Tag: Halifax Station

Halifax – “still much still to deal with”

On Halifax station, HADRAG understands a meeting between the rail bodies was expected to happen soon after Easter to look at the issue of the station toilet. We shall ask for an update. It sounds like there will be some kind of temporary solution whilst drainage is repaired. Hadrag continues to ask whether a more imaginative solution could be devised – a more modern design at the station front releasing space on for new access to the wider south end of the platforms, easing crowding. There is no clear update on the obvious need for more train information screens both on the station itself and in nearby locations in the town. The town centre is outside Northern’s area of responsibility. Where precisely are the boundaries between Northern, Network Rail or the local authority? (Let’s hope at least that internal railway boundaries matter less when Great British Railways is all one firm.) The blocked drains near the road junction are described as falling into the main road drainage system, though the obvious blocked gulley looks to be within bounds of railway property. We shall see what happens with the A629 works. Removal of the long-broken glass doors at platform level to add additional space seems to be under consideration, along with additional signing to clarify the one-way system on the footbridge stairs. A central handrail handrail on the stairway is also under consideration. Full station repaint is scheduled – as currently budgeted – for 2026-7. The access improvements which are, we understand, a West Yorkshire Combined Authority scheme, should start in 2027 across 22 phase 1 stations across the county, including Hebden Bridge as well as Halifax. The list of possible improvements includes Braille station maps, help points, induction loops, better signing for access, Braille on handrails, accessible toilets (!!!), and other improvements. Table below and over page is update on our previous edition of this newsletter. Other great news includes more posters on the way, designed by Calderdale College students. Coming soon, we gather, could be a record-breaking station mural – longest in England! Installation expected by beginning of summer. These posters have made a big mark all along our line and we warmly welcome them. Keep up the good work Northern and station partners. The A629 eastern works will benefit rail passengers by creating more direct, pedestrian-friendly and cycle-friendly access between station and town. A new crossing will be more direct, straight across to the bottom of Blackledge and the Piece Hall, the latter massively attractive for access by rail.

Hadrag’s Notes from Meeting

  • Access improvements expected in next 2 years (funded) – should benefit both disabled and able-bodied.
  • Full repaint also expected.
  • Need for effective signs for example showing one-way system on stairway steps to platform.
  • Public toilet attached to and accessed via platform waiting room is currently out of service (though recently refurbished). It seems drains need to be renewed/repaired involving work below the rail tracks and significant delay.
  • At the meeting we mentioned alternatives such as a new facility upstairs by the booking office rather than upgrading the present facility.
  • Power operated sliding doors connecting mini-concourse at bottom of footbridge steps to platform never operated for more than a week or two no exaggeration.
  • Need to be removed and surroundings made good and safe – more space – including floor of waiting area.
  • We heard about an incident where someone had fallen at the doorway – safety.
  • Need to encourage people to wait for trains away from the narrow part of the platform: Problem on both platforms with people clustering round doorways – safety.
  • P2 where the curving track restricts view (to people waiting on the narrowest part) of trains coming in. Having to push past crowds can be quite frightening when there are crowds of people who may not be sober or particularly polite.
  • Footbridge steps safety: central handrail needed, and clear signing of one-way system on steps.
  • Station approach bridge safety: Traffic and tripping hazards. We know of people who have had falls, not least on loose flags e.g. at NW entrance opposite the Sq Chapel and the Piece Hall.
  • Parking – limited spaces. Many of filled all day taking up space that would be useful space for pedestrian access.
  • We would like to see these parking spaces moved to ground level with new access (lift and/or compliant ramp) created.
  • The bridge approach would then be for drop-off, pick-up, taxis, disabled and wheeled users only.
  • Station users need action now. Results of the Church Street and Square Rd work are awaited with eager anticipation.

Main road will be the old part of Church Street route down towards Halifax Minster. There will be new bus stops in Alfred Street East. Vehicle access to the station approach will be maintained helping many who are dropped off, as well as park and ride people. Ultimately, Hadrag would like to see vehicle access to the station approach restricted to pick-up/drop-off, disabled, taxis, plus bikes and people on foot. This would leave more room for pedestrians to circulate, but need new access from Eureka! car park level, so a longer-term objective and potentially costly. Hadrag will keep up the campaign and keep you informed. There is much still to deal with!

Header Image: “File:Refurbished canopy and stairs – Halifax station – geograph.org.uk – 1607387.jpg” by Phil Champion is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Station toilet in news again for wrong reasons…

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

City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement access works expected 2027 to 2028

We are really grateful for a detailed reply written by West Yorkshire CA rail development manager Michael Sasse on behalf of Cllrs Susan Hinchcliffe (chair of WYCA transport committee) and Eric Firth (deputy chair). We had a conversation with Cllr Firth at the Northern Trains stakeholder event in November. We also spoke to Northern officials, pressing them for action.

Good news from WYCA, and our conversations with Northern, is that Halifax is on the list for Phase 1 of a Rail Accessibility Package, (under CRSTS – City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement) expected to go committee this month.

Halifax is one of 22 West Yorkshire station expected to benefit and should get: Braille station maps*, Help points, Induction loops*, Handrails with Braille*, Accessible WC and baby change facilities*, Painted lines on footpaths, Anti-slip stair edging*, Seats inside, Seats outside, Furniture Painting, Tap Rails*.

Hebden Bridge is also on the list for starred (*) items.

We guess some items may be upgrades of existing. The Halifax accessible toilet has recently had new fittings: is this enough? We think more is needed.

Work across the county should start in March 2027 and end by Aug 2028. The email talks about the recent local transport plan consultation, which is expected to be adopted at the March 2026 combined authority meeting. Then further development and “delivery of the Halifax station gateway scheme will considered alongside other priorities”.

Hadrag will continue to emphasise the point that for train passengers what matters first and foremost is convenient and modern rail facilities and early action to improve them.

What needs doing at Halifax station – now!

Hadrag received an encouraging initial reply from Northern Trains on our shopping list of urgent needs for Halifax station. We also had a good opening conversation with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) people who were at a recent stakeholder conference run by Northern, followed by a written response.

Key demands are summarised in the table below. Hadrag’s six-page report is based on observations at the station by Hadrag’s secretary Peter Stocks, and chair Stephen Waring.

Hadrag’s early action points

Improved safety all areas Traffic and tripping hazards on approach bridge. Crowding on platform. Stairway needs clear one-way system and central handrail. Narrow section of P2 curves the “wrong” way. Hazard when passing crowds. People need to move along.
More information screens Existing one on P2 invisible from most of platform. Needs coordinating with where passengers are asked to wait. Additional info screens (3 or 4 extra are needed) at S end of platform showing both next trains info and list of next few trains. Maybe one outside station entrance.
Better toilets Present single unit is modern in a sense but vary basic. We suggest replacing with modern unit at station entrance or improved facility next to waiting room.
Better access – lift Compares unfavourably with other stations. Out-of-service periods have caused lack of confidence. Lift needs to be replaced for reliability and modern feel. Could alternative ramped access be provided?
Staff roles Best part of station is ticket and information office – staff roles much appreciated. Welcoming, human presence. Shop is also strong feature.

The thing was – every time you visited the station you seemed to spot something else. In the end we had to “freeze” our thoughts and get on with submitting to Northern (who operate the station), track authority Network Rail, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, key stakeholder Calderdale Council and Kate Dearden MP (Halifax).

Of course there has been some history to all this. Some years ago there was a series of consultations on a station “gateway” project. That would have created a new entrance, new pedestrian approach bridge, and car parking (including disabled) at ground level. There would have been lifts so passengers could get “up and over” to and from their trains. Hadrag successfully argued bridge access should be retained to facilitate foot access from town and bus stops.

But little as far as we could see was proposed to improve surroundings for train passengers down on the platform. There was talk of Northern replacing the existing lift, as well as providing new lifts to get up from ground-level entrances. A new ticket office was proposed but on the ground floor in the new entrance building, not too convenient for people arriving on foot. New toilets were also to be on the ground floor.

After the pandemic, bodies such as WYCA found themselves short of funding as that snap of inflation took bite. And the Halifax station gateway project was “paused” (not quite cancelled), meaning an indefinite wait for further progress. (Elland station has been paused getting on for 30 years!)

Hadrag says we cannot be expected to wait for a revived “gateway” scheme. We need a new project that can be done in easy and affordable early stages focusing on items that will directly benefit train users. Our table sums up what we have in mind.

We highlight the need to improve safety. Manoeuvring past crowds of people waiting on the narrow part of Platform 2 can be frightening. (Some of us have taken to shouting “excuse me please”!) But this problem could be addressed if P2 trains were to stop further back where it is wider. Signs and announcements could politely direct people to move along.

An exit from the waiting room to the wide south end of the island platform would help. This would mean moving the passenger toilet recently refurbished been but you’d be skilled to spot the difference. Would a modern unit at the station entrance be better?

The glazed platform level sliding doors have never worked. They are out of keeping with the 19th century architecture and need to be removed and the whole area tidied up.

The station entrance becomes very congested. The interaction between pedestrians arriving from the direction of Halifax Piece Hall and cars steering onto the station forecourt is a hazard.

The best thing about the station is its ticket office, staffed by excellent people, friendly and helpful in a way that online sources, vending machines or the dreaded AI can never be. Staff must be retained, whatever hi-tech ticketing solutions arise. Halifax station boasts a footfall getting on for 2 million a year. Booking office staff can help in all sorts of ways. So let’s value them. Human contact makes rail journeys better.

“Halifax Railway Station” by David Ward is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Autumn-Winter 2025-6 Update: Hadrag’s been busy

Hadrag’s been busy since our 40th anniversary meeting in Brighouse (June). We’ve called for an action plan on Halifax station, not an indefinite wait for revival of a shelved “gateway” scheme. We want all present trains to call at Sowerby Bridge.

And we’ve reiterated ambitions for Bradford-Calderdale-Sheffield trains: Brighouse to Sheffield little more than 50 minutes – capacity permitting! Projects that will deliver in our lifetimes must be prioritised over very long-term plans for new lines. Could recent trains Halifax-Leeds via Brighouse be another easy model to take forward? Read on for more on all that.

Latest station footfall statistics are just out – more analysis to follow in Spring issue. Among Calderdale’s top 5 stations, Halifax comes top with 1,803,014 passenger comings and goings in year ending March 2025, just a little below pre-pandemic best. Sowerby Bg, Hebden Bg and Todmorden now exceed pre-pandemic performance with Brighouse just a little behind.

If you want to do your own analysis see link to table-1415-time-series-of-passenger-entries-and-exits-and-interchanges-by-station.ods in the ORR statistics.

We just wish Northern could get our trains running on time. York-Blackpool, marred by lateness, cancellations and lack of carriages should be a premier service. It’s not all Northern’s fault: delays get knocked on from other train operators and Network Rail – including climate events. The Hadrag Survey recorded some of the best performance 30 years ago. Train running and overcrowding now feel as bad as ever. Again more in next issue – meanwhile, read on and join us!

“Halifax- Station and Horton Street, from Beacon Hill (2577872319)” by Tim Green from Bradford is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Down at the Station

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 station: chance to look at options for progress – option  zero not enough!

After years of planning, 2022’s surge of inflation got the better of several West Yorkshire capital schemes. One was Halifax station’s Gateway, a project complicated by involving five (at least) different legal stakeholders. Calderdale Council, owner of ground-level property leased by the Eureka! museum including their car park and the 1855 original station building. Northern Trains and Network Rail have the railway premises. And West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Metro) have an oversight in terms of transport policy and the money from government – money that is no longer enough. (If we have got any of this wrong, please tell us.) So we have moved from about to go ahead to “pause and pipeline”. Pause is obvious. Pipeline means, we think, hoping that funding will come from alternative sources yet to be identified.

So what next for rail’s gateway to our town? The station is ideal as an access point for Square Chapel Arts Centre, the library, the unique Piece Hall and all the shops, cafés and events it hosts. We could go on. With so much work done on planning the Gateway scheme we can see there’s an argument for not doing anything until full funding appears. How long could that be? Five years? Ten?? “Option zero” (our phrase) – wait until the whole scheme can be funded – seems to be in favour. That means waiting for alternative sources of investment.

The plans could be improved. It was good that a new bridge was to be provided for pedestrians – and we hope cyclists – to access the first floor concourse, the bad news was that the ticket office was to be on the ground floor. We were told this was because Northern felt it necessary to keep a physical eye on people going in and out of the public toilet also on the ground floor. But access to the trains is via the footbridge, rather obviously on the first floor. You couldn’t make it up.

“Option 1” would be a programme of incremental improvements retaining what we have without sabotaging future development. Do we really need to demolish the present building containing booking office and shop? Could it be retained and improved, built upon?

What are our priorities?

Toilets

The issue of “public conveniences” seems to have painfully emerged more often than anything else about Halifax station over 38 years (heaven help us) of HADRAG meetings. Toilets on the station are important, not least because our new trains have only one and if that one is not working discomfort (at best) will result. The present station facility is a single unit at the back of the platform waiting room, so not accessible outside staffing hours. During autumn 2022 it was out of order for several weeks. When it reopened HADRAG’s anonymous secret consumer decently took a peep, initially put off by the lock indicator which has always suggested “engaged” when “vacant”. The sink contained an empty whisky bottle and a crisp packet. Everything else looked “normal”: reasonably clean, but suggestive of a previous century.

We suggest:

  • A new unit be installed at the station entrance where an eye could be kept by staff on who is going in and coming out. There is a staff toilet at that level so this proposal would seem achievable.
  • In Greater Manchester there is a programme of new modular toilet installations (as pictured) at stations including Littleborough. Clearly this must be spread across the Northern network.

Platform access – lift, doors and footbridge

The lift, essential for some rail users to access trains, seems to work but is another feature with a last-century air. What can be done at low cost to modernise it?

  • Sliding doors from the foot of the stairs to the platform have never worked and need to be removed.
  • The footbridge itself appears to need structural repair.
  • How might waiting passengers be encouraged to stand in the best place, promoting efficient boarding and alighting, and on-time departures, whilst and not blocking access from the footbridge stairs to what is actually the narrowest part of the platform. Do trains stop in the best place?

Approach bridge – remove general parking and refurbish

Able-bodied drivers who fill the station car park on the approach bridge early in the morning could park at ground level. A deal could be reached with Eureka! to provide free parking for rail users. Removal of general parking on the bridge ease movement everyone.

  • Direct access by ramp (possibly lift) would be required from ground level to the station entrance.
  • The approach bridge would then be free for walkers, disabled car users and cyclists.
  • There would be more space on the bridge for drop-off, pick-up, and taxis.
  • With at least medium-term future assured the bridge needs serious refurbishment with attractive paint colours.
  • The ticket office and shop are both well used. Many people will queue in the booking office rather than battle with awkward ticket vending machines that can never deliver the ticket and information services provided by the station’s excellent staff. Not everyone wants to depend on a mobile phone.

More platforms and future use of 1855 building?

The original 1855 station is part of the Eureka! estate but seems to be little used. It was rejected in early iterations of the Gateway scheme. A strength of the Gateway project was provision for possible future reinstatement of Platform 3, alongside the 1855 building.

Why stop at Platform 3? If mass transit eventually reaches Halifax, or more complex service patterns develop in a future where public, not private, transport is the norm, why not Platform 4 as well? Future plans must respect that possibility.

Community rail at Halifax

If you have seen posters at Halifax station featuring Calderdale scenes and Anne Lister they are down to students at Calderdale College. The college and Northern have developed a station adoption arrangement, involving young people in support for the station. HADRAG enthusiastically supports this.

  • Now that the station is going to stay as it is for the time being, could the posters be more permanent?
  • Community rail groups and the Calder Valley Community Rail Partnership should be involved in developing an action plan for the station.

Conclusion: There is much that can be done and must be done to improve Halifax station for rail passengers and the local community. This cannot wait 5 years or more for a grand scheme to attract funding. A step-by-step process must be considered. – JSW

Response to Halifax Gateway Plans

HADRAG has welcomed the latest stage of plans for Halifax station. A pedestrian footbridge will give level access to and from to town. A new concourse building on two levels will provide a much more spacious waiting area for passengers. Concerns include need for more lifts, and perhaps a better ticket office. We also highlighted needs for climate awareness and green design. There will be a further  consultation later this year. Meanwhile here is an edited version of our February response.

Positives

The latest plan includes the following essential features, greatly improved on earlier iterations:

(a) Level pedestrian bridge between concourse at ticket hall level and town centre will be a massive improvement on the present congested approach bridge, and will mean pedestrians and cyclists will continue to have level access.

(a)            potentially much better café and retailing facilities.

(b)           potential for community rail development e.g. work by local students, artists, poets and performers, heritage displays, space for community events. Diverse and inclusive. We ask:

  • How about developing links with the varied and fascinating history of local transport? Part of the “future development” retail areas on the ground floor could be a “pop-up” exhibition area or mini-museum. (Perhaps it could even be a “taster” installation for the nearby Calderdale Industrial Museum.)
  • Could a community room be provided for meetings and events?
  • We would like to see encouragement of a station adoption “Friends” group to develop the station’s role in the community, working alongside the station operator and the proposed Calder Valley Line Community Rail Partnership.

(c)            Wider access links – very good, particularly for walking and cycling with links to the Hebble Trail as well as town. Indeed the station will become a hub linking the Hebble valley and town centre.

(d)           Bus stops: whilst the bus stops in are not as close to the station entrance as we might have liked, this must will be turned into an opportunity:

  • We hope bus operators will be persuaded to serve the new stops providing interchange from the train station to all parts of Halifax.
  • We welcome the long-needed provision for rail replacement buses to pick up immediately outside the station entrance.
  • Whilst the nearest stops for main buses will be in Alfred St East, Horton Street and Church Street, we hope the station entrance by the drop-off point might become a terminus for a round-Halifax local minibus service linking train and bus stations, shopping and leisure areas close to town as well as Dean Clough business area, and visitor attractions such as Bankfield Museum and Shibden Hall. The design must allow for this.

(e)            Improved car parking. Whilst people understandably continue to demand “park and ride” at rail stations, sustainable access to the station must be encouraged. We note that Eureka pay-parking will be available in addition to the parking specified by the railway. Electric vehicle charging is mentioned, and we hope most if not all parking spots will have EV charging points nearby.

Concerns and suggestions

(b)    Ticket office/travel centre/information: as with many modern stations, proposed ticket windows look to be direct onto the concourse, potentially causing difficulty because of noise or other distractions. Would a walk-in ticket office more like the one in the present station building would be better? – a travel centre providing a wide variety of information on journey options and local facilities. It is assumed that ticket vending machines would be located at several points about the concourse. We hope information screens, at various points around the concourse will show local bus and other information as well as train times.

(c)     Access to platforms (existing footbridge and single lift). We hope this will not be a step from bright modern newness into an old building looking down-at-heel. Work will be needed to keep the heritage buildings around the island  platform at their best. Concern that there will still only be a single lift (the existing one) down to the platforms needs to be logged as a priority for future investment though we appreciate there is no simple solution.

(d)    We understand here may be some changes on the platform to help reduce passenger congestion. We hope these will include features to encourage waiting passengers to move away from the narrowest part next to the waiting room. Assuming new modern toilets in the concourse building will allow the present unsatisfactory single unit, could this make space for an exit from the waiting room at its south end, accessing the widest covered part of the platform area? There needs to be liaison with and between Network Rail and the train company about where trains stop along the length of the platforms and how this affect passenger movement and efficient boarding and alighting.

Finally

Final big positive: Town footbridge concept – the consultants have given three examples of iconic designs reflecting local heritage in a modern way. It’s a concept worth supporting. We say the gateway must make a big mark. It must be visible from a distance – for example from the Southowram hillside as well as lower parts of the town – and attract people towards the station. Seating should be provided on the bridge, alongside art and heritage displays reflecting the history and diversity of our community. – JSW

Halifax Railway Station plans: last chance to comment – for now

UPDATE 14 February 2021. Consultation on latest plans for Halifax railway station closes today. So you might just have time to do the online survey! (Halifax Railway Station | Your Voice (westyorks-ca.gov.uk)) Highly positive plans for a new gateway building with enlarged concourse and better have been influenced in part by HADRAG. We rate the scheme very good but have some points that need improving. See our earlier notes further down this post and our response just sent in to the consultations HERE. More detailed plans are due this summer with a further chance to comment. We are expecting more detail on how the new concourse building will link up with the station’s “island” platforms 1 & 2. We understand there could be minor changes on the platforms to help passenger circulation.

(2021.02.13-hfx-response-hadrag-web-vsn)Download
Go to the Consultation:
WYCA Website

Some notes from HADRAG while you review the proposals

HADRAG supports the overall proposals for Halifax station’s new entrance building that will link to the existing platforms whilst retaining the possibility of a third platform in the future. There are details that we want to make sure the planners get right. You can have your say in a current consultation until 14 February. Please join us in supporting the scheme whilst putting forward ideas to make it even better. Here are some points to think about:

  • Much as it would be nice to re-use the 1851 building, it appears too narrow to hold the modern facilities needed.
  • We believe the layout and plan is future-proofed, allowing for further development, including the option of a new ‘platform 3’, which could give amore operational flexibility in the long term as well as more space for passengers.
  • Importance of the pedestrian bridge access on the level, between station concourse and town – iconic designs are suggested! Support active travel is proposed by the reinstated underpass and refurbished ramped pathways (cycle and pedestrian) to Berry Lane, Waterside and the Hebble Trail, as well as at the front of the station.
  • Bus stops are some distance away, and earlier versions of the scheme proposed a mini-bus station at car park level. At least the pedestrian bridge provides reasonably direct access, albeit with a road crossing. The scheme does include space for rail replacement buses to access when needed – alongside taxi and disabled parking right next to the station entrance – and that will be a massive improvement. 
  • Could a high-quality minibus service linking town centre, train and bus stations, Dean Clough and attractions (e.g. Shibden Hall, Bankfield Museum) start from the station entrance? This, of course, would be a separate development.
  • We’d suggest a possible improvement to the ticket office, which is shown, as in many modern stations, with the counter opening directly onto the concourse. Maybe a more enclosed design, more of a walk-in travel shop, that would be quieter for people negotiating complex transactions?
  • Access between ticket hall and ground level. Only one public lift is proposed. The illustrations show a proposed goods lift in the staff area: could this be re-located and made suitable for public use? An alternative would be ramped access but that would be a major additional structure.
  • Access to platforms. We don’t think the present plans involve any significant changes to the island platform but access should improve at least cosmetically.

BB/JSW

Parking Question

A couple of things stark-staringly obvious about Halifax station approach: you can’t park after 06.30 in the morning; and whenever a big train arrives there is a veritable chaos of cars, taxis, pedestrians and the occasional two-wheeler, with vehicles trying to get in to pick up while others are leaving. Pedestrian provision is limited to a footway on one side only, leading to highway-code defying behaviour. A sensible idea would take parking off the bridge, leaving more room for pedestrians (and perhaps taxis and drop-off). Many would say transformed access arrangements should at least double the current amount of rail users’ parking, perhaps with a 2-level car park. But do we really want to encourage more and more people to access Halifax station by car increasing road congestion at the bottom of town? Might it be better to develop best possible access for pedestrians, buses, cycles, disabled and pick-up/drop-off whilst developing neighbouring stations such as Sowerby Bridge and Brighouse for park and ride? Both would require enlarged car parks, and improved train services to match. Just a thought !