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Worcestershire Parkway station progress

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Nick Ashwell

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I have my thinking cap on. Another advantage of this station is that G.W.R. could then run their trains to terminate at this station, instead of running through to Great Malvern. Then that would allow everyone in the Worcester area to get trains to Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cheltenham and all the way to Weymouth even on into Wales. Lovely.

But NR will need to provide signals at each end of the platforms and double crossovers also at both ends to allow reversals in both directions.

Surely terminating on a fairly busy mainline is just asking for trouble? At least with the two central stations you're not getting in the way of expresses when terminating late etc
 
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jimm

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Having read some of the very early posts on this thread. Some were about rerouting trains via WOS and out via Droitwich. My suggestion is with the new Worcester parkway then the cross country trains from Cardiff would depart at the same times as they do now. The only change needed is to depart them 3 mins earlier from Gloucester and Cheltenham then they will have time to call at Worcester parkway, Departing from university at the usual times.

I have my thinking cap on. Another advantage of this station is that G.W.R. could then run their trains to terminate at this station, instead of running through to Great Malvern. Then that would allow everyone in the Worcester area to get trains to Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cheltenham and all the way to Weymouth even on into Wales. Lovely.

But NR will need to provide signals at each end of the platforms and double crossovers also at both ends to allow reversals in both directions.

The CrossCountry trains between Birmingham and Cardiff will call at Worcestershire Parkway. The timetable already provides for these services to stop there.

Everyone in the Worcester area? Surely you mean everyone who has access to a car or someone who can give them a lift to get to a station out in the fields on the edge of the city, that will be served by one bus route that only runs hourly most of the day and a mostly hourly GWR service between London and the centre of Worcester.

Why on earth would you want to deprive people travelling from Gloucestershire and Bristol of direct rail access to the central stations in Worcester or to Great Malvern and vice versa? Where's the benefit in that?
 

R G NOW.

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The CrossCountry trains between Birmingham and Cardiff will call at Worcestershire Parkway. The timetable already provides for these services to stop there.

Everyone in the Worcester area? Surely you mean everyone who has access to a car or someone who can give them a lift to get to a station out in the fields on the edge of the city, that will be served by one bus route that only runs hourly most of the day and a mostly hourly GWR service between London and the centre of Worcester.

Why on earth would you want to deprive people travelling from Gloucestershire and Bristol of direct rail access to the central stations in Worcester or to Great Malvern and vice versa? Where's the benefit in that?

The only reason I put, what I put, was because a lot of the trains from Westbury or Weymouth seem to get terminated at Worcester due to late running. So the idea was to have go as far as Worcester parkway then people would change, not ideal I know but was a suggestion. The people that plan the timetables must have hard job.
 
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R G NOW.

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Surely terminating on a fairly busy mainline is just asking for trouble? At least with the two central stations you're not getting in the way of expresses when terminating late etc
If they are planning to terminate trains there, then a bay platform could of been added.
 

option

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The only reason I put, what I put, was because a lot of the trains from Westbury or Weymouth seem to get terminated at Worcester due to late running. So the idea was to have go as far as Worcester parkway then people would change, not ideal I know but was a suggestion. The people that plan the timetables must have hard job.

So you fix the reason/s for the late running, & whilst that is ongoing, if you need to terminate early, you do so where there are other onward services available, & where a good number of your passengers already want to go. So, at Worcester, there is also the WMR services to Malvern etc.

If they are planning to terminate trains there, then a bay platform could of been added.

They could have added platforms to the south-west curve, so trains to/from Shrub Hill going south could have stopped.
 

Sprinter107

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So you fix the reason/s for the late running, & whilst that is ongoing, if you need to terminate early, you do so where there are other onward services available, & where a good number of your passengers already want to go. So, at Worcester, there is also the WMR services to Malvern etc.



They could have added platforms to the south-west curve, so trains to/from Shrub Hill going south could have stopped.
Thatd be a good long walk
 

70014IronDuke

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If they are planning to terminate trains there, then a bay platform could of been added.

But it hasn't been added, has it? There's a good reason for that, namely people want to go to Worcester, not a station in a field surrounded by roads three miles from the city centre.

And while it's easy to write about an idea, even if it was wanted, have you got any idea of the cost and complications of adding a bay platform at this location?
 

R G NOW.

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But it hasn't been added, has it? There's a good reason for that, namely people want to go to Worcester, not a station in a field surrounded by roads three miles from the city centre.

And while it's easy to write about an idea, even if it was wanted, have you got any idea of the cost and complications of adding a bay platform at this location?
I have had a word with a cross country driver about a bay platform and he said, that they were at one stage going to add one, but the D.F.T said that trains to use this station will be through ones and any that need to terminate will have to use shrub hill instead. It also complicates the signalling as well.
 

si404

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There will be some trains terminating/starting at Worcestershire Parkway on the North Cotswolds Line to/from Oxford and Paddington (early morning/late night only, IIRC).
 

takno

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There will be some trains terminating/starting at Worcestershire Parkway on the North Cotswolds Line to/from Oxford and Paddington (early morning/late night only, IIRC).
That in itself seems outright insane - the train's probably going to end up going to Worcester for stabling anyway. Any idea what the reasoning is for it?
 

Wilts Wanderer

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I think it is due to a late night possession at Shrub Hill preventing access to the platforms but permitting a route into the stabling sidings.
 

jimm

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There will be some trains terminating/starting at Worcestershire Parkway on the North Cotswolds Line to/from Oxford and Paddington (early morning/late night only, IIRC).

That in itself seems outright insane - the train's probably going to end up going to Worcester for stabling anyway. Any idea what the reasoning is for it?

One train will terminate at the Parkway - the new 22.50 from London Paddington. Nothing will start there.

Network Rail has an overnight possession of the Shrub Hill station area (overnight freights use the avoiding lines to the east) and the station shuts just after midnight following the arrival of the 21.48 from Paddington and the last train from Birmingham. There is no night exit gate, with all passenger access via the main entrance.

The 22.50 is aimed far more at passengers wanting to get back from London to Oxford and the stations at the easternmost end of the Cotswold Line than at anyone going to Worcester. The current 21.48 from Paddington and the Fridays-only 23.20 to Moreton-in-Marsh are basically empty stock trains beyond Charlbury and with the best will in the world, there aren't going to be that that many people who have a pressing need to reach Worcester after 1am. If they do, they will probably have arranged onward transport at their destination anyway, be that a lift or a taxi. so whether it's from Parkway or Shrub Hill isn't that big a deal.
 
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takno

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I had thought in 2020 according to the NR website. Also at one time the plan was to double the line from tunnel junction into foregate street, hence the reason why I think they set the date at 2020.
Network Rail produced some insanely optimistic forecasts about resignalling about 15 years ago, and the dates are still kicking around in various places.
 

R G NOW.

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Back in 1965 British Rail were planning to resignal Gloucester and Worcester at the same time, hence the reason for such a large relay room under the panel. But only Gloucester was done in 1968-1969 and Worcester stayed the same although was altered a bit in 1973. Now the plan was, as with Worcester parkway area to put all of Gloucester and Worcester on to W.M.S.C. but hasn't happened yet.

Also will Worcestershire parkway have a ticket office as well as machines?.
 
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NewSt

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Been confirmed on Twitter today that Worcestershire Parkway will not be opening on the 15th as planned. Had to claim for a refund now as I had already got an Advance single booked!

https://twitter.com/every_station/status/1202167302285860864
Every Last Station said:
Just had confirmation from GWR. Worcestershire Parkway WILL NOT open on the 15th. It will be in the new year now.
 
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bnm

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What is the reason for the opening date being put forward?

I am aware of the main reason. Unfortunately, whilst I can confirm there is a delay, I can't say why. There will be announcements from stakeholders in the coming days. They're just getting their ducks in a row/arse covering/apportioning blame/working together...*



*Delete as appropriate.
 
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Taunton

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I wonder how many will be mis-directed to longstanding Worcester Park, on the Waterloo to Epsom line.
The current 21.48 from Paddington and the Fridays-only 23.20 to Moreton-in-Marsh are basically empty stock trains beyond Charlbury.
The last time I took the key daytime "Cathedrals Express" it was disappointing that it was pretty much empty stock west of Evesham as well. likewise the return next day.
 
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There must be a dilemma with what to do about the 2250 Paddington - Worcestershire Parkway. It was supposed to terminate there and run ECS direct to Hereford sidings. If there is no night exit at Shrub Hill for passengers, then perhaps it will terminate at Pershore which would be an unusual location to have a terminating service from London. I doubt that there will be many people on that train for Pershore so possibly Evesham instead?
 

NewSt

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Email from GWR said:
Dear GWR Customer


I am writing regarding your recent ticket purchase with GWR for travel from/to Worcestershire Parkway in the coming weeks.


We are nearing the conclusion of the standard rigorous rail industry “Entry into Service” process where all the new equipment and facilities are tested and commissioned. This process is complex involving a wide range of stakeholders and it will not be possible to achieve the final sign-off for the station to become operational until early in the new year.


There has been a lot of hard work, from many agencies, to get everything ready. After careful consideration, and in agreement with Worcestershire County Council, Worcestershire Parkway will now open early in the New Year. We will confirm the specific date as soon as we can.


I’m sorry this will affect your plans to travel to/from the station this month. If you no longer wish to travel, you can obtain a full refund of your ticket by returning it to the place of purchase. If you still wish to travel, you can do so by boarding at the following stations instead of Worcestershire Parkway; Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, where your ticket will be accepted.


If you are unsure on how this will affect your journey our Customer Support team are available between 0600 and 2300, 7 days a week via 03457 000 125, or via Twitter @GWRHelp.


As soon as we confirm the date the station will open, we’ll update our dedicated webpage (www.gwr.com/worcestershireparkway), and I will drop you a quick email to let you know.


Yours sincerely


Jason Ness

Customer Relations General Manager

Great Western Railway

Email from GWR received today about my ticket purchase for a journey to worcestershire Parkway on December 15th.
 

Sean Emmett

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Disappointing re the delay.

Question. Will Ashchurch/Cheltenhan (and points south) to Worcester tickets be valid via Worcs Parkway?

Will that include South West Rover tickets, which are valid as far as Great Malvern?
 

jimm

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There must be a dilemma with what to do about the 2250 Paddington - Worcestershire Parkway. It was supposed to terminate there and run ECS direct to Hereford sidings. If there is no night exit at Shrub Hill for passengers, then perhaps it will terminate at Pershore which would be an unusual location to have a terminating service from London. I doubt that there will be many people on that train for Pershore so possibly Evesham instead?

Beyond the stations at the easternmost end of the Cotswold Line, there are unlikely to be many passengers for anywhere on that service. The current 21.48 from Paddington is effectively empty stock beyond about Moreton-in-Marsh.

Evesham is probably the most likely end point for the 22.50. Pershore station forecourt isn't a great place to get a bus or coach in and out of, if something that size is the preferred option for substitute transport. A minibus would be fine at Pershore.

Shrub Hill does not have a night gate and the WMR staff lock up and leave after the 21.48 and the last train from Birmingham have arrived, just after midnight, with Network Rail then having an overnight possession of the station area, which is why the 22.50 had to terminate at Parkway.
 
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