Acton Bridge: A Station with Local Strange Neighbours

HST125Scorton · 26 Jun 2019

I'm not 100% sure if this is in the correct area so I do apologise if it is.

Recently [Mon 24th June] I went out to Acton Bridge to photo and note various freight workings lineside near Chapel Lane/Old Lane, although the day went rather down hill to lack of working but also a Bridge Strike somewhere near Runcorn also didn't help. Anyway I decided to head off to the station so I could take a seat etc, I was on the station no more than 5-10mins and these two people out of nowhere started 'shouting & swearing' at me for been very loud and talking loudly - [I was on the station and was only me on the station.] I asked her I just arrived here and just watching the trains pass though, she went on to say 'I shouldn't be on the station, its only for the public/commuters to use not for rail spotters'. I instead arguing with her but his guy instead was after some sort of fight and told me to go off the station. Anyway after I read some notes from the railway bylaw they went off. I picked up during her rant that she said she films/photos people from her house at the station.. I'm sure that is illegal to do? and also when I mentioned why didn't you come out when there was at leat 20-22 of use during May and told us, she had no answer. And finally I asked her when the Slow Line was been replaced during late May Bank Holiday did you complain about the noise over three days and she went, she wasn't bothered. Apparently London North Western are quite fed up of 'these two people' and that there taking some sort of action because shes claiming to be removing spotters off the station.

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johnnychips · 26 Jun 2019

They sound most unpleasant and intimidating but I don’t think it’s illegal to photograph you from their house as you are in a public place. Waving a camera in your face and making threats is a different matter.

yorkie · 26 Jun 2019

She has no power to remove anyone from the station. Just ignore her.

HST125Scorton said:
... she said she films/photos people from her house at the station.. I'm sure that is illegal to do?..

I'm not sure why you think that; it isn't illegal to take photos in itself, but if there is harassment taking place then that would be illegal.

HST125Scorton · 26 Jun 2019

yorkie said:
I'm not sure why you think that; it isn't illegal to take photos in itself, but if there is harassment taking place then that would be illegal.

This was just a thought at the back of my mind and so I'm not 100% with thinks like this..

I went back yesterday [Tue 25th June] and again same lineside locations then back to the station this time no issues, but there was a couple of photographers there and they said they had issues that morning why this woman and man. She seems dominant and she doesn't want rail spotters on the station at all and tried to remove these other two people but nothing happened. As a good conversation it was found that they only moved into the area last year and have been causing a number of issues at the station in which seems Anti-Social. I was on the station from 6pm till 1am [Tue 25th June] with a good friend of mine and we kept quite, we treat the station with respect and also take our own litter away. plus also talk/respect anyone on the station and stay clear of stopping services until they have gone etc. She never once came back out although she kept popping her head over the fence every hour until around 11pm!. I'm not sure what her problem is though.

Saperstein · 26 Jun 2019

Sounds like harassment.

If it happened to me I would be inclined to contact the railway police.

bramling · 27 Jun 2019

HST125Scorton said:
I'm not 100% sure if this is in the correct area so I do apologise if it is.

Recently [Mon 24th June] I went out to Acton Bridge to photo and note various freight workings lineside near Chapel Lane/Old Lane, although the day went rather down hill to lack of working but also a Bridge Strike somewhere near Runcorn also didn't help. Anyway I decided to head off to the station so I could take a seat etc, I was on the station no more than 5-10mins and these two people out of nowhere started 'shouting & swearing' at me for been very loud and talking loudly - [I was on the station and was only me on the station.] I asked her I just arrived here and just watching the trains pass though, she went on to say 'I shouldn't be on the station, its only for the public/commuters to use not for rail spotters'. I instead arguing with her but his guy instead was after some sort of fight and told me to go off the station. Anyway after I read some notes from the railway bylaw they went off. I picked up during her rant that she said she films/photos people from her house at the station.. I'm sure that is illegal to do? and also when I mentioned why didn't you come out when there was at leat 20-22 of use during May and told us, she had no answer. And finally I asked her when the Slow Line was been replaced during late May Bank Holiday did you complain about the noise over three days and she went, she wasn't bothered. Apparently London North Western are quite fed up of 'these two people' and that there taking some sort of action because shes claiming to be removing spotters off the station.

Sounds like a stereotypical case of making up own rules / laws in an attempt to get own way.

If they’re harassing and/or intimidating people on railway property then it’s a matter for the BTP, who in the first instance can remind them that their sphere of influence does not extend as far as the railway.

If it’s such a problem to them then they should move out, and perhaps procure themselves a large estate where they have sufficient grounds around them that no one can be nearby!

I remember a woman having a full-scale tantrum when she came storming out of her bungalow because we were taking photos off a railway bridge. The whole thing was rather irrational as when asked to provide a reason the only one she could give was “because I want you to go”. The tantrum followed being told politely but firmly that we would be there until we had finished what we were doing whether she liked it or not. A raw nerve might have been touched when it was suggested she might consider getting a job rather than spending all day looking out of the window.

bionic · 27 Jun 2019

These individuals are obviously very paranoid people with complex mental health issues. Its interesting that trains flying by their house night and day and engineering work doesn't bother them but someone quietly spotting on the platform would wind them up enough to come onto the station to have a confrontation. You can't reason with unreasonable people so I guess all you can do is report their threatening and antisocial behaviour to the police, and maybe the TOC who operate the station.

This sort of behaviour smacks of people who move near a football ground and then moan about the crowds.

bramling · 27 Jun 2019

bionic said:
These individuals are obviously very paranoid people with complex mental health issues. Its interesting that trains flying by their house night and day and engineering work doesn't bother them but someone quietly spotting on the platform would wind them up enough to come onto the station to have a confrontation. You can't reason with unreasonable people so I guess all you can do is report their threatening and antisocial behaviour to the police, and maybe the TOC who operate the station.

This sort of behaviour smacks of people who move near a football ground and then moan about the crowds.

One way or other it’s simply not on, and hopefully BTP will be made aware so they can be reminded of where their jurisdiction ends. Unfortunate they sound like the type that will probably continue to try it on.

randyrippley · 27 Jun 2019

I've come across people like this when following footpaths with a pair of binoculars or a camera for birdwatching.
You usually find the complainants are up to something illegal and are trying to prevent photos of what they are doing.
Any evidence off illegal building / unlicenced scrapyards / stolen vehicles or similar activities nearby?

mmh · 27 Jun 2019

Intimidation or aggression is wrong, but there are two sides to every story.

If I lived next to a sleepy station I think groups of 20 plus at the station could cause me concern. As would two people there for 7 hours into the small hours of the night - I'd be concerned for their safety and the safety of myself and others.

It's possible that the residents feel intimidated themselves by people.

I'd advise against the suggestions of involving the police. The most likely outcome there is being told to leave because you're causing a nuisance, rightly or wrongly.

bramling · 27 Jun 2019

mmh said:
Intimidation or aggression is wrong, but there are two sides to every story.

If I lived next to a sleepy station I think groups of 20 plus at the station could cause me concern. As would two people there for 7 hours into the small hours of the night - I'd be concerned for their safety and the safety of myself and others.

It's possible that the residents feel intimidated themselves by people.

I'd advise against the suggestions of involving the police. The most likely outcome there is being told to leave because you're causing a nuisance, rightly or wrongly.

At the end of the day what happens on the station is not in any way the business of a nearby resident. It’s a public place, and if one lives in a house next to public space then one must expect the public to be there at times. This is a simple fact of life, and if people are unhappy with this then they need to find somewhere to live which is more secluded.

If what’s happening on the station is genuinely disruptive, like groups generating lots of noise, then they might have a point - but this doesn’t sound like what the OP describes. Unfortunately some people do have an aversion to people coming near their house, and if this is as described then this sounds very much like such a case.

It’s not uncommon for householders to take more interest in goings on than they should. In some cases it’s simply a worry that something unsavoury might be going on. Personally I don’t have a problem with that (although personally I find it surprising some people seem to spend all their time looking out of their window - I certainly don’t, indeed in my house pretty much the only time I look into the street is when I’m cleaning the front windows), however this can be dealt with by polite conversation. Again this doesn’t sound like what’s gone on here.

I’d love to have an exclusion zone round my house, however this is just one of those facts of life everyone needs to accept.

Matt_pool · 28 Jun 2019

Are you sure you were at Acton Bridge station and not Royston Vasey station?

"This is a local station for local people. There's nothing for you here."!

Helvellyn · 28 Jun 2019

Matt_pool said:
Are you sure you were at Acton Bridge station and not Royston Vasey station?

"This is a local station for local people. There's nothing for you here."!

Having got out to clean the windscreen the Driver turned to see a figure in the cab doorway. "My train now Dave."

HST125Scorton · 28 Jun 2019

Thanks to all who have posted regarding my concern. I usually spend quite sometime at Acton Bridge either lineside or on the station. As I've mentioned above I'm mostly on my own when doing my freight watching etc, on this occasion I brought a friend along just in case anything was to happen. I've have spoken to quite a few local residents that are next to the station itself that's around 8 houses. Most of them are very pleasant and not at all bothered about spotters been present so longs litter is put into the bins or taken away and also been quite in the late evening etc. Some are concerned about these two individual people that are recent in the area, apart form causing issues with spotters they also don't like people parking in the car park at the station that's on there side. There had been damage to a number of cars in the car park which are either commuters or spotters cars, I don't have a car as I don't drive so it's a pain from Preston to here so I usually get a lift from a friend etc.

Just for the purpose of a comment if I was at Acton Bridge here are my images: http://flic.kr/s/aHsmEyjPNB

james60059 · 28 Jun 2019

I've heard there has been issues at Tamworth once in a while especially with enthusiasts standing on the Low Level Platform 1 (Stafford bound) and the local residents of that small development adjacent to the station complaining that enthusiasts keep looking at them and taking photo's.

Carl Irving · 6 Jul 2019

A note of caution for anybody visiting Acton Bridge station, I was there on Friday 6th July from 8pm until 11pm with my 69 year old father when on the station when we were confronted by a very aggressive resident who lives in one of the houses behind the station carpark, he shouted abuse at us claiming we were making excessive noise by talking too loudly to each other on one of the platforms and that we had no right to be on the station when just watching trains, and that we had no respect for any of the residents that lived there - despite me saying we were unaware that we were talking loudly and apologising to him this didn't seem to appease him.

In my opinion his only relevant point was that we were parked on the carpark for nearly 3 hours and that the carpark is purely for train users only and has a maximum time limit of 2 hours on it - however I dont know where the owners of the 4 other cars on that carpark were for the 3hours we were there!

Despite trying to calm the situation down I suspect the resident was getting more and more annoyed because we wouldn't engage in an argument with him (as I think he was angling for a fight) and he just kept repeating his point that we had no right to be there and he was going to contact the British Transport Police - although he didn't make it clear what for - there was only 1 person shouting abusive language and it wasn't us.

Hopefully the resident was just having a bad day and feels ashamed of his behaviour now but if you do attend this station just be aware not to make too much noise as next time you could be getting threatened and screamed at.

Jonfun · 6 Jul 2019

If someone's being abusive towards you on the railway, you can discreetly report it by texting the British Transport Police on 61016. They might be able to respond, investigate after the event, or at the very least they can log repeat offences and monitor trends.

nedchester · 6 Jul 2019

I parked outside his house once (quite legally I might add) as there were no places in the car park. Went to photograph one train, came back 20 mins later and he came out ranting at me, opened my car door and being aggressive.

I at first calmly asked him what I was doing wrong / illegal but kept going on and on. Eventually got my door closed but he continued to rant through the window at me.

In the end I told him to **** off and drove away.

He’s a nutter!

NeilWatson · 6 Jul 2019

From the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association website, seems train spotters really aren’t welcome there!

http://www.mcrua.org.uk/chairmansblog/2011/05/24/car-parking-at-hartford-acton-bridge/

Chris Hope said:
Whilst I agree that the car park at Acton Bridge is clearly not big enough, I’ve got to mention train spotters. Now don’t get me wrong, it really is none of my business if somebody wants to stand on the platform and look at the passing trains – good luck to them! There have however been numerous occasions when I’ve caught the 0752, or ever the 0715, service and found several train spotters already on the platforms with their cars taking up valuable spaces! A colleague even found themselves boxed in by a train spotter when he came home on the one service that stops here during the day. There is only room for about 20 cars at Acton Bridge so I think commuters must have priority over train spotters. There is a lovely pub just across the road, why don’t they park there and have a spot of lunch too? I’ve asked London Midland if they would use some of the new space given over to signage to place a ‘polite notice’ asking train spotters if they’d be so kind as to leave the precious car parking spaces for those using Acton Bridge to get to work, but they refused.

But the real problem facing commuters from this station is the infrequency of the service. Outside of peak hours, trains run towards Liverpool at 1016, 1216 and 1616 (before peak operations resume) whilst services in the opposite direction from Liverpool are at 0901, 1301 and 1701. This means that if one misses the 1234 from Liverpool you are faced with a 4 hour wait until the next service! I for one resent paying a fare for this shocking service that is commensurate with the hourly service to Hartford.

Polarbear · 6 Jul 2019

Sounds like someone’s sense of entitlement has gone into overdrive.

DarloRich · 6 Jul 2019

I would have told him to pi$$ off then called the police.

Peter C · 6 Jul 2019

I can't believe that people such as the man here feel the need to do such things. Why? Why get involved in someone else's life just to be a tw*t? There's no point. Life's too short and watching trains and having a nice time is important than nutters such as him doing this sort of thing.

-Peter

Welshman · 6 Jul 2019

nedchester said:
I parked outside his house once (quite legally I might add) as there were no places in the car park. Went to photograph one train, came back 20 mins later and he came out ranting at me, opened my car door and being aggressive.

I at first calmly asked him what I was doing wrong / illegal but kept going on and on. Eventually got my door closed but he continued to rant through the window at me.

In the end I told him to **** off and drove away.

He’s a nutter!

Whilst I appreciate you were legally parked, it can be annoying for a resident if their only convenient parking-space outside their house is regularly filled by visitors to the station or commuters leaving their cars there all day. He had no right to be aggressive towards you, but I can understand his frustration if he, or another member of the household, regularly has to carry heavy shopping/other goods from their car for some distance because the spot outside his house is often occupied by non-resident. Although you were only there for 20 minutes or so, there may have been others occupying that space for much longer periods of time.

Disputes like this call for sympathy and understanding on both sides, but if that fails, then perhaps a resident's parking permit scheme should be employed there.

Polarbear · 6 Jul 2019

Just to add to this-Acton Bridge car park isn’t large, and on the few occasions I used the station, it was common to find it full. The village isn’t over endowed with suitable alternatives either (and parking at the Hazel Pear would probably not go down well).

433N · 6 Jul 2019

Welshman said:
Whilst I appreciate you were legally parked, it can be annoying for a resident if their only convenient parking-space outside their house is regularly filled by visitors to the station or commuters leaving their cars there all day. He had no right to be aggressive towards you, but I can understand his frustration if he, or another member of the household, regularly has to carry heavy shopping/other goods from their car for some distance because the spot outside his house is often occupied by non-resident. Although you were only there for 20 minutes or so, there may have been others occupying that space for much longer periods of time.

Disputes like this call for sympathy and understanding on both sides, but if that fails, then perhaps a resident's parking permit scheme should be employed there.

Empathy not sympathy.

All of what you say is fair and reasonable, but at the end of the day he bought a house next to a station ... did he not foresee this being a problem ?

He just seems to be one of the increasing number on this island who need to attend an anger management workshop and then get a life. Maybe if he took up a hobby to occupy his mind a bit more ...

Welshman · 6 Jul 2019

433N said:
Empathy not sympathy.

All of what you say is fair and reasonable, but at the end of the day he bought a house next to a station ... did he not foresee this being a problem ?

He just seems to be one of the increasing number on this island who need to attend an anger management workshop and then get a life. Maybe if he took up a hobby to occupy his mind a bit more ...

Thank-you for correcting my vocabulary.

We do not know when he bought the house, but if it were some time ago, then this may not have been a problem as it only seems to have arisen following a more-recent improvement to the train service.

yorkie · 6 Jul 2019

Welshman said:
Whilst I appreciate you were legally parked, it can be annoying for a resident if their only convenient parking-space outside their house is regularly filled by visitors to the station or commuters leaving their cars there all day. He had no right to be aggressive towards you, but I can understand his frustration if he, or another member of the household, regularly has to carry heavy shopping/other goods from their car for some distance because the spot outside his house is often occupied by non-resident. Although you were only there for 20 minutes or so, there may have been others occupying that space for much longer periods of time.

The only part I agree with is where you say "he had no right to be aggressive towards you".

Welshman said:
Disputes like this call for sympathy and understanding on both sides, but if that fails, then perhaps a resident's parking permit scheme should be employed there.

If he wants a residents parking scheme to be introduced, he should use the proper channels. Let's not make excuses.

The only thing I'd add is I would encourage people not to swear back, and report it, so you can honestly say you did absolutely nothing wrong.

bramling · 6 Jul 2019

Welshman said:
Whilst I appreciate you were legally parked, it can be annoying for a resident if their only convenient parking-space outside their house is regularly filled by visitors to the station or commuters leaving their cars there all day. He had no right to be aggressive towards you, but I can understand his frustration if he, or another member of the household, regularly has to carry heavy shopping/other goods from their car for some distance because the spot outside his house is often occupied by non-resident. Although you were only there for 20 minutes or so, there may have been others occupying that space for much longer periods of time.

Disputes like this call for sympathy and understanding on both sides, but if that fails, then perhaps a resident's parking permit scheme should be employed there.

There’s ways and means. A polite notice asking people if they would be kind enough not to park there might be the way to go. However I can’t claim to be too sympathetic - down here in the real world I have to pay £90 per year per car for a resident’s permit, plus extra for visitors (which includes contractors), and this *still* doesn’t guarantee me the entitlement that I’ll be able to park directly outside my house.

It seems like there’s a load of issues here perhaps getting mixed up. The spotters using the station car park I can sort of understand could be an issue if this is then causing rail users to be unable to get a space, perhaps then causing overspill onto local roads. After all, the car park is intended for rail users. It would be interesting to know if there’s been problems at weekends when car park capacity presumably isn’t an issue.

Sounds like the wider problem may well be a lack of parking in the general area. However it does also sound like it might be a case of resolve that and then the “problem” simply moves on to something else, like people being noisy on the platform - the OP was quite clear that this didn’t apply to himself, so it does outwardly sound like issues being made up to justify a particular agenda.

Likewise I wouldn’t mind betting that row of houses are ex railway houses. Unfortunately one issue with choosing to buy such a property is that one tends to find they’re situated near the railway, with the associated issues that can bring!

bramling · 6 Jul 2019

yorkie said:
The only part I agree with is where you say "he had no right to be aggressive towards you".

If he wants a residents parking scheme to be introduced, he should use the proper channels. Let's not make excuses.

The only thing I'd add is I would encourage people not to swear back, and report it, so you can honestly say you did absolutely nothing wrong.

Even if they get a residents scheme, they won’t necessarily get one which would prevent someone parking there for 20 minutes. The purpose of such schemes tends to be to prevent all-day commuter parking, not to guarantee a particular space to a particular resident.

Mag_seven · 6 Jul 2019

NeilWatson said:
From the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association website, seems train spotters really aren’t welcome there!

http://www.mcrua.org.uk/chairmansblog/2011/05/24/car-parking-at-hartford-acton-bridge/

That article is from 2011. The situation may have changed since then.

Acton Bridge: A Station with Local Strange Neighbours

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