Big crowds at Halifax station when we were there one Saturday. Issues Hadrag had raised decades ago were still issues. People crowding on the narrowest parts of the island platform particularly the Leeds-bound platform by the waiting room where the curve reduces how far you can see. Having to say “excuse me” to pass folks close to the edge just feels unsafe. How about what we suggested all those years ago: signs, PA announcements, and screen messages inviting people to move along to where there is more space. More seats would also be good.
Latest footfall statistics from the Office of Road and Rail came out as we were putting this Rail Views to bed. Halifax recorded 1,620,920 passenger entries and exits (Apr’23 to Mar’24). This compares with a peak of 1,992,662 – so near 2 million! – in 2016-17. The pandemic yielded a low of 368,000 (2020-21), since when we’ve seen a healthy increase. We can see the increase in leisure travel with our own eyes – crowded trains on Sunday! Commuting is also back on the increase – but many workers are going in for fewer days. We’ll do a full report for our first issue in 2025. For now we’ll just add that Sowerby Bg is on 372,672 (91% of peak value 409,938 in 2019). Sowerby Bg now has slightly higher footfall then Brighouse. Let’s hope Northern can build on this. (More on this in next issue of Rail Views.)
Back at Halifax, at time of writing the single lift – essential for people unable to use the stairs – had been out of service for some days. Thanks to Northern for keeping us informed: work was completed as predicted. Years ago we suggested installation of a ramp. It would have to be a substantial structure to provide for disabled access.
Toilet at back of waiting room is still unpleasant to use. Plans to replace fittings – we have asked about timescale – look to be pretty much like-for-like. How about a new modular unit at the station entrance? Would plumbing be a problem? (In the early days of Hadrag, toilets were always mentioned at our AGMs!) With the station gateway proposals “pipelined” – waiting for funding from somewhere – there is a fear nothing will be done. Halifax deserves better than this. Could car parking could be moved off the forecourt to ground level? New access would have to be made, but space would be created at the station entrance to facilitate safe drop-off, pickup, taxis, and of course good access for people with disabilities.
Halifax and District Rail Action Group 