Serco-Ned

[Acrylic-bob]

In what is probably one of the most confusing and badly written articles that I have come across in the pages of that august organ The Accrington Observer and Times, John Fahey attempts to outline a situation that should be of great concern to us all.

If I follow the story correctly, First Northwestern has lost it's franchise to run the Blackpool to Colne line. "Hooray!", I hear some of you shout. But, hold your horses, there seems little to celebrate in this sorry little tale.

Some of us will be familiar with splendid new design of Blackburn Station, and some of us, after listening to the County Council, were hoping for something of the same order for Accrington Station. Despite the fact that Accrington Station fell below the grade set in 1998 by the government's Secure Sations Scheme, we are to be cruelly disappointed.

The new franchise owner is Northern Trains, a subsidiary of a company called Serco-Ned who run, among other things, the Dutch National Railway.

For some reason best known to himself, That intrepid fighter of crime and scourge of the criminal classes, Doug Hayes, has taken it upon himself to point out to the new franchise owner that Accrington Station has failed to meet the governments minimum standards for safety. He said: " I would encourage Northern Trains to liaise (regular readers will realise that when Doug uses the "L" word, he means business) with the police and the council to make sure the Station meets standards."

Readers will note at this point that our dashing Crime Czar has not used phrases like "It's an eyesore" or " Knock it down and rebuild it - NOW!" nor indeed "How about pumping some money in you tight fisted Ba***rds?" No, Doug prefers the subtle approach which has made his name a byword for ineffectuality throughout the region. He continued:"The company might introduce fresh ideas to bring it up-to-date." And pigs might fly, as a Department of Transport spokesman revealed: "There is nothing in the franchise agreement obligating Northern to make stations secure."

To be fair, Northern Trains have said that they are prepared to consult with local authorities to look at ways that they can become involved in schemes to make the station more secure. but that hardly sounds like the attitude of a company prepared to take the bull by the horns and tackle the issue head on, does it?

Still, never mind, the Strategic Rail Authority has said that if passenger numbers do not increase within the next five years they will order the closure of the line, bringing to an end the 160 year history of the railway in Accrington and casting the borough even further down the economic pecking order.

[slater_scott]

The railway in east lancashire is terrible. All old trains, no new ones. Stations are poor apart from blackburns, which i think is cool apart from no roof on platform 4 .

To me secro- ned have just got this contract to make money and no make any improvements. I thought it was a good move to get rid of first north western, but it is worse now.

I dont think they would ever rebuild accrington station as it isnt a very busy station, but they should put the money in to make the station get this government grade.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Accrington station isn't very busy because it is hardly worth calling a station. I remember it in the glory days when we had platforms worth calling platforms and lines going off in different directions, waiting rooms with real fires in the winter, "ladies" and "gents", real porters.

No wonder no-one wants to wait for trains at what is little more than a glorified bus stop.

I would be sorry to see the line close as we have used the train often in the summer months, particularly for day trips to York.

[Acrylic-bob]

If it does close I will definately have to move to Blackpool.

[slater_scott]

I seriously doubt they would close it.