Monday 30 November 2009
Two ScotRail stations in Inverclyde stand out as beacons of light in a damning Government report which named and shamed Britain’s 10 worst train stations.
Wemyss Bay was highlighted as a glowing example of “a station deeply entwined with its local community” and effectively acting as the gateway to both town and railway.
Gourock Station – less than nine miles away – was showcased because Network Rail’s refurbishment plans mean that ScotRail no longer has a single station out of more than 340 in a so-called “problem” list.
The report by Government “station champions” – former Virgin Trains chief executive Chris Green and Town and Council Planning Association president Sir Peter Hall –
named 10 stations which scored below 50% of proposed minimum standards on inspection visits. All are south of the border.
Their “Better Rail Station” report said that the £600million a year earmarked for improving stations in England and Wales over the next five years was inadequate and another £200million a year must be found to catch up on the backlog of work needed to bring Victorian stations to an acceptable level.
The report added that Scotland’s success was the result of 25 years of consistent investment.
It continued: “If evidence is needed that the challenge is deliverable, it lies in Scotland. First ScotRail also has entered 2009 without a single gap station in a
network of 341 stations – this is the result of consistent standards and stable management and it has taken 25 years to deliver.”
One case study in the report refers to ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme - with particular emphasis on Wemyss Bay Station.
The study noted that 10% of ScotRail stations are now “community stations with local activity,” and added: “As an example, the Friends of Wemyss Bay began planting in Autumn 2008 and moved into empty rooms in time for open days in March 2009 where they signed up 76 members.
“A second hand bookshop opened in April, open six days a week, raising £6,000 in a few weeks.
“The work of the Friends has been the subject of a motion in the Scottish Parliament, and through the Railway Heritage Trust they persuaded Network Rail to commence a £5m station repairs programme.”
On Gourock, the report said: “ScotRail has 341 stations and currently does not have a single station left on its ‘problem’ list. Work has just started at Gourock – the last station on the list. This is the result of 25 years of consistent investment in closing the gap. Clear standards have been set and station upgrades have included the whole station rather than cherry picking.”
Network Rail’s plans for Gourock include constructing a new station building and train operating facility, redesigning the road lay-out to improve access to bus
and taxi services, and the demolition of several redundant buildings.
A second phase will involve renovation of the existing platforms, the installation of a new platform canopy and the refurbishment of the north wall to include glazed
sections offering unobstructed sea views.
Only last month Wemyss Bay Station was named as the Best Adopted Station in Scotland by Passenger Focus, the independent passenger watchdog.
The 2009 award follows the Friends of Wemyss Bay transforming three rooms for community use on the station concourse. In addition to the second hand bookshop, the group has:
• Opened a gallery which now houses an exhibition called “Action Stations” on station adoption successes, and:
• Reintroduced floral displays for which the station was once so famous.
Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said of the report’s findings which were presented to Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport: "We are proud that our efforts have been recognised in terms of setting or exceeding benchmarks for quality standards at stations.
“We will continue to work with industry partners to further improve the overall journey experience for customers in Scotland."
He added "ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme seeks to put stations at the heart of their communities - and the Friends have certainly taken Wemyss Bay Station to their hearts. They have made remarkable progress since holding their first event in April.”
Media Enquiries
Iain Wilson, ScotRail: Tel 0141 335 4565 / iain.wilson@firstgroup.com
