What’s your least favourite station in Hampshire to visit?

[yorksrob]

Southampton Central is dire - poorly located in relation to the City Centre and the port and unimpressive in design.

Indeed. It looks to have had a rather splendid station building with a clock tower, up until the mid 1960's when it was flattenned and replaced by the box. It would be a lot better if that was still there (containing a real ale bar).

 

[adamello]

Indeed. It looks to have had a rather splendid station building with a clock tower, up until the mid 1960's when it was flattenned and replaced by the box. It would be a lot better if that was still there (containing a real ale bar).

I think a developer has missed a major opportunity here (albeit very optimistic and expensive)
There are plans to demolish these areas individually and redevelop... (in blue) and the Station area (in red).
They could have probably done a landmark, grand central style redevelopment with some form of high level internal walk through across all sites, which can then drop to platform level at the station.
with road access remaining under the building, this could incorporate a bus station area and better parking facilities.

 

[zwk500]

I think a developer has missed a major opportunity here (albeit very optimistic and expensive)
There are plans to demolish these areas individually and redevelop... (in blue) and the Station area (in red).
They could have probably done a landmark, grand central style redevelopment with some form of high level internal walk through across all sites, which can then drop to platform level at the station.
with road access remaining under the building, this could incorporate a bus station area and better parking facilities.

There exists a long term aspiration for 6 through platforms at Southampton Central, although where they would be I am not exactly sure. So be careful with a massive development that its not accidentally blocking future rail capacity expansion. I agree a walkway across the main road to the south of the station with a nice bus station is a very good idea though, and can probably proceed fairly safely as the road is unlikely to move much for the railway.

 

[fandroid]

I go for Portsmouth Harbour. It's a partially derelict dump, nicely matching the dump on the other side of Spithead - Ryde Pier station. I know the engineering challenges are rather bigger than for most stations, but Portsmouth as a city needs all the help it can get and a complete rebuild to create a seriously modern interchange there for trains, buses and ferries together with eliminating that bafflingly missing direct link into Gunwharf Quays, would give the whole city a lift.

Some of my least faves

Mortimer - could really do with a lick of paint as it’s very tired, I was sitting in the shelter last time there was a blood rain and my suit was RUINED

No wonder the weather was odd, Mortimer is in Berkshire.

Next station down, Bramley, is a special case where, if you're on the wrong side approaching the station and the train is imminent, you'll miss it, because there's no footbridge and the only way across is via the level crossing whose gates have just closed.

It would be a blessing for the whole community (5000+), as well as passengers, to have a public footbridge built at Bramley station.

 

[Dougal2345]

Yes Soton Central isn't the worst station in the world, it does the job, it's not a terribly long walk to the shops although the hill's a bit steep, maybe a funicular could be built

The waiting room on P4 is nice and airy and light, the one on P1 grim and gloomy with the seats clustered round the toilet doors.

In fact, P4 is not too bad on the whole, fairly wide where it needs to be. If they can get rid of that (newish) kiosk that protrudes onto it, that would improve it further though.

P1 seems much narrower, busier, it has that WH Smiths that really blocks the path from the footbridge to the exit. So what should be platform area is a mix of WHS, waiting room, coffee shop, bike racks! And all on the main up platform which gets really packed at times.

If they ever go down the 6-platform route, hopefully they'd demolish all the existing canopies and go for an overall roof...

 

[swt_passenger]

There exists a long term aspiration for 6 through platforms at Southampton Central, although where they would be I am not exactly sure. So be careful with a massive development that its not accidentally blocking future rail capacity expansion. I agree a walkway across the main road to the south of the station with a nice bus station is a very good idea though, and can probably proceed fairly safely as the road is unlikely to move much for the railway.

In the 2015 NR route study, (attached below), it shows 3 islands, effectively a new P1 behind a widened existing P1 expected to remove all up side buildings, and an extension of existing P5 as P6 running right through the site of the down side buildings. I’d expect the new station would be a huge deck over all 6 tracks, something like the Reading “transfer deck”, with a pedestrian route over the A33 towards West Quay etc.

 

[PedroHav]

I go for Portsmouth Harbour. It's a partially derelict dump, nicely matching the dump on the other side of Spithead - Ryde Pier station. I know the engineering challenges are rather bigger than for most stations, but Portsmouth as a city needs all the help it can get and a complete rebuild to create a seriously modern interchange there for trains, buses and ferries together with eliminating that bafflingly missing direct link into Gunwharf Quays, would give the whole city a lift.


No wonder the weather was odd, Mortimer is in Berkshire.

Next station down, Bramley, is a special case where, if you're on the wrong side approaching the station and the train is imminent, you'll miss it, because there's no footbridge and the only way across is via the level crossing whose gates have just closed.

It would be a blessing for the whole community (5000+), as well as passengers, to have a public footbridge built at Bramley station.

I'd agree that Portsmouth harbour station could be put to far better use and modernised. Bring back platform 2, a link into Gunwarf and a better interconnectivity hub with ferries and buses.
Perhaps then trains to London Victoria with Gatwick Airport could start from there, for all those coming from the ferries, rather than Portsmouth and a Southsea

In the 2015 NR route study, (attached below), it shows 3 islands, effectively a new P1 behind a widened existing P1 expected to remove all up side buildings, and an extension of existing P5 as P6 running right through the site of the down side buildings. I’d expect the new station would be a huge deck over all 6 tracks, something like the Reading “transfer deck”, with a pedestrian route over the A33 towards West Quay etc.

Widening the station to 6 platforms and bringing the station into the 21st century is an excellent idea. It is a major interchange and has significant problems accommodating services as it is. Especially those that at present terminate there.

 

[yorksrob]

I think a developer has missed a major opportunity here (albeit very optimistic and expensive)
There are plans to demolish these areas individually and redevelop... (in blue) and the Station area (in red).
They could have probably done a landmark, grand central style redevelopment with some form of high level internal walk through across all sites, which can then drop to platform level at the station.
with road access remaining under the building, this could incorporate a bus station area and better parking facilities.

View attachment 126593

Yes, I would assume loops around the existing outer platforms.

Does central generally get busy enough to justify six platforms ?

 

[zwk500]

Yes, I would assume loops around the existing outer platforms.

Does central generally get busy enough to justify six platforms ?

Pre-Covid, yes it did. There wasn't room to accomodate the proposed uplifts to local services.

 

[yorksrob]

Pre-Covid, yes it did. There wasn't room to accomodate the proposed uplifts to local services.

In that case, fingers crossed it will again.

 

[MikeWM]

Not sure it is my *least* favourite, but I'd agree with the criticisms of Southampton. Cramped, few facilities, and very poor connectivity to the city centre (go out the north side and try to wind your way across very busy road junctions by the city council building, or go out the south side and cut through some car parks and building sites and then through the back of John Lewis - both routes are unappealing and both poorly signed).

As for Portsmouth Harbour, I was there fairly late at night a couple of months back, and it felt utterly deserted. Which was an interesting experience, but I imagine many people wouldn't have felt safe there. Portsmouth & Southsea feels rather run-down too, though I'm not sure I could put my finger on exactly why, and at least it is conveniently located for the city centre.

 

[Dougal2345]

Portsmouth & Southsea feels rather run-down too, though I'm not sure I could put my finger on exactly why, and at least it is conveniently located for the city centre.

For me the worst thing about that is waiting on the high-level platforms, the booming/thudding/screeching/roaring of trains as you teeter on the narrow strip between them.

And the roof and walls always looks filthy and dingy.

Although I like an overall roof as much as anyone, maybe here it would be better if the high-level platforms were opened up to the elements to reduce the noise, fumes and claustrophobia up there, and let in some fresh air and light.

So get rid of the roofs immediately above the tracks, but have a traditional canopy over the platform and (clean) glass sidewalls where the current walls are, to reduce the wind chill.

 

[yorksrob]

I didn't mind Portsmouth Harbour, but it did seem quite busy on a Saturday afternoon. The good coverage of the platforms was certainly welcome as it was a very wet day !

 

[fgwrich]

I go for Portsmouth Harbour. It's a partially derelict dump, nicely matching the dump on the other side of Spithead - Ryde Pier station. I know the engineering challenges are rather bigger than for most stations, but Portsmouth as a city needs all the help it can get and a complete rebuild to create a seriously modern interchange there for trains, buses and ferries together with eliminating that bafflingly missing direct link into Gunwharf Quays, would give the whole city a lift.


No wonder the weather was odd, Mortimer is in Berkshire.

Next station down, Bramley, is a special case where, if you're on the wrong side approaching the station and the train is imminent, you'll miss it, because there's no footbridge and the only way across is via the level crossing whose gates have just closed.

It would be a blessing for the whole community (5000+), as well as passengers, to have a public footbridge built at Bramley station.

With regards to the Gunwharf Quays link, it's always struck me as odd as to why this has never been completed. If you stand at the bottom of the Spinnaker Tower, there seems to be a path to nowhere (well, the service yard) but appears to be styled as an intended through link. Admittedly, any path through to the station would need to have the involvement of Wightlink as it cuts around the Fast Cat terminal, but a link between the Harbour Station and Gunwharf Quays would certainly improve access to both, as well as open up the area.

As for Bramley, they've had the chance over the years to divert the main road northwards around the back of the village and possibly poor in a footbridge at the same time, but, the fields to the north of the station have now been developed and as time goes by, a chance for a bridge gets even less possible - unless you divert southwards into the MOD Land.

 

[themeone]

Traditionally (pre-Gunwharf) Portsmouth Harbour was somewhere you'd only go if you were catching a ferry, as the surrounding area wasn't much of a destination. Portsmouth & Southsea looks quite impressive from the street and of course has an ideal location, but is bleak inside. Both could do with a serious revamp now.

I'm honestly starting to wonder if any stations in Hampshire are that great tbh! Cosham and Swanwick are quite cheery for small stations.

 

[yorksrob]

Traditionally (pre-Gunwharf) Portsmouth Harbour was somewhere you'd only go if you were catching a ferry, as the surrounding area wasn't much of a destination. Portsmouth & Southsea looks quite impressive from the street and of course has an ideal location, but is bleak inside. Both could do with a serious revamp now.

I'm honestly starting to wonder if any stations in Hampshire are that great tbh! Cosham and Swanwick are quite cheery for small stations.

Winchester station was rather nice when I visited there a few years back.

Portsmouth Harbour's due some TLC now, particularly with the Royal docks as a tourist attraction and the new leisure complex. Perhaps some new facilities and a smarten up.

 

[fandroid]

Winchester station was rather nice when I visited there a few years back.

Winchester station looks best from the outside! It's got a rather lovely main station building which when viewed from the approach road, really does enhance the city. It's smaller than you'd expect for the location, but as there's no junction there it does the job it's supposed to. Adding a footbridge with lifts has made it far more accessible than it used to be, although the design is the bog-standard Network Rail one. Like many LSWR stations it's a bit of a way up a hill from the town centre but it's still within easy walking distance

 

[yorksrob]

Winchester station looks best from the outside! It's got a rather lovely main station building which when viewed from the approach road, really does enhance the city. It's smaller than you'd expect for the location, but as there's no junction there it does the job it's supposed to. Adding a footbridge with lifts has made it far more accessible than it used to be, although the design is the bog-standard Network Rail one. Like many LSWR stations it's a bit of a way up a hill from the town centre but it's still within easy walking distance

I like the platform canopies as well. A nice traditional station, but kept up to date.

 

[fandroid]

I'm honestly starting to wonder if any stations in Hampshire are that great tbh! Cosham and Swanwick are quite cheery for small stations.

My own station, Basingstoke, is very much OK. Pleasant main entrance with instant access to buses and the town centre. All platforms accessible by lift. Wide bright subway to the platforms. Buffets in the ticket hall and on all platforms except 1. Good waiting area on the main platforms 2&3 with access to the local control desk for information! Plenty of freight movements for aficionados plus weird and wonderful movements to and from Eastleigh works.

Downside is that it can be rather noisy as it's probably got the most intense diesel traffic on the SWR system, with Salisbury/Exeter trains stopping, plus Crosscountry, GWR shuttles to Reading and those freight trains in and out of Southampton.

 

[yorksrob]

My own station, Basingstoke, is very much OK. Pleasant main entrance with instant access to buses and the town centre. All platforms accessible by lift. Wide bright subway to the platforms. Buffets in the ticket hall and on all platforms except 1. Good waiting area on the main platforms 2&3 with access to the local control desk for information! Plenty of freight movements for aficionados plus weird and wonderful movements to and from Eastleigh works

Yes, only got off there once (not in the biblical sense) but go through there every year on my hols and it always looks good.

 

[WesternBiker]

For me the worst thing about that is waiting on the high-level platforms, the booming/thudding/screeching/roaring of trains as you teeter on the narrow strip between them.

And the roof and walls always looks filthy and dingy.

Although I like an overall roof as much as anyone, maybe here it would be better if the high-level platforms were opened up to the elements to reduce the noise, fumes and claustrophobia up there, and let in some fresh air and light.

So get rid of the roofs immediately above the tracks, but have a traditional canopy over the platform and (clean) glass sidewalls where the current walls are, to reduce the wind chill.

I agree about the current overall roof on the high level station not really working: the material it is made of seems to attract the dirt and it just looks tatty. But it could be replaced by something simpler and cleaner.

 

[The Ham]

I'm honestly starting to wonder if any stations in Hampshire are that great tbh! Cosham and Swanwick are quite cheery for small stations.

With about 50 stations there's quite a few to pick from.

As to what would count a good station (looks, facilities, etc.) being up for debate I suspect that some make both the good and bad list

 

[Goofle]

My personal opinion - the 'worst' station in Hampshire is Portsmouth Harbour. I'm basing this purely on the fact i'm conditioned to associate it with returning to work as I'd get off there! I suppose logically that it's also the best as i boarded trains to go home there too but this fact is overshadowed by the first i fear!
On a more realistic note I think i'm in the minority that likes Millbrook. I agree with all the statements about it being bleak and sandwiched by the dual carriageway and docks but i associate it with standing there watching trains....

 

[yorksrob]

I think the best stations will be those that retain their L&SWR buildings and platform canopies and are reasonably well maintained.

 

[WizCastro197]

I think the best stations will be those that retain their L&SWR buildings and platform canopies and are reasonably well maintained.

Does Basingstoke retain its L&SWR buildings? The frontage looks rather old except for the newer part. I don't seem to have a problem with Basingstoke and I do find it well maintained with helpful staff.

 

[yorksrob]

Does Basingstoke retain its L&SWR buildings? The frontage looks rather old except for the newer part. I don't seem to have a problem with Basingstoke and I do find it well maintained with helpful staff.

I believe it does.

The dagger boards on the canopies are a pleasing survivor.

 

[fandroid]

Does Basingstoke retain its L&SWR buildings? The frontage looks rather old except for the newer part. I don't seem to have a problem with Basingstoke and I do find it well maintained with helpful staff.

I believe that the prominent main building is just about all LSWR. At a guess I'd say it dates from the quadrupling of the mainline in the late 19C when the extra tracks were laid on the town side, necessitating a brand new main ticket office plus a multitude of other offices. The current ticket hall was added in a faux art-deco style in the 21C, replacing a late 20C bolt-on single storey extension. Slightly odd, in that although Southern Railway built art-deco (eg Surbiton station and Woking signal box) they never did at Basingstoke. Buildings on the uphill side of the station are a bit confused because I think they incorporate bits of the old GWR station.

 

[weeklycommuter]

With regards to the Gunwharf Quays link, it's always struck me as odd as to why this has never been completed. If you stand at the bottom of the Spinnaker Tower, there seems to be a path to nowhere (well, the service yard) but appears to be styled as an intended through link. Admittedly, any path through to the station would need to have the involvement of Wightlink as it cuts around the Fast Cat terminal, but a link between the Harbour Station and Gunwharf Quays would certainly improve access to both, as well as open up the area.

I agree there should be an exit South to Gunwharf and Spinnaker Tower from the West side of Portsmouth Harbour Station. Of course this would bypass the totally useless ticket gates which should be removed as they cannot protect revenue. Under the attached Vesting Statement and Demarcation Agreement dated 7 December 1987 Wightlink customers have a legal right to pass through the ticket gates both ways at any time without a ticket as the ticket gates were installed on land shared by Wightlink and the railway, not on land exclusive to the railway. The ticket gates are open for several minutes each time a fastcat arrives to allow all fastcat passengers to exit through Portsmouth Harbour Station. See

SWR install barriers at Portsmouth Harbour despite Wightlink protests

I'm sure there is room at Fratton on both of the old bridge's entrances to install a pair of gates. On P2/3 you could bring barricades to the next set of pillars (which is where the useless validator posts are currently) and have the gates between them. Getting rid of that ticket cabin in the...

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