This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/7519231.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Verdict on UK's best rail station | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The station has benefited from £2m worth of investment By Brendon Williams BBC News | |
The last time I saw Flint railway station, in 2002, I would have found it hard to believe that six years later it would be voted the UK's best. | |
It has benefited from a £2m facelift and now boasts a tidy, welcoming waiting room - with a heater for those damp winter, even summer days. | |
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 saw six years ago. | |
The refurbishment is thanks to a partnership including Flintshire council, Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales and the Railway Heritage Trust. | |
I visited the station to ask passengers for their verdict. | |
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? | "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." |
Customer toilet | Customer toilet |
Since the work, passenger numbers have risen by nearly 16% | |
While there is certainly no buffet for passengers, they do at least have somewhere warm to sit. | |
The inclusion of a customer toilet is also a major improvement. | |
Mike Moore, who has worked at the ticket desk for eight years, said: "We have had nothing but praise from customers. | |
"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." |
However, he added: "I don't think there's enough room behind the new counter. | |
Customers now have somewhere to sit - and there are even heaters | |
"I'm supposed to be able to fit another colleague in here and it's a bit tight." | |
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. |
Listed building | |
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." |
Some passengers, though, are less enthusiastic. | |
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 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." |
Pride | |
Despite the scepticism of some customers, though, Flintshire council are pleased their station has been voted the best in the UK. | |
Councillor Tony Sharps, the 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". | |
The award, presented at a ceremony attended by Transport secretary Ruth Kelly, will go on display at the refurbished facility. | |
Passenger numbers using the station have already risen by more than 15%, and rail bosses say work will be completed on a similar waiting room on the Chester-bound platform later in the year. | |
Flint railway station still might not make the list of top places to see before you die, but compared to a few years ago, it's come a long way. |