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| No buffet at 'UK's best station' | No buffet at 'UK's best station' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The last time I saw Flint railway station in 2002, I thanked my lucky stars I didn't need to get off the train. | The last time I saw Flint railway station in 2002, I thanked my lucky stars I didn't need to get off the train. |
| If someone had told me then that this unwelcoming, miserable place would be voted the UK's best station, I'd have choked on my soggy train trolley sandwich. | If someone had told me then that this unwelcoming, miserable place would be voted the UK's best station, I'd have choked on my soggy train trolley sandwich. |
| It has benefited from a £2m facelift and now even boasts a waiting room. | It has benefited from a £2m facelift and now even boasts a waiting room. |
| So imagine my disappointment when I sat down and realised that despite all that | |
| investment, you can't even get a cuppa. | |
| Yes, there's a tidy, welcoming waiting room which even boasts heaters for those damp winter days. | Yes, there's a tidy, welcoming waiting room which even boasts heaters for those damp winter days. |
| But I wasn't alone in hoping that Britain's best station might at least be able to offer customers a brew while they wait... and wait... and wait. | But I wasn't alone in hoping that Britain's best station might at least be able to offer customers a brew while they wait... and wait... and wait. |
| Seriously, best in the UK - are you having a laugh? Leanne Pierce, passenger, with Thomas Bay Leanne Pierce, 18, who uses the service from Wrexham every day, said: "There's nowhere to get anything to eat or drink, and you can't risk going into town in case you miss your train. | |
| "Seriously, best in the UK - are you having a laugh? | |
| "I suppose there's always someone in the ticket office, so that's good, but the train service is terrible. It's always late. | "I suppose there's always someone in the ticket office, so that's good, but the train service is terrible. It's always late. |
| "They can't have judged it on the train service, otherwise it would be the worst." | "They can't have judged it on the train service, otherwise it would be the worst." |
| 'Praise' | |
| It has been named UK Station of the Year at the National Transport Awards in London, and, credit where it's due, this is a different station to the one I was fortunate enough not to have to sit in six years ago. | It has been named UK Station of the Year at the National Transport Awards in London, and, credit where it's due, this is a different station to the one I was fortunate enough not to have to sit in six years ago. |
| The refurbishment is thanks to a partnership including Flintshire council, Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales and the Railway Heritage Trust. | The refurbishment is thanks to a partnership including Flintshire council, Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales and the Railway Heritage Trust. |
| Since the work, passenger numbers have risen by nearly 16% While customers might find it quicker to get a tattoo from the parlour outside the main entrance than they will any kind of refreshments, they do at least have somewhere warm to sit. | Since the work, passenger numbers have risen by nearly 16% While customers might find it quicker to get a tattoo from the parlour outside the main entrance than they will any kind of refreshments, they do at least have somewhere warm to sit. |
| The inclusion of a customer toilet is also a giant leap towards civilisation. | The inclusion of a customer toilet is also a giant leap towards civilisation. |
| But a train station which attracts no complaints just wouldn't be a train station. | But a train station which attracts no complaints just wouldn't be a train station. |
| Even the station staff are not entirely happy with everything. | Even the station staff are not entirely happy with everything. |
| Mike Moore, who has worked at the ticket desk for eight years, said: "I don't think there's enough room behind the new counter. | Mike Moore, who has worked at the ticket desk for eight years, said: "I don't think there's enough room behind the new counter. |
| "I'm supposed to be able to fit another colleague in here and it's a bit tight." | "I'm supposed to be able to fit another colleague in here and it's a bit tight." |
| However, he added: "We have had nothing but praise from customers. | However, he added: "We have had nothing but praise from customers. |
| Tattoos are available outside the station, but no refreshments in sight "Before, it was cold, damp and miserable. | Tattoos are available outside the station, but no refreshments in sight "Before, it was cold, damp and miserable. |
| "We had an old gas fire here before, but now we've got modern heating and ventilation which can go up to 31 degrees if I want it to." | "We had an old gas fire here before, but now we've got modern heating and ventilation which can go up to 31 degrees if I want it to." |
| Flintshire council is proud of the shiny new waiting room and the station's new accolade. | Flintshire council is proud of the shiny new waiting room and the station's new accolade. |
| David Blainey, the council's head of transportation, said: "It was not a particularly pleasant environment for people to work here. | David Blainey, the council's head of transportation, said: "It was not a particularly pleasant environment for people to work here. |
| "And people had to stand in an open passage to get tickets. It was dark and people had to wait outside. | "And people had to stand in an open passage to get tickets. It was dark and people had to wait outside. |
| "It was a listed building that was slowly rotting away. | "It was a listed building that was slowly rotting away. |
| "But now we're very pleased with it. It's much better for everyone who uses it. | "But now we're very pleased with it. It's much better for everyone who uses it. |
| "As well as making it a pleasant place to work, a lot of the features have been retained and enhanced." | "As well as making it a pleasant place to work, a lot of the features have been retained and enhanced." |
| 'Rotting away' | |
| Others, though, are less enthusiastic. | Others, though, are less enthusiastic. |
| Passenger John Beaumont, from Holywell, Flintshire, said: "I'm astonished it's been called the best station in the UK. | Passenger John Beaumont, from Holywell, Flintshire, said: "I'm astonished it's been called the best station in the UK. |
| "I'd like to know who sponsored the awards." | "I'd like to know who sponsored the awards." |
| Mike Moore would like to see more room behind the service desk | |
| He joked: "It must be down to the superlative customer service you receive here. | He joked: "It must be down to the superlative customer service you receive here. |
| "I rang earlier to get accurate train times and the times I were given were 20 minutes out, so I've had to come and see for myself. | "I rang earlier to get accurate train times and the times I were given were 20 minutes out, so I've had to come and see for myself. |
| "I'm absolutely amazed they still haven't managed to sort out punctuality." | "I'm absolutely amazed they still haven't managed to sort out punctuality." |
| On the building improvements, he said: "I'd be happy if they tackled the anti-social behaviour that goes on here at night. | On the building improvements, he said: "I'd be happy if they tackled the anti-social behaviour that goes on here at night. |
| "But there are a few new things - they've re-designed the interior and I think it's bullet-proof glass, so that's a start." | "But there are a few new things - they've re-designed the interior and I think it's bullet-proof glass, so that's a start." |
| The award, presented at a ceremony attended by Transport secretary Ruth Kelly, will go on display at the station. | The award, presented at a ceremony attended by Transport secretary Ruth Kelly, will go on display at the station. |
| Rail bosses say work will be completed on a similar waiting room on the Chester-bound platform later in the year, while passenger numbers using the station have already risen by more than 15%. | Rail bosses say work will be completed on a similar waiting room on the Chester-bound platform later in the year, while passenger numbers using the station have already risen by more than 15%. |
| Councillor Tony Sharps, Flintshire council's executive member for environment, said: "This is an excellent achievement and everyone who has worked on this project should feel very proud at the end result. It is a credit to the town of Flint". | Councillor Tony Sharps, Flintshire council's executive member for environment, said: "This is an excellent achievement and everyone who has worked on this project should feel very proud at the end result. It is a credit to the town of Flint". |
| But all in all, I can't see Flint train station being added to any lists of places to see before you die. | But all in all, I can't see Flint train station being added to any lists of places to see before you die. |
| Is it an improvement? Definitely. | Is it an improvement? Definitely. |
| But best in the UK? I'd hate to see the worst. | But best in the UK? I'd hate to see the worst. |