New Crew Station

[locojoe]

New Crewe station under consideration


Network Rail has confirmed that it is looking at the possibility of building a new station in Crewe to improve train performance. The company has appointed a senior manager as a 'rail supremo' to look after the interests of the railway in the Crewe area.

He will be talking to local bodies and train company representatives to gauge views about the possibility of sighting a new station on land at Basford, about a mile south of the present station.

But the appointment of Andrew Skidmore as Network Rail's principal commercial scheme sponsor has placed a question mark over plans to rebuild the old Crewe station.

What is known as the £38 million Crewe Gateway scheme has been designed to change the whole face of the existing station which has inherent problems. The roof is vulnerable to high winds and heavy rain.

The Crewe Gateway proposal, which is backed by local councils and local employers,is to build a new entrance to the station and provide a multi-storey car park with 1,100 spaces.

There would also be a better bus/taxi interchange area and improved facilities for passengers and rail staff.

As part of the plan Network Rail has said it would provide between £25 million to £40 million to rebuild canopies and the roof, which is prone to damage in high winds.

At the same time the company is planning a major £150 million resignalling project for the Crewe station area in 2015/16. The work would include a complete realignment of the tracks approaching the station to provide more efficient operation of trains.

The company says that the present track layout does not meet current requirements with fast trains not scheduled to stop at Crewe having to slow down as they pass through the station, losing valuable time.

In addition trains from South Wales travelling to Wilmslow and Manchester have to 'weave' across all the fast lines, blocking train movements in the station.

However, Network Rail is now questioning whether a new track design would suit the platform arrangements of the old station.

The company also says it might be better value for money to build a completely new station.

Mr Skidmore said: "We are aware that looking at the wider issues is causing some concern for the Gateway partners.

"Understandably, they do not wish to carry out abortive work if the location of the station changes at some time in the future.

"It is for this reason that I will be meeting with various stakeholders involved, discuss our ideas with them and come back to them with firm proposals as soon as we possibly can.

"As a responsible organisation with the best interests of railway passengers and the industry at the heart of everything we do, it is imperative that we look at the wider picture when investing such large sums of money.

"It is for this reason that we have also been looking at the possibility of redesigning the track layout at Crewe and it is sensible to look at whether such design, coupled with a relocation of the station, could bring wider benefits such as a more reliable rail service reduced journey times and increased capacity."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We need to look at the wider picture. There is nothing wrong with the Gateway scheme but if it does not deliver the benefits it will only be cosmetic."

He said a decision on a new station would have to be made in 12 months because designers would have to start working on the new signalling and track scheme.
Alan Locojoe.

[swisstrains]

There is a real danger that Crewe station will be rebuilt to benefit the trains that DON'T stop there rather than the ones that DO. Yet another example of the railways only wanting to provide airline style services between major cities rather than providing an integrated public transport syatem.
I can't see how a new station at Basford Hall could effectively serve the Shrewsbury and Stoke lines.