FROM MTSL1) PASSENGERS AT RISK FROM REMOVAL OF EXIT RAMP
Passengers using Bath Spa face a risk of being crushed and injured or worse as a result of the seriously flawed redevolpement of the station. Multi Development
UK▸ Ltd is redeveloping the station as part of its redevelopment of Bath shopping centre.
The ^6.5 million plan includes the imminent removal of the ramp access to and from the London bound platform, currently used by up to 25% of passengers. The listed ramp was built by Brunel and is also used as a car park and a dropping off point for disabled and elderly passengers. Planning permission to demolish the ramp was granted to Multi by Bath and North East Somerset council several years ago so Multi could open up more retail units.
At a meeting in December between
FGW▸ 's Executive Director, Mark Hopwood and More Train Less Strain, station Manager Andy Gallagher expressed concern that the only remaining exit, a narrow staircase, would not cope with the passenger flow. He added that he thought it impossible that anyone could have underatken a full risk asessment or assement of passenger flow through the ramp before the planning permission was granted. A small lift is to be installed to allow disabled people and passengers with bagagge access to the platform but the station master confirmed that this would be small, and so would not replace the capacity lost by the removal of the ramp.
CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE RAMP
MTLS▸ has launched a campaign to save or replace the ramp. The stairway is already full to capacity and congestion is chronic in the rush hour and made worse as the steep stairs lead directly to exit barriers that create a dangerous pinch point. If more people are forced to wait on the stairs to exit the station it will only take one person to trip and fall to create a panic and possible stampede.
TAKE ACTION NOW TO SAVE THE RAMP
If you share our concerns please make your concerns known to the Office of Rail Regulation who are responsible for Rail health and safety. Email them at:
contact.cct@orr.gsi.gov.uk . Please also send a copy to your
MP▸ , ( in Bath it is
don@donfoster.co.uk ), and to Mark Hopwood the new Manging Director of First Great Western (
Mark.Hopwood@FirstGroup.com). Please alo write to your local paper.
2) LOCAL PRESS CONTACTS NEEDED.
We are often contacted by local press wanting to speak to train users in Wales, or Cornwall, or Somerset or just about anywhere. If you are confident about speaking to the press and local radio, and have strong opinions on your train service please let us know as we would love to put the press in touch with you.
3) FARES NOT FAIR
MTLS has condemned these rises and demanded changes in the flawed governement policy that leads to these above inflation increases each year. A national campaign is now needed to bring commuters in all regions of the UK together in a day of action to bring the message home to the government that enough is enough.
We know from the last two fare strikes that commuter power is not to be underestimated, but we also know that this could develop into a full time job and, hey, we already all have jobs here at MTLS. But if you are a campaigner in waiting with big time on your hands, contact us and we'll do all we can to help you.
4) WOT, NO FARE STRIKE?
That's right. We met in December with Mark Hopwood the new FGW Director. He hasn't bought us off, but we had to acknowledge that FGW have improved since being threatened last spring with the loss of their franchise by the Government. Long may this continue. Mark warned us that they may lose some rolling stock this spring to be returned to Arrive Wales, and that if this happens they will do their best to replace it. We warned him that whilst FGW is better it is still not good enough, and that we, and thousands of commuters will continue to keep a close daily watch on their progress.
So, no fare strike. Is it because it failed last year?
