trent and back one day a week.

As for Barlaston and Wedgwood, could an access path be built so that those working at the factory at Wedgwood could walk it to and from Barlaston.

 

[DenmarkRail]

I'm genuinely surprised at that, it's about 4km away along country lanes. You might think they'd cycle but I'm genuinely surprised anyone would walk.

Aha yeah, whenever you mention it to anyone, they are surprised! It is one of those walks that seems a long way on paper, but once your in the groove, it is fine... I still try to do it whenever I can, but with the new roads (for the new slow line) it is admittedly harder.

Reopening one of those stations would be nice, but I am certainly going to write to try to get the platforms at the other unopened one fenced, so the station platforms can be used... It would be quite nice.

 

[Bungle965]

I always what happens if you presented the driver on one of the funded replacement buses with a ticket to Norton Bridge. I believe it was a member of the Branch Line Society (whoever else!) who did actually attempt it. The bus driver had no knowledge of ticket acceptance and had to be persuaded into accepting the ticket. I would say that I am surprised but in reality it does not come as a surprise.
Sam

 

[Deafdoggie]

I always what happens if you presented the driver on one of the funded replacement buses with a ticket to Norton Bridge. I believe it was a member of the Branch Line Society (whoever else!) who did actually attempt it. The bus driver had no knowledge of ticket acceptance and had to be persuaded into accepting the ticket. I would say that I am surprised but in reality it does not come as a surprise.
Sam

I’m genuinely surprised at this. It is in the bus timetable that rail tickets accepted, it is on drivers running boards, it is on notices, it is a well accepted practice on all those routes. Or at least was. Norton Bridge, of course, is closed now. The bus is funded as...well, a bus. Not a RRB anymore. Wedgwood (only one E!) and Barlaston still have RRB funding.

Reopening one of those stations would be nice, but I am certainly going to write to try to get the platforms at the other unopened one fenced, so the station platforms can be used... It would be quite nice.

Wedgwood platforms are wooden and in a poor state. I can’t see there being a budget to do them up. I suspect they’ll be quietly left to rot.

Once the funding has gone I really am expecting to see Norton Bridge be treated to a single shopper bus that'll run to Stoke on Trent and back one day a week.

As for Barlaston and Wedgwood, could an access path be built so that those working at the factory at Wedgwood could walk it to and from Barlaston.

Demand for Norton Bridge is, should we say, minimal! I suspect the bus will go to Stafford though rather than Stoke.

There’s a canal path between Wedgwood & Barlaston and a road. I can’t see trains calling at Barlaston to suit shift times (6-2, 2-10, 7 days a week) at the factory, so demand will be minimal.

 

[The Planner]

Trains would stop on a standard hourly pattern as you would be adding it to an existing service. Considering the trains start and stop after 6 and before 10 then, no, it won't suit the factory.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As for Barlaston and Wedgwood, could an access path be built so that those working at the factory at Wedgwood could walk it to and from Barlaston.

There pretty much is one, the canal towpath.

 

[Esker-pades]

On Polesworth, it gets one train a day but is used by ~1,200 people per annum. That's about 4 people per train, which is pretty good.

 

[furnessvale]

On Polesworth, it gets one train a day but is used by ~1,200 people per annum. That's about 4 people per train, which is pretty good.

Considering there isn't a corresponding return service that is surprisingly good!

 

[Deafdoggie]

There's an LNWR staff member who uses it daily! He refuses his free travel to boost the numbers

 

[infobleep]

The platforms are very much still there. It is the bridge that’s gone. The bridge went first, very many years before the slow lines moved. Of course the station was useful to those that used it, but Norton Bridge has never really been more than a hamlet & you do have to ask why it was ever built!

That begs the question, why didn't it close under Beeching or even earlier?

 

[furnessvale]

There's an LNWR staff member who uses it daily! He refuses his free travel to boost the numbers

You had me going for a minute. I thought "he must be some age".

 

[Deafdoggie]

That begs the question, why didn't it close under Beeching or even earlier?

It wouldn’t have really saved any money. The line still open, the trains still running. It did loose the non-island platforms. Believe it or not, it was much larger!