Two new stations: Bermuda Park and Coventry (previously Ricoh) Arena

[HLE]

Only at Arena, Bedworth and Bermuda Park are 3 both ways.

Whoops read that as arena only!

 

[Hadders]

What a farce not stopping at Arena on match days. Does this apply to rugby matches as well as football?

 

[bussnapperwm]

Will Nnetwork passes be accepted at Arena Park or will it be an oddity in the network west midlands scheme?

 

[Class 170101]

Coventry crews currently don't sign any other diesels as far as I am aware, so training would be required.

Any spare 150s on weekends?

If so send one to Bedford - Bletchley to release the 153 to Coventry to Nuneaton.
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6 car lengths on the up, 3 on the down

Why? Surely it would be better to be the same length both ways?

Perhaps get Virgin to run a Voyager there if they have a spare one. Don't their crews sign this route as part of Euston to Nuneaton via Chiltern lines diversion?

 

[The Planner]

Why? Surely it would be better to be the same length both ways?

It is assumed that specials would only go to Arena from Coventry, turning back in the Up platform.

Perhaps get Virgin to run a Voyager there if they have a spare one. Don't their crews sign this route as part of Euston to Nuneaton via Chiltern lines diversion?

Running from where to where? and do you really think this is something Virgin would do?

 

[Class 170101]

Running from where to where? and do you really think this is something Virgin would do?

Surely either between Coventry and Nuneaton or just between Coventry and Arena as you note in your reply. It is noted however in the fragmented railway this is not easy now but if there is a will I am sure there could be a way.

 

[HLE]

What a farce not stopping at Arena on match days. Does this apply to rugby matches as well as football?

As far as I am aware yes it does.

The rugby usually attracts higher crowds than the football...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Any spare 150s on weekends?

If so send one to Bedford - Bletchley to release the 153 to Coventry to Nuneaton.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Why? Surely it would be better to be the same length both ways?

Perhaps get Virgin to run a Voyager there if they have a spare one. Don't their crews sign this route as part of Euston to Nuneaton via Chiltern lines diversion?

An extra 153 wouldn't help that much of I'm honest. It's packed at peak hours as it is.

You actually mention a good point re the platform lengths. One option that may/could have been considered is putting the 6 car platform on the down for the matchday train to reverse - it would have to travel for around a minute wrong direction (back to cov) and switch to the up line at the crossovers at three spires. Unless that's just a compete no go.

I reckon phase 2 will have to be completed before any service stops there on
match days.

 

[The Planner]

You actually mention a good point re the platform lengths. One option that may/could have been considered is putting the 6 car platform on the down for the matchday train to reverse - it would have to travel for around a minute wrong direction (back to cov) and switch to the up line at the crossovers at three spires. Unless that's just a compete no go.

I reckon phase 2 will have to be completed before any service stops there on
match days.

There will be a crossover at Arena from Down to Up line, the original idea was to use that and the crossover at Three Spires as a loop so an up freight (Murco) could run round without the need for a new loop.

 

[Class 170101]

An extra 153 wouldn't help that much of I'm honest. It's packed at peak hours as it is.

A famous phrase from a supermarket - 'Every Little Helps' :P
That may well be a third 153 unless LM have thought of that already and the second 153 comes from moving a 150 to Bedford - Bletchley route.[/QUOTE]

 

[cjmillsnun]

A famous phrase from a supermarket - 'Every Little Helps' :P
That may well be a third 153 unless LM have thought of that already and the second 153 comes from moving a 150 to Bedford - Bletchley route.

[/QUOTE]

Quite appropriate when that is the supermarket at the Ricoh

 

[HLE]

There will be a crossover at Arena from Down to Up line, the original idea was to use that and the crossover at Three Spires as a loop so an up freight (Murco) could run round without the need for a new loop.

Why the need for a new loop when hawkesbury siding is lying disused- unless it's not long enough ?

Got to be a better idea than blocking the main lines (even if it isn't going to happen)

 

[The Planner]

Too short, currently the Murco train goes down to Coventry North Sidings and runs round there, the new bay stops that from happening.

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding the inaccessibility to the Arena on matchdays, it does make you wonder whether Coventry City FC should never have left Highfield Road.

 

[HLE]

Too short, currently the Murco train goes down to Coventry North Sidings and runs round there, the new bay stops that from happening.

Hmm what will the murco train do then, assuming phase 2 happens?

Be a bit of a faff splitting in two in LM's Coventry yard, reversing and doing it that way. (Same way as at murco)

I can't see any other way apart from the loop at Ricoh idea?
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Regarding the inaccessibility to the Arena on matchdays, it does make you wonder whether Coventry City FC should never have left Highfield Road.

A lot of the fans say they should never have left. Ok it was crumbling to pieces , but it apparently attracted higher crowds and also had more atmosphere.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A famous phrase from a supermarket - 'Every Little Helps' :P
That may well be a third 153 unless LM have thought of that already and the second 153 comes from moving a 150 to Bedford - Bletchley route.

[/QUOTE]

3 dogboxes joined together? never seen that before !

Used to be a well known rumour between traincrew that 172's were to take over when the new stations opened.

2 years on and it's still a dogbox.

 

[The Planner]

Hmm what will the murco train do then, assuming phase 2 happens?

Be a bit of a faff splitting in two in LM's Coventry yard, reversing and doing it that way. (Same way as at murco)

Runs round in the loop created by the crossover at Arena and the existing one at Three Spires. It doesn't block the lines as the Murco train can sit on the up and be overtaken if need be on the down line.

 

[AndrewB]

Excuse my ignorance. What is a dogbox.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Excuse my ignorance. What is a dogbox.

It's a nickname for the single-carriage Class 153 units.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Used to be a well known rumour between traincrew that 172's were to take over when the new stations opened.

Even "well-known messroom rumours" are not all what they appear to be, 100% of the time.

 

[The Planner]

Id be surprised if 172s ended up there, they need them more on the Snow Hills.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Regarding the inaccessibility to the Arena on matchdays, it does make you wonder whether Coventry City FC should never have left Highfield Road.

I visited the Ricoh Arena last year in my quest to "do the 92" and found it far and away the least accessible football ground I've ever visited by public transport. No trains, hardly any buses, a 3 mile walk from Bedworth before the game, a 4 mile walk into Coventry afterwards.

In comparison, I went to Brighton's new ground at Falmer and, despite it being a similar "middle of nowhere, out of town stadium", found it much more accessible. Why? Because there's a regular matchday train service between Brighton and Falmer, your match ticket entitles you to free train travel to the ground (so no queuing for rail tickets) and the service is 4 and 8 car units.

So if it can be done in Brighton, why not in Coventry, especially as their crowds are barely half what Brighton attract?

 

[nuneatonmark]

It can happen like that for the Ricoh but it is dependent on 'phase 2' which means a new bay platform at Coventry, two trains an hour (minimum) and a turn back facility. However, despite a date of December 2016 being banded about and some extra money from the government no firm plans exist to actually do it or where the longer trains will come from.

And don;t get me started on the planned electrification i.e. the electric spine....

 

[bussnapperwm]

I visited the Ricoh Arena last year in my quest to "do the 92" and found it far and away the least accessible football ground I've ever visited by public transport. No trains, hardly any buses, a 3 mile walk from Bedworth before the game, a 4 mile walk into Coventry afterwards.

In comparison, I went to Brighton's new ground at Falmer and, despite it being a similar "middle of nowhere, out of town stadium", found it much more accessible. Why? Because there's a regular matchday train service between Brighton and Falmer, your match ticket entitles you to free train travel to the ground (so no queuing for rail tickets) and the service is 4 and 8 car units.

So if it can be done in Brighton, why not in Coventry, especially as their crowds are barely half what Brighton attract?

The national express Coventry number 4 bendybuses go from Coventry centre to the Ricoh along with the 360 Outer Circle

 

[Hadders]

I visited the Ricoh Arena last year in my quest to "do the 92" and found it far and away the least accessible football ground I've ever visited by public transport. No trains, hardly any buses, a 3 mile walk from Bedworth before the game, a 4 mile walk into Coventry afterwards.

In comparison, I went to Brighton's new ground at Falmer and, despite it being a similar "middle of nowhere, out of town stadium", found it much more accessible. Why? Because there's a regular matchday train service between Brighton and Falmer, your match ticket entitles you to free train travel to the ground (so no queuing for rail tickets) and the service is 4 and 8 car units.

So if it can be done in Brighton, why not in Coventry, especially as their crowds are barely half what Brighton attract?

I agree with this. I've been to a couple of rugby matches there and it's an awful place to get to. I quite like what Exeter have done with their newish stadium being accessible from Digby & Sowton (and soon to be Cranbrook). FGW have got their act together since Exeter got promoted to the Premiership with additional services and doubled up trains on match days. Just a shame LM can't do likewise.

 

[crispy1978]

I went for an exhibition, and was staying slightly out of town. Found Coventry generally not the easiest place for public transport if I'm honest! I even had a bus interchange in the hospital which is unheard of!!

I really don't see the point of the station if I'm honest if they aren't going to use bigger trains and utilise Matchday traffic. I can't see it getting much use at other times.

 

[The Planner]

They will eventually, when the stock is available. They had money that they had to spend or they would probably lose it as part of some sort of funding mechanism. Better to build it than not ever be able to afford it.

 

[HLE]

Even "well-known messroom rumours" are not all what they appear to be, 100% of the time.

No, quite correct. But a few years ago it was taken as a 'done deal' that 172's would take over when the stations opened.

Personally I think they will double the dogbox up. It seems the only logical thing to do short term. It's crowded enough in the peaks without stopping at 2 new stations.

Someone must have realised at LM, or listened to the crew (here's hoping), that one dogbox isn't adequate for the current service for the most part, let alone the extra stops.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It can happen like that for the Ricoh but it is dependent on 'phase 2' which means a new bay platform at Coventry, two trains an hour (minimum) and a turn back facility. However, despite a date of December 2016 being banded about and some extra money from the government no firm plans exist to actually do it or where the longer trains will come from.

And don;t get me started on the planned electrification i.e. the electric spine....

December 2016 is ambitious! Have you been listening to the local rail user group by any chance?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I went for an exhibition, and was staying slightly out of town. Found Coventry generally not the easiest place for public transport if I'm honest! I even had a bus interchange in the hospital which is unheard of!!

I really don't see the point of the station if I'm honest if they aren't going to use bigger trains and utilise Matchday traffic. I can't see it getting much use at other times.

It has a retail park opposite which should attract a few more passengers.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Id be surprised if 172s ended up there, they need them more on the Snow Hills.

170's have weirdly not been mentioned, yet when the chase is wired won't some of them be released?

 

[The Planner]

Someone must have realised at LM, or listened to the crew (here's hoping), that one dogbox isn't adequate for the current service for the most part, let alone the extra stops.

I think you are doing the chaps at LM a dis-service there, they knew from the start there was no stock to do it, they are facing the same challenge with Kenilworth I suspect.

 

[nuneatonmark]

No, quite correct. But a few years ago it was taken as a 'done deal' that 172's would take over when the stations opened.

Personally I think they will double the dogbox up. It seems the only logical thing to do short term. It's crowded enough in the peaks without stopping at 2 new stations.

Someone must have realised at LM, or listened to the crew (here's hoping), that one dogbox isn't adequate for the current service for the most part, let alone the extra stops.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


December 2016 is ambitious! Have you been listening to the local rail user group by any chance?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It has a retail park opposite which should attract a few more passengers.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


170's have weirdly not been mentioned, yet when the chase is wired won't some of them be released?

I have connection with the local RUG and they have always been very skeptical about the December 2016 date for phase 2. If phase 1 is anything to go by then a delay of at least one year is the minimum we expect. As for electrification, who knows if ever that will happen.

 

[HLE]

I think you are doing the chaps at LM a dis-service there, they knew from the start there was no stock to do it, they are facing the same challenge with Kenilworth I suspect.

No I would certainly think they would be aware.

It's more the recent few months.

The word from LM control is now simply that the stations will open 'later in the year'

Someone somewhere is holding the opening up, the stations bar finishing touches are complete.

 

[midlandred]

Today's Coventry Telegraph reports:

Telegraph readers reacted to the news that London Midland will carry just 75 people every hour and the station will be closed for at least 60 minutes after games end.
Fans of Coventry City FC and Wasps RFC who wish to use the new Ricoh Arena railway station on matchdays are being told not to.
Due to open next month as part of a £13.6million project to improve the Nuneaton to Coventry rail line, the new station is set to be shut for an hour after the final whistle on matchdays - and it will only be able to carry 75 passengers.
Train operator London Midland is telling sports fans to stick to existing bus services instead, after overcrowding concerns led independent stadium Safety Advisory Group to order the one-hour closure after major events, including sports fixtures and concerts.
London Midland has also said there will be no expansion to the hourly service on matchdays.
Telegraph readers responded to the news on social media, with the reaction ranging from the unbelieving to the unhappy.