JayMac
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« on: February 02, 2015, 17:51:07 » |
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From the Wiltshire Times: The 115-year-old footbridge at Chippenham railway station has been demolished to pave the way for disabled access onto the platform as part of a scheme costing nearly ^3 million.
Elated members of the Community Access to Rail Travel (CART) group went along to see the cranes as they moved in on Saturday, January 24, to remove part of the bridge at the west end, which was built in 1899.
The rest was removed on Saturday.
People with disabilities and those using pushchairs have been waiting years for promised easier access to railway platforms.
In June, two lifts will be put in to give access from the Cocklebury Road side, though funding does not stretch to provide access to the Hathaway Retail Park side.
CART chairman Maureen Lloyd said: ^We have lift off to the journey of advantage for all.
"I cannot put in words the elation I feel after almost 20 years of campaigning for step access, to finally see it nearing fruition.^
Network Rail said the work was done on Saturday nights, when no trains run, to minimise the impact on travellers.
A spokesman said: "We are due to complete the work in the summer. We plan to open the footbridge before the end of the work though (no specific date as yet), as we can carry out the work while enabling people to use the new footbridge."
(Edited to fix " ^3m access scheme at Chippenham"
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« Last Edit: September 28, 2015, 19:31:06 by Four Track, Now! »
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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grahame
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« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2015, 18:06:52 » |
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From the Wiltshire Times: CART chairman Maureen Lloyd said: ^We have lift off to the journey of advantage for all.
"I cannot put in words the elation I feel after almost 20 years of campaigning for step access, to finally see it nearing fruition.^
Did she really say that, or did the Wiltshire times miss the word free?
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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NickF
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« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2015, 14:14:02 » |
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NickF
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« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2015, 10:57:20 » |
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grahame
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« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2016, 17:04:00 » |
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Chippenham Station - new footbridge to be opened on Friday of next week. https://www.facebook.com/TransWilts/posts/739813139452064The bridge reopens the public right of way from south to north across the station, and now connects down to the island platform too. Lifts are provided on the south side and in the centre, but not on the north side which is steps only.
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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grahame
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« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2016, 18:32:16 » |
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http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/better-travelling-experience-for-passengers-as-new-footbridge-and-lifts-open-at-chippenham-station?Passengers travelling to and from Chippenham station will now find their journey a much easier experience after a new footbridge and lifts were officially opened by Network Rail today, Friday 22 January, as part of the company^s Railway Upgrade Plan.
The new bridge and lifts greatly improve accessibility at Chippenham by providing, for the first time, a step-free route from the station^s main entrance to both platforms, without the need for staff assistance. This will not only be of benefit to passengers with reduced mobility, but also those travelling with children or heavy luggage or those who simply find stairs a struggle. An end - thank goodness - to the use of the barrow crossing to get wheelchairs onto the platform. Lift available all day, every day - right up to the midnight-plus train to Cardiff. It has been a really really long job to get this bridge and the lifts in - with the issues of being around a listed building coming sharply against the need to provide access for all. The three staircase, 2 lift project is now - however - complete. Next stage - ticket gates?
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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bobm
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« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2016, 18:40:17 » |
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Bit tied up at the moment, but will post some pictures later.
Slightly disappointed to note that the new footbridge is open to elements. Fully appreciate it gives better access for those who cannot, or chose not to, use the stairs but the lack of a roof, while accepting the cost implications, is a bit of a shame to be honest.
What is the future for the original footbridge?
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grahame
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« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2016, 18:43:49 » |
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Slightly disappointed to note that the new footbridge is open to elements. Fully appreciate it gives better access for those who cannot, or chose not to, use the stairs but the lack of a roof, while accepting the cost implications, is a bit of a shame to be honest.
3 million pound project as it is! What is the future for the original footbridge?
It remains ... and I think it will be needed to avoid serious gateline queues on evening arrivals. It will be interesting to see how they do that ... until it happens (said to be very soon) there will remain strong revenue protection at Chippenham.
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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bobm
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« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2016, 18:47:04 » |
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As I say - the big benefit is it gives access for those who couldn't make the trip between the front of the station and the platforms independently before but a bit of cover would have been nice - unless the original covered way is remaining?
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NickF
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« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2016, 08:12:38 » |
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2016, 08:25:57 » |
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I wonder how much that will add to the original £3 million?
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ChrisB
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« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2016, 08:38:15 » |
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Surely a design fault? Hence needing to get repairs done while the supplier would be responsible?
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2016, 09:12:44 » |
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Surely a design fault? Hence needing to get repairs done while the supplier would be responsible?
You would hope so - but remember this is public sector procurement, wouldn't be the first time that someone has forgotten to include something as bizarre as the fact that it occasionally rains in the UK▸ in the specification.
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Worcester_Passenger
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« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2016, 13:01:08 » |
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Meanwhile, here's another roofless footbridge. In Pontypridd, well-known for the lack of rain.
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