Blackpool North: The most unfriendly station in the country?

[copernicium112]

So arriving at BPN today, I asked the man on the gateline if I could go spotting at the end of the platforms, and was allowed through but told to go to customer service to ask permission. Doing this, I was told spotting isn't allowed because there are no staff on the platforms, but was escorted to the end for 5 minutes to take a few pics of the semaphores. This happened to anyone else?

 

[ainsworth74]

Blackpool North are notorious for being very particular about letting people onto the platforms full stop. They always seem to like to keep people on the concourse until a few minutes before a train is due to depart and if you try and loiter on the platforms after an arrival expect to have someone come and have a word to hurry you along!

 

[bramling]

So arriving at BPN today, I asked the man on the gateline if I could go spotting at the end of the platforms, and was allowed through but told to go to customer service to ask permission. Doing this, I was told spotting isn't allowed because there are no staff on the platforms, but was escorted to the end for 5 minutes to take a few pics of the semaphores. This happened to anyone else?

There are various historic threads which show Blackpool North to be, pretty much, the most unpleasant-to-use and unfriendly (enthusiast or regular traveller) station anywhere.

Having said that, I managed to get a couple of hours unrestricted platform access about 3 years ago. After a couple of "run-ins" with staff after daring to linger on a platform for a minute after my train's arrival, I turned up on a Sunday morning and went to the "customer service" desk, where a gentleman (Supervisor) was actually quite friendly and welcoming and made arrangements for one of the hallowed doors to be opened, and the staff to be advised that I would be on the platforms until further notice. I did get the impression that being off-duty railway staff probably helped sway things though. Despite this being officially sanctioned, I got very rudely yelled at from a distance by two separate cleaners, and from another off-duty member of staff in a car park.

My overall impression was that, notwithstanding the welcoming gentleman I dealt with, it's generally a disgustingly run station. The only thing in their defence is that a good proportion of its users seemed to exhibit disgusting behaviours too, so maybe the two go hand in hand.

Sounds like you did quite well to get your 5 minutes!

 

[copernicium112]

Thanks guys, it really is a very badly run station, but hopefully, when they redevelop it, it may become a bit better for passengers and enthusiasts alike!

 

[47802]

Thanks guys, it really is a very badly run station, but hopefully, when they redevelop it, it may become a bit better for passengers and enthusiasts alike!

I wouldn't put money on that, from my experience it was like that even in BR days.

 

[8A Rail]

Here is one of the original threads on this subject - http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=114768&highlight=Blackpool+North - nothing you have raised is new to be honest and doubt it will change for the foreseeable future. One thing I will say it is not the station itself BUT sadly the people employed there. I won't say anymore on this subject as I have said my bit in the above thread.

 

[theblackwatch]

I wouldn't put money on that, from my experience it was like that even in BR days.

Yes, I remember going in the 1990s and after alighting from my train I went to the end of the platform to try and photograph an incoming railtour. The staff had other ideas though...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

In the 70s I went to Preston because you saw all the Blackpool trains which all passed through there anyway. Sometimes went to Salwick even Kirkham

 

[lincolnshire]

I think if there was ever a fire in the station building the only way out is either through the ticket barriers or the exit at the opposite end where the emergency release for the doors is behind the large plant located there when I was last there. You would not be able to get on the platforms as the doors are all locked and not fitted with emergency exit push bars.
The local fire officer should make a visit and see what he thinks of the arrangements in case of fire.
All in all a horrible place and does not do much for the staff employed there either, wonder what Northern,s new management make of the place.
Wonder if they have heard of customer service or been on a course for customer service?

 

[Cliveblackpool]

I think if there was ever a fire in the station building the only way out is either through the ticket barriers or the exit at the opposite end where the emergency release for the doors is behind the large plant located there when I was last there. You would not be able to get on the platforms as the doors are all locked and not fitted with emergency exit push bars.
The local fire officer should make a visit and see what he thinks of the arrangements in case of fire.
All in all a horrible place and does not do much for the staff employed there either, wonder what Northern,s new management make of the place.
Wonder if they have heard of customer service or been on a course for customer service?

The concourse is closed at 11pm, and after that you exit through a small roller shutter door at the end of platform 1. If you are catching a late train they open this door 2 minutes before departure - great - waiting in the car park in the dark.

 

[BestWestern]

Has anybody ever cracked exactly why the place is like that?!

 

[bnm]

Has anybody ever cracked exactly why the place is like that?!

Could it be that the staff are jaded by dealing with the worst of humanity who are inexplicably drawn, in their droves, to this north west hell hole?

 

[AlterEgo]

Could it be that the staff are jaded by dealing with the worst of humanity who are inexplicably drawn, in their droves, to this north west hell hole?

Tram enthusiasts?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Roller coster bashers too.

I have a soft spot for blackpool which isnt all tacky TBH and visit a number of times a year. I do however avoid North Station unless I have a tight shedule or need a TVM/Booking Office. The staff there claim the so called customer service they offer protects the public from itself but I cant see how this is effective when one observes the chaos caused when half a concourse of pax are unleashed onto the xx:11 to York with bags, buggys, fractious children, hot coffees, crates of Larga and hangovers with less than 5 mins before departure.

The old catch all H and S excuse is trotted out regularly but falls a bit flat when compared to the 2 or 4 coach DMU that somehow manages to arrive, unload and depart within 10 minutes at Blackpool South with absolutely no staff, facilities or daft H and S rules at all and some teamwork between the guard and driver.

Iv also observed that many locals, if going to Preston or Kircom would rather work their day round the 1TPH service than deal with the situation at North, many of these pax are elderly and/or disabled in some way which not only says how much better this unstaffed shack is compared to the other one but also highlights the essential roll of a guard, DFT take note.

 

[WatcherZero]

Roller coster bashers too.

Nodding Donkey enthusiasts?

 

[43096]

Blackpool North are notorious for being very particular about letting people onto the platforms full stop. They always seem to like to keep people on the concourse until a few minutes before a train is due to depart and if you try and loiter on the platforms after an arrival expect to have someone come and have a word to hurry you along!

It seems to be a coastal "resort" thing: Newquay and Skegness have similarly over-officious staff, especially in the summer. Perhaps they get some sort of kick out of it?

 

[lincolnshire]

The excuse that I had when once asking why your not allowed on the platform was its because we are tanking trains and the hose pipe is across the platform and a tripping hazard. Well if thats the case then get onto Network Rail to place then on the platform edge the you won,t need to have the pipe running across the platform.
God knows how the staff would carry on if they were at Kings Cross because as soon as the train arrives its met by cleaning trolleys and a guy lifting the cover plates on the platform edge and attaching water filling hoses for tanking the train as passengers are still alighting and walking down the platform and a lot more passengers than they are dealing with at Blackpool.

Its time things changed there and not run for the staff,s benefit.

 

[ainsworth74]

I often wonder how barrier staff like that would cope at say somewhere like London Bridge in the middle of the evening peak?

 

[BestWestern]

Could it be that the staff are jaded by dealing with the worst of humanity who are inexplicably drawn, in their droves, to this north west hell hole?

I would imagine very probably so. But then, are they any less of an issue when herded indoors, confined and restless and stuck in a queue, than they would be if they were allowed to spread out in the open air on a platform?

 

[me123]

It seems to be a coastal "resort" thing: Newquay and Skegness have similarly over-officious staff, especially in the summer. Perhaps they get some sort of kick out of it?

Maybe it relates to the historic behaviour of customers at these "resort" stations? Some people going on holiday/days out drink a bit too much and cause problems, so the staff have over time developed this rather strict tactic in order to deal with this behaviour?

Not saying it's the right answer to the problem, but I can see why letting groups of drunken louts run riot around the station could cause issues for the railway.

 

[bramling]

I often wonder how barrier staff like that would cope at say somewhere like London Bridge in the middle of the evening peak?

They wouldn't cope - it's as simple as that.

If the Blackpool North staff tried even a fraction of their rudeness in the London area they'd soon find themselves assaulted. Plus the sheer volume of passengers would mean they would be fighting a losing battle.

They can get away with their games at Blackpool North because they're tucked away at the end of an out-of-the-way branch line, more or less out of sight of the rest of the railway.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It seems to be a coastal "resort" thing: Newquay and Skegness have similarly over-officious staff, especially in the summer. Perhaps they get some sort of kick out of it?

What's the issue at Newquay? On the (few) occasions I've used Newquay it's either been completely unstaffed, or a solitary member of staff hidden away in the booking office.

The other station which crops up for bad staff attitude / keeping passengers off the platform is Exmouth. That one makes even less sense than Blackpool North.

 

[NSEFAN]

What's the issue at Newquay? On the (few) occasions I've used Newquay it's either been completely unstaffed, or a solitary member of staff hidden away in the booking office.

I've noticed that, on summer saturdays when only HSTs / Voyagers run to Newquay, they prevent people from boarding the train until it's been cleaned. This also allows a full ticket check to be undertaken.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Could it be that the staff are jaded by dealing with the worst of humanity who are inexplicably drawn, in their droves, to this north west hell hole?

I thought they all went to Benidorm and Megamuff these days.

 

[ainsworth74]

I've noticed that, on summer saturdays when only HSTs / Voyagers run to Newquay, they prevent people from boarding the train until it's been cleaned. This also allows a full ticket check to be undertaken.

Yes there is some actual logic to what happens at Newquay on Summer Saturdays as it ensures that the train can be cleaned in peace and that everyone has a ticket on what could be a very busy train (and therefore neigh on impossible for a lone guard to check themselves).

 

[43096]

Yes there is some actual logic to what happens at Newquay on Summer Saturdays as it ensures that the train can be cleaned in peace and that everyone has a ticket on what could be a very busy train (and therefore neigh on impossible for a lone guard to check themselves).

Not been to Newquay for several years, but the platform barrier in summer was manned by the sort of staff described at Blackpool, i.e. one who was loving his chance to inconvenience people as much as possible.

 

[ainsworth74]

Not been to Newquay for several years, but the platform barrier in summer was manned by the sort of staff described at Blackpool, i.e. one who was loving his chance to inconvenience people as much as possible.

Hmm they were all fine when I was there earlier this summer.

 

[Mag_seven]

I visited Blackpool North last year and apart from the rolling stock it was almost as if time had stood still from the late seventies/early eighties when I used to travel there on holiday as a kid.

 

[Bevan Price]

Maybe it relates to the historic behaviour of customers at these "resort" stations? Some people going on holiday/days out drink a bit too much and cause problems, so the staff have over time developed this rather strict tactic in order to deal with this behaviour?

Not saying it's the right answer to the problem, but I can see why letting groups of drunken louts run riot around the station could cause issues for the railway.

Yes, especially after the Merseyrail incident that saw the unfortunate guard jailed for manslaughter. And Blackpool does get a lot of hen parties, some of whose participants get seriously "under the weather".

 

[D1009]

Not been to Newquay for several years, but the platform barrier in summer was manned by the sort of staff described at Blackpool, i.e. one who was loving his chance to inconvenience people as much as possible.

Are these railway staff or security guards?

 

[43096]

Are these railway staff or security guards?

I can't remember what the arrangement was - didn't look like either regular staff or security guards.

Mind you, the last time I went to Newquay the power cars had Valentas!