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(Pic: © R~P~M via Flickr. Licenced for resuse under this Creative Commons Licence) |
As the title suggests, Arriva Trains Wales have submitted a planning application to create a more passenger and disabled-friendly Bridgend railway station as part of Network Rail’s National Stations Improvement Programme.
The latest figures list Bridgend as the fifth busiest railway station in Wales, with 1.54million passenger journeys to and from the station in 2015-16.
Most of the proposals apply to the 1970s extension, but there are some changes proposed to parts of the original Grade II listed portions of the station, designed by Brunel. As for the specifics:
- The current 1970s ticket office and concourse off Station Hill will be remodelled. The entrance will be moved closer to Court Road and will include a bigger canopy with an illuminated sign.
- The ticket barriers will be moved towards the centre of the main building to create two big waiting areas. This will improve passenger flow in and out of platform 1 and allow passengers to buy tickets from the platform side of the barriers.
- The pavement outside the concourse will be extended slightly to accommodate the new entrance, and new pedestrian crossings with drop kerbs will be provided to/from Court Road and Station Hill.
- The ticket office will be given a new facade and some internal adjustments.
- A staffed “information pod” will be provided within the waiting area on platform 1.
- All of the existing toilets will be refurbished, with baby changing facilities provided on both platforms 1 and 2.
- A canopy will be built over the existing cycle racks on platform 1.
- An enclosed waiting area/shelter will be provided on platform 2 near the old footbridge.
- More seats will be installed on platforms 1 & 2, with the existing ones replaced and upgraded.
- The current staff toilets on platform 1 (near the lifts to the footbridge) will be converted into a “Changing Places“ facility, which isn’t just a disabled toilet but includes changing facilities for severely disabled adults (i.e. hoists).
It’s inevitable that, if approved, when work starts there’s going to be some disruption. For example, toilets and the ticket office might have to be closed temporarily and things like ticket machines will need to be moved around. So consider this a heads up.
There’s also no sign yet of any progress on the proposed bus/taxi lane and pedestrian/cycle access from Brackla Street.
