Three Towns Forum
The Local => Local News & Discussion => Topic started by: Llechwedd on October 07, 2011, 11:56:45 am
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Llandudno railway station. I went in an attempt to get a cheap advance return ticket to London. That'll be £49 odd the man said. I gave him £50. He looked horrified and said pay by credit card. I said I don't have one (been there done that). He replied I've just cashed up can't take cash. I looked at my watch - it was ten to three. I close at 3 he said. Why I said, being thick. He replied that they always close at three. They don't open until nine so it's a very short day.
How to run a business in one easy lesson and no I didn't get my advance ticket. Think I'll go to the Junction maybe they will be a little more business like. $angry$
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Your post is very interesting, Llechwedd, because I called at Llandudno Railway Station earlier this week just after 3pm and found it shut.
I did not know it closed at 3pm even though I looked for a sign displaying its opening hours and I could not find one.
As for poor service, I have also experienced that at Llandudno over wrong fares being charged for tickets purchased by one of my daughters so I took my complaint (and my daughter) over to Llandudno Junction where I was asked to submit my complaint in writing by a Senior Manager.
I did as I was asked.
I returned and, to be fair, I was very pleased with the outcome.
Since that bad experience, I always pre-purchase tickets online and with a credit card (and so now do both my daughters) because, surprisingly, credit cards do not attract a surcharge with Virgin Trains which is unusual.
You can then choose to collect your tickets at the station by inserting your credit/debit card.
If the booking office at Llandudno Railway Station is offering poor customer service combined with unfriendly opening hours then its future looks bleak despite all the financial investment for the railway station coming its way in 2012.
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Some while ago I made a complaint to Llandudno Station about the state of the ladies toilets. Despite much haranguing and harassing I never got a satisfactory reply. Now I do know that the state of toilets is usually down to the people who use them, but surely they should be checked and cleaned at certain intervals???
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Is everybody on holiday or just not interested anymore, anyway have we got a start date date for our super new Railway station ££$
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:( Who exactly runs Llandudno railway station, i should imagine it is run from the Junction so they have no real interest as we are just a branch line and its in the Junctions best interest to sell more tickets there .Parts of Llandudno are more likely to use the Bay to travel[ penrhyn bay etc]as its more convient so Llandudno station has no chance of ever being used by all its residents. $walesflag$
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Is everybody on holiday or just not interested anymore, anyway have we got a start date date for our super new Railway station ££$
I know we've heard it all before but I was told last week that the start date is due for February, all the funding is now in place and currently a contractor is being appointed. Detailed plans will then be made public and hopefully they will be easier to fathom out than the last 'exhibition' at Venue Cymru!
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Well I always use Llandudno station and would never dream of going all the way to Colwyn Bay. Our station used to close on a Sunday and I'd have to get a taxi to the Junction but Idon't know if that still happens in the winter. I can't believe that the premier holiday resort of Wales has such a terrible station and will be thrilled if they ever build a new "transport hub".
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The first trip I made to London since being back in Wales, I went to Llandudno for my ticket, I asked for a ticket to Ashford Surrey, when I arrived at Euston I found out it was only for that station & it cost me another 9.00 to get to Ashford, I know I should have checked but I assumed they knew what they were doing!!!. Now I always go to the Junction & have always find them very helpful.
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Our station used to close on a Sunday and I'd have to get a taxi to the Junction but Idon't know if that still happens in the winter.
The Sunday service at Llandudno runs from Easter to mid September only.
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At last the year has arrived that Llandudno gets its all dancing all singing new station,promised to start this spring,please all prey they don;t let us down again.
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yeah right I'll beliece it when I see it up and running and NOT pseudo b***** Victorian!
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Oh dear my worst nightmare,rumours are about the development has hit problems,Cll P Evans sort it out or at least have the decency to let us know WHY there are problems. ps if the rumours are not true just let us know when it is starting,from one of your constituants.
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Who is it that keeps telling us the dates for the development starting,having recieved an e-mail today from a Robin Baku of networkrail he tells me that they are still in negociations with CCBC and Welsh assembly over funding so there is noway this project is starting in the spring as WE have been told .lies lies lies.
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What a joke. Ridiculous that it has taken 17 years for a small project like this to get off the ground, especially in light of the many billions spent on the Olympics that will be of absolutely no benefit to North Wales.
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It puts the Alice trail into a new light doesn't it?
It starts at the railway station, (which will remain an eyesore) .... and misses out the West Shore which is where the main Alice artefacts should be, (because it too is embarrassing).
I wonder if those gentlemen might now reconsider their investment?
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As i have said before Dave they have no problem when it comes to the Rhyder cup and Newport total rebuild of their station,yet when it comes to Llandudno in the North they can Wait.
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Well i;ve just e-mailed Janet Finch -Saunders to enquire where we are upto with the station development, so as soon as i recieve a reply i shall keep you informed.
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££$
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Well i;ve just e-mailed Janet Finch -Saunders to enquire where we are upto with the station development, so as soon as i recieve a reply i shall keep you informed.
If and when you do receive a reply please publish the result in very big letters on the Forum. We will attempt to get the date registered as a National Holiday!!! Only joking Janet! Or am I??? L0L
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Possibly the problem with this project is a combination of the chaotic Network Rail and their constant management changes and the fact that Llandudno is in North Wales with the attendant Welsh Government involvement - or lack of. The Prestatyn station scheme was funded directly by DfT in London and seems to be almost complete. Perhaps we should ask for public transport to be not a devolved function to the Assembly.
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If Transport is devolved, how can Prestatyn Station have been funded directly by the DfT in London? It was a Network Rail funded project, I seem to remember.
But the situation with Llandudno Station has been ridiculous - Network Rail receives billions in subsidy every year - why does it need more financial assistance to do the job that it has already been given the funding to do?
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Prestatyn station was done as part of the DfT's "Access for All" scheme. Money went direct from DfT to NR for the work. The point I was trying to make that there was no Welsh Government = or indeed local government - involvement. That model seems to work and deliver schemes on time with little fuss and cause for criticism.
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Work is reported to start Spring 2012
Conwy County Borough Council : 25/08/11 - Llandudno Railway Station on track for improvements http://bit.ly/xPdd5J (http://bit.ly/xPdd5J)
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Already reported to be at least 3 months delay,just wondered if any one had the latest without waiting for JFS to reply.
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good luck, i sent her a tweet last year asking about the station. still waiting for an answer :rage:
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:'( I will e-mail Cll P Evans for a update. he will reply because that is the nature of the man and he may know and explain or pass the buck,but he should come to us his electrate and explain instead of sitting back all the time.All the Councillors look at this forum but very few take in what they read.
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wrex, I think that comment is a tad unfair as Cllr P Evans is one of the most experienced town and county councillors we have.
We can certainly do with a lot more like him.
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To be fair, the Councillors have no real power, they just nod their heads at whatever the council officers tell them.
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Wrex, to be fair, i don't think it's within the power of one county councillor to put into effect a multi-million pound redevelopment package and ensure all the funding from umpteen different sources is all in place. I am sure Cllr. Evans would love to see it done more than anybody, knowing how much interest he has in public transport issues.
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There's stuff in the minutes of the Town Council on this. They have a Public Transport Committee which has the station on each agenda. Dave is right - but it is the Councils themselves that have no real power over this as the bulk of funding is from other sources (WG, WEFO etc) and the place itself belongs to Network Rail who are the project manager. Ian makes a very valid point as there wouldn't be any discussion locally but for the Transport Committee chaired by Cllr Evans.
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the situation with Llandudno Station has been ridiculous - Network Rail receives billions in subsidy every year - why does it need more financial assistance to do the job that it has already been given the funding to do?
Hmmm.. Depends on where you want to start and how long you've got. Briefly, however, Network Rail is probably doing a pretty decent job, given that in the past four years it's had to assume responsibility for all the work previously contracted out to private companies, and the total maintenance of 20,000 miles of track, 40,000 bridges and tunnels, 2,500 railway stations and many thousands of signals, level crossings, points, turntables, railhead scrubbers, CCTV systems, communications relays, telephone exchanges and buffers, plus a very large fleet of roiling stock all coupled with the inevitable pressure of knowing that even one incorrectly tightened bolt can lead to disastrous consequences.
It's probably too big, but a homogeneous approach to engineering is probably necessary when you're dealing with an industry as big and essential and with a significant potential risk to himan life as the train system.
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Rolling stock is owned by separate companies, I believe.
What's amazing is that Betws Y Coed Station has recently had over £700,000 spent on it by Network Rail/Arriva Trains Wales. Now, it looked nowhere near as bad as Llandudno before the improvements, but the most pertinent fact is that it had a total of 29,516 passengers in 2009/10. Llandudno Station had nearly ten times more at 287,000 passengers, yet not a penny has been spent on it.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6857008257_83c96f161e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/6857008257/)
Betws Y Coed Railway Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/6857008257/#) by davidrobertsphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2009/04/02/arriva-injects-700k-into-betws-y-coed-train-station-55243-23289412/ (http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2009/04/02/arriva-injects-700k-into-betws-y-coed-train-station-55243-23289412/)
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Rolling stock is owned by separate companies, I believe.
That's the freight and passenger stock which the ATOC operate; the rolling stock operated by NW is for maintenance, safety checks and other miscellaneous stuff. It's a surprisingly large collections of trains.
I think what surprises me is that Arriva hasn't grasped the nettle and pushed for the development, as it's clearly in their interests.
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Bring back the London North Western Railway, it was all run properly back then! $good$
Back in the days before most of us had cars!
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No, ME, bring back the St. George's Harbour and Railway Company!
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We have the plans, let's build it! Slight demolition may be needed! :twoface:
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Sorry ithink we have a few crossed lines,all im saying about Cll P Evans is that he could let us know why the project is held up,there is NEVER any feed back,we are left in the dark.
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Wrex, you're getting worked up over nothing because that's all it is. The scheme is a joke and an insult to the town of Llandudno. If and when it goes ahead it will still be an eyesore.
The area covered by the Station and the adjoining yard are in a prime location and the potential is there to bring something in to benefit the town yet no one looks at the overall position.
The train terminus could be located at least 100 yards further up the track and then you're left with acres of land for leisure, retail and residential use.
The Local Development Plan for Bodafon Fields should be kicked into touch and this brownfield site considered instead and keep Mostyn Estates out of any planning as you'll never get anywhere.
There are ways and means of achieving this but getting the right person to have the vision and ability is another thing.
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$good$ Thank you again to all the councillors for their input,they all read this forum yet never reply with one excemption of course that being Jason,oh for Llandudno to have a cll like him,upfront and never afraid to inform his congregation. $thanx$
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Indeed.
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Perhaps, every County Councillor should be encouraged to have their own blog so their constituents can follow what they do on a day-to-day basis especially the highly-paid cabinet members.
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That's a very good idea, Bri. $good$
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They would also be welcome to have their own topics in here - rather like Mike had.
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Another good idea. I'm always amazed that Councillors are missing out on an invaluable free opportunity to regularly keep their constituents in touch with what they are up to. Can only benefit them greatly and would remove the commonly held view that councillors only appear when there is an election in the offing!
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Update on the station development is on page 2 of tomorrow's Weekly News, plus the latest on the Tudno Castle.
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FUNDING delays have put back the completion of work to Llandudno Railway Station from spring to summer next year.
The revamp of the station - which was due to start soon and be finished by spring 2013 - faces procedural setbacks with funding and legal requirements before work on the site could begin.
Plans for the redevelopment of the station were announced in January last year, and included an extension to the car park, a refurbished concourse and green energy-saving measures such as rainwater harvesting.
The plans were jointly developed by Network Rail, North Wales Joint Transport Board, Conwy County Borough Council, Arriva Trains Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
But funding for the project has yet to be agreed and a date for the start of the work is uncertain.
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: "Network Rail, Conwy County Borough Council and the Welsh Government remain committed to delivering this scheme.
"We are currently finalising the details of the funding conditions and legal requirements.
While this is a complex process, it is essential before work begins onsite. We are making positive progress and working towards delivering this scheme as soon as possible."
http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/110345/paperwork-delays-new-look-station.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter (http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/110345/paperwork-delays-new-look-station.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)
Blimey, it didnt take this long to build the pyramids!!!! :laugh:
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They must have got that wrong Dave,as it was spring this year they where supposed to start,but we can now check the NWWN tomorrow as we have just been informed.I will buy tomorrows edition as i have been informed of some news inside.
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They must have got that wrong Dave,as it was spring this year they where supposed to start,but we can now check the NWWN tomorrow as we have just been informed.I will buy tomorrows edition as i have been informed of some news inside.
It's only one page 2 Wrex, just have a quick peek in a copy in ASDA or TESCO! Save your dosh! ;)
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Buying the NWWN supports it and helps keep it operating, Yorkie! ;)
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Buying the NWWN supports it and helps keep it operating, Yorkie! ;)
Yes DaveR - something I of which I am aware, having given the paper my (our) support for 40 years from the Jones' days until last week. For the first 15 by way of a subscription sent to our address in the Midlands. However, I now regard it as poor value for money and I understand many others feel exactly the same.
The comment to Wrex was more of a light-hearted quip than a slight against the NWWN. :D
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..... which was obvious (to most) by your insertion of the 'winking' smiley, Yorkie.
Which after all, is what its for.
I'm not buying the NWWN tomorrow, instead I shall await the revelation on the Forum!
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I'm not buying the NWWN tomorrow, instead I shall await the revelation on the Forum!
Now if all 588 Members do that, and assuming that they do, it will mean a loss to Trinity Mirror of £472.40 - Just shows what value this Forum has! L0L
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Blimey, it didnt take this long to build the pyramids!!!!
I think the Pharaohs had a unique employer - employee incentivisation scheme, Dave _))*
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If I was a betting man. ! I think it may be worth a punt on the track from Llandudno to Junction, being considered for closure and that;s why there all these delays. &shake&
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I'd happily take your money, Quiggs, don't think it will ever happen.
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Remember Doctor Beeching! :(
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We live in more enlightened times now, ME. No line has been closed in Wales for years, quite the opposite in fact. $good$
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If I was a betting man. ! I think it may be worth a punt on the track from Llandudno to Junction, being considered for closure and that;s why there all these delays. &shake&
I have said this for many years as that stretch of railway line from Llandudno Junction through to the old Deganwy Lido is prime for building more luxury apartments on when the housing market returns.
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Remember Doctor Beeching! :(
Brilliant Surgeon - his speciality was amputations! _))*
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Dr Beeching was more of a 'Tree Surgeon'
Just look at all the BRANCH lines he lopped off. WWW
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Dr Beeching was more of a 'Tree Surgeon'
Just look at all the BRANCH lines he lopped off. WWW
Gosh I didn't twig that, so we better leaf it just there unless you want to bark about the roots, bud dy!
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OAK-kay Yorkie, we will leave it there, because I'm SYCAMORE jokes on this subject. :puke2:
I just can't CEDAR point in it.
I think anyone adding to this should be BIRCH-ed, $smack$
But I don't think I would be very POPLAR do YEW?
Right, I shall SPRUCE myself up, and set off to the BEECH.
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L0L
I'm not getting the j OAK. Or am I BARKing up the wrong tree? ;D
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whatever the reason for the delay as outlined on this forum, in the Pioneer or NWWN, it is bad news that the railway saga is just dragging on...this subject will soon have to be moved into the Eyesore section if the station gets any tattier
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I think it's already listed in the eyesore section and quite rightly so as it is a disgrace.
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Do we actually know who is responsible for the hold ups ,CCBC,Welst Assembly or Networkrail.
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Just a thought, given the recent adverse publicity around Awewa, Communities First (Wrexham) and Forces for Good, I wonder if WG are a bit sensitive about grants and are making sure they are not at any risk. This could explain the comment in North Wales Weekly News. Judith Phillips seems to have captured a lot of the local issues this week and deserves our thanks for the details given.
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What we have to wait for this week is to see if the NWWN follows up any of the stories or goes back to it adverts. As for the welsh goverment they certainly threw all the money at Newport station for the golf.
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and it seems to Bridgend.
Arriva Trains Wales
Bridgend Station Carpark Closed 25th & 26th February - As part of ongoing improvements at Bridgend Station, the car park at Bridgend Station will be closed from 1500 on Saturday 25th February until 0300 on Sunday 26th February.
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Well spotted Bri. Did I hear on the news recently that work has started on building a new railway station somewhere round Fishguard ? Oh and I seem to remember a brand new line (or re-opening of a Beeching closure) in the Bridgend area around the time the Assembly came into being.
Incidentally, can anyone shed any light on why north - south services terminate at a variety of destinations (some fairly off the beaten track) in the south like Maesteg, Milford Haven, Pembroke and Carmarthen as well as the more usual Swansea and Cardiff. But no services in the opposite direction terminate at Llandudno ?
Comes back to what I said in an earlier post - if Llandudno was in the south the scheme here would have been finished years ago!
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Incidentally, can anyone shed any light on why north - south services terminate at a variety of destinations (some fairly off the beaten track) in the south like Maesteg, Milford Haven, Pembroke and Carmarthen as well as the more usual Swansea and Cardiff. But no services in the opposite direction terminate at Llandudno ?
A valid point, Cambrian, which reminded about a question put to our First Minister this afternoon during Questions to the First Minister in the Senedd.
When asked about the progress of road improvements to the A470, his answer simply referred to a road leaving Cardiff.
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:'( I will e-mail Cll P Evans for a update. he will reply because that is the nature of the man and he may know and explain or pass the buck,but he should come to us his electrate and explain instead of sitting back all the time.All the Councillors look at this forum but very few take in what they read.
Any reply from Cll P Evans or JFS ???
Cheers
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I really don't see why anyone expects any response from politicians.
When they want YOU, they will be round your door, accost you when you are shopping, and fill blogs/forums with heart felt entreaties.
But once elected, and when you want THEM.... you can forget it.
Have you not got used to that fact yet?
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Talking of politicians, I notice that jfs has joined the forum for the second time just tonight, using the same name! Welcome again, Janet :)
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Llandudno does not even get mentioned by ATW for its latest promotion for Great Advance Purchase Fares.
All major stations in South Wales do and so do a few stations in England. $walesflag$
http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/LoveTheTrain/ExampleAPFares/ (http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/LoveTheTrain/ExampleAPFares/)
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Interesting point Bri. Llandudno does appear as a destination but none of our local stations (except Bangor) feature as originating points for examples.
I had a look at the latest annual passenger statistics from Office of the Rail Regulator which I found on Wikipaedia by searching on Llandudno Station - there are links to all other stations for the same sort of info.
The numbers are interesting:
These rate a mention in ATW's examples
Carmarthern 365k passengers
Milford Haven 54k passengers (yes, 54k)
Pembroke Dock 41k passengers
Haverford West 144k
Now let's see our local ones which are not in:
Junction 313k
Colwyn Bay 290k
Llandudno 287k
The Llandudno figure seems to contradict those "doom and gloom" people who say the trains on the Llandudno line only carry 2 or 3 people!
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I dont think there is much hope for rail travel in North Wales.
Just read a piece in the latest Railmagazine,issue 687 by Andrew Mourant on Network Wales. He wanted to interview Carl Sargeant Welsh
Government Minister for Transport ) but he declined so could only interview Mark Langman ( Network Rail Wales Route Director ).
The whole article runs to 5 pages and is almost all about what is happening in South Wales.
The North Wales coast is not even mentioned the only interest seems to be a link up with Merseyrail for Wrexham to Bidston sometime in the very distant future.
On Page56 is a list of Welsh schemes and the only one in the north is to redouble the track Wrexham to Saltney Junction, perhaps in 2015.
Llandudno Station does not get a mention so I suspect it will not happen.
Plenty of schemes for Cardiff, the Valleys and Swansea areas.
You would think it is 2 countries. :( :'( :'( $walesflag$
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Funny?? Our local politicians and Councillors (who are readers of this Forum) are very quiet on this subject??
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Very interesting piece Mull. A year or so ago Sargeant made appoinments to the "Passenger Users Committee for Wales". Not one of the members lives north of Abergavenny! Network Rail created a Wales entity last year - previously we had been run from Manchester, Birmingham and Swindon depending on the line of rail. So our North Wales lines are now managed by NR in where else ..... Cardiff!
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All i know is JFS has written to Networkrail and Carwyn Jones so all we can do is wait and hope they send a reply,Mike Williams has promised to let me know as soon as.Of course if we all made our County Councillors aware that they should be asking the questions and earning their wages.
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Trouble is Network Rail and Welsh Government take not a blind bit of notice of Councillors (at any level) or AMs (of any Party) in the latter (WG)'s case on any issue not just the station.
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WG is run by Labour who are as bent as they come, their powerbase is in South Wales and that's where they spend all their cash to keep their voters happy.
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Janet has been in touch with Carwyn Jones and he assures us that the project is on the list but there are just a few problems
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The biggest one being it is in NORTH Wales!
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SDQ you are right,there is no real hurry to push the Llandudno station through,they are probably just making sure all southern plans have got enought funding then they will see if the funds are there for us.We should be thankful JFS is on the case,but why do these politicians not get on the case before we get on to them.This development has been stalling for years and i don;t recall one councillor coming out and saying so or pushing thr assembly to acknowledge the north
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wrex, did not this earlier post within this thread address your issue?
There's stuff in the minutes of the Town Council on this. They have a Public Transport Committee which has the station on each agenda. Dave is right - but it is the Councils themselves that have no real power over this as the bulk of funding is from other sources (WG, WEFO etc) and the place itself belongs to Network Rail who are the project manager. Ian makes a very valid point as there wouldn't be any discussion locally but for the Transport Committee chaired by Cllr Evans.
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As IT SAYS B RI THE TOWN COUNCIL HAVE NO SAY,SO WHAT HAVE THE TOWNS TEN COUNTY COUNCILLORS BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS
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I take your point, wrex, and reading this latest Press Release doesn't offer much encouragement either for the future of North Wales Line over to Holyhead.
NEW INQUIRY: CROSS-BORDER ROAD AND RAIL CONNECTIVITY
Call for evidence
The Welsh economy is sustained and developed by road and rail links across the border with England and into Ireland. Two routes in Wales form part of the Trans European Network, which link Ireland to Wales and then to England and the rest of the world. The primary cross-border routes are the South Wales to London road and rail corridor and between North East Wales and North West England which share many economic, social and environmental interests. In more rural areas, such as mid-Wales, the social importance of cross-border transport links is also significant.
Building on previous Inquiries by the Welsh Affairs Committee in 2008 and 2010, the Committee has agreed to undertake an inquiry into cross-border road and rail connectivity. Among the issues that the committee will examine are:
• the extent to which cross-border public road and rail services are currently provided for and accessed by the Welsh population;
• the arrangements currently in place to co-ordinate cross-border road and rail transport service provision;
• the potential impact on Wales of the plans for a High Speed 2 (HS2) Rail Service between London, the Midlands and North of England;
• the funding of cross-border transport infrastructure; and
• the progress made on improving co-ordination between the Welsh Government and Department for Transport on cross-boundary issues and matters of strategic importance.
The Committee asks for written submissions on these and other relevant issues in accordance with the guidelines stated below. The deadline for written submissions is Thursday 12 April 2012. Public oral evidence sessions are expected to commence soon after.
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Ihave just recieved an e-mail confirming that the Assembly has handed over 3.5 million pounds to CCBC and it is the council who is in overall charge of the project.Of course they are now still in talks with Network rail so it is CCBC THAT IS HOLDING UP THE PROJECT.
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Could CCBC be holding up the process due to being over cautious, due to the dogs dinner they made of the Maesdu Bridge project?
It's very important that they do not repeat those expensive foul ups.
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Quiggs recently suggested that all the delays might be a tactic to put forward the idea of closing the junction to Llandudno line completely.
Well this is far from being a new idea. Go back to 1959. The new b ridge was opened in Conwy. No more traffic jams. Wrong. Come the summer and the start of the jams had just moved a quarter of a mile east from the Telford bridge to the junction level crossing. The delays were almost as bad as before the new bridge was built.
It was at that time that closing the line was first considered.
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That's interesting. Was it seriously considered by the Council or the railway ? I only ask because I can remember literally dozens of trains coming through to Llandudno particularly on Saturdays in the early 1960s. All the holidaymakers and their luggage would have had to detrain into coaches and vans at the junction (and the same on the way back) adding to road congestion and it would be back to square 1.
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local council elections will come up in May, so local councillors will be making themselves known to get your vote
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Good time to ask each one what they intend to do about the station, perhaps?
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it is a very good time and why not get them to put their replies on here!
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What is the point??
Guto Bebb, Janet Finch Saunders, and Uncle Tom Cobley... they will all regale you with the ''fact'' that THEIR new station will feature dancing fountains, polished marble platforms and 50 foot high solid gold statues of Alex Munro.... and we will all go OOOHH I'll vote for them, then within 20 minutes of the election they will be nowhere to be seen.
Politicians make me sick, :puke2: :puke2: Its a fantastic way to avoid getting a proper job.
Woe betide any of them that choose to knock on my door!
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they will all regale you with the ''fact'' that THEIR new station will feature dancing fountains, polished marble platforms and 50 foot high solid gold statues of Alex Munro
I doubt they'd give any firm commitments at all, since politicians of all parties are becoming increasingly wary about having their promises come back to haunt them in the instant communication era. But that could be as valuable: at least we'd know who was blathering and who genuinely wanted to do something.
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they will all regale you with the ''fact'' that THEIR new station will feature dancing fountains, polished marble platforms and 50 foot high solid gold statues of Alex Munro
I doubt they'd give any firm commitments at all, since politicians of all parties are becoming increasingly wary about having their promises come back to haunt them in the instant communication era.
They will give you a firm commitment on the Station Development just in time to coincide with the announcement that train services to Llandudno are to be discontinued! _))* _))* _))*
Just as a matter of interest is the old station yard still owned by Northern Markets? ;)
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The fact is that politicians at local level have no power, all they do is rubber stamp decisions taken by council officers and WG.
Perhaps, at elections, the electorate should be presented instead with a list of potential schemes and vote for which ones they wish to go ahead.
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Perhaps, at elections, the electorate should be presented instead with a list of potential schemes and vote for which ones they wish to go ahead.
We could also adopt the US system, whereby in some states voters can hold a binding referendum on policy decisions taken by councillors.
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According to the front page of today’s Daily Post, the booking office at Llandudno Railway Station is threatened with closure.
I wonder if Arriva Trains Wales is running out of money after refurbishing all those booking offices in South Wales !!
20 February 2012
ATW are currently carrying out a scheme of booking office refurbishments all across Wales.
Work will be carried out at the following locations on the below dates;
Runcorn East – 27th February 2012 to 5th March 2012 inclusive
Wrexham General – 28th February 2012 to 7th March 2012 inclusive
Leominster – 12th March 2012 to 23rd March 2012 inclusive
Machynlleth – 22nd February 2012 (re-opening on 23rd February 2012)
Bangor – 23rd February 2012 (re-opening on 24th February 2012)
A number of stations have already received the improvements and now enjoy much improved access for passengers using wheelchairs. These stations include; Barry, Cadoxton, Penarth, Neath, Llanelli, Haverfordwest, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, Pengam, Ystrad Mynach, Aber, Porth, Radyr, Abergavenny, Holyhead.
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I thought they promised the future of Llandudno's booking
office was safe when this subject was raised when the
plans were passed for the station refurbishment.
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This little saga goes on and on and on,i have asked Mike Williams (JFS) to look into why CCBCis holding up prceedings now they have had the 3.5 million from the assembly,it not as if they have;nt had long enought.
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Transport in Wales is a devolved matter, why the Daily Post keeps quoting a report drawn up by the UK Government, I don't know?
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Well as I've said before on this site it only seems to be open from 8 a.m. to 3.00p.m.
I was interested in yesterdays NWWN to see that the new station seems to now have money but disturbed to see that it looks like the Victorian stuff will be kept and re-furbished. I can be very naive at times as I thought we were going to get a brand spanking new , MODERN station! Ho hum. :(
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the Victorian stuff will be kept and re-furbished.
The world is split between those who think Victoriana should be kept at all costs, and those who'd prefer the ultra-modern option.
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I was told the station was listed
& there had already been a
complaint over the part that
has already been demolished.
I don't know if it's true.
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the Victorian stuff will be kept and re-furbished.
The world is split between those who think Victoriana should be kept at all costs, and those who'd prefer the ultra-modern option.
As I'm a fan of Fred Dibnah, guess which side I'm on :laugh: Usually the Victorian architecture looks fabulous and the modern stuff (to my eyes) looks awful :o
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The problem is that modern buildings use cheap materials, date quickly and just don't last. It also seems a colossal waste to demolish a building that could instead be refurbished for another 100 years use at less cost than constructing a new building that will last for maybe 30 years.
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Listed Buildings in Llandudno, Conwy, Wales | British Listed Buildings http://bit.ly/yxLv1U (http://bit.ly/yxLv1U)
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Wasn't there a display of the proposals at Venue Cymru last year ?
No-one seems to have mentioned that the old named seats have been removed from the platforms and concourse. The staff say they have been taken to be restored. Also a temporary bus stop has appeared alongside the Nevill so perhaps things are beginning to move.
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*&( $bounce$ $sunny$ :__)+ +}}{-- _))++ D) ZXZ Z**
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I hope the station is refurbished as it is a real turn off for visitors [and locals] but as far as booking offices are concerned they are in the main as dead as the Dodo.
When I worked for TfL I set up the Oyster Card help desk and that is intended and will move all ticket sales to on-line or selfservice. And don't think it can't coup with Off peak/Multi mode/ Travelcard Discounts etc. It can.
Newham Council were, even back then looking to use them for library cards etc and yes they can be incorporated into your mobile phone and the like.
Its the future only thing stopping it is the RMT, they all fear Bob Crow.
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Bob Crow rightly points out the safety implications caused by there being no staff at railway stations making it an ideal place for muggings, assaults, vandalism, etc...
Also the lack of a guard on driver only trains may have similar results never mind the fact that should the train be involved in a serious incident and the driver has to walk back up to a mile behind the train to lay emergency detonator protection, it would leave the train with no responsible member of staff on board which could result in passengers wandering on to the line & being hit by trains on other lines. Without people like Mr Crow these decisions would be made on a purely financial basis with no thought to safety and security.
Should you find yourself in one of these trains or stations in the future and a member of staff saves you from an assault or mugging who might otherwise not have been there owing to purely financial cuts you might have a different view of the situation.
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The suggestion about booking offices could apply equally to places like Venue Cymru or even shops if everything was done on line. There are still many people around who prefer to talk to a person when trying to get a good deal on a rail fare or journey. The usual clerk at Llandudno, Peter, is always very helpful and patient with older people.
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Listed Buildings in Llandudno, Conwy, Wales | British Listed Buildings http://bit.ly/yxLv1U (http://bit.ly/yxLv1U)
Have just contacted these people-- the addresses do not correspond in any way with the location of the buildings.--Ours is listed 3 times and all 3 are wrong !
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The suggestion about booking offices could apply equally to places like Venue Cymru or even shops if everything was done on line. There are still many people around who prefer to talk to a person when trying to get a good deal on a rail fare or journey. The usual clerk at Llandudno, Peter, is always very helpful and patient with older people.
I too have found Peter to be very pleasant and helpful. I have also been behind people in the queue who would try the patience of a saint, but he has remained calm and polite.
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I can't seem to get the hang of this quote thingy, my comment has ended up in the blue bit again :-[
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I can't seem to get the hang of this quote thingy, my comment has ended up in the blue bit again :-[
Just make sure that your bit starts after the [ /quote ] bit and all will be well. ;) ;D
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This needs someone in Bodlondeb to let the people of Llandudno know what the hold up is and just explain,its a disgrace that that they treat us like idiots and have no respect for the tax payers.So the question is,you have recieved the 3.5 million from the Assembly so could you please let the peasants know why there is a hold up and stop trating the people who pay your wages like .....
/
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wrex, have you tried speaking to any of the staff at the railway station about the issue because there are signs that matters are finally starting to move forward?
The staff say they have been taken to be restored. Also a temporary bus stop has appeared alongside the Nevill so perhaps things are beginning to move.
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In my experience the railway staff are usually last to know!
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Cheers Bri,but it would be nice for Cll P Evans just for once to come to us and say this is were we are at the moment instead of keeping us in the dark,thats what he is paid to do,call Judith and say delay or date.
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Am I being cynical by thinking the interest earned on such a large sum of money by any delay to the scheme would be kept seperate from the original sum and find it's way into another fund?
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According to Chris Dearden's twitter feed who was at today's Council Cabinet meeting:
"Leader of Conwy council says "small number of complicated issues" remain before refurbishment of Llandudno station can begin."
"Conwy council told much hard work has been done to move refurbishment of Llandudno station on but remaining issues will need Welsh Govt help"
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Imagine how Conwy Council would get on if they had a large project to carry out... :laugh:
Seriously, it's pathetic, this has been going on for donkey's years and still no end in sight.
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I bet this didn't happen in Victorian times, back then they just got on with it and built quality buildings, which if maintained correctly last for hundreds of years. As a bonus they usually look great too!
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and still no end in sight.
Not much of a beginning, either...
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Having just seen the new Kings Cross station,which has cost over 500 million it is no surprise that networkrail are so slow to fork out a meagre couple of million on our little scheme.
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Just had a look at the cabinet meeting minutes from yesterday and i can see no mention of the station,alot of projects and figures including Colwyn prom but no mention of the funding for station,worrying.
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Going back to the article in "Rail" on Network Rail Wales, Llandudno station is not listed.
I think the project has been dropped . All the money has been spent in South Wales. :twoface: :twoface:
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You could be right, mull.
Llandudno is low priority.
14 March 2012
The former Fishguard & Goodwick station is on track to reopen as work progresses to rebuild the station.
Pembrokeshire County Council has cleared the site and demolished the former station buildings while Network Rail have completed an operation to realign the track to bring it into gauge with the platform.
Located in the centre of Goodwick, the former station was closed almost 50 years ago. Council officers have now finalised designs for car parking at the rear of the old station together with nearby bus stops.
Councillor Jamie Adams, SWWITCH Voting Member and Deputy Leader for Pembrokeshire County Council said improvements to rail services west of Swansea were not only a priority for Pembrokeshire but for the South West region as a whole.
"The re-opening of the station will be a positive step for the communities of Fishguard and Goodwick and help attract passengers onto the new enhanced rail services," he said.
Funding from the Welsh Government has provided five additional trains a day to and from Fishguard from Mondays and Saturdays, which are in addition to the two current services that connect with the ferries to Ireland.
Estimated to open for train services in May 2012, the new station at Goodwick will provide a more convenient location for people wishing to use the new services when arriving by car, bus, bicycle or on foot.
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Lets try and guess what is going on here as no Clls have bothered to explain.The latest we know is that there are some minor,but complicated delays,my guess is they have overspent on Colwyn Bays waterfront and new arena :'(
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Perhaps it's all been spent on school transport and cigarettes for Joan Vaughan? :twoface:
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Upgrade at Chester has now been completed.
16 March 2012
The 14 month project to refurbish parts of Chester station has been completed.
Funded by the Department for Transport National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP), the North West Development Agency, Merseytravel and the Railway Heritage Trust, the £2m project has seen extensive refurbishment of the Grade II listed building.
Designed by architects BDP, the improvements include
a new lift lobby
an increased number of waiting rooms
a new travel centre
new café area
refurbished stairwell access
Network Rail also undertook a major renewal project to replace the station canopy, which spans all 7 platforms.
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Good point again Bri. Chester has been underway for some years in fairness. Interesting that there was no WAG. WEFO or Council involvement - this seems to be a key difference that a lot seem to miss.
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I've just been told that the outstanding issues have now been resolved and work on the Station should start in September.
Chris Dearden @C_Dearden
Conwy council says final issues with refurbishment of Llandudno railway station have now been sorted. Building work should start September.
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Llandudno Railway Station Improvement
Project Update
Conwy County Borough Council is pleased to confirm that the funding conditions and legal requirements for the Llandudno Railway Station Improvement Project have been finalised.
This £5.2m European funded project will be delivered by Welsh Government, Network Rail and Conwy County Borough Council, and work can now start on the detailed design phase of the project, with construction work anticipated to start in September.
Barbara Burchell, Principal European Officer, Conwy County Borough Council said, “Whilst this has been a complex process, it was essential that all the issues were resolved before work started on site.”
“Once the improvements at the station are complete, it will be a great asset to the town and will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. It will create a great first impression for visitors to our town, and I’m delighted that these long-standing plans will now become a reality.”
The improvements to the Station will include new glazing of the concourse area, new ticket windows, the upgrade of the passenger toilets, a new retail facility, refurbishment of platform areas, new lighting, additional seating, upgrade of the customer information system, and a new car park.
Links to other means of transport will also be provided with the creation of a car and taxi drop-off point, a bus lay-by with two bus stops outside the front of the station, additional bicycle storage facilities and an improved walking route to the station car park.
END
Additional Information
Conwy County Borough Council will administer the TAITH funding, and will sit on the Shadow Project Board, along with Welsh Government, Network Rail, Arriva and TAITH.
Welsh Government will receive the funding from the European Regional Development Fund and employ Network Rail as a direct deliverer of the project. This arrangement will also provide a way forward for the NSIP+ Programme to be delivered throughout the rest of Wales.
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That's very good news. Reading the very last comment, it looks as if Llandudno is the precursor of a much bigger programme so this may explain the "complexities".
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Well that shuts us all up until Sept,or gives them 5 months to work out the next delay. :P
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Well that shuts us all up until Sept,or gives them 5 months to work out the next delay. :P
Which will probably be the Annual re-run of the Christmas Lights!
:laugh:
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Will they have cut the long grass by September ?
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A big investment for North Wales railways..just not for this end!
A RAIL route is to get a cash injection of £46m to improve speeds and efficiency.
The news from the Welsh Government that the railway line between Wrexham and Chester is to be redoubled after 30 years has been welcomed by Wrexham council.
The scheme is being delivered under the Welsh Governments National Transport Plan, and forms part of the North-South Wales journey time enhancement project.
Between Saltney Junction and Wrexham General, seven miles of track will be redoubled, having been singled in the 1980s and the line speed will be increased to 90mph on some sections.
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Shows the folly of singling the line 30 years ago.
Bet it would not have cost £42m to have kept it as it was.
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From the BBC today:
"Transport Minister Carl Sargeant has announced a £25m grant to improve public transport across Wales.
The money will be divided between four regional transport consortia to support travel plans and improve road safety.
The south east Wales consortium (Sewta) will receive £10.6m, south west Wales(SWWITCH) £5.7m, north Wales (Taith) £5.6m and mid Wales (TraCC) will get £3.1m.
Mr Sargeant said he expected the consortia to "use this money wisely".
The groups represent local authorities for their regions and previously submitted regional transport plans to the Welsh government.
In north Wales, £750,000 will go towards improvements at Llandudno railway station and £250,000 to develop the Vale of Clwyd cycle route in Ruthin.
Another £300,000 will help create a walking and cycling path at Lon Deheuol Llyn."
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I use the cafe next to the railway station a lot. I also use their toilet a fair few times.
But now its closed, sign on the door "sorry out of order." Or something like that.
Speaking to another customer I was told that there is nothing wrong with the toilet in the cafe, its all to do with "something" in the railway station territory
So, in the meantime, a small cup of tea rather than my usual large mug.
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Just booked to go to Cardiff on Sunday. It will take 5 and a half hours and cost £76 single. Good grief.
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On yer bike! $00$
Go by National Express or whatever is available to the other end of the Principality, must be cheaper than that! Available from £5.50 http://national-coach-travel.co.uk/coach-travel.asp?to=996&from=242 (http://national-coach-travel.co.uk/coach-travel.asp?to=996&from=242) ££$
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Just booked to go to Cardiff on Sunday. It will take 5 and a half hours and cost £76 single. Good grief.
Of course, Club 55 ends this Wednesday and that is only £19 return.
I have just checked, Llechwedd, and it seems you could have purchased an Advance Single for £30 and also chosen one of several journeys which would have taken at least one hour less. :o
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Unforunately I am going to a concert which starts at 4.p.m. and the bus wouldn't get there in time because oh gosh it's at least 160 miles away. I use Club 55 when I can but as you say it closes on sat. damn.
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In the past when doing long journeys to the south, I have found the Wales Explorer Pass to be very good value for money. It is valid for 8 days and available for all 8 on buses at any time. For 4 of the days you can use it on trains as well but only after 0915 Mon - Fri so you can have the odd day out to Chester or Shrewsbury as well. It costs around £89 but also has the usual discount for various card holders.
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Went to the station yesterday to make an enquiry and the booking office was closed and locked uop at 2.40p.m. Complained today to anice man who knows what he is doing. Nuff said?
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Llandudno station is only a one turn station so the hours open will fit around a 37 hour week for one person plus a rest day. Very roughly that is just over 7 hours a day. I expect most of their business is conducted between 0830 and 1500 which is why the office is open usually between those times.
Many years ago I think it had an early turn clerk and another on lates but these days I suppose we should be thankful we do have one person there as many stations now have no staff at all.
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The station is supposed to be open from 8a.am. to 3p.m. It was closed chained etc. at 2.40 when I complained the man said it should have been open to 3p.m. Las year I complained because the usual man there refused to take cash at 2.45 as he had already cashed up for the day. No way to run a business and hopefully it will change if and when we get a new statuion.
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I like the when we get a new station bit Llechwedd,as we know September is the date they have given so CCBC have a person on the case now working out excuses for another delay.
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The station is supposed to be open from 8a.am. to 3p.m. It was closed chained etc. at 2.40 when I complained the man said it should have been open to 3p.m. Las year I complained because the usual man there refused to take cash at 2.45 as he had already cashed up for the day. No way to run a business and hopefully it will change if and when we get a new statuion.
Faced with that pathetic level of service. I would simply board the train of my choice and pay nothing until challenged.
Why waste time with the booking office anyway?
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Why waste time with the booking office anyway?
Because the ticket is cheaper from the booking office than if bought on the train.
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Too true, SDQ. Conductors are also well within their rights to refuse to accept railcards if you board at a staffed station without purchasing a ticket - as I found to my cost when we had a family railcard!
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Fair enough, but if the ticket office can't be bothered opening in its contracted hours... or do cash transactions within those same hours, I would be justified in making a deduction of my own when paying on the train.
Anyhow, on the very rare occasions I need to travel by train, I would use trainline.com ...even cheaper!
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When I went to to the booking office here and saw a nice man he quoted me £47.90 or advance £40.something from Abergavenny to London. Luckily I didn't have enough money on me. I went to Junction yesterday as I couldn't stand the strain of Llandudno and got a ticket for £23 aaagh. Does anyone at Arriva know what they are doing? The man who served me kept on asking what did my colleague in Llandudno say re. prices? I pretended I couldn't remember. Why would he do that what's going on?
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Llechwedd, as you are a regular user of the railways network may I recommend you purchase a senior railcard?
It is a shame somebody did not recommend one when you recently paid £76 for train journey down to Cardiff because it would have given you one third off the £76 you actually paid.
That is around a £25 saving which is roughly the cost of an annual senior railcard for one whole year.
As for prices for your future train journeys, I recommend you carry out your own research online and in your own time.
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I hate to tell you this but I do have a senior rail card. I was quoting the full price just to demonstrate what a rip off it is to travel a mere 160 miles. The other prices quoted are all WITH said card!
I don't have a credit card (been there done that!) so can't get tickets on web. I try and get Advance tickets when I can but they usually involve an enforced one hour wait in Chester (which I try and ignore - haven't been caught yet).
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Just booked to go to Cardiff on Sunday. It will take 5 and a half hours and cost £76 single. Good grief.
In that case, the £76 is only a rip-off because you want to be at the Wales Millennium Centre in good time on a Sunday to watch a performance that commences at 4pm so you have chosen to travel via Crewe tomorrow morning.
As a result, your train journey will take 5 hours and 14 minutes.
Earlier in the week, an advance single ticket to Cardiff leaving tomorrow morning cost £36 and it would have only taken you 4 hours and 17 minutes.
You could have caught that train and still not missed the performance start by catching a taxi straight down to Cardiff Bay.
With a senior railcard that ticket would have cost only £24.
Whilst I agree train fares can be expensive I feel you have been unfair to Arriva Trains Wales on this occasion.
BTW, you can always use a debit card to purchase tickets online if you do not have a credit card.
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Fester,
Watch using the on line ticket sellers.
I think you will find it cheaper to stick to the Train operating companys sites.
Thats the advice from Barry Doe the expert in "Rail" magazine. This boy knows his stuff.
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Can anyone remember why the Station development was downgraded from atransport hub,the original plan was tohave the coach park on platform 4and 5.I wonder who decided that this was not feasable.
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My guess would be more revenue from using that area as a car park.
If they allowed coaches into the station they would need an area for them to turn around as well as an area to drop off/pick up which would take up nearly all the space available, plus I wouldn't be surprised if some drivers would park up and abandon their coach causing the area to become congested. The coaches after all can be seen as competition to the railway so what is the incentive for Network Rail allowing them on to their property. This way they have a chance to raise some revenue from a car park which can be used by rail users as well as some shoppers. There is an area outside the front of the station for the local buses which I guess will be used by coaches too.
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I notice South Wales has had a new railway station built with Arriva Trains Wales offering cheap railcards to locals for only £5:-
It's time for celebration today as the new station at Fishguard & Goodwick opens for the first time in almost 50 years.
If you live in any of these postcodes, save 1/3 on local rail fares as far as Swansea with a Pembrokeshire Railcard. The card is only £5 for 12 months and with one journey, it will almost pay for itself!
SA34 0, SA35 0, SA37 0, SA41 3, SA42 0, SA43 3, SA61 1, SA61 2, SA62 3, S...A62 4, SA62 5, SA62 6, SA63 4, SA64 0, SA65 9, SA66 7, SA67 7, SA67 8, SA68 0, SA69 9, SA70 7, SA70 8, SA71 4, SA71 5, SA72 4, SA72 6, SA73 1, SA73 2, SA73 3
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Work starts in 3 months have they announced who has got the contract and they should by now have re-published the plans for us to look at again,this is something for the NWWN to investigate for its readers in Llandudno.
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Heading of to Scarborough in july on a special from Llandudno ,so i will have the chance to compare a lot of stations en-route and there will be no where asd bad as ours.I visited Fort William 4 yearsago and that was a small but very modern station,i just hopr they don;t go back on their word for starting in SEPTEMBER as this has been a long and disgusting episode for Llandudno and there are certain councillors who should be ashamed at their lack of leadership in this long,long episode.
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Well it seems there is a hold up on the project,now i hope im wrong but if not why has no councillors had the balls to let us know,why the secret rubbish,so please will one of you explain why September start date appears to already be in doubt.
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CCBC seem to be blaming networkrail at the moment,as we are not on the main line there is no incentive to spend or find the funding for it.
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wrex it is comming to the time that i was told the station was going to close ,[winding down] ,the queenof the welsh resorts doesn,t want visitors look at all the eyesores that we all mention nothing gets done ,ccbc at it best :rage:
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I wonder how many holidaymakers arrive by train? Off the top of my head, I would expect most visitors to arrive by car, closely followed by coach. Don't get me wrong though the station is a very sad sight now. Councils, network rail etc get your act together, the money still comes from us, filtered down through various organisations all creaming off cash along the way! $angry$
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The latest Rail Regulator's figures show 287,000 passengers use Llandudno station per year.
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The chances of Llandudno Railway Station closing are precisely zero.
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Go back to my posting on 24 Feb.
Nothing has changed Network Rail have only one scheme on the go for North Wales (Wrexham- Chester).
LLandudno station not on the radar with them yet and unlikely to be for a long time.
It is all happening in South Wales.
Only hope for this scheme is if the council will take it forward. &shake& :'( $angry$
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I wonder if it maybe our turn next? $good$
The £7.6m refurbishment programme at Swansea station has been completed. The station was officially re-opened by Carl Sargeant AM, Minister for Local Government and Communities
The project was funded by the Welsh Government, Network Rail, the Department for Transport National Stations Improvement Programme and the European Regional Development Fund. It was delivered by Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail.
Improvement work includes a brighter, more welcoming interior concourse, a new ticket office, Costa Coffee and W H Smith retail outlets , a customer help point, toilets, customer information screens for trains buses and CCTV.
The new concourse provides improved access to and from the platforms with a glass screen and new platform canopies allowing natural light to flow through the station.
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can any one get a picture of our station next to Swansea please.
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I can't imagine why people think Swansea Station looks smarter than Llandudno? :laugh:
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3642/3675104925_5654ee43a6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3675104925/)
Looking Out (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3675104925/#) by [davidrobertsphotography] (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3364/3667980965_3aeb905198_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3667980965/)
Abandoned (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/3667980965/#) by [davidrobertsphotography] (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2255/1847636476_4add69438e_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/1847636476/)
All Change (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/1847636476/#) by [davidrobertsphotography] (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
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Is it still in use, to me it looks disused?
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30+ trains a day serve Llandudno station.
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Is it still in use, to me it looks disused?
Top photo shows the operational part of the Station, middle photo is the bit round the back, bottom pic has now been demolished.
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I'm with Wrex on this one. I think it needs improving!
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The latest Rail Regulator's figures show 287,000 passengers use Llandudno station per year.
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Not even going to attempt this,but how many does that work out a day.
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About 1,083, I wonder how many are locals? Also is it like the buses ie most passengers do not pay or get a large discount? ???
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About 1,083, I wonder how many are locals? Also is it like the buses ie most passengers do not pay or get a large discount? ???
I think you divided by 265 days instead of 365 days there MerddinEmrys.
Taking into account no trains run on Christmas Day & Boxing Day plus Sunday service only runs for about 26 weeks then trains run into Llandudno approximately 337 days a year. Therefore the average is about 851 per day.
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Oops! I knew I should have waited till I was fully awake before doing that calculation! L0L
Did you take in to account leap years? :twoface: ;D
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Also is it like the buses ie most passengers do not pay or get a large discount? ???
No, with the exception of the Conwy Valley Line (which free pass holders can use), everyone pays for their tickets.
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Usage of the Station is steadily increasing, in spite of its terrible condition:
2007/08 0.266 million
2008/09 0.267 million
2009/10 0.287 million
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I spent 20 minutes of my life in the station the other night waiting in the rain for a non existant taxi. "Ooops sorry" - never mind I'll walk.
What a DUMP it is awful what a welcome to the town. The sooner it is knocked down and replaced by a glass and limestone building with a Welsh slate roof the better.
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Well now,i asked Kirsty Williams the question about Llandudno station and have had a few replys,but at the moment the problem seems to be something called European state aid,ihave replied with why did Newport or Swansea have no problems with european state aid,as we are 11 years into our plans or is it the North problem,i will let you know what happens next.
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I have e-mailed JFS with the same question ,since the 11 years our project was proposed every South Wales station has been redeveloped at the expense of the North and now they are still finding obstacles,disgusting.
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Apparently all is now in place for this long awaited project to proceed as planned for September,lets all hope this is the kick start the town needs with other eyesores.
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Hopefully so Wrex. Did JFS tell you that regarding the funding then? Fingers crossed!!
It would be interesting to know about the Clarence as I think Oscar mentioned that it was still very much on course last week (?). I wonder if he or anyone has any updates.
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Having looked back on the comments, I could see only one who said it was not going to happen in September.
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I think myself and Mull are the ones who never really thought this was going to start,i remember seeing plans for the coaches to go on platform 4 and 5 i don;t think anybody ever explained to us the electrate as to why this never came about,but Cambrian you must realise after 11 years why a few of us have no faith in any date that has been given.
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Just prior to my retirement I worked for CCBC and I remember Consultants being employed and discussions on the Station becoming a Transport Hub and Resort Welcome area 18 or 19 years ago. The wheels of progress grind slowly onwards (or backwards). ZXZ
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It would be interesting to know about the Clarence as I think Oscar mentioned that it was still very much on course last week (?). I wonder if he or anyone has any updates.
I believe a new Planning Application will need to be submitted, as part of the building (Arvon Ave side) will need to be demolished/rebuilt due to its very poor condition.
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Yes.
Think the wheels have come off the rails on this one.
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Some visitors thoughts on the Station:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1134344#post1134344 (http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1134344#post1134344)
Thanks to Andrew Stuart for supplying the Link.
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Septmber is not far off now,does anybody know what th time scale is for the development.
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Has a contractor been appointed?
We were promised another exhibition at Venue Cymru with the detailed plans but this hasn't materialised either.
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Lets not hope this means they are no were near starting then.
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Looking back a week or so, I thought our AMs had told us all was ok and it was on track (pardon the pun!)
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Lets hope it hasn't been de-railed.... or hit the buffers, or run out of steam!
It needs to be a Platform for the regeneration of that part of town.
Joking apart, it needs to get done......... but we are in the hands of politicians.... &shake&
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Sorry Cambrian i missed that,was it in the NWWN.
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Yes!
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$donald$
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So Craigydonian what is the answer,how long is this overdue development going to take.
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This time next Saturday i will be sat on a special train bound for Scarborough,i will be leaving our delightful station and heading hopefully to a real seaside town,while my wife will be admiring shop windows i will be admiring their station,their flower beds,grass verges sad i know buti really am disgusted at the uncut grass all over Llandudno,if you have;nt noticed get off your backside this weekend ,pretend you are a tourist for the day and see how it is presented.Just imagine its your first visit then come home and tell your family what you saw,that is your homework for the weekend(councillors need not apply,its all your mess).I will take photos of Scarborough and we will compare,i will get it through to you that this town is being neglected big style by both CCBC and our own could;nt give a damn town council.
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Why don't you take all the Councillors to Scarborough with you - and leave them there! Maybe a bit a bracing ozone from the direction of Scandinavia will sharpen their brains. D)
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This time next Saturday i will be sat on a special train bound for Scarborough,i will be leaving our delightful station and heading hopefully to a real seaside town,while my wife will be admiring shop windows i will be admiring their station,their flower beds,grass verges sad i know buti really am disgusted at the uncut grass all over Llandudno,if you have;nt noticed get off your backside this weekend ,pretend you are a tourist for the day and see how it is presented.Just imagine its your first visit then come home and tell your family what you saw,that is your homework for the weekend(councillors need not apply,its all your mess).I will take photos of Scarborough and we will compare,i will get it through to you that this town is being neglected big style by both CCBC and our own could;nt give a damn town council.
Hey Wrex, there is a lot wrong with Scarborough.
Mrs Fester and I used to go there nearly every weekend, until fate brought us back to Llandudno after a long absence.
We never looked back.
I will never regret that, Llandudno is a million times more friendly and welcoming than Scarborough.
They have invested a lot in the North Bay leisure areas in the last few years, but apart from the lovely seafood stalls in South Bay, the pubs are a bit tatty, a LOT rough .... and the views are nowhere near as good as Llandudno.
The train station is well maintained, but there is nothing special about the town centre.
Weatherspoons, Wilkinson's, Home Bargains, Yates Wines etc.... like most other towns.
Conwy Castle kicks the ass of Scarborough's ruined relic any day of the week.
There should be at least one fresh seafood and shellfish outlet in Llandudno... (supplied by Mermaid?) ... the produce round here is second to none!
If you spend a week in Scarborough, you will be glad to get home to Llandudno! (Bring me a crab back mate)
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Only going on a train excursion for the day Fester,we all know this town is brilliant, especially when it is maintained properly,all im going to cheque is if the council maintain the gardens there thats all,i might ask what their xmas lights are like though.
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If you make your way to Peasholm Park, you will find it beautifully maintained,with a very enticing boating lake and various attractions.
But, that is a fair old walk from the train station.
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Hi Fester,
Its a railway station not a train station.
We are not America ......yet !
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Hi Fester,
Its a railway station not a train station.
We are not America ......yet !
It's 'cos it's a station for trains as opposed to buses or trams or casualties or first-aid etc. It's exactly what it says on the tin! L0L _))*
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Shouldn't it be called a Train Stop then? :twoface:
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It used to be Railway Station on the tin and I am not aware people had trouble understanding that.
Why do we have to copy the Americans all the timet was alright as it was.
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I always thought it was railway station but maybe I'm just old!
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I've always known it as railway station, but I have no problem with train station either :laugh:
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Shouldn't it be called a Train Stop then? :twoface:
What about THROUGH Trains? ZXZ
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Gorsaf Rheilffordd. $walesflag$
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Ydw i'n newid tren i Rhyl? $walesflag$
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Train is usually a noun accompanied by an adjective eg camel train, land train, railway train, etc; so it seems to me it should be railway station. It's one of those irritations like the dropping of the apostrophe.
Getting back on topic, I hear the "wrex express" will not be departing Llandudno on Saturday but full marks to Arriva they will honour the tickets to connect at the Junction. It seems a new guy at Network Rail has vetoed 10 coach trains from using Llandudno.
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There's nothing new about it, the maximum capacity of all 3 platforms in Llandudno is a loco + 9 carriages.
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Christ, I have always called it a train station all my life... just the way I was brought up.
Its a station that I used to go to, to get on a train.
I think the Isle of Mull must be a little boring if that's all you have to concern yourself with.
I have been known to go to a bus station to get on a bus..... whats the difference? ...... and who gives a SH#T.
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I have been known to go to a bus station to get on a bus..... whats the difference? ...... and who gives a SH#T.
Do you mean a Roadway Station? ;D
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I wonder when it became "nothing new" that the platform capacity was loco plus 9 coaches. I can recall 10 and 11 coach trains and my memory is supported by a Marshalling Circular from 1977/78 which shows trains to London and Manchester comprised of such lengths. I hear the Royal Scotsman was stopped short at the Junction yesterday; I remember seeing this train in Llandudno two years ago.
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If you ever wonder when we started saying train station instead of railway station, read on.
(By Christopher Howse Last updated: August 24th, 2006)
"I'm sitting in the railway station," sang Paul Simon, inspired, some say by Widnes. Others say he was waiting at the now disused Ditton station, on the Cheshire-Lancashire border.
And if it comes to that, the photograph for the sleeve for Some Might Say, Oasis's first No 1, was taken at Cromford railway station, Derbyshire.
I also note that the Pogues' version of the traditional song Poor Paddy (works on the railway) gives topographical detail lacking in the standard version: "In eighteen hundred and forty-two / From Hartlepool I moved to Crewe / Found myself a job to do / A working on the railway."
But this is not quite the point at issue. On train station versus railway station, a friendly internet dictionary [http://www.wordreference.com] gives railway station as the English for gare, but also gives train stop. It gives estacion de ferrocarril for both railway station and railroad station.
Railroad station used to be common in Britain, as anyone who has read Trollope knows. It is never used now in British English, but train station is definitely becoming the preferred form over railway station.
Why should this be? British Railways was the name of the network after nationalisation in 1948. In 1968 the name was changed to British Rail. The arrowed logo was retained for National Rail (the brand name of the Association of Train Operating Companies) after privatisation in 1993. The tracks were run first by Railtrack, which was effectively confiscated from its shareholders by the Government in 2002, and then run by Network.
All these names seem to privilege rail above train. But if you want to look up in the book the telephone number for timetable enquiries, you'll find it under "Train Times". I suspect that train station is reinforced by the parallel form bus station. Some towns have even got the idea of building one near the other for ease of travel. Others still reject this arrangement in favour of a character-building walk.
A complicating factor is onboard announcements of the next station stop. Bookshops suffer a perennial confusion over Robert Byron's book about monastic life in Greece called The Station. It is often shelved under transport."
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And from the Guardian...
When did "railway station" become "train station"?
Probably around the time that kilometers became kilometers, when things that were "up to you" were suddenly "down to you", when people started saying they felt "good" and not "well", and when adverbs became an endangered species. Oh, and when people stopping sitting and standing and were just "sat" or "stood".
Rosemary Chamberlin, Bristol
Railway stations have many designations, but "train depot" is probably the commonest in the English-speaking world. The Russian railways have the most interesting one, vokshol, which derives from an early visit to British railways and the then main London terminus at Vauxhall. The Russian word derives from this because of a misunderstanding that "Vauxhall" meant "train station".
Brian Robinson, Brentwood, Essex
This is another attempt by our American cousins to "modernise" the language. My wife, Susan, originally from Louisiana, places railway in the ancient and obscure lingo category, along with aeroplane, motor car, carriageway and even charabanc.
Jonathan Street, Etchingham, E Sussex
According to the Google Books Ngram Viewer, which calculates the frequency of phrases in all books scanned by Google from 1800 to 2000, the phrase "train station" was first used significantly in 1960, and has been growing in popularity ever since. However, at least according to Google's data, "railway station" is still more popular.
Robin Wilson, Southampton
In 1963, when Lord Beeching closed down more than half of them.
David Prothero, Harpenden, Herts
For me, it was when I realised that modes of transport generally stop at places named after the type of transport itself, rather than what it rides on. It's why we don't catch a bus at a road station, and why we have tram stops, monorail stations, helipads, bike racks and car parks. Ports and airports are the exceptions and I see no reason for trains to be dispensated any longer.
Steve Smith, Lancaster
I suppose one of the reasons why "train station" is used rather than "railway station" is because it's easier to say, but why not just plain "station"? We say we are going to meet someone "at the station" and the road to it will probably be called "Station Road", not "Railway Station Road", let alone "Train Station Road". So when did "station" become "railway station"?
Roger Hand, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset
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I wonder when it became "nothing new" that the platform capacity was loco plus 9 coaches. I can recall 10 and 11 coach trains and my memory is supported by a Marshalling Circular from 1977/78 which shows trains to London and Manchester comprised of such lengths. I hear the Royal Scotsman was stopped short at the Junction yesterday; I remember seeing this train in Llandudno two years ago.
Platform 3 used to be a loco + 11 coaches but the signal was moved back in line with the gantry of platforms 1 & 2 about 10 years ago when the old one was corroded at the base and became dangerous (I think the only thing keeping it up was the ladder!).
Anything longer than a loco + 9 and the train sits past the signal (so when it leaves it is an unsignalled move) and occupies the next track circuit which then locks the points, meaning a sealed release has to be broken to move the points which by-passes the integrity of the interlocking of the signalling equipment.
The Down siding is locked out of use so you can't use it to run the loco round it's train so that means trains need to be either top and tailed (2 locos +8) or a run round using the crossover in platforms 1 & 2 which would also reduce the consist of the train as it needs extra room to do it.
I understand that the Royal Scotsman was being sent up the branch to stable overnight at Llanrwst North Station.
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Thanks for the clarification SDQ. I'm sure I am not alone in wondering what has changed since May when Statesman ran their charter in for the Extravaganza.
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Thanks for the clarification SDQ. I'm sure I am not alone in wondering what has changed since May when Statesman ran their charter in for the Extravaganza.
I think the train you're referring to was too big owing to an idiot in 'Planning' who allowed it to run which put the signaller on duty in a quandary as to whether to accept it. He was put under undue pressure from people sat in offices to let it run and had to do everything I described in my previous post. For the sake of a few quid a lot of rules and regulations were broken but that seems to be acceptable if it's profitable, that's the modern railway for you!
Thankfully everything went quite smoothly on the day but had there been an incident it would have been interesting to see if Network Rail had held up their hands or left the signaller out to dry!
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The good news is the ten-vehicle long Statesman Rail charter train will be back this Saturday.
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But not, unfortunately, into Llandudno, Bri.
Some better news is that Arriva are restoring a Cardiff - Llandudno and Llandudno - Cardiff service after a gap of at least 40 years. They are also running in a direct service from Birmingham International and one from Manchester Airport. The change will take place sometime in September.
Going back to the charter trains, someone was asking me about the old Cae Mawr sidings, now reduced to 3 roads with attendant small trees courtesy of Network Rail. If these were properly maintained presumably the loco could draw forward and be parked up until departure thus avoiding the fouling of the track circuit SDQ describes.
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But not, unfortunately, into Llandudno, Bri.
Are you sure, Cambrian?
Today's Daily Post states " But late yesterday a Network Rail spokesman said there had been a 'special instruction' to the signaller to let this train use Llandudno."
This was after Conwy County Council's spokesman Cllr Philip Evans was dismayed by the ban which had left the operator giving customers the bad news.
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Some better news is that Arriva are restoring a Cardiff - Llandudno and Llandudno - Cardiff service after a gap of at least 40 years. They are also running in a direct service from Birmingham International and one from Manchester Airport. The change will take place sometime in September.
That's good news. $good$
Going back to the charter trains, someone was asking me about the old Cae Mawr sidings, now reduced to 3 roads with attendant small trees courtesy of Network Rail. If these were properly maintained presumably the loco could draw forward and be parked up until departure thus avoiding the fouling of the track circuit SDQ describes.
When were those sidings last used?
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Some better news is that Arriva are restoring a Cardiff - Llandudno and Llandudno - Cardiff service after a gap of at least 40 years. They are also running in a direct service from Birmingham International and one from Manchester Airport. The change will take place sometime in September.
Going back to the charter trains, someone was asking me about the old Cae Mawr sidings, now reduced to 3 roads with attendant small trees courtesy of Network Rail. If these were properly maintained presumably the loco could draw forward and be parked up until departure thus avoiding the fouling of the track circuit SDQ describes.
The Cardiff & Birmingham trains that currently run to Holyhead will terminate in Llandudno and the Manchester trains will run to Holyhead instead of Llandudno apparently, so the North Wales coast has exactly the same service but the services will be swapping where they terminate.
As I mentioned earlier the Down siding (Cae Mawr) is locked out of use and hasn't been used for the 14 years I've worked for Network Rail plus a few more on top. If a train went in there now I'm pretty sure it would just immediately derail.
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I agree SDQ that's why I said: if the sidings were properly maintained.
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Like the ones at Llandudno Junction then! Doesnt one of the railfreight companies 'own' them?
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No Dave, they belong to Network Rail. If you look carefully at the Junction ones you can just see some wagons there which I think are owned by EWS (if that operator still exists). They were left there by the freight operator to ensure the sidings were not "lifted" by Network Rail - or so I was told by a local railwayman!.
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Found this on a Forum:
"I assume that the rake of waggons is still languishing at Llandudno Junction. The freight sidings behind the station are somehow for the exclusive use of EWS/DB (so I dimly recall). Some years back, there were grumblings about the fact that they denied anyone else permission to use them, yet didn't use them theirselves. When NR pressed them about it, a rake of waggons were stabled there to make a point. Weeds and long grass then went about hiding them!"
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Basically they dumped the old wagons there to stop Network Rail using the sidings to stable trains in busy periods or engineering trains overnight and now they're so knackered they can't be moved by rail. I don't think there was ever a plan to lift the sidings as they're quite useful to the company.
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Im back,only because Cll P Evans did try to get the Wrex express back into Llandudno,unfortunatley he has failed,we have to make our way to the Junction so that is it ,no more specials for town,so lets close the station and get a cycle path with no sand on it.This town is going to end up like Rhyl and not even Cll Evans or Mostyn estates can stop it,guest houses going to flats and who can blame them,no indoor facilities in this weather is a KILLER.
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I saw this article (http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/local-conwy-news/2012/07/12/tourism-fear-as-charter-trains-may-no-longer-visit-llandudno-55243-31373645/) in the NWWN when idly browsing the other day - it seems to bear out what you say Wrex....
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so that is it ,no more specials for town,so lets close the station and get a cycle path with no sand on it.This town is going to end up like Rhyl and not even Cll Evans or Mostyn estates can stop it.
With the greatest of respect nobody has said 'specials' can't come to Llandudno, all they have to do is limit the size to 9 carriages instead of 10, it's not rocket science!
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Watt!! L0L
Nothing to get steamed up about!! _))*
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Obviously its not economical to run small trains so Llandudno does lose out end of.
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We're talking about reducing it by ONE carriage Wrex, I'd hardly call that a small train. I think there's a difference between economical and pure greed by the operators trying to milk as much profit as possible regardless of the rules & regulations of the infrastructure company. I can't understand the rationale behind them saying it's ten carriages or nothing, it sounds like blackmail to me!
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Its very hard for me as i used to take my dog on to Trinity Ave playing fields every lunch time in my dinner break and watch train after train pour in,they would be piled up everywhere,now your told they can;t even handle one train due to the sidings having been left to wrot with no maintance,due to the extravaganza there would have been 3 specials calling in over that weekend which would not have happened in decades and unfortunatly will never happen again,anyway im off to catch the 6.34 service train to connect to the Llandudno-Scarborough special what a shame and cock up.
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On another note, how is this train good for tourism when it's actually taking people AWAY from Llandudno to another seaside resort?
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I do believe it would be possible to have 2 specials in LLandudno station at the same time as well as running the normal timetable bringing visitors into Llandudno.Providing all train companies liaise with Network rail regarding the maximum length of train permitted, it is really quite an easy rule to follow, and if done properly makes it SAFE for everyne.That seems to be the key word you all seem to be missing !
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SDQ the train was taking locals away for thot tourists and we spoke to the manager of Statesman rail on our way to Scarborough and he cannot afford to hang around,they are already selling tickets for next years Extravaganza,so he will have to cancel it in a few weeks,so i hope all concerned can get their heads together and quick before this jobsworth loses Llandudno thousands in income.I hope Craigydonian follows this one up this week ,because the Statesman company are not happy.It has taken the extravaganza committee years to encourage specials to come in and we would have had 3 on the Saturday,unfortunatley Llandudno could not cope with 3 so a special from Norwich was not allowed to enter town(Nenta),we had the Statesman and Vintage trains doing steam,which then could not return back into town for some reason,so Ll;andudno is being treated as a joke by Network rail and they need sorting out quick Guto bebb
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Wrex makes some very valid points. I get the impression Network Rail are not very positive when it comes to thinking outside the box (no pun intended!) and encouraging charters which ironically add to their revenue. If there was a will to have 10 coach trains plus top and tail engines, it would happen. The latest excuse (by local management) was apparently they could not change the timetable - surely this was agreed a year ago. Also they could not provide a couple of signallers to do 30 minutes overtime. I too am sure Guto Bebb will sort this out as the there seems to be a problem with the management of this organisation.
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We went out early this morning to see the train Wrex was on, hope you had a great trip!
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN2270.jpg)
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN2274.jpg)
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN2275.jpg)
Something seems bonkers if these trains can no longer come into Llandudno station (or whats left of it!) it needs sorting quick by someone!
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When are you people going to wake up and smell the roses???
There are NO jobsworths, no lack of signallers or negative attitude of Network Rail playing a part here.
The FACT is that the maximum capacity of all 3 platforms in Llandudno is a loco + 9 carriages, nothing longer than that should be allowed as laid down by the rules and regulations. Those rules and regs are there for a purpose, SAFETY. I can tell you that every rule in the rule book is there at the expense of a life, that is to say someone died in an accident and a rule was made to try and ensure it never happens again! There is nothing in the rule book saying 'disregard these rules if someone wants to make a few extra quid'. Statesman Rail are welcome to run specials into Llandudno, they just have to limit the size of the train to the maximum capacity of the platforms. If a policeman stops a taxi or bus carrying too many passengers is he going to let the driver off if he says he can make more money that way? NO he isn't, because it's unsafe & against the law. The rule book is the law of the railway.
Guto Bebb, Philip Evans or anyone else you care to name don't have the authority to tell Network Rail how to run trains & I'm sure if someone explained the exact situation to them they wouldn't want to get involved as money NEVER comes before safety. FACT!
With regard to Wrex's 3 specials, if they had let all 3 run into town they would have filled ALL the platforms. Where would the regular service trains drop their passengers off then?
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Every problem has a solution. Parking problems created Park and Ride so why not the same with trains? Let the Extravaganza Specials drop the people off at the Junction if they can't "park" in Llandudno and bus them in with all these old LST's and RTL's etc. that come to the Transport Festival. Or am I being a little naive? ££$
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SDQ ,whatever your interest in rail,wether you work for them or just like to to be a health and safety expert i don;t know,the Nenta train was going to Holyhead but advertised Llandudno and the Extravaganza and wanted to come into town to drop off but as normal this area connot COPE.The vintage train also went to Holyhead to turn around so there was only one left in.That then brings me onto the point SDQ,why the hell have the sidings been left to deteriorate that they cannot be used to park up the trains.
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These days its very unusal to see one special in Llandudno,let alone 3 in a day,yet that is to the credit of the Extravaganza;s success that these companies want to come.My carriage yesterday was pasted the end of two platforms en-route to Scarborough so this is obviously not the problem,it seems the signal has been moved to the end of the platform,well during our 11 year wait to have our EYESORE done up they can move the signal back,networkrail seem to have built a brand new mobile mast just beyond the signal box,SDQ can you explain what this is.
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FAO Wrex
While you are lobbying everyone who will listen to you MP'S ,Local Councillors etc can you also enquire what will happen when SOME SIGNALBOXES along the north wales coast will be closed (Including Llandudno and Deganwy)in 2014 ,yes as early as that !
When this does happen and your 3 specials lock up LLandudno station the drivers will have to speak to someone in Cardiff and not pop up to the signalbox and have a chat with the signaller on duty who would have explained the movements required to get the job moving.
Hang on on second thoughts that is silly isnt it, keep everyone in town for an extra night that will bring more money into Llandudno.
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It's a GSM(R) mast, one of dozens recently built along the North Wales coast which will ultimately lead to the demise of my career (plus many more signallers) when the trains will be signalled by staff in a signalling centre in Cardiff.
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That is sad news SDQ , but Wrex and the rest wont be to concerned as to who signals their specials as long as they come into Llandudno. ££$
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Someone in Network Rail, headquarters in Milton Keynes, decided to replace a worn out signal on the cheap by relocating it closer into the station.
I take it they consulted with the Train Operating Companies that run reguler services into the station but I wonder if the Charter Train companies were. Most of these companies with 10/12 coach formation carrying up to 500 passegers.
I wonder if anyone conected with Llandudno tourism was consulted and advised of the possible loss of business to the town.
There is potential for at least one charter train a week throughout the year, steam or diesel hauled.
As a retired railway operating manager I agree with SDQ the signals, track circuits and interlocking are there for safety and should only be overriden in exceptional circumstances. Humans make mistakes and people get hurt.
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Sorry to here that jobs are going,i take this is happening all over britain
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Someone in Network Rail, headquarters in Milton Keynes, decided to replace a worn out signal on the cheap by relocating it closer into the station.
I take it they consulted with the Train Operating Companies that run reguler services into the station but I wonder if the Charter Train companies were. Most of these companies with 10/12 coach formation carrying up to 500 passegers.
I wonder if anyone conected with Llandudno tourism was consulted and advised of the possible loss of business to the town.
There is potential for at least one charter train a week throughout the year, steam or diesel hauled.
As a retired railway operating manager I agree with SDQ the signals, track circuits and interlocking are there for safety and should only be overriden in exceptional circumstances. Humans make mistakes and people get hurt.
To be honest the cheapest way to replace it would have been a like for like replacement. As it is someone decided to move it which would have been costlier as they would have had to lay an electric cable for illuminating it plus signal wires and new foundations. I think the decision was taken to improve the sighting of the signal as they also applied for special dispensation to allow the signal to be placed on the right hand side of the track as the platform curves to the left. Railtrack may have possibly liaised with First North Western at the time when making their decision, I'm not privy to that sort of information but it would have made sense.
It is doubtful that Railtrack would have consulted all the private charter or heritage companies about the decision to move the signal as it would be a costly and time consuming exercise and at the time nobody seemed interested in running specials to Llandudno, a fact that it has taken this many years to come to light would only back this up. If the rail planning department had done their job correctly at the beginning and told them the maximum sizes permitted to run into Llandudno we wouldn't be having this conversation, they get paid enough and to make such a basic mistake is quite frankly pathetic.
Looking at Merddin Emrys' pictures it looks like the train was top & tailed with 10 carriages so the train was even longer than everyone was claiming which only justifies the decision not to allow it to run into Llandudno as it would have tied up the station for the whole time it was there stopping any other trains from running as it would have fouled up all the signalling equipment and necessitated an unsignalled move by-passing the interlocking safety mechanism.
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If they are going to resignal the area in the next few years there must be signalling plans available now.
Now is the time for the Tourist Board/ council/local attractions to make it known they want charter trains in Llandudno.
Once the resignalling has taken place it will be very expensive to change it.
Hope someone does something about this . It will be to late after the new signalling is installed.
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To the best of my knowledge all the plans have already been drawn up so it's possible this situation has not been taken into account and it's probably too late if it's been missed.
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Coalition announce £9bn investment in rail projects.
Includes electrification Cardiff to Swansea and South Wales valley lines.
Llandudno station or anything in North Wales does not get a mention.
Talk about 2 countries.
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Spot on, Mull! I don't know if anyone else watched "(south) Wales Today" on the BBC earlier tonight. We were entertained to around 11 minutes of Nick Savini and cast all eulogising the extension of electrification to Swansea plus the Valley lines.
If there's a case for electrification from Cardiff to Swansea, why not Crewe to Chester - or the Bidston - Wrexham line to provide a link direct to Liverpool.
We have been ill-served by UKG and WG as usual. David Jones MP was tweeting away as if this announcement was the Second Coming.
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Whilst there has been no mention of electrification I have already pointed out that Network Rail are currently installing equipment that should see North Wales resignalled as far as Llandudno Junction by November 2014 & phase II should see it extended to Holyhead by 2019. If you take into account the money spent at Prestatyn, Llandudno Station's imminent redevelopment & plans to redevelop Rhyl station you can hardly say the north is being ignored.
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plans to redevelop Rhyl station
What...again? It was only a few years ago it was all rebuilt/renovated.
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plans to redevelop Rhyl station
What...again? It was only a few years ago it was all rebuilt/renovated.
Plans have been drawn up to transform Rhyl's Victorian railway station.
There has been criticism of the appearance and facilities at the station in recent years. Now, Arriva Trains Wales has submitted plans to Denbighshire council to make the station more appealing to visitors.
Work will start when funding has been confirmed by the Welsh government.
The main building, footbridge, canopies and a red telephone box on one platform are protected and Grade II-listed.
The station, which opened in 1848, was once a major artery bringing people and goods into north Wales.
It is also said to have been a catalyst for Rhyl's development as a tourist town in the 19th Century.
However, the application which can be viewed on Denbighshire council's website, concedes that the station has "significantly reduced from its peak".
This expansion of the station facilities reflects the growth of Rhyl as a tourist destination in recent years”
The forecourt, incorporating a new-look bus stand, has recently been redeveloped.
Now, the plan is to "transform Rhyl station to become a true interchange" to provide integration with the bus network and cyclists.
The application points out that extensive regeneration work is going on elsewhere around the town which includes redevelopment of the harbour area as well as demolition of old and rundown properties near the front.
"This expansion of the station facilities shows the growth of Rhyl as a tourist destination in recent years," said the report.
The application has just been formally submitted to Denbighshire council and will be considered by councillors soon.
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They would be better served getting rid of the drunks and lowlifes that infest the station forecourt.
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It is true that Rhyl had major refurbishment work in the early days of Denbighshire CC so it is not too long ago. I am sure a scheme was also carried out in the 1970s as well when the booking office was remodelled and the buildings on the far platforms were removed.
Turning to Prestatyn, that scheme is one to cater for access issues and funded by DfT.
The signalling scheme is one presumably being done by NR for its own reasons: reducing maintenance and staff costs. No doubt the scheme will omit any provision for Cae Mawr sidings and not address the issue of the offending starting signal at Llandudno's platform 3.
I still think North Wales gets a poor deal when you look at the capital poured into South Wales stations and new lines - even entirely new stations.
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In my opinion, rail electrification of the Crewe - Holyhead railway line warranted priority over the rail electrification of the South Wales Valleys.
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I agree.
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In all honesty unless there was a significant rise in the number of trains serving the North Wales coast it wouldn't be financially viable to electrify the line as with the resultant cost of the work plus new rolling stock it would take forever to recoup the money.
It pains me to say it but resignalling would have a bigger impact as it would remove the problem caused by a couple of long sections we have, especially when some boxes switch out in the evening making the sections even longer (when Talacre & Prestatyn switch out the section becomes Holywell to Rhyl). Throw in a late running train and it knocks any trains running very close behind it.
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What rail project ever recoups its money? That's always an odd argument, I feel. After all, does the A55 ever recoup its money?
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There's more than one way to make money. In Network Rail's case if it meant they could run more trains they would make additional revenue from the TOCs and FOCs, this would help recoup the costs of the upgrade. As it is they have spare capacity on the coast owing to the frequency (or infrequency) of the present services so the upgrade to electrification would have zero impact, on the contrary it would cost everyone a fortune.
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"End of Specials into Llandudno" the headline roared !
Funny how the west coast railway company ltd are running specials into Llandudno platform 3 for the next 5 sundays, maybe they aint being to greedy and have listened to the advise given regarding the maximum length permitted.
For your info train arrives 1356 and departs 1401 this Sunday and returns same day 1907 and departing for Liverpool 1912.
Cameras at the ready and waiting for the how come "our" train brigade to start up their trumpets.
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Sorry Anne,but i just want as many specials into town as we can get and if some are greedy so be it,iwould prefer a greedy train operator than no operator at all.
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So if all of the train operators were greedy and no specials arrive in Llandudno that is their own fault and no one else's ie Network Rail etc.
Can't wait for the Weekly news to come out on thursday with the breaking news that specials are welcome to come into Llandudno, maybe the local councillors canattend the arrival of the special on sunday and have their picture taken with it to prove specials can SAFELY come to Llandudno for next years extravaganza.
Don't think any will show up though !
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Here's one - multiply it by 30 for the Town Council and 60 for the County, then deduct one for each Councillor who is on both! ;D Happy Days!
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I have heard it said that the excursions will only call at Llandudno on 29th July and 19th August which are the dates the train comprises 9 carriages.
The other Sundays the loading is supposed to be 11 carriages and they will go direct to Holyhead. We will see.
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Lets hope you are correct in what you have heard Cambrian, if 9 carriages is the limit that can SAFELY be worked in/out of Llandudno then there is no way 11 carriages should attempt to come into Llandudno.
The train is actually adevertised to go to Holyhead for the next few Sundays anyway, and will leave Llandudno to go to Holyhead and return to Llandudno this Sunday.
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Lets just get one platform extended so that we can stop all this squabbling,move a few signals ,reinstate the sidings along Kings Ave,sorted,small change compared too all the South Wales work.
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Quite right wrex! Just needs the starter at platform 3 moving so the track circuit can be adjusted. Just because some of us, like you and me, are less indulgent of Network Rail doesn't make it a squabble though.
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Any offical start date for the project as i will be down there on September the first with the flags out expecting work to start,but we all know that ain;t going to happen,i can hear the excuses already,we have;nt had time,what 11 years,contractors gone bust.Stop it have faith.
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Are we going to be there on the first day of work with a glass of champagne, Wrex? ;D
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Are we going to be there on the first day of work with a glass of champagne, Wrex? ;D
Is that the Royal 'We' or are you going to join him Dave? :)
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Perhaps we should have a Forum meetup to celebrate? $good$
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Perhaps we should have a Forum meetup to celebrate? $good$
Or to get the first Stagecoach out of town! >?>??
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I know not many of you buy it, but if you want an update on the station redevelopment you might be interested in seeing tomorrow's Weekly News.
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Fair do;s,five weeks before they told us the scheme was due to start,they have told us have;nt even given the contracts out,Rhyl will be done again before us.
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How did the train look in Llandudno Station ,i missed it.
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How did the train look in Llandudno Station ,i missed it.
So did everyone else. It didn't come in because it was too long.
I think there is a steam train in tomorrow.
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I thought there were 5 trains booked in by a certain company,somebody told us.
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There were 5 booked but Cambrian said only the ones on 29th July & 19th August would actually fit as the others were too long.
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What time is the special small train coming in
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It came in at 13:50, it will be back at 19:07 departing at 19:12
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I have been told it did indeed return SDQ, departed Llandudno at 1910.All done safe and sound because EVERYONE followed the rules. Its quite simple really !
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I went to see it go,very nice engine,South Africa it was called,you could of had at least another two carriages on it though.
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So how many carriages where there, wrex?
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Diesel at the back and i think nine carriages
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So a steam engine called ‘South Africa’ hauling nine carriages plus a diesel at the rear.
In your opinion, wrex, there was room in the station for another two carriages without it going past the signal.
Is that correct?
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I went to see it go,very nice engine,South Africa it was called,you could of had at least another two carriages on it though.
Diesel at the back and i think nine carriages
You've just contradicted yourself, you know the maximum capacity is a loco +9 so therefore you could not have had at least another two carriages on as it would have been too long!
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October start date now!
Llandudno railway station: Reassurance on £5.4m revamp
A Welsh government minister says a multimillion-pound scheme to refurbish Llandudno's railway station remains on track.
Construction work was due to start this summer, but with no sign of that happening there has been local speculation about its future.
Transport Minister Carl Sargeant said there had been some difficulties, but those had now been sorted out.
Contracts for the work will now be awarded by October.
The scheme includes new shops and toilets, refurbished platforms and ticket areas, as well as an upgrade of the customer information system, and a new car park.
Mr Sargeant said the scheme was being delivered under the Wales station improvement programme
In a letter to Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders, he said there had been "some complexities with the EU grant scheme," but these had now been resolved.
A final review is being undertaken, with the aim of letting the contract by autumn, he added.
Ms Finch-Saunders said she was thrilled to hear everything was on track: "People in Llandudno and the wider locality have high expectations for the project.
"This is a very important scheme which has potential to breathe new life into our antiquated infrastructure and will bring immense benefits to Llandudno," she added.
Network Rail said because contracts had not been signed it was unable to release details about the costs for the various parts of the scheme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-19160313 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-19160313)
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Which October? ;D
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A Welsh government minister says a multimillion-pound scheme to refurbish Llandudno's railway station remains on track.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-19160313 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-19160313)
That is until someone puts a sleeper across the track and derails it. :rage:
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I was talking to my manager about this the other day & he says he's heard that they're due to start removing the track in platforms 4 & 5 by the end of August in preparation for the scheme to begin so I guess that's the first sign to look out for.
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'Contracts will be awarded in October'
That doesn't sound like a firm commitment for any actual work getting done?
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How long will it take for things too get going from the contracts being awarded and work starting,officials must have known that work could not start in september but where still happy to tell us that date,we have fallen for this bull for years.
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How long will it take for things too get going from the contracts being awarded and work starting,officials must have known that work could not start in september but where still happy to tell us that date,we have fallen for this bull for years.
Until detailed plans have been drawn up then you can't put it out to tender as contractors can't put a price on it.
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Ive seen pretty detailed plans, so there should be minimal delay once the final go-ahead is given.
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Every time I here a new 'proposed' date for this project... or some movement on the Pier Pavilion site, my BS-ometer goes into overdrive.
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_))* very good and very useful too!
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Thanks M.E.... I fear that it will be making regular appearances on numerous topics!
Particularly where politicians are involved.
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Went to York at the weekend and went into the railway museum,excellent place but i was pig sick to see they have a turntable inside the main hall just for show,its about time Llandudno demanded a turntable of its own.
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we did have a turntable when we had a real station
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Norman i used to go newting in it,iremember it well,but there is no reason why we can;t have a new one with a bit of willpower,just not the council,althought cll P Evans would put all his effort into this one.
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yes the turntable and water tower where at the rear of Alex road,but as a child i was amazed at how two men could turn around one of those great big black engines,i even saw a man turn one on his own one day,mind you it was a struggle
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Most turntables have gone since the demise of steam, diesels don't need them, a pity as they would be handy for the visiting steam locomotives, but who would pay to install them?
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Europe,CCBC,Welsh assembly
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Just seen in latest issue of Rail 702 page19.
ATW are making changes to North Wales train services from September 17.
Final para.......Other changes to North Wales services are planned to accommodate the main change, including the withdrawl of a number of sevices each way between Llandudno and Llandudno Junction.
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MPs will hold FirstWestern to its promises for North Wales
by Our Correspondent, DPW WestAug 16 2012
THE new operators of the West Coast main line will be judged on their ability to improve services to Holyhead, MPs warned yesterday.
They were speaking after the Government decided to take the franchise away from Virgin after 15 years.
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said it was “insane” to award the contract to rivals FirstGroup, which has a chequered record, especially over the Great Western mainline from London to South Wales.
FirstGroup promised improvements including: “Doubling frequency of London to Preston services and adding capacity to Chester and North Wales.”
Chief Executive Tim O’Toole pledged reduced journey times, new direct services, improved train interiors, better catering, station upgrades and a smart ticketing system.
The bid includes cutting 15 minutes from trains between London and Glasgow, new direct services from the capital to Blackpool, Telford, Shrewsbury and Bolton and 40,000 extra seats by 2016.
Mr O’Toole said: “We look forward to bringing an exciting mix of innovation, and customer and service improvements to InterCity West Coast and creating a better railway for all.”
Vale of Clwyd Labour MP Chris Ruane said: “I have invited Tim O’Toole to meet the North Wales group of Labour MPs to see what his franchise can do for the North Wales line.
“I hope they can deliver, and we intend to hold them to their promises, judging them on their track record.
“They say they will add capacity, and we will be seeking clarification as will that mean more frequent services, as we would prefer, or longer trains?
“That must mean services to North Wales, not just Chester which is not too badly served, but through to Holyhead.”
Arfon MP Hywel Williams welcomed the commitment to improving services to North Wales, which he felt must include more direct journeys from Holyhead and Bangor to London and Manchester Airport.
The Plaid Cymru MP said: “We will be doing what we can to make sure that pledges are honoured.
“After all, when railway improvement announcements were made last month, North Wales was ignored – despite the North Wales line being a vital international route between the Republic of Ireland, London and the continent.
“Electrification of the North Wales line would cost as little as £300m, which is tiny in the context of billions of pounds of improvements in England announced by the Treasury.”
Plaid’s North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd demanded guarantees from Rail Minister Theresa Villiers staffing and less profitable lines would not be cut, as that would hit the North Wales economy.
FirstGroup will take over the franchise on December 9 and is due to operate the service until 2026.
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If the First Great western experience is anything to go by the extra seats will be achieved by fitting 10+ more seats in each coach.
Hard lines if you have long legs and want to take a suitcase with you.
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Just seen in latest issue of Rail 702 page19.
ATW are making changes to North Wales train services from September 17.
Final para.......Other changes to North Wales services are planned to accommodate the main change, including the withdrawal of a number of services each way between Llandudno and Llandudno Junction.
Perhaps, with this news about the shuttle service is linked to what Cambrian informed us last month.
Some better news is that Arriva are restoring a Cardiff - Llandudno and Llandudno - Cardiff service after a gap of at least 40 years. They are also running in a direct service from Birmingham International and one from Manchester Airport. The change will take place sometime in September.
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Just seen in latest issue of Rail 702 page19.
ATW are making changes to North Wales train services from September 17.
Final para.......Other changes to North Wales services are planned to accommodate the main change, including the withdrawl of a number of sevices each way between Llandudno and Llandudno Junction.
I wouldn't read too much into that. For a number of years the Manchester trains used to come into Llandudno and sit for quite a long time waiting to leave for their return journey, then someone realised that if these trains ran a shuttle service to Junction & back in that time any revenue earned would be a bonus as the crew are being paid regardless and the small amount of extra fuel would soon be covered by the paying passengers. Arriva had similar ideas when I worked for their bus division, they hated any standing time & wanted the wheels constantly moving! In theory the idea was basically sound but in practice it allows very little room to make up lost time with these shuttles regularly chasing their tail trying to get back on time for the departure of the Manchester service. In some cases the Manchester service arrives so late the shuttle service doesn't run at all.
With regard to the changes in September, I've already mentioned in a previous post that some of the Manchester trains will be going to Bangor/Holyhead instead of Llandudno so it stands to reason that if these trains don't run they can't operate the Junction shuttle service, these will be the withdrawn services stated by ATW.
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Perhaps things may not be quite as bleak as suggested. My understanding is the 0845 Manchester is replaced by an 0830 Cardiff.
The 0908 Junction will not run neither will the 1344 Manchester. The rest may well be much as it is. What is sometimes forgetten is the Blaenau service which leaves almost in the wake of the shuttle three times - one of which will replace the the 1308 shuttle. What could be more of a real problem is potential disruption to Llandudno connections to/from Bangor.
SDQ's point about operators not wanting crews and assets standing idle is quite correct.
What is not clear is why these changes seem to be brought in with almost indecent haste given that changes were already planned for December in the normal course of events.
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What is not clear is why these changes seem to be brought in with almost indecent haste given that changes were already planned for December in the normal course of events.
Seeing as we've known about them for a few weeks and they're still a month away I guess your interpretation of indecent haste is very different to mine. There are generally timetable changes in mid September (this is when the Sunday service to the Llandudno & Blaenau Ffestiniog branch lines is withdrawn) but they are usually very minor. ATW this year have obviously had a bit of a fiddle to try to please the politicians by sending a Cardiff train in at the expense of a Manchester one. Changes like this happen occasionally but they tend to be cyclic and we invariably end up where we started a year or so down the line. It's happened with previous Cardiff & London services over the last few years.
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I did say almost indecent haste. My real point is there has been very limited opportunity for rail users to make any comment because the consultation seems less than adequate compared with, say, bus timetable changes.
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Any news on our eyesore off a station.
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Is the station project starting in October or just announcing who is doing it.
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The last update I heard was 'Contracts to be awarded in October'
I questioned at the time whether this really constituted rapid progress.
It all depends then on what other projects the successful bidders are working on!
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Having just visited Grand Central,New York it got me thinking how is our GRAND station plans going,im not expecting any marble or chandaleers just a date will do.
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Every time I meet someone at the Station, I always open the conversation by apologising for the state of it. ???
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Every time I meet someone at the Station, I always open the conversation by apologising for the state of it. ???
I have the same experience with customers in regard to the pier, the pavilion site, closed down shops, etc, etc.... &shake&
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Its very worrying that no one seems to know anything about who has been awarded the station project,we all know it has taken twelve years to get this far and the last date for a start was September althought they had;nt even choozen the builder,yet nothing seems to be said in the press and the saga goes on.
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Its very worrying that no one seems to know anything about who has been awarded the station project,we all know it has taken twelve years to get this far and the last date for a start was September althought they had;nt even choozen the builder,yet nothing seems to be said in the press and the saga goes on.
The Daily Post are on the case for you. They'll either answer here or pass on a message to me
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Good work, Dwsi. $good$
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Im sure Judith will have something too report on Thursday on the great station plot.
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It took me five and a half hours to travel by train from Aberystwyth to Llandudno on Monday. I can get to Edinburgh three countries away in four and a half. Once the new station is built and don't hold your collective breath I think Trundleiva and Virgin should be given the grand order of the boot and better transportation in Wales provided it's like the third world!
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Hey, hold on, India has one of the best railway systems in the world----most of it built b the British. Mike
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hi Mike, Hope your well, had a walk up to see you today, then i thought you may be closed for the winter. Are you off to India again to ride on the best rail lines even if the trains are a little crowded, or so I'm told.
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hi Mike, Hope your well, had a walk up to see you today, then i thought you may be closed for the winter. Are you off to India again to ride on the best rail lines even if the trains are a little crowded, or so I'm told.
Ah well, Mike was instead having a walk DOWN, ...to see me!
Nice to see you again Mike, hope you are properly on the mend now.
By the way, I can confirm that your transaction was completed as you requested Sir! ;)
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Hello first to Snowcap. Well I am still open on the golf until 31st oct, but I am experimenting with an "honesty box" and if you haven't got your own clubs, you give me a phone call. Remains to be seen how it goes. Thanks Fester for your note. Sorry forum Administrators, a bit off topic from the railway station. Mike
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Back too the subject,its the middle of october now,no news from the local press,no Cll;s posted on here so does anbody know why it has not been announced who has been given the job for rebuilding our station.
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Just to set your mind at rest Wrex - I did hear a rumour that it was going to be Bob the Builder with assistance from Noddy, Postman Pat and the rest of the crew!
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I am still surprised that the line to Llandudno Junction is still open, it's looked for years like it's being run down ready to be closed :( Not something that I want to see happen though!
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Back too the subject,its the middle of october now,no news from the local press,no Cll;s posted on here so does anbody know why it has not been announced who has been given the job for rebuilding our station.
You can rest easy Wrex. Things are progressing as they should, but an embargo has been placed on releasing the information for the time being. All will be revealed within the next two weeks!
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You can rest easy Wrex. Things are progressing as they should, but an embargo has been placed on releasing the information for the time being. All will be revealed within the next two weeks!
Unless there is a leak to this Forum, of course! ;)
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But that's part of the problem isn't it?
Too much of this supposed behind the scenes stuff. but nothing happening in front of the scenes!
Not just the Railway Station, but other things such as the Pier Head renovation, (not yet started), Clarence Hotel, (aborted??)
... and last year, with reference to the scandal that is the Pier Pavilion Site, Mayor Robbins kept saying 'I'm working on it behind the scenes. watch this space'
The politicians and Councillors would do well to remember that they work for us, we pay them and I would like less of this clandestine nonsense, and more visible action.
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Two weeks ago the Council in the form of its spokesman Cllr Terry Davies stated that the mail problem with the Council's IT system was being fixed by a specialist from Kindways, a local computer sales and service company. The Web Page is still down and the mail system out of operation.
I blame the silly stupid idiot who mucked it up in the first.
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But didn't Kindways provide the original IT system? They're being paid again to fix something that didn't work in the first place? Surely not?
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Thank you Craigydonian,at least its nice to know the latest.I take it work starting will not be for a while yet as all the firms will have to be choozen by the choozen developer which could take a be a fair time,unless they have known for a while.
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But didn't Kindways provide the original IT system? They're being paid again to fix something that didn't work in the first place? Surely not?
Nildram were the original installers and maintenance co. I believe they were taken over by Talk Talk.
Whoever is dealing with it now has been advised how to execute a fix, but appear to not want the simple solution. Never met such a shambles in all my life. :rage:
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Any news on the secret plans for station,no sorry the plans are;nt secret ,its the firm to build it,i wonder why its so s.
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While we are all anxiously awaiting the impending news, this debate down in London yesterday sounds very interesting: $good$
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-10-17a.309.10&s=speaker%3A24736#g309.11 (http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-10-17a.309.10&s=speaker%3A24736#g309.11)
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While we are all anxiously awaiting the impending news, this debate down in London yesterday sounds very interesting: $good$
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-10-17a.309.10&s=speaker%3A24736#g309.11 (http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-10-17a.309.10&s=speaker%3A24736#g309.11)
David Jones (Clwyd West, Conservative)
I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to hear that I am already holding discussions with the Welsh Government and local authorities in north Wales with a view to exploring the possibility of electrifying the north Wales railway line—105 miles, and an enormous economic benefit for north Wales.
That sounds like like PoliticanSpeak for 'we have no intention of doing anything'. 8)
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I've said it before, the amount of trains using the North Wales coast at present would make it virtually impossible to put a business case forward with regard to electrification. Whilst it will ultimately put me on the dole the re-signalling could possibly improve delays caused by services caught behind late running trains, but this doesn't happen that often to be honest. In the main the trains serving North Wales are very reliable and delays are usually caused by problems the other side of Chester and once the trains come down the coast they either lose no more time or occasionally catch a few minutes back.
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SDQ has makes a good point. At the moment we have one operator whose journeys involve travel along an electrified line. Around half a dozen a day each way. The bulk of the services are provided by Arriva whose trains would not be electric as they go long distances where there are no electrified lines eg down the Marches route. So the business case becomes even weaker. The best electrification scheme would arugably be that between Bidston and Wrexham. That would enable through running from Wrexham to Liverpool and so no change at Bidston (and missed connections if late running).
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Indeed, the idea of electrification for North Wales coast line is headline grabbing politician nonsense. They'd be better off spending some money on buying more carriages for each of the trains currently operating along the line, to increase capacity.
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We got the A55 (paid for by the EEC) so that Irish road traffic could be connected to the UK's motorway network. Once the West Coast main line is electrified the train operator, whoever that might turn out to be, will still need to provide a direct service between London and Holyhead. They won't want to do that with a Diesel service because of costs and speed constraints.
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I put the question on the Railforum the other day,anybody know anything about the Llandudno development,had a few replies,did not mean anything to me but worth a look.
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When you go on Rail forums uk click infrastructure,there are 7 replies,the last one says the work on platform 4 and 5 will commence in January,this will be phase one to construct the car park hence the new build after that.DaveR you will have to show me how to transfer items,im like a dinosaur with computers and spelling.
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From the Rail forums:
The current "delay" was caused because it was to be done using in part European money. ATW were to manage the project, however there is a clause in the ERDF funding that the investment must be "in perpetuity" something a UK rail franchise clearly cannot guarantee! Its due to take place next year as they have at long last found someone else willing to lead i believe the north wales transport consortia TAITH. This problem has hit the entire Welsh NSIP scheme including Aberystwyth though why it wasn't clocked at the start and why its taken so long to sort i don't know.
Thank you for this excellent summation of matters. As you say, the Welsh NSIP scheme has been a victim of the lack of "implications understanding" by those who were expected to have been fully aware of these at the time of the first stages, then of the subsequent happenings.
Gareth is correct,The local elected A,M for Aberconwy Janet Finch Saunders is playing hell about the entire matter, and quiet right too, a total mess that those on huge salaries who were paid to do this job in the public sector should be brought to book, Almost like WCML with only VT realising what the small print meant.
The removal of the disused Platform 4/5 and redundant track will commence in Jan2013 with the construction of the new car par
k in its place following on. This constitutes Phase One with the remainder of the station refurbishment and new build after that.
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Is it time to re-think Mr Dones application to hold a market on his land next to the railway station.We all remember how busy Abergele used to be on a Sunday.just think how busy town would be,it would generate thousands into the local economy.The tories where the biggest objectors on the town council,maybe the new lot may think of the town this time.
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Instead - how about getting some of the empty shops operating? All markets do is take business away from the shop-keepers who pay rent and rates all year and keep going serving the community come rain or shine, day in day out, in good times and in bad! WWW WWW WWW
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It has been over 5 years since I last visited LLandudno.
Just seen a photo of LLandudno station in the latest edition of Rail magazine taken on August 12.
Say I am shocked is an understatement.
All very sad.
If the people who are running the town cared it would never have got into this state.
Perhaps thier priorities are not the same as visitors.
As they say........1st impressions count.
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In fairness, many on this Forum, notably wrex, have been raising this issue for years; so has the Town Council; the Assembly Members (past and present) as well as Conwy CBC. The plain facts are that the place is not owned locally; is immune to normal enforcement steps and needs significant external finance as part of a national scheme with part EU money. The abesentee owners, Network Rail are apparently managing the project so questions as to why why and when should presumably go to them. I am sure Rail Magazine knows where they live.
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Not sure this is all network rail is it,do they not own Newport station,which was done at no expense just for one golf tournament,bit of a joke really,were there is a will there;s a way,unless of course your Llandudno.
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Ah, Newport is in another country........SOUTH Wales. $walesflag$
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Having put 3 questions on the Railforum,i have had 13 replies and over 700 views,so its great to get some views from around the country and hopefully bring a bit of attention to our plight
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Im so glad to be the be the first to announce the station project has started,contractors have pulled on site this morning,thank god.
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Im so glad to be the be the first to announce the station project has started,contractors have pulled on site this morning,thank god.
HAAAAAAAALLELUJAH!
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Did not see the NWWN;S reporters down there though
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Did not see the NWWN;S reporters down there though
Did you see the model helicopter they were using to get aerial pictures?
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That's really good news! Let's hope the work goes smoothly.
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Im so glad to be the be the first to announce the station project has started,contractors have pulled on site this morning,thank god.
That's great news, today's Pioneer is reporting an announcement about the development this week so it looks like that is now old news!
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Great news about the station. Hope all goes well with the project and makes it an attractive place for people to arrive at the seaside.
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Went past again this afternoon and all is back as it was,i hope i was;nt seeing things.
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Went past again this afternoon and all is back as it was,i hope i was;nt seeing things.
Rome wasn't built in a day!
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There were police bollards on the 'parking area' outside Sarah J (Mollys) Cafe tonight!
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Announced on BBC Wales that the station starts this week.
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Announced on BBC Wales that the station starts this week.
It's going to be "Full steam ahead" then??? ;D
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Went past again this afternoon and all is back as it was,i hope i was;nt seeing things.
How many pints had you had? Z** :laugh:
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I was at the Station yesterday.
There were lots of guys with white hard-hats, clearing rubble in wheel barrows.
So, ...... something is going on!
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Detailed design work is starting on a £5m scheme to refurbish Llandudno railway station.
Revamp work includes a new frontage, a ticket office, improved bus facilities and customer information systems.
Construction work was due to have started in the summer, but is now expected to get underway early in the new year.
The scheme, which also includes toilets and a new 50-space car park, is set to be completed in early 2014.
The upgrade of Llandudno station is the first in a number of station improvements that the Welsh government is supporting”Carl Sargeant AM Transport Minister
Llandudno station was built in 1892, but is run down and partly derelict. Its Victorian ironwork is rusting and its platforms are stripped of shelter.
Transport Minister Carl Sargeant said the upgrade was the first in a number of station improvements the Welsh government was supporting.
Officials said outline design work had been completed and detailed design work was starting.
Mr Sargeant said: "The upgrade of Llandudno station is the first in a number of station improvements that the Welsh government is supporting as we strive to make rail travel more comfortable and attractive to the public."
"In addition to providing a positive first impression for visitors to Llandudno this project will also provide a boost to the local economy as local employment will be used in the refurbishment of the station."
The station was built in 1858, and is used by about 270,000 passengers each year.
The new station frontage will be in keeping with its Victorian architecture.
Network Rail will manage the refurbishment on behalf of the Welsh government.
'Proud' Mark Langman, Network Rail's Wales route managing director, said: "I am delighted that the funding package has been secured for this very important project to enhance Llandudno station.
The new station frontage will be in keeping with its Victorian architecture
"The project will regenerate and revitalise this area of the town, encouraging locals and visitors to use public transport through the provision of updated and enhanced facilities.
"We are looking forward to completing the project in 2014 and to handing over to Arriva Trains Wales and the local community a station of which they can be proud."
The Welsh government and European Regional Development Fund has given the project £3.5m.
The Department for Transport's national stations improvement programme has awarded the scheme £1.5m and a £150,000 has come from the Railway Heritage Trust.
The Welsh government said Mr Sargeant would be announcing other station improvements around Wales shortly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-20142945 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-20142945)
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Looking at that picture they have cut back dramatically from the original designs I saw a couple of years ago. The glass frontage was much bigger & more in keeping with the present design but they have taken the top part away obviously for financial reasons.
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You see there was me being naive again and assuming we were going to have a brand spanking new, well designed transport hub. But looks as if it's the old station with a few plates of glass,boring but then I suppose anything is better than what we have now.
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I have just asked the question on the railforum how much it would cost for a turntable and would it be feasable,let you know the answers.
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I have just asked the question on the railforum how much it would cost for a turntable and would it be feasable,let you know the answers.
Wrex, the idea that Network Rail would install a turntable in the 21st Century would make them the laughing stock of the entire railway world. Never, never, never in a million years would it ever happen.
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You see there was me being naive again and assuming we were going to have a brand spanking new, well designed transport hub. But looks as if it's the old station with a few plates of glass,boring but then I suppose anything is better than what we have now.
It will look a bit like the redesign of Chester station, a mix of old and new.
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The disused tracks have now been lifted at Platform 4 & 5 of the Station, they are being removed as part of the renovation scheme.
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Not much in this for North Wales: &shake&
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20941072 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20941072)
Electrification from Severn Tunnel to Swansea by December 2018
Start of electrification work on the Cardiff and valleys network - scheduled for completion in early part of 2019 to 2024 period
Re-signalling: Newport (two phases complete, third stage planned for 2017); Cardiff area until 2015; Newport to Shrewsbury by 2017; Chester to Llandudno in 2015; Swansea (ahead of electrification)
New platforms at Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Caerphilly, Barry, Tir-phil and Pontypridd
South side entrance at Cardiff Central and main entrance at Cardiff Queen Street will be improved
The Welsh government funded north - south Wales journey improvement project to be completed by 2015
Major refurbishment of the metallic spans of Barmouth Bridge
Station improvements, including refurbishment of Holyhead station
350km of track to be renewed or refurbished
Renewing or refurbishing 480 sets of points
SOURCE: Network Rail
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Nice new sign and pictures outside the station,but there is no sign of any work being done this year yet.When was Holyhead last re-developed,im sure it was;nt that long ago.
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wrex - I had a look earlier today. There's more than one sign and one includes a timetable of the various stages of the work.
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Nice new sign and pictures outside the station,but there is no sign of any work being done this year yet.When was Holyhead last re-developed,im sure it was;nt that long ago.
When I spoke to the foreman of the contractors in October he said they would resume work in February to give Network Rail plenty of time to lift the track in platforms 4 & 5 so this break in operations is all part of the master plan.
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I see Rhyl Railway Station is being refurbished, as well. It was almost completely rebuilt not that many years ago.
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Nice new sign and pictures outside the station,but there is no sign of any work being done this year yet.When was Holyhead last re-developed,im sure it was;nt that long ago.
When I spoke to the foreman of the contractors in October he said they would resume work in February to give Network Rail plenty of time to lift the track in platforms 4 & 5 so this break in operations is all part of the master plan.
The contractors will resume work next week, the first job is to drop platforms 4 & 5 down to track level in preparation of turning that area into the car park.
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Thanks for the info, SDQ $good$
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Forgot to mention platform 3 will be closed (probably from Wednesday) for the duration of this work so all trains will then depart from platform 2 except the Blaenau Ffestiniog service which will still be from platform 1.
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Do they really need 3 platforms anyway? I would have thought 2 would have been sufficient even if services are improved?
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Do they really need 3 platforms anyway? I would have thought 2 would have been sufficient even if services are improved?
Not with the present services but I have had times over the years where all 3 have been occupied & depending on what time they're running in may happen with Wrex's specials on the Saturday of the Extravaganza.
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With two specials advertising coming to the Extravaganza both on the Saturday makes me think there is now going to be a problem then.I hope they don;t go t..s up.
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What will become with the redundant road between platforms 2 and 3 after the station refurbishment?
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What will become with the redundant road between platforms 2 and 3 after the station refurbishment?
As there will be no vehicular access I expect it will be paved/landscaped hopefully with benches etc...
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OOOOOH just got really excited they've knocked down the wall next to the cafe. Crikey, don't hold your breathe.
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Computer generated image of new glass frontage:
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That's been around for a bit that image hasn't it? I do think that someone should tell them that the present sign (and the one here, probably copied from it) is wrong.
It should be 'Croeso i Orsaf Llandudno' - surely after the preposition 'i' there is always a soft mutation, which here would mean the omission of the 'g'. It's gramatically incorrect I think.
Just like welcome to Llandudno would be 'croeso i Landudno' (yes, in this instance all those tourists with bad pronunciation we laugh at are correct!) and welcome to Bangor would be 'croeso i Fangor'.
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Spot on Ian48. If you're going to do something like that do it correctly. $walesflag$
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I think 'Croseo i'r Orsaf Llandudno' might be even closer.
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Mott MacDonald appointed lead design engineer for £5.1 million Llandudno Station renovation, Wales
30 Jan, 2013 17:17 CET
Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Buckingham Group Contracting Limited as lead design engineer for the renovation of Llandudno railway station in north Wales. The £5.1 million scheme is being delivered by Network Rail on behalf of the Welsh Government and is part of the Department for Transport's National Stations Improvement Programme. The project has been supported by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government.
The project will redevelop the station’s existing buildings and concourse areas, creating new ticketing and customer facilities. The existing roof canopy will be extended, while a new glazed booking hall structure and waiting area will link to the station’s existing main entrance. New seats, entrances and lighting will be installed and existing doors refurbished. Additionally, a new car park for up to 50 cars will be constructed as well as drop-off points and a bus lay-by with two bus stops at the front of the station. Additional bicycle storage facilities will also be provided.
Ken Norbury, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said: “Retention of the station’s historical features and heritage is an important part of the scheme. To assist with this, materials from demolished sections of the station roof canopy will be reused in the remodelled roof extension to retain all the roof features. Additionally, all designs are being developed to meet Network Rail’s aspirations for achieving a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM sustainability rating.”
Designs are due to be finished in spring 2013, with construction expected to be completed a year later.
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Latest photos:
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As reported in the press and by our very own DaveR, when did they cut the car parking from 120 to 50 spaces,is it a mistake or is it another cost cutting exercise.
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That's a good point, Wrex, enquiries must be made!
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You must be off with that camera of yours being up so early.Just been watching the Beeching railway story on a recording,i can;t wait to see the steam engine in Llandudno in May,sad or wot.
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Yes, off down to Blaenau to nose round a slate mine.
Will be good to see the Steam Engine back in Llandudno again. I seem to miss it every year, will make an effort there this May.
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Went to the exhibition today at the Town Hall showing the plans for the new Railway Station, I asked about parking spaces and apparently in the first instance there will be 50 available and there is a capacity for 120 car parking spaces if Arriva Trains Wales feel the need to make them available.
Arriva Trains Wales weren't at the Town Hall just Network Rail and the designer from Buckingham group that are going to do the building work and so they couldn't answer specific questions.
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Sold down the river comes to mind,the town was promised 120 spaces,then when building work starts its down to 50 and nobody says a word.
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We just happened to walk past the Town Hall earlier and, by chance, noticed a sign on the front door promoting an exhibition inside for the Llandudno Railway Station Improvements.
We asked a few questions to a representative from Network Rail who was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Bob Barnsdale's history display of the station and tracks was also very good.
Did anybody see this event advertised anywhere because I obviously missed it, if it was?
.
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Bri, yes it was featured in last weeks Pioneer but had the wrong date in the article!
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What was the design of the buildings like? I had hard it was on, but didn't go and see it.
I think as regards the number of spaces, if it has to be so and be done in two stages then so be it. I would rather fewer spaces now and a proper initial job on the buildings than for loads of spaces and to skimp on the buildings. Sometimes there just isn't the money or circumstances to do things in one go and we ought to be pleased that it's finally happening at long last, especially in the current economic climate. 'Sold down the river' is rather a strong term to use. I certainly don't feel betrayed or cheated by having fewer car parking spaces in the initial development.
If there is a need, and (probably more importantly) money to be made from parking charges, then I am sure that they will come in time.
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The answer we got over parking charges was that it will be free parking.
I asked about the future use of the existing road between platforms 2 and 3 as a result of the entry from the front of the station being screened off.
The answer I received was that it will still be used as a service road for the heritage steam trains when they come to Llandudno.
To be fair, I was impressed with that piece of forward planning although I would not be surprised if the original idea came from a certain local councillor. ;)
If you want an idea of the finished product, I suggest you go down to the railway station as there are artist's impressions there.
.
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Bit strange because when I asked about parking I was told that the infrastructure would be put in for pay and display machines and that the final decision would be town to the operator, Arriva Trains, but the general thought was that it wouldn't be free!
One other thing that caught my eye was that because there are tenants yet for the cafe and retail space they will just be built as a shell and then boarded up until the time comes that they are let. Lets hope that doesn't take too long.
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Jack, it is obvious that neither of us spoke to the same gentleman. &shake&
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Very poos situation,no full car park and the place will be boarded up.
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Just got stuck behind a dumper truck full of to be heading towards Arch motors,i wonder who is getting that cash.
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Good centre-page spread in the Daily Post today with a pic of the Bodafon Hill Tram. It ties in with the 50 year anniversary of the Beeching report, which effectively emasculated the Railway network in favour of roads, something which the Tory transport minister of the time - Ernest Marples - saw as a fantastic opportunity, as he owned the largest road haulage business in the UK...
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Current progress:
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looking nice already.
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Current progress:
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Great photos dave any chance if u could take some on Monday night just 2 see if gypsy haven't nicked all our gear cheers Might be the wrong place how many bricks went into the new wall at the station there's a nice prize for the winner u can clean up after the weekend on site
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Current progress at Llandudno Station. The main entrance to the station has now been closed off for work on the canopy and there are temporary portakabins for ticket offices and toilets at the side.
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Once again dave very good photos of the current works at the station,the new ticket office opened on the 1st of July the portacabins in place r toilets and taxi office. The strip out of the old station building is underway all the old ticket office furniture and counter have been taken to Llangollen steam railway,the new car park has been laid but won't be open for several months.
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Cheers, BigMurph, you're doing a great job. I'd love to come down with my proper camera and do some more shots once work is a little further advanced.
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Dave u can visit anytime and take some photos, over the next week we will be removing some walls inside the old station building which were built in the early 80s and stripping back to the original ceilings and walls, also which maybe of interest we will also be removing the old fitters shed on top of the buffers on platforms 1&2 in the next few weeks.
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Current progress at the Station:
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Somebody told me that the car park has not opened because they have forgotten to put a drain down the middle,omg
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I don't think it would be practical - or safe - to open the car park now as work is still going on and part of the site seems to be used for contractors offices and so on.
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I thought the plan was to open the car park.
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Wrex we haven't forgot to put the drainage in it will be installed just before we lay the top coat of Tarmac, network rail have to install a new outlet for our drainage which will have to run underneath the tracks by the signal box I think that is due to be done in October, the car park is due to open in January as Cambrian said it would not be safe for members of the public to use the car park until we have finished.
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Wrex we haven't forgot to put the drainage in it will be installed just before we lay the top coat of Tarmac, network rail have to install a new outlet for our drainage which will have to run underneath the tracks by the signal box I think that is due to be done in October, the car park is due to open in January as Cambrian said it would not be safe for members of the public to use the car park until we have finished.
What is it Murph? One of those shallow Eco-drains? I had them fitted on the edge of my extension and patio thingy, they are pretty good and effective.
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Yes fester it will be Eco drainage there will be 2 runs of it the full length of the car park, sorry about the late reply.
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Taken from the Arriva Trains Wales website:
"Club 55 offer has finished for Autumn 2013"
Did it ever start for Autumn 2013?
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The former Fitters Shed between Platforms 1 & 2 is currently being demolished:
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Dave that was me on the scaffold removing the roof you should have said hello,the rest of the fitters shed will be removed on Friday when we have a line block on platforms 1&2. We have also had some asbestos removed from the old station building so we can carry on with work inside now.
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This wasn't a fitters' shed. It was the ticket collectors'. There was a long sloping desk along one wall on which they used to sort the collected tickets before they were sent off to audit. Latterly the loudspeaker p.a. equipment was installed there as well when the old enquiry office was boarded up.
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...the rest of the fitters shed will be removed on Friday when we have a line block on platforms 1&2.
Only if you ask nicely. :)
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I am sure the coss will ask very nicely ,all the staff in the signal box have been very helpful during the works
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Taken from the Arriva Trains Wales website:
"Club 55 offer has finished for Autumn 2013"
Did it ever start for Autumn 2013?
First TransPennine Express will be doing a Club 55 starting on the 15 September 2013 but, apparently, not Arriva Trains Wales.
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30/09/13 - Llandudno Station Project
The £5.1m project to improve Llandudno Railway Station is progressing well and supporting North Wales' businesses.
Cllr Philip Evans is Conwy County Borough Council's Cabinet Member for public transport, he said, "I'm very pleased to see work progressing well on site and these long-standing plans becoming a reality."
"Having received regular updates from the project team, I'm delighted to report that the main contactors have awarded two contracts to Llandudno companies and a further four contracts to companies in North Wales. In total, we estimate over 200 local people have worked on this project already, providing a boost to the area's economy of about £1.63m."
"It is important that the partner organisations and contractors involved in this project have recognised that we have excellent businesses and skilled tradesmen in our region."
Cllr Evans added: "Once the improvements have been completed the railway station will be a great asset to Llandudno, creating an excellent first impression of the town for visitors."
The scheme is being delivered by Network Rail on behalf of the Welsh Government and is part of the Department for Transport's National Stations Improvement Programme. The project has been supported by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government.
Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Wales/Cymru said: "We are making good progress at Llandudno station. This investment demonstrates our ability to deliver sustainable economic growth through a bigger, better railway. The rail industry's supply chain is both extended and varied, ranging from professional services to the construction industry and therefore investing in rail can help to drive growth across many of the Wales industrial sectors. By continuing to invest in the industry, we are also investing in the future of Wales."
£3.5m Welsh Government investment, including European Regional Development Fund structural funding; £1.5m from the Department for Transport's National Stations Improvement Programme and a further £150,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust.
The other partners and key supporters of the scheme are the local train operator, Arriva Trains Wales (ATW), the station leaseholder, and Conwy County Borough Council.
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Found these photos I took of the Station from May 2005, thought they may be of interest:
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Current work:
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Your old photos ------ so THATS where I left my bike, when I went in Sarah J's cafe!!!
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Mmmm got to negotiate through that lot on Weds. a.m. Hope I can find the train !
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Mmmm got to negotiate through that lot on Weds. a.m. Hope I can find the train !
You wont have to try very hard Nem as they still only use 2 platforms and It's going to be a great improvement when it's finished. $good$
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Thanks Blongb-- it can't be as bad as my trek on the way back when I have to cover most of Piccadilly Station to pick up the Llandudno train. Mind you, at least it is undercover, as it always seems to be pouring when I get there. :(
Agreed, it should be much improved.
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Just a quick update to what will be happening at the station over the next few weeks,the internal fit out of the main station building is underway there will be some work which will be quite loud we have to clean the old paint off the steelwork and make repairs to the steelwork before painting. There will also be some night shifts being worked to put the new steelwork up for the extension to the existing canopy there shouldn't be to much noise during the night work but there will be a few floodlights up and some crane movements if it all goes well and the weather is kind to us it should take about 10 days .
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The floodlights should help with the situation with getting from the train back to the outside area--- It was pitch black last week !
keep up the good work Bigmurph $good$
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Just a quick update to what will be happening at the station over the next few weeks,the internal fit out of the main station building is underway there will be some work which will be quite loud we have to clean the old paint off the steelwork and make repairs to the steelwork before painting. There will also be some night shifts being worked to put the new steelwork up for the extension to the existing canopy there shouldn't be to much noise during the night work but there will be a few floodlights up and some crane movements if it all goes well and the weather is kind to us it should take about 10 days .
How far is the canopy being extended, Murph?
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Dave the canopy is being extended by about 20ft in length also the canopy will be extended down on the ticket office side, nemesis it is dark around the station we had to remove the existing external lights our floodlights will not help the situation very much because we can't switch them on until the last train has left the station.
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Dave the canopy is being extended by about 20ft in length also the canopy will be extended down on the ticket office side, nemesis it is dark around the station we had to remove the existing external lights our floodlights will not help the situation very much because we can't switch them on until the last train has left the station.
Cheers for keeping us all updated, mate. $good$
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So the floodlights cannot be turned on until last train has left the station.
Why not? Drivers frightened of being blinded whilst they drive away? If so, this sounds ridiculous. It would only be for a matter of yards. If its that bad, get someone as a lookout to walk ahead guiding the train for the first fifty yards if necessary. Which I doubt.
I might add that I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for modern diesel train drivers and the coconed lives they live in their cabs at a very substantial wage.
Basically, very basically, all they have to do is move their train forward at the correct speed, look out for signals and stop when necessary.
Try being a coach driver. Dodging cars, lorries, pedestrians, floods, road works , winds, tides, passengers assulting you etc etc etc. On a very UNsubstantial wage. And pointing the coach in the correct direction
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I think the reason may be that they need to take a possession of the line after the last train has left before the lights are placed in position so the work can begin.
With respect to train drivers I think your simplistic description of their job is very naive. You can train to drive a bus in a week or two but train drivers train for months before being fully passed out as they need extensive route knowledge of signalling, points, speeds, braking distances, extensive rule book knowledge, knowledge of the various trains they operate, etc... They are not paid so much for what they do on a day to day basis but also on what they need know at times of emergency as well.
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Well explained sdq
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You can train to drive a bus in a week or two but train drivers train for months before being fully passed out as they need extensive route knowledge of signalling, points, speeds, braking distances, extensive rule book knowledge, knowledge of the various trains they operate, etc
Not sure you can 'train to drive a bus in a week or two' because that analogy omits the entire 'learning to drive' bit. There's a lot involved in driving a train, that's true, but trains have the distinct advantage that they're on tracks, so little steering is required :-))) However, I have a pilots licence and learning to fly a plane was significantly easier than learning to drive a car, IME. But there are many different ratings a pilot must acquire before they're capable of flying the big stuff so I'm guessing train driving is similar.
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Not sure you can 'train to drive a bus in a week or two' because that analogy omits the entire 'learning to drive' bit. There's a lot involved in driving a train, that's true, but trains have the distinct advantage that they're on tracks, so little steering is required :-))) However, I have a pilots licence and learning to fly a plane was significantly easier than learning to drive a car, IME. But there are many different ratings a pilot must acquire before they're capable of flying the big stuff so I'm guessing train driving is similar.
Seeing as you need a UK driving licence before you start training for a PCV the basic 'learning to drive bit' is already covered and myself and many colleagues did indeed learn to drive a bus in a week or two depending on aptitude.
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Seeing as you need a UK driving licence before you start training for a PCV the basic 'learning to drive bit' is already covered and myself and many colleagues did indeed learn to drive a bus in a week or two depending on aptitude.
I think you're missing the point. You still have to learn to drive in the first place before you can then acquire your PSV or HGV licenses. With train driving, you start from scratch, I'd have thought, unless you had a particularity large model railway...
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Bit like making model radio controlled planes and then getting a pilots license! _))*
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Seeing as you need a UK driving licence before you start training for a PCV the basic 'learning to drive bit' is already covered and myself and many colleagues did indeed learn to drive a bus in a week or two depending on aptitude.
I think you're missing the point. You still have to learn to drive in the first place before you can then acquire your PSV or HGV licenses. With train driving, you start from scratch, I'd have thought, unless you had a particularity large model railway...
That was kinda what I was getting at in my original post before you decided to pick holes in it by saying I was wrong with the PCV part.
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Perhaps I'm not explaining it clearly enough. After Mike's comment regarding train drivers you said
"You can train to drive a bus in a week or two but train drivers train for months"
which is clearly wrong, because you failed (or didn't understand that you needed) to take into account that you need a driving licence before you can even start to train as a PSV or HGV driver. That driving licence - in other words an essential part of being able to drive a bus - takes a fair bit of time to acquire, and not just 'a Couple of weeks".
So in summary:
To drive a train from scratch: train for months before being fully passed out
Total: several months
To drive a bus: take driving lessons for several months. If test passed, then take a coupoe of weeks' lessons to acquire PSV ior HGV licence.
Total: several months.
Mike's view was far from being naive. As a coach driver he had no tracks to point him in the right direction but he still had to learn all the signals, acquire extensive route knowledge of signalling, junctions, speeds, braking distances, extensive highway code knowledge, knowledge of the various coaches he'd operate, etc.
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Perhaps I'm not explaining it clearly enough. After Mike's comment regarding train drivers you said
"You can train to drive a bus in a week or two but train drivers train for months"
which is clearly wrong, because you failed (or didn't understand that you needed) to take into account that you need a driving licence before you can even start to train as a PSV or HGV driver. That driving licence - in other words an essential part of being able to drive a bus - takes a fair bit of time to acquire, and not just 'a Couple of weeks".
So in summary:
To drive a train from scratch: train for months before being fully passed out
Total: several months
To drive a bus: take driving lessons for several months. If test passed, then take a coupoe of weeks' lessons to acquire PSV ior HGV licence.
Total: several months.
Mike's view was far from being naive. As a coach driver he had no tracks to point him in the right direction but he still had to learn all the signals, acquire extensive route knowledge of signalling, junctions, speeds, braking distances, extensive highway code knowledge, knowledge of the various coaches he'd operate, etc.
Pedantic in the extreme!
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Being fair, it was Mike that first suggested that the job of a Train Driver was a simple one, which is obviously not the case:
Once you start work, your training period would normally last between 9 and 18 months. Some of your training may take place in a cab simulator, which gives the effect of real-life situations such as trackside dangers, bad weather and mechanical failure.
Your training would be split into stages, including:
rules and regulations – driver cab controls, signalling systems and track safety
traction knowledge – engine layout, safety systems and fault identification
train handling – 200 to 300 hours' practical driving skills, including night driving
route knowledge – route-specific information, such as braking distances, speed restrictions and signal positions.
You must pass assessments at the end of each stage to fully qualify as a train driver. You would also complete a Personal Track Safety (PTS) certificate during the training period. You can only drive on routes you have been assessed on, so you would continue to learn more routes once you qualify.
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/traindriver.aspx
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Can I please take the prize for starting off the best argument in the forum for some time.
Including, of course, two moderators apparently on different sides of this particular fence.
What do I think?
We'll of course I stick by my original post. Train driviers don't have to dodge running children, large and small vehicles etc etc. they work in an orderly way, albeit smothered with regulations to learn.
I,be never met a coach/lorry driver yet who was on top of the regulations, he is too busy avoiding the car coming the wrong way up the A55 (it happens, you could almost say frequently)
After all this, I completely accept that if the flod lights in Llandudno station have to be placed in the middle of the track --- we'll yes. It would have to be done after the last train has gone home with the nice, secure, we'll planned out driver at the controls (and DONT forget the pay)
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Just for a little counter argument....do Coach Drivers have to deal with suicide cases throwing themselves under the train right in front of your eyes? Or Kids throwing bricks at the windscreen? Or morons leaving shopping trolleys etc on the line to try and derail the train? All these things happen on a semi-regular basis, even here in sleepy North Wales.
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Pedantic in the extreme!
If by that you mean accurate and understandable, then I agree. It's pretty simple: Mike suggested train drivers weren't that much better trained than coach drivers, and you said he was being naive. What I'm saying is that had you not implied that learning to drive buses was a 'two week' course, compared with train driving,. I wouldn't have written a word.
Just for a little counter argument....do Coach Drivers have to deal with suicide cases throwing themselves under the train right in front of your eyes? Or Kids throwing bricks at the windscreen? Or morons leaving shopping trolleys etc on the line to try and derail the train?
I believe that sort of thing happens on a fairly regular basis in the urban areas.
There's also another point: in the ongoing pursuit to eradicate rail accidents warning systems in place automatically alert not only the driver, but also affect the train itself, in case the driver has fallen asleep or passed out. In fact, total automation of trains is not only possible, but taking place at the moment. (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CEEQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.siemens.com%2Fpress%2Fpool%2Fde%2Ffeature%2F2012%2Finfrastructure-cities%2Fmobility-logistics%2F2012-04-metro-paris%2Ffactsheet-how-does-a-driverless-metro-work-en.pdf&ei=XWBlUsSzD-yX0AX324GYDA&usg=AFQjCNG0gJZOW6a55Rss7vDogfq1bmU61Q&bvm=bv.54934254,d.d2k)Driverless trains, it can be argued, are not only safer, faster and more punctual but more cost-effective.
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Driverless trains ae a fascinating subject. In the UK alone, the London Docklands railway, the Victoria, Central and Jubilee lines and the Gatwick terminal transfer system are all unmanned, as is the Glasgow subway system. Throughout the world, more than 80 railways run entirely without drivers in more than 40 countries, so I suppose the question is not whether train drivers are supposedly much better trained than coach drivers but rather whether we need train drivers at all.
Interestingly there are no automated coach or bus systems yet. The reason is simple: currently, no AI system can cope with the immense demands of driving on a road.
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Interestingly there are no automated coach or bus systems yet. The reason is simple: currently, no AI system can cope with the immense demands of driving on a road.
I'd have said it's far more to do with the fact that the environment can be controlled far more easily on the rail network. Having said that, how would the driver-less train cope with yobs throwing something on the line?
Going back to the train vs coach driver discussion, it's also important to remember that train drivers have the safety of far more people as their responsibility - there are 589 seats on an extended Pendolino, plus possibly up to another 200+ standing if the train was exceptionally busy. That's nearly 800 people that the train driver has responsibility for.
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Going back to the train vs coach driver discussion, it's also important to remember that train drivers have the safety of far more people as their responsibility
Indeed, and that's the argument used by ASLEF to demand parity with commercial pilots. But it's not that simple.
I'd have said it's far more to do with the fact that the environment can be controlled far more easily on the rail network
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Absolutely. That's what makes driving trains almost a binary process, compared with dirving a coach.
Having said that, how would the driver-less train cope with yobs throwing something on the line?
The same way automated landing systems cope with foggy airports. And don't forget that coach drivers have to contend with yobs throwing bricks and rocks onto roads below - there was a case near Bangor recently.
Interestingly, I had no strong feelings on this issue one way or another, until the comment about learning to drive a bus in a couple of weeks. But when you look into it it's pretty clear that automating trains completely is not only possible ("the environment can be controlled far more easily"), but it's probably desirable. Current AI systems can cope with train automation. They can cope with limited flying automation but they can't - yet - cope with roads and other traffic, although I have no doubt that will come. I suspect only two things stand in the way of completely automated trains: the union and public reluctance to trust computers.
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The comment about learning to drive a bus in the time I stated was fact. If you want to be pedantic and take the car licence into account then many driving schools have advertised getting a licence in a week so that would make the process 3 weeks maximum. Not months.
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Many people who passed there test in 2 weeks, 2 months, or however long, still can't drive safely or properly and we see them on the road every day!
^*^0
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Just to throw it in there. What about driving boats? You don't even need a licence for that, in my old job of driving a boat tour i came across some really reckless idiots on the water
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did you drive one of those yellow ones that go under water now and then
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Nope those things are only in Liverpool I believe! I drove two of the tourist boats in Conwy the summer before I started uni, they are still going now and are actually pretty good money for what you get. I've been on the one on the thames and it's not as good and a lot more expensive
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The Llandudno Bay boat rides are great vale for money, but the Conwy river cruise is a real rip off.
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The comment about learning to drive a bus in the time I stated was fact.
Okay. So a bloke who's never driven a vehicle in his life walks into the Bus depot and can qualify in a couple of weeks? Really?
If you want to be pedantic and take the car licence into account then many driving schools have advertised getting a licence in a week so that would make the process 3 weeks maximum. Not months.
I was able to find one in Manchester that offered 'intensive, 2 week courses' with drivers being taught behind the wheel for eight hours a day but whether they'd then be able to go straight into a PSV training centre and take their 'two week' bus driving course I don't know. I certainly wouldn't want to be in a bus with anyone who had so little experience of UK roads and traffic conditions.
I asked on another forum about which drivers - bus or train - are the better skilled and trained. From a chap who's been both here's his response:
"That's n easy one, Ian... Having had several years of experience on both i'd say that the better training has to be the Bus/Coach driver, simply because the bus routes are so clogged with other traffic often on directly opposing courses. A Train's rail system takes away that steering responsibility plus the driver is rarely aware of just how many passengers he / she is carrying.....
I've travelled on two driver less systems, Washington DC Metro and the Berlin U Bahn . Both were excellent in their own way, The US System had carpets on the floor and no graffiti or chewing gum decorated platforms, the German U Bahn was typically efficient but rather soulless. "
In fairness, a professional engineer posted this:
"I wouldn't have thought there was much to discuss. Train drivers by a long chalk. On the big boy's railway it can take 18 months and you only have to look at the railway rule book to appreciate how much information they have to assimulate.
It would be possible to run trains the length of the country without train drivers or signallers; providing everything ran smoothly. The time when both groups of people earn their money is when things go wrong. "
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Just to throw it in there. What about driving boats? You don't even need a licence for that, in my old job of driving a boat tour i came across some really reckless idiots on the water
I thought you did need some form of licensing to carry paying passengers? But I know what you mean. Anyone with enough cash can buy a boat and set out to sea with no training whatsoever.
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Just to throw it in there. What about driving boats? You don't even need a licence for that, in my old job of driving a boat tour i came across some really reckless idiots on the water
I thought you did need some form of licensing to carry paying passengers? But I know what you mean. Anyone with enough cash can buy a boat and set out to sea with no training whatsoever.
Not that I know off, I certainley never had any licence and carried lots of passengers ???
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The same way automated landing systems cope with foggy airports.
I can't see how that is a correct analogy. How can a driver-less train detect, say, a sleeper placed on the line half a mile away and be able to slow down in time to avoid hitting it? Some trains do travel considerably faster than coaches, after all. :P
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Just to throw it in there. What about driving boats? You don't even need a licence for that, in my old job of driving a boat tour i came across some really reckless idiots on the water
I thought you did need some form of licensing to carry paying passengers? But I know what you mean. Anyone with enough cash can buy a boat and set out to sea with no training whatsoever.
Not that I know off, I certainley never had any licence and carried lots of passengers ???
:o How much training did you receive?
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As far as I am aware the MCA insist you need a Boatmasters licence .
Courses run by RYA.
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Just to throw it in there. What about driving boats? You don't even need a licence for that, in my old job of driving a boat tour i came across some really reckless idiots on the water
I thought you did need some form of licensing to carry paying passengers? But I know what you mean. Anyone with enough cash can buy a boat and set out to sea with no training whatsoever.
Not that I know off, I certainley never had any licence and carried lots of passengers ???
:o How much training did you receive?
Few times supervised so I wasn't immediatley sent out on my own or anything, to be fair though I am quite brilliant $good$
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I didn't intend to stir up such a hornets nest. So perhaps its up to me to lighten the subject, and maybe end it and go back to the railway station. This may bring a smile o your faces. Its true,
The driving regulations are constantly changing. What follows applied some years ago. Whether or not it still does I don't know.
It was permissible for a non driver, no licence at all, to take his car driving test in a bus. Whilst he was learning to drive he/she had to have a qualified driver with him to instruct him.
So, the day comes. His car driving test. The bus with the driver and the instructor arrive, the instructor gets out, the examiner gets in-- and off they go.
At the end of the test, bad news. Sorry, you have failed. So the instructor gets back in the bus and they drive home.
But ---- good news, YOU HAVE PASSED. So you now have a car licence which allows you to drive a bus PROVIDED YOU HAVE NO PASSENGERS. Your instructor is now not needed, he is a passenger, so he has to walk home.
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The same way automated landing systems cope with foggy airports.
I can't see how that is a correct analogy. How can a driver-less train detect, say, a sleeper placed on the line half a mile away and be able to slow down in time to avoid hitting it? Some trains do travel considerably faster than coaches, after all.
Through radar on the train. Pretty simple tech, actually. Oh, and Planes travel a tad faster than trains... :P :P :P
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I thought you did need some form of licensing to carry paying passengers?
Checked it out, and it seems that it's insurance you can't get if you don't have some form of nautical qualification.
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The same way automated landing systems cope with foggy airports.
I can't see how that is a correct analogy. How can a driver-less train detect, say, a sleeper placed on the line half a mile away and be able to slow down in time to avoid hitting it? Some trains do travel considerably faster than coaches, after all.
Through radar on the train. Pretty simple tech, actually.
It would seem not, really:
The radar-based adaptive cruise-control systems fitted to most luxury cars these days could conceivably be adapted to trains, but the massive time and distance needed to slow the train means there’s no effective way such a system could see far enough ahead to react in time. And there are just too many things that can obstruct the track.
“You don’t have rights-of-way that are completely sealed,” Dr. Clarke says. “There are no grade crossings, there’s no pedestrian access. It’s hard to detect a car stuck on the rails or a pedestrian on the tracks. You really need a human operator to deal with those systems.”
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/04/why-arent-trains-autonomous/ (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/04/why-arent-trains-autonomous/)
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Yet, curiously, the article is headed "It’s Not a Lack of Technology That’s Keeping Trains From Going Driverless". But the article writer takes a simplistic view, talking only about radar-based adaptive cruise-control systems fitted to most luxury cars these days and not the highly sophisticated radar and algorithmic software used in aircraft and Maglev trains. and has failed to take into account the ultra high speed train systems, such as Maglev, TGV and even HS1 where the speed of the train is far too great to be left in the hands of a human, whose reaction time is simply too slow. Quite a few of those commenting at the end of the article also take issue with the writer, as I'm sure you noticed... :)
Back in 2011 the International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research published papers on FIS (Fuzzy Inference Systems) and EM (Environment management). Radar software can be employed which 'reads' the track clearly for much further ahead than a human and can discern differences between rubbish dumped on the line and the clean track. Additionally, all high speed tracks currently operating are highly maintained, separated from roads and other 'risky' areas and devoid of crossings and most points. If you isolate the tracks and ensure they're highly maintained and exhibit a distinctive radar and electro-mechanical profile, then trains can run autonomously.
And don't forget: at 130 mph the average human driver is covering almost 200 feet per second and certainly can't see detail as far ahead as a top-rated radar system. The human eye is sensitive, but the brain is easily fooled (http://www.youramazingbrain.org.uk/images/supersenses/astounding1.jpg) and we can only judge distance up to about 60 feet, without something on which to base scale, and even then we're easily fooled. (http://www.youramazingbrain.org.uk/images/supersenses/tables1.jpg)
Finally, don't forget that we see everything upside down and depend on our brains to rectify the inversion. But, as I've shown, brains are easily fooled...
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Your last sentence. Is that why I stare into my half empty glass of beer? Upside down it might be full
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Well after all this talk about buses,coaches trains and even boats I am sure they all offer different challenges and skills to drive and steer, mike u really did start something here I wouldn't mind I only mentioned floodlights just a quick update there will be no night shifts this week our new steelwork will not arrive till next week .
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Bigmurph, It is so kind of you to keep everyone updated the way you do. You are a credit to the company you work for.
Good luck with the work. We passed by yesterday and saw what an enormous job it is.
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Thanks for getting us back track Hollins (!). I too am grateful to Bigmurph and SDQ for their useful and sensible comments to keep us up-dated on the project. What we need now is for the operators to stop reducing the services year by year.
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Thank you both for your kind words its a team effort ,we will get there in the end and it will be nice when its finished.
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And please don't forget Mollys Cafe outside.
They have had a tough time whilst this work has been going on. Yes, they gained a lot of customers from the site workers who used it. On the downside they lost virtually all their limited parking space, and an awful lot of their daily customers used to arrive in a car. Including the most important one ---- ME Mike
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I'd add my thanks to you, BM: good of you to take the time and keep us up to date.
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1st nightshift was worked last night all went to plan we erected 2 main columns and also 2 new lattice beams tonight 2 large sections of the steelwork will be erected if the wind isn't to strong.
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Nightshifts have finished all the new canopy steelwork has been erected, the new roof for the enclosed concourse with skylights has been installed,new windows and refurbished windows have been fitted and they look really good they should please the conservation officer.
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New canopy steelwork is up we start sheeting and removing the old sheets next week for the new roof, we have extended our fence line to start laying new kerbs and paving,there is no parking at the station during this stage of the works being carried out,there is room for pick up and drop off the taxi drivers might moan ignore them any problems let us know in the site office murph.
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Thanks BM; this is much appreciated.
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"An interesting note is that Cae Mawr sidings, on the 'down' side of the line outside Llandudno station, have been cleared of vegetation and will be back in use by Spring 2014. Apparently the crossover between platforms 1 and 2 which allow locomotives to be released from arriving trains is now unserviceable and will also not be compatible with planned new signalling systems. Excursion Trains etc. will be stabled in the sidings and locos will be able to run-round trains there as happened in the past."
http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1311a.htm (http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1311a.htm)
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What, is the point of all this work on a station that is unoperable on 50% of the weekend!
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DaveR a straight question. How on earth do u possibly manage to keep your eye on all these little nuggets of information? I never realised u were a Train buff, I should think photography,forums, internet, beer drinking, local issues, etc etc etc was enough for anyone. Oh, and looking after Fester as well
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"An interesting note is that Cae Mawr sidings, on the 'down' side of the line outside Llandudno station, have been cleared of vegetation and will be back in use by Spring 2014. Apparently the crossover between platforms 1 and 2 which allow locomotives to be released from arriving trains is now unserviceable and will also not be compatible with planned new signalling systems. Excursion Trains etc. will be stabled in the sidings and locos will be able to run-round trains there as happened in the past."
http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1311a.htm (http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1311a.htm)
I wasn't sure if I could mention this but it's obviously in the public domain. As well as the above they will also be removing what is left of the Up Sidings as well, they've already built a GSM(R) location cabin on part of it opposite the signalbox.
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Err , what's a gsm(r) location cabin? O k I know what a cabin is. But don't baffle us all with this tech stuff, especially as u r not too sure whether or not it's in the public dormain. I wouldn't worry too much, I reckon around 99 per cent of the public wouldn't have a clue what u r writing about
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GSM-R: Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway?
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DaveR a straight question. How on earth do u possibly manage to keep your eye on all these little nuggets of information? I never realised u were a Train buff, I should think photography,forums, internet, beer drinking, local issues, etc etc etc was enough for anyone. Oh, and looking after Fester as well
Just happened to spot it, Mike! ;D
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What, is the point of all this work on a station that is unoperable on 50% of the weekend!
why is it inoperable on 50%. Of weekend?
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What, is the point of all this work on a station that is unoperable on 50% of the weekend!
why is it inoperable on 50%. Of weekend?
Because it isn't open on a Sunday.
They used to at least have a Blaneu train on a Sunday so you could get to and from Junction and change there but that has dissapeared.
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Closed in the winter months but only the winter.
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It is a strange situation at the station on Sundays when we have had to work the amount of people who turn up expecting to get a train is surprising, the situation should be better when we finish at the station when the bus stop has been constructed, at least people will know were the bus stop is to get out of town at present there is no information at the station letting people know we're they should go to get a bus.
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Regular Sunday services ended in the early 1970s, now they operate May - September - the actual dates vary according to when the new timetable comes in. Regrettably the summer Sunday service is now just a shuttle to/from the Junction (except for two Blaenau services) which is not good for day trippers. The restoration of the old Cae Mawr sidings is a very positive step and will enable charter trains to be stabled without taking up platform space or having to go elsewhere. Thinking about it there are not many locations with adequate sidings nowadays. I just hope they keep on top of the weeds and saplings!
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I must admit I am, to say the least, surprised. Probably better described as gob smacked.
I had no idea. Not the faintest. That no trains ran from Llandudno on a Sunday.
Seeing as I am a more or less local, grew up within five miles, what chance has the stray visitor got?
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Me too Mike and I'm old enough to remember the Station at it's best and sad to see that it has been allowed to become an eyesore.
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I always find it odd that so much money gets spent on capital projects like the station refurbishment, but so little on providing better & more frequent services.
The Conwy Valley line is a case in point. Over £8m has been spent on repairing damage caused by flooding etc over the past decade or so, all for a little 2 carriage train to go up and down maybe 3 times a day. An hourly daytime service starting/ending in Llandudno (which would, of course, require an extra train) should be a firm aspiration in the next Franchise negotiation.
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Also need a direct service from Llandudno to Liverpool and back
a journey that takes almost 2 hours on train when it's 1 or less to drive is pathetic
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and to Liverpool Airport.
The line does not even need to be electrified.
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Any suggestions should be sent to the Rail Franchise Manager, Welsh Government.
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I see Rhyl Railway Station is getting yet another refurbishment!
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-rail-network-worst-britain-6387059 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-rail-network-worst-britain-6387059)
This must be the third lot of work carried out there in the last 10 years, at least.
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What about electrification from Crewe to Holyhead and Llandudno?
Should have been done 30 years ago.
Until it happens the rail line along the North Wales coast will remain in the dark ages.
They are doing it in South Wales whilst the north becomes more of a backwater.
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What about electrification from Crewe to Holyhead and Llandudno?
Should have been done 30 years ago.
Until it happens the rail line along the North Wales coast will remain in the dark ages.
They are doing it in South Wales whilst the north becomes more of a backwater.
I've often said I don't believe it will get done in my lifetime, despite all the well meaning talk you hear.
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I think pressure would have to be brought at the WAG level. There's certainly enough demand.
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I want to renew my readers card at the national Library but it will take 10 hours by train. $angry$
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No it doesn't; the 0515 from the Junction arrives at 0925.
https://railsaver.raileasy.co.uk/booking-process/ibeui/html/?partnerId=105
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Can it not be renewed online or by post?!
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Strangely, no. They insist you present the application or renewal in person....
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Dwsi has pointed out this Blog Post about the future of the Wales Rail Franchise:
http://oggybloggyogwr.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/future-of-wales-borders-rail-franchise.html (http://oggybloggyogwr.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/future-of-wales-borders-rail-franchise.html)
I fully agree with Prof Cole that WG need to take over ownership of the Rolling Stock in 2018; it's a key issue in being able to expand services/increase capacity.
The full WG Report on the future of the Wales Rail Franchise can be seen here:
http://tinyurl.com/nwymafd (http://tinyurl.com/nwymafd)
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Working is going well at the station considering some of the weather we have had lately, drainage works to the car park are ongoing the new canopy is nearly complete I must admit it does look good it is so much brighter than the old cowshed that was there before. The main station building has been plastered and painted new and restored windows are complete all new services have been installed at the station we had to bring the electricity from the asda substation which was a it of a shock considering the distance, I will post further updates in the new year it is going to get busy and there will be disruption which we can't avoid. I would like to thank everyone on behalf of buckingham group contracting for the interest and positive feedback we have received during the works also I would like to wish everyone a merry christmas.
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Merry Christmas Big Murph, and all the guys working on the train station.
However, I have to say, that for all the months that hard-hats. large machinery and hi-vis jackets have been crawling all over the site, it's not THAT impressive a spectacle to be fair.
Maybe it's just me, but after such a long wait (Eh Wrex?) and after spending a few million ££, I really thought we might see something more than a purely functional modern looking terminus. Shame really.
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Thankyou Bigmurph, I'm sure everyone has read your bulletins with interest.
Merry Christmas to you too.
Nem.
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Yes, they've been much appreciated. All the best!
I* VV %0% %0% VV I*
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I must admit I agree with fester, I think a brand new station should have been built but I think there would have been to many objections when we finish it will have all new facilities but you will still have that red stock brick exterior which is not that nice really.
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We started back at the station today after holidays, the weather can't get any worse really well we hope so ? After 3 weeks of high winds and lots of rain we only had 1 fence panel damaged and we also lost to safety signs if found please return them to the site office, more updates to follow within the next few weeks.
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I hope the safety signs didn't blow on to anyone's head! :twoface:
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Thanks for keeping us updated on progress, BigMurph. $good$
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Current progress at the Station. The new Station Roof looks great:
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Great photos once again dave, paving to the front is going well we start paving under the canopy later this week,work on the roof is nearly complete, the second fix is underway on the inside of the building we hope to start laying the vinyl floor coverings next week. Dave next time you are down let me know we have some spare orange ppe I can give u a guided tour of the building.
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Will the large clock be going back once the work on the railway station has been completed?
And what about the old station seats? Last time I was there they had been replaced by modern metal monstrosities and the Llandudno ones had been dumped in a fenced-off part of another station further down the line.
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A new clock will be fitted over the new few weeks it will be in the same position as the old clock, there will be new seats fitted in the concourse and under the refurbished canopy, I don't know what is happening to the old llandudno benches it would be nice if they were returned to the station I will try and find out over the next few days.
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Let's hope Network Rail arent flogging them off on ebay to raise a few quid... :laugh:
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Drew the reclaimation expert would buy them, he loves stuff like these. :D
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A new clock will be fitted over the new few weeks it will be in the same position as the old clock, there will be new seats fitted in the concourse and under the refurbished canopy, I don't know what is happening to the old llandudno benches it would be nice if they were returned to the station I will try and find out over the next few days.
What happened to the old clock, I would like that?
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One is in theback yard of the museum.Bench that is.
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The old clock wasn't very old and was made of fibre glass it was damaged when we were shotblasting the steel beams over the concourse, the clock was only fitted 15 years ago the same company are supplying the new clock. Still no word on the benches I wouldn't be surprised if they are owned by the council they would look nice painted up in the new colours of maroon and buttermilk.
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I don't suppose any interesting old railway relics were found when clearing out the old buildings?
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Dave we never found anything interesting we found a few old bottles and an old Lms oil can everything was given to the museum. The llandudno benches will be getting restored and returned to the station , also from the 17th February to the 10th of March there will be no access to the station for cars as we will be working in the road doing the bus stop and new kerbs and finishing the car park entrance, there will be temp traffic lights so please allow an extra few minutes for your journey there will be more information over the next week.
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A new clock will be fitted over the new few weeks it will be in the same position as the old clock, there will be new seats fitted in the concourse and under the refurbished canopy, I don't know what is happening to the old llandudno benches it would be nice if they were returned to the station I will try and find out over the next few days.
What happened to the old clock, I would like that?
You are obsessed by timepieces man! :laugh:
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I had heard some of the old wooden desks had been recovered for use on the Llangollen Railway.
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All the old station furniture was given to the railway society including the microwave and fridge they took everything that was usefull.
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Can somebody tell me again why the transport hub was scraped,never seen such a mess for such a small project,im glad its getting done but we(llandudno) got shafted again with this project.
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Wrex there will be a bus stop and provision for taxis and parking so I think it can be called a transport hub as for the mess for such a small project I have been off for a few days back in tomorrow I will sort the mess out if I can.
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Glad to see the signs up directing passengers,it must have been very awkward if you were;nt local to understand how to get to the train.Sorry Bigmurph when i said it looked a mess i meant the whole scheme and that,not litter or owt.
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Wrex u were right it does look a mess at the front at the moment we have removed the 4 big site cabins and have moved into a couple of small cabins so we can work our way upto the road, the CCTV column has been moved all toilets have been installed along with cubicals and vanity units the slate floor has been laid on the internal glass waiting room.
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I used the Station on Friday and it all looks fine to me. Entrance area was a bit muddy but work is progressing well.
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Big Murph, may I ask... when the project is finished, what re the plans for car parking. (No your decision I realise)
You see, my wife often travels from Llandudno on business, and has always been able to park her car high up on the platform (for free), and conveniently collect it when she returns.
If that facility were to be removed, or parking charges on the station introduced, then I feel she would simply stop using the train and drive to her meetings instead.
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I suspect it will be difficult to drive up on to the platforms in future unless you drive, professionals style, through a glass window!
The Professionals Theme Tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCFVEvZvo3g#)
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Ha ha..... well, that's a shame, and one less regular passenger for Ariva Trains.
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Fester what I have heard about the parking charges they will be low they are not allowed to make a profit on the parking for 5 years I believe because of the funding that has been given for the facility I hope this helps .
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Murph, you are indeed the fountain of all knowledge!
Yes, that is potentially good news, but I will reserve judgement until we see what they mean by 'non profit making', and how they calculate that.
If it was the County Council (which I know it isn't), they would be falling over themselves to rip off tourists and locals alike.
Thank you very much for the info!
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Surely non profit making should mean free? What are the costs - it doesn't need to be manned
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Surely non profit making should mean free? What are the costs - it doesn't need to be manned
Rates and maintenance costs do have to be paid. ;D
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Perhaps a nominal charge to use the car park will contribute towards the cost of building it?
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Current progress at the Railway Station:
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Council charge for the prom parking but that is £1 so doesn't seem much of a rip-off to me, comparable with Holy Trinity.
If there was no charge at the station it would soon fill with non rail users for whom it is really meant. The Junction station car park always seems well patronised.
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The car park charges will help cover the running costs I believe they will have an attendant checking the tickets at regular intervals also they have to cover the lighting costs and the CCTV, on a different note we have the old llandudno station sign that is free to a good home it is 11ft long x 2ft high and is in two pieces if anyone wants it let me know when u can pick it up it will be going into the skip shortly I hope this does not end up like them poor unwanted trouser presses.
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T
llandudno station sign that is free to a good home it is 11ft long x 2ft high and is in two pieces if anyone wants it let me know when u can pick it up it will be going into the skip shortly I hope this does not end up like them poor unwanted trouser presses.
Could I have it please ?
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Yes mike u can there is no rush to pick it up its in a safe place .
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T
llandudno station sign that is free to a good home it is 11ft long x 2ft high and is in two pieces if anyone wants it let me know when u can pick it up it will be going into the skip shortly I hope this does not end up like them poor unwanted trouser presses.
Could I have it please ?
2 off peak returns to Haulfre Gardens please Mike. $walesflag$
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Looking at the length of the canopy in the latest photos it seems as though you'll have to go outside to get on a train. Seems a pity that it couldn't have been a bit longer - maybe even with just one or two coaches undercover.
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When u look at the old station in its peak u could not replicate that I think the idea was to try and make it better which I think has been achieved we can't live in the past we have to make the most of what we have at the present, I do agree with the issue of passengers being undercover but the cost of building and maintence would have been to much when we finish at the end of March u will have a modern station with good facility's, at present new track and drainage is being installed at platform 2 nothing to do with us.
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The crossover between Platforms 1 and 2 is due to be taken out so that they can relay the line through platform 2. The Down Sidings (Cae Mawr) are due to be brought back into use following the removal of vegetation. Lasr used in 2000 and points out of use since 2005. ;D
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Last time i went on the train i was gobsmacked to see a tree growing in the middle of the sidings,thank god they are being restored,there must be a reason they are doing this though besides the obvious that they want to store trains there.
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I had the pleasure of meeting hollins today at the station thank you for the gifts and kind words they are really appreciated once again thank you, we moved our fence line out into the road today there is traffic management in place for us to carry out the streetworks part of the job please be patient and allow a few more minutes for your journey when using that part of town, the new entrance and exit for foot passengers is located at the side of Molly's cafe.
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Gifts Hollins??
I recall Hollins bringing 2 fantastic t-shirts to the pier, which advertised the website of Dave R and myself.
H, I can assure you that they must have been of the highest quality, as I am still wearing them regularly to this day! $good$
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Hollins is a very kind and generous person. Hope House Hospice has had many things made by her and her Mum to sell. At present we are waiting for a delivery of Jute Shopping bags to decorate with her beautiful flowers. Think the bags must be on a slow boat from China or wherever they are coming from !
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As your on the station page you better make that a slow train. D)
e
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We have finished our work on Augusta st the traffic lights have gone I would like to thank everyone for the lack of complaints while this stage of the works were completed it was tough for everyone but the work had to be done,we're not far off now with the works on the station a few more weeks and we will be finished and it will look really nice and the town of llandudno will have a nice station with good facilities.
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Just out of interest, what (if any) are the plans for what was the road between platforms 2 & 3?
Will someone be removing the awful bushes at the very end of that road as they are an eyesore?
Are the platform flagstones staying as they are or being replaced? I went A*** over tit whilst walking down platform 3 in the wind & rain at 6 o'clock this morning after tripping on one of the uneven flagstones.
How will access to the car park be controlled? (Barriers, gates, etc...)
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Some Pathe footage of Llandudno Railway Station 1952
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/pathe-news-special-look-out-llandudno/query/llandudno+station (http://www.britishpathe.com/video/pathe-news-special-look-out-llandudno/query/llandudno+station)
and some various other snippets. I found them intersting.
http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/llandudno (http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/llandudno)
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They're fascinating. I'll put a direct link to that last list of snippets in our 'Useful links' page.
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Steve sorry to hear u had an accident on your way to work, there is a few issues with uneven flags on platforms 2&3 a member of the public tripped over last week on platform 3 we have not carried out much work on platforms 2&3 and if we have all areas have been checked before opening the areas to the public as for the cab rd i don't know what they have planned for that area of the station. There will be a height barrier to stop lorries and large vans using the car park the car park will be controlled by network rail I believe,great footage of the station in its prime.
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As a trivial aside, the "greeter" at the station in the Pathe newsreel is Euan Lloyd who went on to be the producer of British action films such as "The Wild Geese" and "Who dares wins", his daughter, Rosalind, plays Lewis Collins' wife in the latter.
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Went passed last nite and it looked fabulous all lit up
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It will look good when we finish in a few weeks after cleaning up and the final jobs to be completed, I can't wait!!
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It will look good when we finish in a few weeks after cleaning up and the final jobs to be completed, I can't wait!!
We are going to miss you when its finished Bigmurph $thanx$
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It's starting to look very smart now. I passed through last Thursday and took a few photos:
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Im glad the Arriva blue has gone.
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Wrex I think were all happy with the new colour scheme ,great photos once again dave ,the porta cabins including the taxi office and public toilets are being removed on Friday there will be no public toilets at the station for a couple of weeks, the new taxi office will be located at the corner of the old station building.
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After all these years , now looking good.
Well done . Thanks. D) $walesflag$
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Couple of recentish pics of the Railway Station - the new colour scheme looks very smart:
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Did you see if the Llandudno benches are back?
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Did you see if the Llandudno benches are back?
No sign of them last Friday, but there's still time!
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We are very close to completion now we are just waiting for the official hand over to network rail and arriva then parts of the new facility's will be open to the public, we are just finishing the Tarmac in the entrance and then the road markings will be finished on Friday new railings will be erected tomorrow by the ticket office. The llandudno benches will be arriving very shortly I believe they will be going in the front glazed concourse we will still be on site for a few weeks doing snagging and clearing site.
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I dropped my Mrs off for her London train on Tuesday, about 10.30am, and as I pulled my car up to the entrance, three of the construction guys, (bosses I think), took a long hard look at me. Most likely wondering what the hell I was doing parking in front of the steel barrier like that.
I said to my Mrs, as you walk past them, ask if one of them is Big Murph, and I'll say hello.
But as she got out of the car, the guys decided they had better things to do and looked away, engrossed in paperwork and clipboards I think.
So I'll never know.....
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It wasn't me fester I am not high enough in the pecking order to walk around with a clip board I would have been to busy working moving fencing and brushing up and any other task that was required,were out for a few beers and a meal tonight around town if I see two fellas 1 wearing a Motörhead t shirt and the other carrying a camera I will say hello to your good self and dave r.
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Be very careful Bigmurph,the last fella that approached these two has;nt been seen since.
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The Railway Station looks to be only a day or so away from completion:
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Nice photos dave we are due to hand over to arriva on Wednesday if the site visit goes ok,we are just finishing the painting on the railings and the final clean ,the car park opened today complete with an attendant to check the tickets.
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Good luck tomorrow with the hand over Bigmurph and thank you once again for taking the time and trouble to keep everyone up to date with the progress.
I drove past last week and it is transformed!
Where will your next project be?
Hope you get some time at home and all the best for the future.
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Thanks for the support hollins I am sure everything will be fine tomorrow it's been a pleasure keeping everyone updated because it's not very often we get to work on such an interesting job with so much interest shown by the locals and visitors, we will be on site for a few weeks after handover, my next job is in huyton in liverpool were doing a large job for network rail I will say goodbye to the forum when i leave.
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I don't wish to spoil the party but as a daily visitor to Mollys Cafe for 20 mins breakfast I'm a bit worried about parking. Time will tell, but obviously I am not going to pay these parking fees and, a big and, is there anywhere else I can put a car for 20 mins. If not, sorry but its got to be good by to Molly and her cafe
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Mike, from memory you can park for free anywhere in Augusta Street and Oxford Road.
It is interesting to note that the signage is English over Welsh on the car park sign but Welsh takes precedence on the entrance road. $walesflag$
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I don't wish to spoil the party but as a daily visitor to Mollys Cafe for 20 mins breakfast I'm a bit worried about parking. Time will tell, but obviously I am not going to pay these parking fees and, a big and, is there anywhere else I can put a car for 20 mins. If not, sorry but its got to be good by to Molly and her cafe
Asda car park near the back fence.
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Vaughan Street.
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The station has been handed back to arriva all went well with the site visit today the new waiting room and glazed concourse will be opened in the morning,the toilets will be opened later in the day we are waiting for a few bits to be fitted before we can open them up. The llandudno benches will not be arriving till the end of the month the restoration has been a bigger job than they thought,as for Molly's cafe I can understand the problem with the parking but the land were everyone had free parking has always been network rail land there is plenty of free parking around the area we have never had a problem .
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Thanks for the replies re my problem with parking at Mollys Cafe. The thing is, many of us were spoilt in the past. I know the owner of the cafe will not be offended if I say it is a transport cafe type of business. The food is good, quick and cheap. You don't go there to spend an hour over a meal. You dive in quick, eat, and get out. A large number of customers back to work, break time is short and precious.
If a lengthy (compared to previous) is involved, then it cannot be done. Worse, on street parking is erratic. You may be lucky and get somewhere close, but if you cannot find anywhere you have to miss out on your breakfast. So, there you are, a few missed breakfasts and you have to find somewhere else, if you are lucky. Very sad.
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Park on Builders st,walk across the waste land on the other side of the station,will take you 2 mins tops.
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The station has been handed back to arriva all went well with the site visit today the new waiting room and glazed concourse will be opened in the morning,the toilets will be opened later in the day we are waiting for a few bits to be fitted before we can open them up. The llandudno benches will not be arriving till the end of the month the restoration has been a bigger job than they thought,as for Molly's cafe I can understand the problem with the parking but the land were everyone had free parking has always been network rail land there is plenty of free parking around the area we have never had a problem .
Thanks for keeping us updated all these months, BigMurph. The new Station looks great, you and your lads have done a fantastic job. $good$
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Yes, many thanks for all the info during the job, BM. Very much appreciated.
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A look around the newly opened Railway Station. I had the pleasure of meeting BigMurph, good to chat to you mate.
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It looks great! I love the maroon and cream paintwork, reminds me of the old British Railways before the Intercity blue!
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Wonderful! Well done to everyone concerned.
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There's also a high tech change room for disabled folk - the only other station with one is Swansea and the only other one in North Wales is in a shopping scheme at Wrexham.
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Big Murph, thanks for all the updates and the great job! Any chance of you and the team moving to the giant skip (Porth Eirias) in Colwyn Bay, that needs lots doing to improve it! WWW
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Thank-you Bigmurph a job well done. $good$
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Wrex --- park in Builder Street fr Mollys Cafe. O.K. but NOT guaranteed. You might end up parking down by the Football Club because there are no spaces
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It was good to meet you this afternoon dave after all this time, it's been a good job to work on and we are really pleased with the way the station has been transformed the maroon and cream look great. We have had nothing but positive remarks since we handed over the toilets will be open tomorrow the changing places as mentioned by Cambrian was interesting to work on some of the equipment installed is amazing. Thank you all for the interest and support and also patience over the last 14 months I think it has been worth it.
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Wrex --- park in Builder Street fr Mollys Cafe. O.K. but NOT guaranteed. You might end up parking down by the Football Club because there are no spaces
If I were you Mike, I'd go to Tesco! Great breakfast and great company, and very reasonably priced! ZXZ
And definitely no car parking problems. ^*^0
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Is it correct that come 3pm, the station attendant locks up and goes home? That includes the toilets and everything?
I might be wrong about this, but if it is the case, what was the point of all this investment if the facilities are not useable for two-thirds of the time?
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Hello Yorkie and as u know I do use Tesco at times. But its 2 miles further driving for me and that every day in my diesel guzzler mounts up. Also my beloved Daily Post, not so loved now its 60p, free in Mollys and far from free in Tesco.
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Yes the waste ground to the side of the station is a blight on the lovely town of llandudno and people should to be forced to sort it out.
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The llandudno benches will be arriving very shortly I believe they will be going in the front glazed concourse we will still be on site for a few weeks doing snagging and clearing site.
Any update on the Llandudno benches please?
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On behalf of myself and Buckingham Group Contracting I would like to thank the townsfolk of Llandudno for all the support and positive feedback we had while working on the station, it has meant a lot to us and also it made sure that we did our best so we didn't let the town down, It's was strange driving home today I will miss Llandudno it's been a part of our lives for 14 months and it's all been good , keep up the good work on the forum and good luck to everyone.
Regards Mike Murphy BGCL.
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You've all done a great job - station looks fantastic :) $thanx$
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Farewell Bigmurph and good luck with your future projects. I hope you will be able to have a nice break first though.
Buckingham are lucky to have such a conscientious employee.
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All the very best Mike. Good to have met you a couple of times and I hope we may see you at the official opening.
Your up-dates from "on the ground" have been much appreciated.
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On behalf of myself and Buckingham Group Contracting I would like to thank the townsfolk of Llandudno for all the support and positive feedback we had while working on the station, it has meant a lot to us and also it made sure that we did our best so we didn't let the town down, It's was strange driving home today I will miss Llandudno it's been a part of our lives for 14 months and it's all been good , keep up the good work on the forum and good luck to everyone.
Regards Mike Murphy BGCL.
All the best Mick!
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Thank you all we have enjoyed our time in your lovely town, the benches are due at the end of the month I believe also to Steve if you could pass on our thanks to all the lads in the box you lads have been great and made the job so much easier.
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Thanks for your interesting posts. I had to drop someone at the station last week and was most impressed. Great job.
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BigMurph, it would be great if you and your lads could come back and build a nice replacement for the derelict Pier Pavilion site which was destroyed about 19 years ago now.
You are welcome!
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Just left Llandudno by train (not permanently, you may be pleased to hear) and saw that there's a lot of work going on in the old carriage sidings. Track is being lifted, moved about, new sleepers are piled up. What is the purpose of all the work?
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Just left Llandudno by train (not permanently, you may be pleased to hear) and saw that there's a lot of work going on in the old carriage sidings. Track is being lifted, moved about, new sleepers are piled up. What is the purpose of all the work?
Making space for a new town beach?
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Dave they were looking at taking up 1set of sidings and re-using the good sleepers and track to have just 1set of sidings for the special trains I miss Llandudno the Huyton job is a real rail job and it is a nightmare, I think SDQ will have more information on the sidings and what's happening trackside.
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The track in Platform 2 was recently relaid & whilst doing that job the crossover near the buffer stops was removed, therefore there is currently no run round facility in Llandudno for any loco hauled stock. There are still 3 roads in the siding but it has been locked out of use for well over 15 years. They are now going to re-open the sidings but with 2 roads to create a run round facility in there but obviously after all this time it needs a complete overhaul.
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I was having to tell traffic in the que outside the station over the weekend there was a car park half empty and cost only two pounds,no sign saying(pointing) into station,people think its just for the station.
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where is the car park wrex?
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The Station Car Park is only a pound for all day at Weekends/Bank Holidays. It's to the right of the Station Entrance.
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Very well laid out Car Park, plenty of specially allocated spaces for disabled and staff. Good clear signage and plenty of room to manouver, for even the worst driver. Charges are very reasonable, even for the all day commuter.
Now will CCBC get to work on the rest of the town? ;D
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Thank you all we have enjoyed our time in your lovely town, the benches are due at the end of the month
I could not locate them when I dropped in yesterday to collect two new timetables.
In fact, I could not find any printed timetables on display, or any other promotional material for that matter, so I had to ask for the new timetables at the Booking Office where they are now kept.
This must mean visitors may miss out on publicity material for the Conwy Valley line etc.
I also had to ask for the opening hours and surprised to find it all closes at 3pm midweek and 3.45pm on a Saturday.
If there is a notice displaying this somewhere then I certainly missed it.
I do not know if that it includes the public conveniences which are outside the new enclosed section as I forgot to ask.
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All the Station facilities, including the Toilets, get locked up at 3pm weekdays. This is because there is only one member of staff, who works 8-3pm (I think).
Crazy to think £5m was spent on the Station, yet there's no money to employ even one person there all day afterwards...
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So if your train arrives after 3pm there are no toilets open? That seems ridiculous!
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That's correct. &shake&
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Do you mean that any daytrippers going home cannot use the waiting room or toilets after 3pm,
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They will be alright until 3.45pm on a Saturday.
You will often find it is also the case on Mostyn Broadway Coach Park for many daytrippers later in the day when Cafe Cais is shut.
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They will be alright until 3.45pm on a Saturday.
You will often find it is also the case on Mostyn Broadway Coach Park for many daytrippers later in the day when Cafe Cais is shut.
And they want have to worry about Sundays as there is no bloody trains at all to wait for!
I'd rather be in a rundown station waiting for a train to arrive than a plush 5 million station with no trains in it. &shake&
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They will be alright until 3.45pm on a Saturday.
You will often find it is also the case on Mostyn Broadway Coach Park for many daytrippers later in the day when Cafe Cais is shut.
And they want have to worry about Sundays as there is no bloody trains at all to wait for!
I'd rather be in a rundown station waiting for a train to arrive than a plush 5 million station with no trains in it. &shake&
For your information the Sunday service started over a month ago!
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but are the station facilities open including the Booking Office on a Sunday?
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but are the station facilities open including the Booking Office on a Sunday?
I've no idea, the accusation was that there are no trains running on Sunday.
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Common sense would tell me to keep the station open when there are a few hundred waiting to go home rather than first thing in the morning when nobody is around.
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Common sense would tell me to keep the station open when there are a few hundred waiting to go home rather than first thing in the morning when nobody is around.
On the contrary, people travelling first thing in the morning are more likely to purchase tickets than late afternoon when they are more likely to be using a return to get home.
As far as the toilets go, it's a sad fact of life that if left open overnight unattended they will get vandalised so Arriva are left with no option but to lock them when their only member of staff goes home. The obvious answer is for Arriva to employ more staff and man the station from 06:00hrs to 22:00hrs in line with Network Rail's staff at the signalbox but I think if they had their way Arriva would prefer to do away with staff completely and install ticket machines instead.
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The obvious answer is for Arriva to employ more staff and man the station from 06:00hrs to 22:00hrs in line with Network Rail's staff at the signalbox
Isn’t the signal box scheduled to disappear soon?
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All the Station facilities, including the Toilets, get locked up at 3pm weekdays. This is because there is only one member of staff, who works 8-3pm (I think).
Crazy to think £5m was spent on the Station, yet there's no money to employ even one person there all day afterwards...
I mentioned all this on this very thread, when Big Murph was still here. There were no replies, denials or rebuttals, in fact no comments of any kind. So why is everyone so surprised now?
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They will be alright until 3.45pm on a Saturday.
You will often find it is also the case on Mostyn Broadway Coach Park for many daytrippers later in the day when Cafe Cais is shut.
And they want have to worry about Sundays as there is no bloody trains at all to wait for!
I'd rather be in a rundown station waiting for a train to arrive than a plush 5 million station with no trains in it. &shake&
For your information the Sunday service started over a month ago!
So they are $thanx$ - About time too!
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Everything is shut on a Sunday including the toilets.
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Everything is shut on a Sunday including the toilets.
So, several hundred visitors (hopefully), trudge back to the train station, full of beer or coffee, probably wet and cold from the lousy weather. Then, they can't even have a wazz before they are shipped out? A disgrace.
They can dash back into the town, and search fruitlessly for a free toilet.... and even if they find one, they are running the risk of missing their train! What does that sign say?? ''LLANDUDNO WELCOMES YOU''
ARE WE SURE ABOUT THAT???
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At the quarry meeting CCBC said Llandudno is important to tourism for the borough,then they should try and prove it
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There are signs in two windows of the Neville advertising free use of their toilets as per Llandudno Town Council’s initiative but I doubt if any visitor would be able to read the signs from the railway station.
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There are signs in two windows of the Neville advertising free use of their toilets as per Llandudno Town Council’s initiative but I doubt if any visitor would be able to read the signs from the railway station.
Having visited the loos in The Nev, (whilst playing darts there), if any visitors to the town DID avail themselves of that kind offer, then I am sure that they might not return to the town at all!
The provision, (or lack of) of basic toilet facilities is an absolute scandal. Llandudno is not alone in this, but it is a very poor situation.
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Fair comment, Fester, but to benefit visitors it would be helpful to see a notice somewhere at the railway station saying where the nearest toilets are situated when theirs are closed.
Another notice displaying the opening hours for each day of the week for when the booking office and toilets are actually open would also be helpful to customers.
The good news is there is now a machine in the open area where you one collect tickets pre-booked online. The nearest one before was at Llandudno Junction.
There is still no sign of the old benches which Big Murph said would be back by the end of April.
Am I correct in my observation that there is no longer a taxi rank at the railway station and the taxi rank is situated in Vaughan Street alongside the Neville together with a bus stop in an odd position?
In its place at the railway station is a designated area for taxis and the general public to drop off (not pick up) passengers.
Immediately outside the station is probably the largest bus shelter in Llandudno and the surrounding area which could have been put to far better use outside Greggs in Mostyn Street.
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Fair comment, Fester, but to benefit visitors it would be helpful to see a notice somewhere at the railway station saying where the nearest toilets are situated when theirs are closed.
Another notice displaying the opening hours for each day of the week for when the booking office and toilets are actually open would also be helpful to customers.
Ah Bri, that sounds too much like common sense or good management to me. Therefore it will never happen.
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Fair comment, Fester, but to benefit visitors it would be helpful to see a notice somewhere at the railway station saying where the nearest toilets are situated when theirs are closed.
Another notice displaying the opening hours for each day of the week for when the booking office and toilets are actually open would also be helpful to customers.
Ah Bri, that sounds too much like common sense or good management to me. Therefore it will never happen.
Surely they can just wait a few minutes & use the toilet on the train?
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Good point, SDQ.
I guess it depends how desperate one is.
While I am on a roll with my moan about the new railway station, I had a look earlier at the new car park.
I believe the sign displaying the parking charges ought to have its font size doubled in size and moved 100 yards forward to be near the entrance so motorists can see exactly what the charges are.
Whilst I was there a shop worker arrived and paid £1, because it is bank holiday, to park there for up to 12 hours.
There is another sign displayed in the car park which says it is cheaper to park if you telephone an 0845 number and pay by card.
I cannot understand how that can be true because one would obviously have to use a mobile phone to telephone and it normally costs between 14p – 41p per minute to phone an 0845 number.
It is quite possible the cost of the telephone call alone could cost more than the parking charge paying by cash.
Finally, I was expecting a much better transport hub than that now built.
I am very surprised there is no taxi rank at the railway station leaving taxis to either park and wait in an area designated for 'taxis and cars to drop off' or alternatively, use a taxi rank alongside the Neville in Vaughan Street about 100 yards away.
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Fair comment, Fester, but to benefit visitors it would be helpful to see a notice somewhere at the railway station saying where the nearest toilets are situated when theirs are closed.
Another notice displaying the opening hours for each day of the week for when the booking office and toilets are actually open would also be helpful to customers.
Ah Bri, that sounds too much like common sense or good management to me. Therefore it will never happen.
Surely they can just wait a few minutes & use the toilet on the train?
Not whilst it is standing in the station !!!! ;D :o--or am I showing my age? :(
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I'm also wondering which buses will be using the two new bus stops outside the Station?
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Nem, I seem to remember it was alright to use the toilet but not alright to flush it while the train was stationary but I do not know what the rules are today.
DaveR, it is surprising how many bus routes are served by the bus stop immediately outside the station although how many passengers get on or off there is another good question.
I think it needs promoting better to encourage more to use it.
I guess if a second bus arrives when one bus stop is occupied then it can always use the spare bus stop although I believe the space could be put to better use as a taxi rank.
The bus stop on the other side of the road is next to a traffic island in the road and is alongside the Neville. I doubt if any cars can pass a bus when it has stopped there.
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Fair comment, Fester, but to benefit visitors it would be helpful to see a notice somewhere at the railway station saying where the nearest toilets are situated when theirs are closed.
Another notice displaying the opening hours for each day of the week for when the booking office and toilets are actually open would also be helpful to customers.
Ah Bri, that sounds too much like common sense or good management to me. Therefore it will never happen.
Surely they can just wait a few minutes & use the toilet on the train?
SDQ, I might be asking the wrong person.... but do you know what happens to the 'waste' that goes into the toilets on trains?
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Newer trains built within the last few years ( 5 ,could be more ) have retention tiolets that are emptyed when the train goes on to a maintenance depot to the local sewage system.
Older trains discharge directly on to the track, hence "do not flush when the train is standing at a station ".
How a passenger can tell if it is a new or older train is not explained.
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Thanks Mull!
So it's 2014, and we are still crapping on the train tracks. Great!
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Not the Virgin Trains but many, it seems:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24925280 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24925280)
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Thanks Mull!
So it's 2014, and we are still crapping on the train tracks. Great!
I think the only trains in Arriva's fleet that have tanks are the 175's which usually operate the Manchester services. The rest of their fleet is so old they do indeed discharge directly on to the track. Spare a thought for our poor Permanent Way guys who regularly have to patrol/repair the track!
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It does seem crazy that, in 2014, raw human waste is dumped on the train tracks. It would seem it's about time we had some new trains, the class 150 that usually serves the Conwy Valley line is 30 years old.
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Spare a thought for the general public of all ages returning to the railway station in freezing cold temperatures after watching a firework display in November or after Xmas shopping throughout December.
Awaiting them is a centrally-heated warm and cosy waiting room inside the new £5m development that has been closed since 3pm midweek and 3.45pm on a Saturday.
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6pm at the earliest,Cll P Evans is the man to sort this out,im suprised he has;nt been in the press about it already.
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It would seem it's about time we had some new trains, the class 150 that usually serves the Conwy Valley line is 30 years old.
Final designs have been revealed today for the new InterCity Swansea to London trains.
Take a closer look:
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Let me guess....no new trains for North Wales?
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Wait till you see the seating layout in the mock up.
4 rows against a blank wall on one side and the luggage racks on the other side.No outside view at all.
How anyone can get away with such a poor design is beyond me.
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Wait till you see the seating layout in the mock up.
4 rows against a blank wall on one side and the luggage racks on the other side.No outside view at all.
How anyone can get away with such a poor design is beyond me.
Take a good look at passing trains nowadays and people no longer look out of the window at the view, they're all looking down at their phone/iPad/computer (delete as applicable!)
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See what you mean SDQ. I have just had a trip by train from Oban to York and back returning my grand daughter after her holiday.
Even on the really scenic bit on the West Highland line most of the passengers spent the whole journey looking at a small screen.
Seems very sad to me.
I prefare to watch the world go by outside the window.
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They need cameras on the outside of the trains then passengers can look at the view on their iPads etc! $good$
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One of the local rail blogs suggests that Welsh Government have pulled the plug on the north-premier service (Gerald or Ieuan Express) from December. I don't recall this being announced but Arriva have a schedule in place to use the stock on Manchester/Holyhead/Llandudno/Crewe services from December. It will be good to see a proper train using the new station on a regular basis.
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Good one ME. It makes sense. :laugh:
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Just passing through the Station and noticed that the refurbished LLANDUDNO benches are being stored in the proposed cafe space, ready for installation.
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Excellent news, DaveR.
I have also noticed the premium rate telephone number previously boasting a cheaper parking rate has been swapped for an 01895 landline number.
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Mollys cafe looks well painted the same colour
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Yes. Mollys Cafe looks part of the railway station in that colour.
Yesterday was Sunday and the ticket office was open.
I enquired what time it closed and was informed 5pm.
Yes - 5pm.
I asked if that was 5pm for every day of the week and was informed it was.
Finally, I asked where at the station are the opening and closing times displayed and they reply was they are not.
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Yesterday was Sunday and the ticket office was open.
I enquired what time it closed and was informed 5pm.
Yes - 5pm.
I asked if that was 5pm for every day of the week and was informed it was.
Finally, I asked where at the station are the opening and closing times displayed and they reply was they are not.
I forgot to mention this a couple of weeks back - I was going past the station about 4.30 on a weekday and saw that it was all still open. It would seem that sanity has prevailed. $good$
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Except that if it closes at 5, it would still be open at 4.30! :D
Or have I mis read something somewhere?
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It used to close at 3pm weekdays and 3.45pm on a Saturday but closed on Sundays.
I think that is correct unless it was the other way around.
Also, the old benches are back and look wonderful after being restored.
Well worth a visit, Yorkie, when you are next passing.
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Except that if it closes at 5, it would still be open at 4.30! :D
Or have I mis read something somewhere?
Yes, you've misread it, I'm afraid.
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Except that if it closes at 5, it would still be open at 4.30! :D
Or have I mis read something somewhere?
Yes, you've misread it, I'm afraid.
That's the result of a deprived childhood as they say in the Courts! I should have gone back a few posts! C'est la vie! ;)
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Quotes from B2R and Ian on CB pier thread Re Halton Curve reinstatement.
"sort a decent railway line out from Liverpool and you'd have a lot more day trippers."
"That's exactly why I asked the question about the Halton Curve. That is being restored, so I wanted to know if that meant Liverpool would now only be a single ride away."
I had a look to see if anything was happening,... nothing new,... but these two quotes did not help....
Delays caused by.
"It has also been suggested that one of the reasons for difficulty in developing wider support for this project is the name of the project. this will need further debate with other stakeholders to ensure a consensus is reached on the preferred name."
"We are pleased to announce a £10.4 million scheme is to start in the next few years to reopen the "Halton Curve" route from Frodsham to Runcorn which will enable Chester, Helsby and Frodsham station to finally regain regular daily passenger train services to Runcorn, South Liverpool and Liverpool Lime Street. Services may also offer through links to North Wales in some form. "
This on DPblog today...High-speed rail investment will boost business in North.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/high-speed-rail-investment-boost-business-8008366 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/high-speed-rail-investment-boost-business-8008366)
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From next year, we can always catch the new hovercraft service direct to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Does anybody know where the best place is on the promenade for us to carry our suitcases down onto the beach to board the hovercraft?
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From next year, we can always catch the new hovercraft service direct to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Does anybody know where the best place is on the promenade for us to carry our suitcases down onto the beach to board the hovercraft?
I thought they could do a Zip Wire off the pier!
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From next year, we can always catch the new hovercraft service direct to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Does anybody know where the best place is on the promenade for us to carry our suitcases down onto the beach to board the hovercraft?
Bri, you will be able to use the new Yacht Club slipway of course (provided that it has been swept and "reprofiled" on that particular day!)
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From next year, we can always catch the new hovercraft service direct to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Does anybody know where the best place is on the promenade for us to carry our suitcases down onto the beach to board the hovercraft?
Will that need another new slipway?.... WWW or just "re-profile the surplus material around" _))*
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Surely the hovercraft will travel up the Slipway by the Cenotaph onto the Prom, in order to allow passengers to board etc?
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I cannot see Health & Safety allowing the promenade by the pier to be used as a station for the new hovercraft service especially during July and August.
I believe the RNLI will still need to use the slipway during 2015.
I suppose they can always use the new slipway at the Sailing Club now that all the shingle has been cleared away.
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I cannot see Health & Safety allowing the promenade by the pier to be used as a station for the new hovercraft service especially during July and August.
I suppose they can always use the new slipway at the Sailing Club now that all the shingle has been cleared away.
Think we will need a new thread.....?
When you first mentioned "where do we take our suitcases to board" it made me think,... where ? .
Modern hovercraft are a lot bigger and more powerful than the original ones used in the 60s, and our beach is not like Rhyl's,... If Hoverlink make a success of the Wirral/Rhyl run, and look at Llandudno as a link, I think it will need it's own slipway/ terminal and safety zone.
https://bdaily.co.uk/entrepreneurship/06-06-2014/hovercraft-firms-keen-to-link-north-west-and-north-wales/ (https://bdaily.co.uk/entrepreneurship/06-06-2014/hovercraft-firms-keen-to-link-north-west-and-north-wales/)
http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/hovercraft-range/8000td.aspx (http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/hovercraft-range/8000td.aspx)
http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/hovercraft-range/bht-passenger-configuration.aspx (http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/hovercraft-range/bht-passenger-configuration.aspx)
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I was disappointed when CCBC didn't use their initiative to develop the whole of the Station area including the old Railway yard but must admit that the work that has been done is an improvement on the old Railway Station.
I walked past there today and it did look better and that car park at the side looked neat and I was surprised that the car park wasn't busier. They charge £2.00 for all day Mon to Fri and £1.00 all day at the weekend which seems very fair compared to other car park charges.
As for the old Railway yard and the car wash place they are still a disgrace and CCBC should have this site on their radar. Will anything get done? Not likely as Mostyn Estates owns the car wash site and can get away with anything. I also passed the old Llandudno Y C on my way and that is a mess that is too but will anything get done, no chance because it belongs to Mostyn Estates too.
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Mostyn estates owns the first 10 feet then all the car wash and sidings belong to a market firm in Manchester,Northern markets.
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Are you sure Wrex because when I was a schoolboy the first 10 feet was grass just before the billbords? So how come that the 10 feet is now enclosed in the car wash business or was that a new Enclosure Act by Mostyn Estates ?
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If you go inside you will see a yellow line,just look where the nice fence ends.
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The opening hours of the Waiting Room & Ticket Office are being extended for the Summer:
An Arriva Trains Wales spokesman said: “Following the completion of the improvements work at Llandudno station, the opening hours remained as they were before the work began: 2.30pm on weekdays and 3.10pm on Saturdays.
“However, these hours will be extended in July and August when the station facilities will be open until 6pm Monday to Saturday and 5pm on Sundays.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/52m-revamped-llandudno-railway-station-9382734 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/52m-revamped-llandudno-railway-station-9382734)
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Excuse me for being logical but wouldn't a waiting room do better for being open longer in the winter when it's freezing cold 8)
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Excuse me for being logical but wouldn't a waiting room do better for being open longer in the winter when it's freezing cold 8)
True.....but these facilities (waiting rooms) are not treated with respect when left unattended, a sad truth. :(
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Excuse me for being logical but wouldn't a waiting room do better for being open longer in the winter when it's freezing cold 8)
True.....but these facilities (waiting rooms) are not treated with respect when left unattended, a sad truth. :(
Then the station should be manned to cover the hours that trains run. 05.30 - 22.00hrs!
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Government says it is working with transport chiefs in Liverpool to try to ensure proper connectivity with North Wales is achieved
Plans for improved rail links between North Wales and Liverpool are being pressed ahead with.
Assembly member for the region Aled Roberts said he had had commitments from the Welsh government that it would continue to work with Merseytravel - the Merseyside transport authority - to secure improvements to the 'Halton Curve' link.
The Halton Curve is 1.5 miles long and links the North Wales Coast Line to the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line.
Regular passenger services over the line ceased in May, 1975, but transport authority Merseytravel is seeking to re-open the link .
But recent Conservative government delays and cutbacks to transport infrastructure improvements, and a Merseytravel-commissioned report that said additional services to Liverpool should begin no further than Chester, created doubt about the plans.
More....http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-liverpool-direct-train-link-9616869 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-liverpool-direct-train-link-9616869)
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Also of interest is a snippet tucked away in Edwina Hart's statement last week. Her officials are talking to Transpennine about running into North Wales. Could we see Llandudno-Leeds-York services back.
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The Halton Curve link has been talked about for the past 25 years, and nothing has happened. The £10.4m cost is so little I had to read it twice. It's absurd that people can't get directly between Liverpool and Llandudno in a single train trip.
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Also of interest is a snippet tucked away in Edwina Hart's statement last week. Her officials are talking to Transpennine about running into North Wales. Could we see Llandudno-Leeds-York services back.
That would be a great move. As such, it will probably never happen!
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It's absurd that people can't get directly between Liverpool and Llandudno in a single train trip.
Even better if North Wales was linked up to Liverpool Airport.
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It's absurd that people can't get directly between Liverpool and Llandudno in a single train trip.
Even better if North Wales was linked up to Liverpool Airport.
Just out of interest, where are you going to conjure up the extra trains and staff to operate these new services & who will fund it?
Who's to say if they did run a direct service from North Wales to Liverpool that they would start from Llandudno? It's possible they would run from Holyhead to Liverpool so that would still involve a change at Llandudno Junction so you'd be no better off. If they did run direct from Llandudno it would probably be to the detriment of the long established Manchester service. Then you would lose your connection to the more popular Manchester Airport.
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I suspect the train companies will always be able to find the rolling stock and the drivers / guards, etc. But to the second point surely the service would be demand-led? After all, the train companies are private, so if they thought there'd be sufficient demand they'd arrange things accordingly. And Liverpool and Manchester airports cater for different travellers: Liverpool is largely short-haul, low-cost travel, while M/c is mainly long-haul big name fleets, such as Swiss Air.
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Then you would lose your connection to the more popular Manchester Airport.
Is there a direct connection to Manchester Airport at the moment, or do you have to change anywhere?
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Then you would lose your connection to the more popular Manchester Airport.
Is there a direct connection to Manchester Airport at the moment, or do you have to change anywhere?
The 07:56 arrival and 18:44 departure are the only airport trains, all the others involve a change to get to the airport. Not sure if this is for operational reasons or not as I don't work for ATW.
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Then you would lose your connection to the more popular Manchester Airport.
Is there a direct connection to Manchester Airport at the moment, or do you have to change anywhere?
The 07:56 arrival and 18:44 departure are the only airport trains, all the others involve a change to get to the airport. Not sure if this is for operational reasons or not as I don't work for ATW.
Don't you know anything about trains SDQ? :laugh: :laugh:
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Arriva Trains Wales have always been keen to run all their North Wales services to/from Manchester Airport. The two SDQ mentions were the result of a previous application by ATW which was objected to by Northern Rail/Transpennine. ATW have applied for more paths but this has again been blocked for the present. ATW are pursing some sort of appeal to the Regulator. ATW services wait in a siding just east of Piccadilly for around 50 minutes before making the return journey. This time could usefully be spent running to the Airport and back.
The privatised rail service is very complicated - if ATW get more services into the Airport, they would be entitled to a greater %age of the fares booked to and from that station. Clearly other operators do not want to see some of their income shared with another!
Although privatised, the rail network in not particularly competitive. Just remember what happened to Wrexham and Shropshire's service to Marylebone because Branson & Co would not allow them to pick up at Wolverhampton and effectively banned them from Birmingham altogether.
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Just a quick up-date on the airport services. Apparently the other two operators have withdrawn their objection but there still remains one from Network Rail. Earliest these could begin would be the December changes provided the NR objection can be resolved.
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Chancellor George Osborne said the Government wanted to ‘look at’ rail electrification to North Wales on a visit to the Airbus wing making plant in Broughton.
Mr Osborne toured the site - which employs 6,000 people - with Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb as he announced a Chinese export finance deal that could help support Airbus’s growth in the Far East.
During the visit he spoke to the Daily Post about infrastructure investment and North Wales’s place in the Northern Powerhouse.
Rail electrification is going ahead in South Wales but there has been no firm commitment in North Wales.
Businesses, the Wales Office and Welsh government are working to press the case for the investment.
Talking about rail investment, he said: “We are investing in infrastructure, we have done that by investing in the Halton Curve which helps connections with North Wales.
“We want to look at rail electrification here, a key part of that is the plan for HS2 and potential rail hub at Crewe which greatly strengthens the case for electrification into North Wales.
“That is the next stage of the plan, we need to get HS2 plans nailed down.
“If Crewe is the big rail hub for this part of the United Kingdom, North Wales will be a huge winner.”
He added: “North Wales is connected to the Northern Powerhouse, this is not just for England.
MORE....http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/george-osborne-look-at-north-9681614 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/george-osborne-look-at-north-9681614)
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We caught the 14.57 from Blaenau Ffestiniog this afternoon arriving into Llandudno at 16.17.
I was grateful to find the toilets still open with its extended summer hours and so did many other passengers.
However, the closing times displayed outside both the Ladies and Gents are still displaying 2.30pm.
Oops !
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Great news! $good$
The number of train services running from North Wales to Manchester Airport will triple from today.
An application from Arriva Trains Wales to extend their existing agreement has been approved by independent regulators, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
The move will see the number of direct trains from North Wales and Chester to Manchester Airport increase from 17 to 57 weekly.
Trains will start at Llandudno.
Arriva say the extension will bring “strong economic benefits,” as well as improved access to the airport for many North Wales residents.
Vale of Clwyd MP, Dr James Davies said: “This is a victory for common sense – Manchester Airport is by far the most important international airport serving North Wales and is easily reached by road but for most, travel by rail has been a non-starter. From Monday, rail will be a real option, with hourly direct services.
“This is good news for those seeking holidays abroad but I hope will also assist in boosting the North Wales economy.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/arriva-triple-number-trains-running-11335267 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/arriva-triple-number-trains-running-11335267)
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I had a look earlier and found that a direct service to Manchester Airport took longer that another train with changes at Chester and Crewe.
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and cost more.
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I had a look earlier and found that a direct service to Manchester Airport took longer that another train with changes at Chester and Crewe.
It does seem to go round the houses a bit, but I suppose we must be grateful for anything!
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I had a look earlier and found that a direct service to Manchester Airport took longer that another train with changes at Chester and Crewe.
It does seem to go round the houses a bit, but I suppose we must be grateful for anything!
The Llandudno to Manchester service takes longer because it stops at all stops where as the service via Crewe is more of a limited stop service. You can't have everything your own way and if it didn't stop for passengers what would be the point?
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So if you wanted to travel from Llandudno to Manchester Airport next Monday morning, would you
• Catch the 7.45am train which goes direct, costs £17.50 and arrives at 10.20am, or
• Catch the same 7.45am train stopping at the same station stops in North Wales but change at Chester and Crewe, costs £15 and arrives at 10.04am.
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Definitely the first option. Direct trains are far better than navigating changes.
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Definitely the first option. Direct trains are far better than navigating changes.
I agree, it only takes one train running late for you to end up having a very bad day!
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Definitely the first option. Direct trains are far better than navigating changes.
I agree, it only takes one train running late for you to end up having a very bad day!
Especially so if you have luggage to cart around with you between platforms.
It may take longer but you are guaranteed a seat and somewhere to put your luggage when boarding at Llandudno as the train is empty but when you change at intermediate stations you board a train in the middle of a journey which may be full and you end up sitting on your cases. For the sake of a couple of pounds and a few minutes I think it's a no brainer.
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I agree with SDQ but there are a couple of other points which have not been mentioned. The ATW services from North Wales to Manchester spend around 50 minutes in a siding to the east of Piccadilly before returning. It is surely more efficient for the rolling stock to be in revenue earning use by extending to the Airport. I am not sure that ATW have access rights to travel from the west to the Airport via Crewe. Even if they did, it would be quite involved to negotiate clock-face paths across Crewe to gain the line to Manchester given the existing, conflicting movements at this busy junction - additional rolling stock would be needed to perform such a service, entailing reversal at Crewe in each direction, which would also interfere with the hourly Chester - Crewe ATW shuttle.
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We solved the problem by telephoning Lyn-An Airport Services www.lyn-anminibuses.co.uk (http://www.lyn-anminibuses.co.uk) reasonable cost with first class service door to door 24hrs around the clock
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author=DaveR link=topic=1031.msg91800#msg91800 date=1463388947]
Great news! $good$
The number of train services running from North Wales to Manchester Airport will triple from today.
An application from Arriva Trains Wales to extend their existing agreement has been approved by independent regulators, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
The move will see the number of direct trains from North Wales and Chester to Manchester Airport increase from 17 to 57 weekly.
Trains will start at Llandudno.
Arriva say the extension will bring “strong economic benefits,” as well as improved access to the airport for many North Wales residents.
Vale of Clwyd MP, Dr James Davies said: “This is a victory for common sense – Manchester Airport is by far the most important international airport serving North Wales and is easily reached by road but for most, travel by rail has been a non-starter. From Monday, rail will be a real option, with hourly direct services.
“This is good news for those seeking holidays abroad but I hope will also assist in boosting the North Wales economy.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/arriva-triple-number-trains-running-11335267 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/arriva-triple-number-trains-running-11335267)
Llandudno/Manchester Airport train cancelled.............
A major shortage of train conductors has led to severe issues on Arriva Trains Wales services this morning.
The 11.44am service to Manchester Airport, which was due to start at Llandudno and call at Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Abergele, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint and Shotton, will now start from Chester.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/arriva-trains-wales-chaos-due-11937741 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/arriva-trains-wales-chaos-due-11937741)
Disruption to any rail journey is inconvenient, but to an airport, the consequences are obvious, and Arriva's apparent thoughtless decision to cancel this train, is going to result in major trust issues, which makes a mockery of the increased service mentioned above, I for one, would no longer consider the airport train as an option.
From this mornings Daily Post................
"The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers has slammed Arriva Trains Wales for a lack of “basic good management” after a major shortage of conductors caused chaos across North Wales today.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/union-arriva-trains-wales-delays-11942225 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/union-arriva-trains-wales-delays-11942225)
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Called into Llandudno Railway Station earlier (about 1pm). The concourse was locked up, the waiting room was locked up, the ticket office was locked up, the toilets were locked up. No members of staff anywhere to be seen. The self service ticket machine was out of order.
What was the point of spending all that money on refurbishment? &shake&
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Public transport has been left to fester. (Not that Fester) I really don't know how people without a car manage, it's not cheap either. Also there is potential fines if you don't buy your ticket before you get on a train, how are you supposed to if the ticket office is closed?
Here's a local story that reeks of jobsworth
http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/168234/llandudno-woman-pleads-guilty-to-not-having-train-ticket-for-first-class.aspx (http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/168234/llandudno-woman-pleads-guilty-to-not-having-train-ticket-for-first-class.aspx)
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I called too. I expect there was a staff sickness issue and no available relief. If the office is closed, you do not face any penalty and can use railcard.
It has been said on the Forum before that the issue here is that the Welsh Government-awarded Franchise specified a closure of !500 hours. Hopefully that will change IF Welsh Government specify a later closure time in the new franchise.
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If a spare set of keys was left with their tenant, Alliance Taxis, then they could open up the waiting room and toilet facilities in an emergency.
They could even lock up the facilities at a much later time than at present on a daily basis.
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Still closed today!
I think the Taxi people already control access to the "wet room" alongside their office. One difficulty in them looking after the rest is that they have no visual of the area and stations unfortunately can be prone to misbehaviour and vandalism.
If ATW got a tenant for the unit accessed from the waiting area that would be a better solution.
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Llandudno: The branch from Llandudno Junction
has been dropped from the current North Wales Line
re-signalling programme. No chance of Winter Sunday trains then !!!!!
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Llandudno: The branch from Llandudno Junction
has been dropped from the current North Wales Line
re-signalling programme. No chance of Winter Sunday trains then !!!!!
How have you formed that opinion?
The two things are not linked in any way.
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If ATW got a tenant for the unit accessed from the waiting area that would be a better solution.
Has that unit ever even been advertised? I remember Big Murph (the Project Manager) showing me around that unit and it would need a lot of work to get it into any sort of usable state. Would be great for a small Station Buffet sort of thing.