An Isle of Wight train station – built in the mid-1800s – could be getting modern upgrades.
Plans have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council to install train time displays and an audio announcement system, at the Grade II listed Brading Railway Station. It currently has neither.
Island Line trains run through the station, calling at Brading on its way from Shanklin to Ryde.
The electronic displays could be placed along the platforms and could tell awaiting passengers how long it is until the next train arrives, as is now common in most train stations across the country.
Trans Data Management, behind the plans, say the new installation aims to preserve the historic context of the station, without structurally or significantly altering its appearance.
Due to the heritage status of the station, the cabinet needed to hide the cabling for the audio system and display could be put next to the station master’s office on Platform 1.
The station opened in 1864 and has had trains calling at it ever since, with more regular trains running every half hour following the major investment in Island Line in 2019.
You can view the plans, 23/01647/LBC, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 3rd November.
But the trains are off more than their on for various reasons so is there any point??
Millions on major improvement? Less train’s are now running than 10yrs ago, unreliable and expensive. Busses are taking over as more stop options and further travel and for only £2 . Train’s on Island should of been left for unique factor for young/old and tourists etc.
You obviously don’t realise that the £2 fare on the buses is supplemented upto the maximum fare by the DfT. The DfT and the government don’t have their own money, they get it by taxing the public, so in essence if you never use the bus, you will still pay for it thanks to the tory government
Tar Mac the entire stretch and run battery shuttle buses. More flexible, don’t need overpaid drivers, no need for massive expense on health and safety of high voltage lines and the need for fencing to prevent animals and idiots wandering on it And then cyclists could share the entire stretch too
But, is it really necessary?
It’s not as if there’s loads of trains all going to different destinations at various times. Don’t they go every 30 minutes in each direction, either to Ryde or Shanklin? Surely that’s not too confusing for people?
It just seems like a waste of money, personally.
But, maybe it’s a case of someone at this company, Trans Data Management, has noticed there’s no visual displays or audio announcements at this station and thinks it must therefore need one, without actually looking at the station, its heritage and its requirements?