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UK's worst stations.

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jayah

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Even if diesel trains didn't exist at all, unfortunately one would still be exposed to diesel fumes on the way to the station.

The walk from my house to my local station is entirely through alleyways away from roads, and the train service is 100% electric (apart from a few diesels passing through at speed). However this doesn't stop me breathing in disgusting fumes from the nearly-empty buses which insist on serving the station forecourt (even through often they don't actually drop off/pick up anyone) linking the local council estates, or the line-up of taxis sitting with their engines running particularly in winter. Frustrating and irritating, but sadly probably won't change.

How do all those planes leave the tarmac at Heathrow now that fossil fuels are obsolete?

If the DfT hadn't canned BiMode voyagers there would be vastly fewer exhaust fumes at New Street.
 
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smilerish

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Interesting that no one has mentioned Southampton Central yet. I don't think it's bad by any stretch, but it's been singled out by SWR for refurbishment in their plans, not long after NR did a refurb and it was name-checked by Lord Adonis for its lack of refreshments.

My own experience is that the extensive works undertaken at Birmingham New Street have completely failed to address the real problems with it: the platforms are dark and unwelcoming. I've never alighted at BHM but I've made connections on several occasions. If you're making a connection, you may not have time to explore a shopping centre concourse, but you do have to endure an unpleasant platform. And I think mallard's points about pollution are significant, but I don't think the traction is necessarily to blame. I think that for a mainline station and common terminus of diesel services, the lack of ventilation is a significant oversight. But it's one that could be addressed by fitting appropriate ventilation.

I'd like to add my vote of appreciation for Coventry, though! I'd be sad to see its classic 1960's design erased with yet more bland steel and glass. I particularly like the Univers silver-on-black glass station signs and the concrete stairwell with retro hand rails. On the other hand, I think its bus interchange is poorly signposted. A clear 'this bus standard for University of Warwick' would be really helpful!
 

farleigh

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Quite challenging for local disorder one gathers ...to think it was once the starting point for services to London with Pullman cars !

Used to be a lovely staffed station with wooden shelters etc. Then they removed these and put in palisade fencing etc. Then it became rough. Funny really.
 

yorksrob

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Used to be a lovely staffed station with wooden shelters etc. Then they removed these and put in palisade fencing etc. Then it became rough. Funny really.

Used to have one of the South Eastern Railway's charming clapboard station buildings until it was burnt down in the late 1980's (I remember seeing it's remains boarded up on an early visit). Very sad really.
 

Hornet

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Used to have one of the South Eastern Railway's charming clapboard station buildings until it was burnt down in the late 1980's (I remember seeing it's remains boarded up on an early visit). Very sad really.

Ore in April 1987. Hastings Power Station is in the background.
 

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Mikey C

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Seconded. Angel Road truly is awful on so many levels:
-No staff other than when someone arrives to empty the bin or change the posters, and few other passengers
-Located in a semi-derelict industrial area
-"Interesting" neighbours (Rottweilers included)
-Lousy single narrow station access path between security fences station access that sticks you straight out onto a busy flyover where the pavement is just painted onto the road, and lots of dark corners for people to lurk in with no escape
-Good luck if you can't use steps; accessing the Up platform involves walk, down steps, walk, up steps, and down steps again
-About half a mile walk anywhere useful across busy roads with fast moving traffic
-Station entrance is not even on Angel Road, nor connected to it (and finding the entrance is a bit 'Where's Wally?' as there aren't many signs or clues
-Limited peak only train service
-Platforms part located under North Circular Rd flyovr and poorly lit

Anyone who thinks their station is awful - I assure you Angel Rd is worse. Visit after dark for maximum effect (serious advice: I do not recommend visiting after dark)

On the plus side, it does have a PERTIS machine.

I thought of this thread this afternoon as my train passed through, having got on at the comparatively classier Enfield Lock :D
 

Mikey C

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Only once, having been to an away match at Millwall. I've tried to erase the memory from my mind..the whole day, not just the station experience.

I had the dubious pleasure of South Bermondsey and the whole "Millwall" experience yesterday!

As a station it's certainly a bit inadequate for football crowds, but I imagine pretty empty the rest of the time.
 

geoffk

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based on what? There is no way any of those stations are the "worst" in the country.
It would be preferable for reports such as this to use the Network Rail station categories, in order to compare like with like. A 2010 report on category B stations found that the poorest scoring ‘stations were
Manchester Victoria
Clapham Junction
Crewe
Warrington Bank Quay
Barking
Preston
Wigan North Western
Luton
Liverpool Central
Stockport

A particular issue for the North-west then, although some improvements have since been made. Even within the B category, Liverpool Central is not really comparable with any of the others.
 

infobleep

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12,506
It would be preferable for reports such as this to use the Network Rail station categories, in order to compare like with like. A 2010 report on category B stations found that the poorest scoring ‘stations were
Manchester Victoria
Clapham Junction
Crewe
Warrington Bank Quay
Barking
Preston
Wigan North Western
Luton
Liverpool Central
Stockport

A particular issue for the North-west then, although some improvements have since been made. Even within the B category, Liverpool Central is not really comparable with any of the others.
I remember reading a news report on the worst stations and think but I'm sure I've come across worse than this.

Of course the report didn't state that it was for a perticular category of station.
 

DPWH

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Interesting that no one has mentioned Southampton Central yet. I don't think it's bad by any stretch, but it's been singled out by SWR for refurbishment in their plans, not long after NR did a refurb and it was name-checked by Lord Adonis for its lack of refreshments.

My own experience is that the extensive works undertaken at Birmingham New Street have completely failed to address the real problems with it: the platforms are dark and unwelcoming. I've never alighted at BHM but I've made connections on several occasions. If you're making a connection, you may not have time to explore a shopping centre concourse, but you do have to endure an unpleasant platform. And I think mallard's points about pollution are significant, but I don't think the traction is necessarily to blame. I think that for a mainline station and common terminus of diesel services, the lack of ventilation is a significant oversight. But it's one that could be addressed by fitting appropriate ventilation.

I'd like to add my vote of appreciation for Coventry, though! I'd be sad to see its classic 1960's design erased with yet more bland steel and glass. I particularly like the Univers silver-on-black glass station signs and the concrete stairwell with retro hand rails. On the other hand, I think its bus interchange is poorly signposted. A clear 'this bus standard for University of Warwick' would be really helpful!

The best ventilation would be to have a high overall roof with the station buildings all off to one side. Birmingham city centre has sufficient retail space elsewhere, and if it doesn't it can be built elsewhere.
 
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