The successful bidder has confirmed they will include the reopening of the Abbey Foregate footpath in their upcoming franchise plans. We have reviewed the official documentation and the access project is now part of the formal commitment. I will provide updates as the construction phases begin to move forward.
June 4, 2017
Final supporters
The path links Abbey Foregate with platform 3 of the station which itself extends across the River Severn railway bridge. This was a station access used when matches were played on the old Gay Meadow football ground – now Riverside Meadow housing.
There have been attempts over more than 10 years to re-open this path. The scheme has been persistently opposed by Arrival Trains Wales (ATW), the current train operator, who would prefer to keep the single station entrance for ease of operation. Their franchise expires in October 2018. During the first half of 2017, the four shortlisted bidders (Arriva Rail Wales, Abellio Rail Cymru, KeolisAmey and MTR) are preparing their final bids in the run-up to submission in July. There is a short window of opportunity to convince bidders to include the re-opening of this second station access.
Here is the case for re-opening the footpath as an access to the station from the south east:
- In the last 10 years passenger numbers have grown by more than 50% (ORR data). If the trend continues, numbers are expected to exceed 3 million by the end of the forthcoming franchise, adding more congestion to the station forecourt and to town centre traffic creating an obligation on the rail industry to contribute to measures to moderate this
- If there were a pick up/drop off point in Abbey Foregate with parking in this area augmenting the existing station parking, this access would reduce town centre traffic and promote walking and cycling
- The walking distance from Abbey Foregate to the station is reduced by two thirds from 1,150m via English Bridge and St Mary’s street to 390m using this path
- Such an access would benefit businesses in Abbey Foregate and Belle Vue/Longden Coleham and all residents on the county side of English Bridge
- The path may also be used by people walking through to Castlefields, but larger stations have such permissive access. For example, in Inverness there is a major thoroughfare between the bus station and town centre via platform 7 [detail at http://tinyurl.com/InvStation ]
- Platform 3 is the least used platform (1 train /hour) and is outside the gate-line ticket barrier which protects the rest of the station.
We urge Shropshire Council and the Marches Strategic Rail Group to take the lead in pressing franchise bidders to open this second station entrance.
Updates
April 13, 2017
I am currently drafting a formal proposal to submit to each of the four rail franchise bidders regarding the Abbey Foregate access point. Our next step involves securing a meeting with the transport planning department to present the capacity data gathered from the station forecourt. I will circulate the specific feedback received from these entities once the initial consultations conclude.
Reached 100 supporters
April 13, 2017
83 Comments
This would shorten the time that it takes to walk between the Shropshire WIldlife Trust in Abbey Foregate and the station thereby increasing the number of occasions when it would be possible for me to use the train to get to or from Shrewsbury for meetings.
This will benefit me greatly and on a safety aspect willean I won't have to walk over the Dana and castle walk through the park at 10pm when my train gets in ..I will feel a lot safer.
I have raised this issue with our last MP and during the consultation over the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package, from the responses I got it appeared to be "too hard".
I can understand Arriva Trains Wales concerns, but this long time closed footpath could ease traffic flow into the town centre. I could walk or cycle in from my home in Belle Vue rather than park my car in the station car park for the day on my frequent rail trips out
Walking through town to get to the station is a pain especially for those with mobility issues. With all the millions being wasted on traffic island upgrades and traffic lights in Shrewsbury surley a tiny portion could be put aside for this worthy project.
As someone who lives this side of town, it would make walking to the train station far easier.
I agree completely, please reopen it
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The successful bidder has confirmed they will include the reopening of the Abbey Foregate footpath in their upcoming franchise plans. We have reviewed the official documentation and the access project is now part of the formal commitment. I will provide updates as the construction phases begin to move forward.
June 4, 2017
Final supporters
The path links Abbey Foregate with platform 3 of the station which itself extends across the River Severn railway bridge. This was a station access used when matches were played on the old Gay Meadow football ground – now Riverside Meadow housing.
There have been attempts over more than 10 years to re-open this path. The scheme has been persistently opposed by Arrival Trains Wales (ATW), the current train operator, who would prefer to keep the single station entrance for ease of operation. Their franchise expires in October 2018. During the first half of 2017, the four shortlisted bidders (Arriva Rail Wales, Abellio Rail Cymru, KeolisAmey and MTR) are preparing their final bids in the run-up to submission in July. There is a short window of opportunity to convince bidders to include the re-opening of this second station access.
Here is the case for re-opening the footpath as an access to the station from the south east:
- In the last 10 years passenger numbers have grown by more than 50% (ORR data). If the trend continues, numbers are expected to exceed 3 million by the end of the forthcoming franchise, adding more congestion to the station forecourt and to town centre traffic creating an obligation on the rail industry to contribute to measures to moderate this
- If there were a pick up/drop off point in Abbey Foregate with parking in this area augmenting the existing station parking, this access would reduce town centre traffic and promote walking and cycling
- The walking distance from Abbey Foregate to the station is reduced by two thirds from 1,150m via English Bridge and St Mary’s street to 390m using this path
- Such an access would benefit businesses in Abbey Foregate and Belle Vue/Longden Coleham and all residents on the county side of English Bridge
- The path may also be used by people walking through to Castlefields, but larger stations have such permissive access. For example, in Inverness there is a major thoroughfare between the bus station and town centre via platform 7 [detail at http://tinyurl.com/InvStation ]
- Platform 3 is the least used platform (1 train /hour) and is outside the gate-line ticket barrier which protects the rest of the station.
We urge Shropshire Council and the Marches Strategic Rail Group to take the lead in pressing franchise bidders to open this second station entrance.
Updates
April 13, 2017
I am currently drafting a formal proposal to submit to each of the four rail franchise bidders regarding the Abbey Foregate access point. Our next step involves securing a meeting with the transport planning department to present the capacity data gathered from the station forecourt. I will circulate the specific feedback received from these entities once the initial consultations conclude.
Reached 100 supporters
April 13, 2017
83 Comments
This would provide a significant benefit to businesses on Abbey Foregate. The large Abbey Foregate car and coach park could also easily serve the station. It may also improve footfall to the Abbey and retail premises in the English Bridge area. This would also aid significant new residential development on Abbey Forgate and provide a link to the College.
This would shorten the time that it takes to walk between the Shropshire WIldlife Trust in Abbey Foregate and the station thereby increasing the number of occasions when it would be possible for me to use the train to get to or from Shrewsbury for meetings.
This will benefit me greatly and on a safety aspect willean I won't have to walk over the Dana and castle walk through the park at 10pm when my train gets in ..I will feel a lot safer.
I have raised this issue with our last MP and during the consultation over the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package, from the responses I got it appeared to be "too hard".
I can understand Arriva Trains Wales concerns, but this long time closed footpath could ease traffic flow into the town centre. I could walk or cycle in from my home in Belle Vue rather than park my car in the station car park for the day on my frequent rail trips out
Walking through town to get to the station is a pain especially for those with mobility issues. With all the millions being wasted on traffic island upgrades and traffic lights in Shrewsbury surley a tiny portion could be put aside for this worthy project.
As someone who lives this side of town, it would make walking to the train station far easier.
I agree completely, please reopen it
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This would provide a significant benefit to businesses on Abbey Foregate. The large Abbey Foregate car and coach park could also easily serve the station. It may also improve footfall to the Abbey and retail premises in the English Bridge area. This would also aid significant new residential development on Abbey Forgate and provide a link to the College.