Hadrag officers met Kate Dearden, MP for Halifax, with representatives from Northern Trains, Network Rail, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale in a packed session on-site at Halifax station. We looking at Hadrag’s paper circulated at the end of last year. Many thanks to Kate and to Northern’s office for organising the event. Big issue turned out to be yet another episode of the public toilet saga – that minimalistic, recently refurbished, unit behind the waiting room. It is of course out of service yet again, and sounding like a big job to fix, involving drains under the rail lines. We were quick to point out that a new unit by the station ticket office, using existing drains (that we presume work!) could be a better idea than repairing the platform level facility that has always seemed to be a problem. The space in the waiting room could then be used to make a new door to the south end of the platform improving access and reducing hazards of crowding. New display screens are baldly needed to provide more visible information. Good news in the relatively short term could be access-improvements hopefully within the next two years funding approved. We are really grateful for that but point out that a lot more needs to be done. Not least improving safety for people on the platform, and those accessing the station as pedestrians. Look at our shot with people crossing the approach road where it joins Church St. On a wet day some end up wading through puddles whilst avoiding cars. When the rain abates you can see a blocked drain where water ever so slowly dribbles away. There is no indication of whether the once outlined “gateway” schemes, shifted to a back burner some time ago, will ever be revived. Which is why we need action now! We are grateful to all the rail people who joined us at on that wet Friday afternoon. We will not give up on this. They will hear from us again – see post meeting summary attached (p4-5) for a start! Meanwhile road improvements on Church St and Square Rd are expected to start this spring – maybe as you read this. During the works there may be some disruption to station access, but the result should be worth waiting for, making the station approach more people-friendly not least for those accessing on foot. Whether that will include dealing with blocked drains on railway property remains to be seen. Also in this issue of Rail Views: analysis of passenger footfall for stations on our line up to March 2025, released at end of last year. We are almost – almost – recovered from the pandemic! And the “Northern Powerhouse” – what’s in for us, out in the wilds west of Bradford? It must not be just about the big cities. We want new services on the lines though Halifax, Elland and Brighouse – and a better deal for Sowerby Bridge. Join us and tell your travelling colleagues about us. Read on and enjoy! – JSW
Halifax and District Rail Action Group 