Axminster station congratulated on award

Monday, 22 October 2012

ON TRACK: Glen Hatherley, Bob Driscoll, Andrew Moulding, Leanne Taker and Jake Kelly

by Anders Larsson

AXMINSTER Railway Station is back to title-winning ways.

As previously reported, the station won the Best Medium Station of the Year title at the 2012 National Rail Awards.

A South West Trains (SWT) and Network Rail (NR) delegation visited the station on Tuesday, October 16th along with Axminster mayor Andrew Moulding to formally congratulate station staff and present a plaque.

The station already boasts a silver (small station category) from the equivalent competition in 1994 plus a merit for being the best small station in the southwest, also in 1994.

Recent improvements paved the way for this year's triumph. Over the last few years Axminster Railway Station has seen a second track and associated features being added.
More recently, the toilet block was refurbished and improvements were also made to doors at the station.

The South West Trains and Network Rail delegation consisted of station manager Glen Hatherley (SWT) and SWT and NR Alliance customer service director Jake Kelly.

Mr Kelly said passenger numbers and services have increased as a result of the rail loop, but admitted there are no plans to increase ticket office hours at the station. Hours were slashed a few years ago and, for example, the ticket office and waiting room are closed on Sundays.

Mr Kelly did say, though, that the ticket machine will be made easier to use in the near future. Axminster mayor Andrew Moulding asked if there are any plans to provide some sort of cycle hire facility at the station for those wishing to use the increasing network of cycling ways in the area.

The answer was ‘no’ but station manager Hatherley appeared interested in the idea and promised to look into the matter. Mr Moulding concluded: “We are very proud of our station, it’s a lovely old building.”

Email: pulmans@tindlenews.co.uk

All content © of Pulmans Weekly News unless stated otherwise.

Be the first to comment using the form below.