Posted 19th November 2013 | 8 Comments
Bristol, Reading may join Network Rail station portfolio
So far it's only Starbucks, but more retailers are set to open on the new overbridge at Reading in the spring
PLANS to transfer the management of Reading and Bristol Temple Meads stations from First Great Western to Network Rail are being developed, but no decisions have yet been made.
Network Rail has moved to deny reports that the deal is already done, but even so it has taken over the letting of retail units at Reading, which is being modernised and enlarged by the addition of five more platforms. The company is letting the space because it says there is an 'aspiration' at the Department for Transport for both Reading and Bristol Temple Meads to become Network Rail-managed stations from next April.
A major overbridge with room for retail space was opened at Reading earlier this year as one phase of the station's development was completed, and all the signs at the modernised station already follow the standard Network Rail style.
Network Rail said that Hotel Chocolat, Boots, The Cornish Pasty Co, Upper Crust, Cards Galore and Oliver Bonas 'are all primed to start work on units in the newly constructed part of the station'. The new retailers will join a small Starbucks unit which has been on the overbridge since it opened in April this year.
Hamish Kiernan, Network Rail’s interim commercial director, said: "Reading station is bigger and better than ever, but we know passengers want more retail choices in the new part of the station. We are pleased to be able to announce that the new stores will be ready to welcome customers from April 2014."
Retail sales in Network Rail stations have continued to defy trends in the high street. The company said in September there was 6.4 per cent growth in like-for-like sales from April to June 2013, while high street sales for the same period were just 0.4 per cent.
The work at Reading should be complete by 2015, when a 2km flyover will be opened west of the station to reduce conflicting movements on the Great Western Main Line.
Network Rail inherited the management of a number of major stations from Railtrack in 2001-2. Stations like London Euston, Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly and Glasgow Central were never managed by franchises because at privatisation it was envisaged that stations like these would be sold and become independent, like airports. However, the plans for the creation of 'independent station operators' were later dropped.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Terry, Blackpool
I think all mainline stations should be NR managed,thatway the retail income is used to subsidise the industryas part of NR'sfinancialsettlement and not just an individual TOC
Graham Collett, York
I fully support other readers' comments in favour of transferring more stations to NR control, to make them independent of the main franchised operator.
York is crying out for transfer to NR, so as to give the other operating companies (Cross-Country, Northern, TransPennine Express, Grand Central) a fairer share of station facilities and provide a better service to non-East Coast customers.
Chris Neville-Smith, Durham, England
If it was up to me, I'd put a lot more stations under Network Rail's control. When you've got two or more operators running trains at one station (as is the case on almost all mainline stations), I've never seen the logic of having one particular operator managing things such as the booking office.
The only stations where I can see sense for a TOC to manage the station is on local stations where only one local TOC serves it.
Windsorian, Windsor
Reading is already used by First, SWT and Cross Country trains.
In the not too distant future both Crossrail and the East West rail link may terminate there.
Considering their considerable investment, it seems sensible that Network Rail should operate the station.
Tony Pearce, Reading
Was it Brunel who stopped all his trains at Swindon on its one island platform so they could use its Buffet and spend money ? Not a new idea then. Well train enthusiasts, come and see the wonderful views you get of Reading from our new Station over-bridge before it gets full up with coffee shops. It will be expensive whoever manages it. Bring some Binoculars because the western flyover is well advanced and worth a view. The old Maintenance Sheds will be demolished any day now. I just hope they can save the old Water Tower for some Historic railway somewhere.
(I cannot resist adding that the Great Western Railway was obliged to stop its trains at Swindon because it had an agreement to do so with the tenant of the independently-run refreshment room. In the end the GWR bought out the current tenant in November 1895 for the then vast sum of £100,000. Brunel, of course, was famous for his intense dislike of the coffee served at Swindon.--Editor.)
Tim, Devon
They should transfer all stations to Network Rail. Franchisees are only in it for the short term and they let stations get run down towards the end of the contract. Stations like Plymouth were in a shocking state before the government intervened. Franchisees should concentrate on trunning their trains and let Network Rail take care of the infrastructure.
Currently do operators like Cross Country have to make payments to the other franchisees for using "their" stations?
Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
I suppose some may think this is network rail trying to grab profits from upgrade to Reading for themselves ?
Of course their is some logic in Network Rail controlling the largest stations as they can get best value for railways for these stations and a prime candidate must be Clapham Junction which currently split between two major users of Southern and South West Trains with London Overground a more recent arrival.
When one looks at the amount of land that is devoted to parking South West Trains one has to wonder if this is the best location for them and whether a full rebuild of Clapham Junction similar to Reading might make land spare for development and allow some trains to be put underground either in Crossrail 2 or indeed underground parking for trains!
David Copping, POLEGATE
I rather miss Travellers Fare. On production of a BR ID card staff got a free cup of tea.