Station: we’re still waiting...

AINSDALE train station... what’s going on?

Ainsdale station has now been a building site for a year, with councillors and Merseyrail staff and contractors remaining tightlipped when questioned as to an end date for “improvement” works.

Timeline to date, as reported by the Visiter:

July 2009: Merseyrail pledge £100,000 programme of improvements and £50,000 for electronic information screens (these works were completed).

2015: “Merseyrail first introduced proposals to improve the station, when it presented the plan at a public meeting at Ainsdale Village Hall.

“After a long wait, plans have been submitted to Sefton Council to carry out extensive improvements.

“The proposals will see the existing facilities on the Southport bound side of the platform demolished and replaced by new low-energy and low-maintenance facilities.

“The new build will include a ‘good size’ ticket office and with space for a retail area, community police facilities, cycle storage and disabled access toilets.

“To keep the facility eco-friendly, it will feature LED lighting and energy usage board, metered rainwater harvesting and solar panels.”

July 2016: “Merseytravel to contribute £800,000 to rebuild the station; part of a £2.5m scheme for the Merseyrail station is being funded through the government’s National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) and network rail.

“The scheme due for completion in summer 2017 (!) will see the existing station building demolished to make way for a new booking hall and passenger waiting area with improved information facilities including Wi-Fi and USB charging points.”

April 2017: “Ainsdale train station is finally set for a revamp, including a new ticket office and waiting rooms.

“The important works will also create better access to platform and waiting room.

“Platforms will be updated with improved information screens and poster provision, new canopies, increased seating and waiting shelters on the Liverpool platform.

“There will also be a community police drop-in facility, a revised park and ride layout to improve safety around the existing entrance, secure cycle parking and improved lighting and CCTV.

“Cllr Gordon Frield, Merseyrail committee deputy chair, said: ‘We are playing our part in helping upgrade services for passengers across the network.

‘We have ambitious plans for improvements to public transport facilities across Merseyside putting the customer first.’”

As far as I can see there are TWO elephants in the (waiting) room here:

Ainsdale station is a small village station, serving mainly local residents travelling to Liverpool or Southport.

The station isn’t an interconnecting station, passengers rarely have to wait longer than 15 minutes for a train, so why all these Heath Robinson improvements, for the great expense (ultimately fare increasefunded) and extended inconvenience (to the passenger)?

Ainsdale station is a popular commuter station, with already congested parking within the vicinity (I’m sure local residents/ businesses will agree). Why weren’t the existing Birkdale, Formby, Hall Road, Crosby large free parking facilities used as a blueprint and larger (not reduced) parking facilities factored into these “improvements”, thus enabling/ encouraging passengers to park & ride?

“Putting the customer first”?... What’s going on?! Paul John Wishart

Southport

MP, OPEN YOUR EYES

I WAS disheartened to hear that our town’s MP, Damien Moore, has