Barnsley Interchange

[Terry Harper]

I had occasion to send herself to Barnsley by train on Wednesday, as
she can't sit down for long periods and stands on the train instead.

I drove up and went to pick her up at the railway station, only to
find that their magnificent "Transport Interchange" is a bus station
to which cars are not admitted, and there is now no taxi tank or
drop-off/pick-up facility. Whatever possessed them to eliminate that
facility before they provided a new one? I asked a yellow-jacketed
person where the facility was, and he told me they would be providing
one some time, but for now there was a lay by the other side of the
level crossing for dropping-off. No taxi rank anywhere near.

Needless to say, for the return journey I dropped her off at Darton to
catch the train from there.

I spent a lot of one night thinking up a letter to the Chief Executive
of Barnsley Metropolitan Council, who I assume masterminded the whole
fiasco. It reminds me of the days of the People's Republic of South
Yorkshire, but even then you could find a taxi and drive into the
station yard. Does anyone have an idea about who might be the best
person to whom a shirty letter might be addressed?

[Michael Bell]

Post by Terry Harper
I had occasion to send herself to Barnsley by train on Wednesday, as
she can't sit down for long periods and stands on the train instead.
I drove up and went to pick her up at the railway station, only to
find that their magnificent "Transport Interchange" is a bus station
to which cars are not admitted, and there is now no taxi tank or
drop-off/pick-up facility. Whatever possessed them to eliminate that
facility before they provided a new one? I asked a yellow-jacketed
person where the facility was, and he told me they would be providing
one some time, but for now there was a lay by the other side of the
level crossing for dropping-off. No taxi rank anywhere near.
Needless to say, for the return journey I dropped her off at Darton to
catch the train from there.
I spent a lot of one night thinking up a letter to the Chief Executive
of Barnsley Metropolitan Council, who I assume masterminded the whole
fiasco. It reminds me of the days of the People's Republic of South
Yorkshire, but even then you could find a taxi and drive into the
station yard. Does anyone have an idea about who might be the best
person to whom a shirty letter might be addressed?

To the OWNER of the facility, whoever it might be, telling him that he
has bought a pup.

Michael Bell

--

[TBirdFrank]

I can't speak for whatever temporary arrangements are in force, but I
can say that Barnsley Interchange is in a state of flux as part of the
reconstruction of the town centre.

The properties on both side of the railway are to be incorporated into
a new development of which a reconstructed interchange will form part.

I used to be on contract at the Estates Dept there, but as I no longer
cross the Pennines I cannot confirm what the future holds in this
respect - I would have thought though that this important part of a
network wil re-appearl

If there has been a glitch like this it wouldn't surprise me - as for
instance the development proposal could have included the abolition of
the level crossing at the south end of the station. This did not happen
so the ongoing costs will continue to be incurred - railway :- foot,
aim - shoot.

[Andrew H]

Considering Barnsley station is currently in the middle of a building
site, with only enough room for buses to squeeze into what was Barnsley
East Bus Station, I'm not surprised there is currently no room for a
drop off area

You may like to visit http://www.btint.co.uk which has plans of what
Barnsley Interchange will look like when it is finished

There will be drop off and car parking facilities right next to the
Sheffield bound platform, and a taxi rank outside the Interchange on
Midland Street

[Terry Harper]

On 16 Sep 2006 13:53:13 -0700, "Andrew H"

Post by Andrew H
Considering Barnsley station is currently in the middle of a building
site, with only enough room for buses to squeeze into what was Barnsley
East Bus Station, I'm not surprised there is currently no room for a
drop off area
You may like to visit http://www.btint.co.uk which has plans of what
Barnsley Interchange will look like when it is finished
There will be drop off and car parking facilities right next to the
Sheffield bound platform, and a taxi rank outside the Interchange on
Midland Street

Thank you for that. So the station itself will not have a taxi rank.
That does seem odd planning, unless they use that layby with a coach
in it for the purpose.

Had they organised a one-way traffic system through the interim bus
station, they would have had ample room. Too simple, I suppose.