FOWS Campaigns
Friends of Walkden Station Campaigns
Re-introducing Sunday services
In December 2009 FOWS celebrated a major breakthrough on our campaign to re-introduce Sunday services to the Walkden line. At a meeting of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority funding for a one-year trial of Sunday services, to begin in May 2010, was approved. The decision was successful culmination to several years of planning and commercial negotiations between the Authority and Northern Rail.
The trial service was launched on May 23rd 2010 and provides an hourly service between Manchester and Wigan, running until around 6pm in the evening. These trains offer the first passenger service on the Walkden line for over 40 years and are a great boost to the rail users of not just Walkden, but the other major towns along the route like Swinton and Atherton.
FOWS' campaign for Sunday services has been actively supported by numerous local politicians, in particular Barbara Keeley MP who has met with Northern Rail and the DfT several times, and Salford councillors Ian Macdonald and Iain Lindley who have worked determinedly for several years to help achieve the launch of this service.
Reducing rush-hour overcrowding
Rush-hour services from Walkden, particularly in the morning, suffer from over-crowding sometimes
so severe that commuters are unable to board the train.
Trains from Walkden are usually only two carriages long due to a general shortage of carriages in the Manchester area. However, there is a particular problem with Walkden station where longer trains are prevented from stopping because the full length of platform is no longer in service.
The recent introduction of longer-bodied trains on rush-hour services has alleviated some of the worst over-crowding and reliability problems. However, in view of ever-increasing passenger numbers FOWS are still campaigning for the wooden barrier that shortens the platform to be removed and the overgrown platform to be returned to use. This would allow longer trains, in particular the morning rush-hour services from Atherton, to call at Walkden.
Network Rail are thought to have completed an analysis and planning for repairing and re-opening the the disused section of platform, but neither Northern Rail nor Network Rail has commited to a timescale for this work. FOWS have offered to help reduced costs by clearing the vegetation from the overgrown platform and constructing a garden in the centre of the section.
Latest status ...(July 2009) Network Rail have not published plans for lengthening the platform, but we understand from other sources that Walkden is on a list of stations targeted for upgrades to accommodate 4-carriage trains in the next few years.
Improving Security
The station is only staffed from 0645 to 1400, and is an intimidating place after dark or when fewer passengers are around. Vandalism is common, with graffiti on the walls, damage to the flower beds, and theft of the litter bins (pictured) the most usual casualties.
FOWS believe that fitting CCTV cameras would discourage anti-social behaviour on
the station during the evenings, improve the safety and comfort of genuine rail users, and help
protect the station itself.
FOWS have discussed the possible installation of CCTV cameras with GMPTE and Northern Rail. CCTV has been installed at other stations between Wigan and Atherton thanks to GMPTE grants. GMPTE have also installed CCTV at the much less busy Swinton station.
In 2009 FOWS wrote to GMPTE for an explanation of why Walkden had repeatedly been left out of station improvement plans, especially as it is one of the busiest, and worst equipped, stations in the area.
Latest status ...(July 2010) We never received a reply to our letter to GMPTE. In the meantime vandalism and thefts of station property have increased making the case for CCTV even stronger. Walkden is due to receive CCTV sometime in 2010/11 as part of GMPTE's Station Improvement Strategy, but for the time being much of FOWS' and Northern Rail's improvements to the station are ruined by anti-social elements.
Platform Height
The height between carriage doors and the platform is as much as 17 inches in some places, much too high for safe, comfortable boarding and disembarking of trains.
We understand the problem has been caused by track maintenance operations which have steadily raised the level of the railway lines over the years. Northern Rail, Network Rail, and GMPTE have all acknowledged the problem but no rectification work is planned.
FOWS believe the large gap presents a serious safety issue, with at least two passengers having fallen
into the gap and onto the track in the last few years.
In December 2007 FOWS wrote to the chairman of Network Rail about the problem, but were told that Network Rail have no plans to fix it until major construction work is next performed at the station. As he probably knew, no such work is planned, so we escalated the issue to the government's rail safety watchdog (the Office of Rail Regulation) to ask for their intervention.
In their reply the ORR acknowledged there are stations that do not comply with current safety standards but they excuse Network Rail from taking action where the cost associated with the safety risk is too high. As the vertical step at Walkden is more than 2.5 times the safety standard of the Railway Group Standard, FOWS wrote to ORR again, pointing out that a lower cost solution to raising the platform may be to remove excess ballast from under the tracks.
Safety inspectors were seen at the station soon after our second letter to the ORR. They are thought to have investigated the possibility of lowering the track level but ruled it out due to difficulties with the level of the road bridge right next to the platform. Instead they proposed painting a "Mind The Gap" warning on the platform edge and making safety announcements on trains approaching Walkden. Of course, neither of these measures are any help at all to help elderly or mobility-impaired passengers trying to use the station.
Latest status ...(July 2010) In April 2009 FOWS wrote to Network Rail about the possibility of fast-tracking the installation of a "Harrington Hump" at Walkden (a fibreglass topping that can raise the height of a section of platform). We have not received a reply to our request.
Passenger Information
There are no monitors at Walkden when the station is unmanned, meaning passengers are often unaware of delays or cancellations.
Latest status ...(Dec 2009) We are delighted to announce that a local PA system has been installed and is now operational at Walkden. Our thanks to Steve Magner at GMPTE for delivering this valuable improvement to the station.
Car park facilities
Parking for passengers is very limited with nearby Park Road suffering the worst congestion. Considering the station's large catchment area (which includes Walkden, Worsley, Boothstown, Little Hulton and Astley, amongst other areas), the demand for a station car park is obvious.
In December 2007 FOWS wrote to Salford Council asking that some of the land proposed for housing development along Holyoake Road be used as a station car park. The request was rejected, meaning that congestion and parking problems in the area are likely to get worse. FOWS continues to press local councillors to find a solution to this worsening problem.
The Holyoake Road development was approved by Salford City Council without any provision for commuter parking. Unfortunately this can only mean the dire lack of parking available around the station - and the disruption to local residents and business - is set to get worse. Meanwhile Salford City Council have extended the area of double-yellow lines along Park Road to ease local road congestion, but this has deprived commuters of some of the closest parking spaces to the station. Salford and GMPTE have no plan to provide alternative parking.
Pedestrian safety
Walkden Road runs immediately past the station entrance and is very busy during the rush hours. Crossing the road can be time-consuming and dangerous for passengers as drivers show little inclination to stop where there is no marked road-crossing or warning signs. The overhead bridges make the area outside the entrance gloomy and add to the dangerous situation.
In February 2008 FOWS engaged with Salford City Council and the local Walkden Road Traders Group to devise solutions for the safety, parking and congestion problems around the station.
(8 Aug 2008) Discussions with Salford City Council started well and in spring 2008 they conducted a survey of passengers crossing the road outside the station. Although the survey showed many people crossing outside the station, the planners concluded that installing a crossing to assist them would cause too much disruption to road traffic. We are sceptical that the planners will make any road traffic management changes to benefit pedestrians and rail travellers if there is any possible disadvantage to car drivers.
(May 2009) Salford City Council have completed some improvement work on the roads outside the station, laying a new surface and installing new bollards and fences. However, FOWS' top priorities - a pedestrian crossing, improved lighting under the bridge, signs to warn drivers of pedestrians crossing the road - have not been met.
Improved connections
For passengers from Walkden travelling to Manchester Piccadilly or the airport, connection times at Salford Crescent vary widely. For trains leaving Walkden at around half-past the hour, the wait is usually 20 minutes or more.
FOWS have lobbied Northern Rail for better connections to the south of the city for all trains from Walkden.
FOWS have contacted Network Rail regarding signalling arrangements at Salford Crescent, suggesting a change that might allow some Victoria and Piccadilly bound trains to call at Salford Crescent simultaneously and thereby offer better connections for passengers on both services.
In spring 2008 FOWS sent a list of suggestions (download as a PDF) to Northern Rail for relatively cheap and easily achieved "tweaks" to the timetable that could be a huge difference to the quality of service from the station. Unfortunately all the ideas where rejected for reasons ranging from timetabling difficulty to the fear of confusing passengers with a choice of direct service destinations !
Latest status ...(July 2009) We understand GMITA are considering routing some Southport-Manchester Airport services via Atherton instead of Bolton. While this would not increase the number of trains running from Walkden (some existing services would be diverted to the Bolton route instead), it would mean that passengers from Walkden having a choice of direct trains to Victoria and Piccadilly/Airport - something we would certainly commend.
Station Improvements
The entrance hall and platforms at Walkden could be enhanced by measures
such as repainting and decorating, removal of lineside litter, and the
installation of facilities like bike lockers and litter bins.
As the picture shows, trackside litter, peeling paintwork and overgrown tracks give a general feeling of scruffiness to the station environment. The staff at Walkden do a fantastic job of cleaning up litter every day, but these are problems in areas where the staff are not allowed to go.
Since 2007 GMPTE have been working towards the installation of bike lockers.
(10 Dec 2007) FOWS have renovated and planted up flower beds on both platforms, and are pursuing more funding to
install planters and baskets on the open areas of the platform.
(30 May 2008) FOWS have used a grant from Salford City Council's "In Bloom" fund to install three large planters on the open area of platform between the canopy and wooden fence. The planters have been built by J. Hughes of Monton and planted up with materials from Linnyshaw Garden Centre.
(Oct 2008) FOWS continue to clean the station at weekends and have recently replanted the Manchester flower bed with winter colour. We also offered to repaint the dirty walls in the station entrance hall and stairways, but were not granted approval by Northern Rail.
(Dec 2008) FOWS secured a second In Bloom grant from Salford City Council. The money was used to install two new steel planters at the east (Swinton) end of the platform, install a new flower bed at the west (Atherton) end, refresh the flower beds on both platforms, and provide winter wreaths for the nearby Walkden Road Traders in order to improve the environment in and around the station.
(Nov 2009) Network Rail complete extensive repairs to the entire length of roof from the street entrance, through the Booking Hall, Ticket Office and associated rooms, and up the steps to the platform. The stairway and booking hall walls have also been repainted during as part of the project.
(May 2010) Northern Rail installed anti-pigeon netting in the station canopy and completed a range of other improvements to coincide with the Sunday Service launch gala. These included deep cleaning, repainting, and installing new panels in the platform shelter.
Disabled Access
One of the most common complaints made to FOWS is that the 48 steps in the station entrance make it completely inaccessible to wheelchair users - and difficult to access for anyone with restricted mobility or indeed just travelling with a pushchair or pram.
Walkden station can only be accessed by climbing two sets of stairs from street level, rendering it practically inaccessible for many disabled people. Northern Rail's Guide for Customers with Disabilities states that a taxi will be provided to convey disabled passengers to or from the nearest accessible station (Atherton) or an intermediate point as required by the passenger. However, FOWS believe that Walkden station should be accessible to all passengers who wish to use it and would like lifts or ramps installed such as those at stations along the Piccadilly-Manchester Airport line.
Please see our Disabled Access page for more details.
Ticket inspections
A common complaint amongst regular passengers is that on-board ticket inspections are not made regularly enough, allowing valuable revenue to go uncollected. FOWS believe that a strong fare collection policy is in the best interests of all legitimate users of the local rail service.
FOWS are pleased to note that under Northern Rail's management ticket inspections are conducted more regularly and barrier checks in Manchester and Salford are much more comprehensive. However, there are still too many trains - especially in the evening when the Booking Office is closed - where inspections are not performed and revenue that could be used to invest in the service is lost.