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COMMENT: Station idea would bring big benefits

8:03am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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THE prospect of a super station' in the centre of Worcester linking the city's rail, bus and taxi services is an exciting one.

The idea, still in its embryonic stage, would see Worcestershire County Council buy the Post Office building in Foregate Street.

The building is on the market following the decision to house the post office in the WHSmith shop in the High Street later this month. Experts think the building could sell for about £800,000 but refurbishment could set the new owners back another £1 million.

They are big figures for a council that is in the process of making millions of pounds of cuts to its services.

There is a bigger picture to be considered, however, and if the benefits to the people of Worcester of a super station' can be made clear as more flesh is put on the bones of this idea we think there is real merit in the proposal.

Foregate Street station is in a wonderful location but just lacks some key amenities and integration with other public transport.

Anything that helps to provide these missing links is to be welcomed.

We should not forget that the expansion of the university would undoubtedly increase the demand for public transport in Worcester.

An improved and updated city centre station, fit for its purpose in the 21st-century, could bring huge benefits to Worcester.

We await further development of this proposal with interest.

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Your Say YourWorcester News

CJH, Worcester says...
10:40am Wed 14 May 08

And road access to this superstation would be how exactly? Just try and drive from the City Walls Road to The Tything and beyond via Foregate Street! Even when it's not rush hour it's a complete nightmare.

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PositiveThinker, Worcester says...
11:58am Wed 14 May 08

CJH - You could either park by the riverside/Crowngate and walk (it's not far at all!) or go on your bike. Worcester has no more room to accommodate cars without major demolition - it makes sense to me, design the city for people and places, not for cars and traffic.

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Stan Parr, Pershore says...
12:18pm Wed 14 May 08

Crowngate to Foregate Street - with a full-size wheeled suitcase - great fun, especially for older people!

CJH is correct.

OK for a day trip to Brum, with just a briefcase, but no more.

Will they include a "drop-off point" do you think, with double-yellows and severe Wardens standing poised? That's the usual welcome at stations and airports, these days.

"We don't want you go ANYWHERE! go away!" - but go away on our trains!

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John Wylds, Worcester says...
2:16pm Wed 14 May 08

You have to stop thinking about the Post Office just being the edifice that fronts onto Foregate Street. Behind it, there are buildings that run alongside the railway lines all the way back to Sansome Walk. And there is vehicular access to the rear of the Post office already from Sansome Walk. Demolising all of these buildings and you could have enough room for a suitable transport interchange.

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CJH, Worcester says...
4:47pm Wed 14 May 08

John, I accept that there is enough room for development on the site, but it's the access that's a problem, and any extra traffic having to go through the city will just add to the existing problems.

And PositiveThinker's idea of walking up from the river? How is that convenient? You've still got to get there as well! Try that at rush hour and see how long it takes.

What a pity there isn't a convenient out-of-town site that is available to develop... oh wait, there is! The old Kays site! I wonder why Mr Prodger didn't think of that? A recent story on this seemed to get mostly positive responses judging from the comments posted - time to consider this a serious prospect? http://www.worcester
news.co.uk/search/di
splay.var.2053625.0.
railway_station_plan
_for_old_kays_site.p
hp

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malvern girl, malvern says...
7:46pm Wed 14 May 08

I accept Foregate Street is no good for travelling from but it is in a great position for commuters into the city. If the access to the platforms could be upgraded - the current lifts are too small - and the links to taxis and buses were improved then it might be a more encouraging prospect for travellers. No need to waste money on the building next door!
I also agree that more could be done at Shrub Hill. Knock down that hideous office block for a start - hopefully not to be replaced with a multi storey car park! I am amazed the station is still standing - every time I pass through it looks more shabby.

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King Creole, Worcester says...
10:34pm Wed 14 May 08

£1.8 million - don't be daft! Just another bureaucrats dream of how to spend somebody else's money. Spend money on a decent train service and you would have everybody's support.

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varien, worcester says...
3:05pm Thu 15 May 08

We should not forget that the expansion of the university would undoubtedly increase the demand for public transport in Worcester.

And there used to be a station at Henwick.......!!

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