Worst UK train stations to get makeover

A recent independent survey into UK train stations has prompted the British Government to make £50 million available to redevelop the worst 10 that were named and shamed. Among the ‘terrible 10’ were seven from the north west where most of the money is to be placed to improve facilities and standards for the passengers. The Victoria Station in Manchester finished head and shoulders above the rest in the worst stakes and was followed Clapham Junction and then Crewe. Others were Barking, Liverpool Central, Luton, Preston, Stockport, Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western.

The transport secretary, Lord Adonis, is touring the stations that will benefit from the fund and said that he himself noticed after main train journeys earlier this year the different standards in facilities for passengers. Mr Adonis added that while services on trains have been greatly improved, something needs to be done about the station that we all wait in to catch the trains.

While companies like Virgin are in fully in support of the spending on stations other groups are cautious over the amount being spent. The government has already set aside £3 billion to be spent over the next five years on stations and some are worried that this new injection of capital could be taken away from elsewhere. Passenger Focus have said that while it is all good spending money on stations, the priority should be to make trains run on time. There are also other issues on trains at the moment in relation to pay and possible strike action by drivers from First Capital Connect. The drivers have already taken steps to not make themselves available for voluntary overtime which cut almost 200 services late last week.