TWO Bridgwater councillors say much more needs to be done to make the town's railway station more user-friendly.

On Thursday, March 12,  Bridgwater town councillors Glen Burrows and Mick Lerry visited Bridgwater Station with the aim of looking at the facilities from the perspective of a first-time visitor and seeing what could be improved.

The pair came away feeling that a number of measures need to be taken, and concluding that 'very little attention has been given to the need to develop the rail station in Bridgwater as part of a vital, integrated transport network for an expanding town and district'. 

In a letter to Great Western Railway and Bridgwater Town Council, Cllrs Burrows and Lerry begin by highlighting the issues at Platform 1, the Bristol to Taunton direction.

"There are no exit signs, either for access to Platform 2, or for the exit from Platform 1," the councillors say in their report.

"Passengers leaving by the gate at the end of Platform 1 are given no directions to the town centre, nor is there any information about taxis or buses to assist new arrivals to the town."

Cllrs Burrows and Lerry also highlight that there is nothing to assist passengers with limited mobility, particularly as there is a large gap between train and platform on both sides of that station.

The report states: "Departing from Platform 1 entails either crossing one of two station bridges, or leaving by the gate and travelling via Redgate Street to Westonzoyland Road. 

"Another option would be to call a taxi – but, of course, there is no travel information on Platform 1. There also are no parking facilities on this side of the station."

On Platform 2, the councillors say the noticeboard with onward travel information is not immediately obvious being situated in a corner, and say a refreshments facility is badly needed.

Meanwhile at the front of the station, the councillors show frustration with the lack of integrated transport service and the situation with the bus shelter.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Cllrs Burrows and Lerry state: "We are told the lack of integrated transport service at the railway station is being addressed.

"Train passengers currently approach the bus shelter expecting to find a bus service, but there is no bus, nor any information or explanation available.

"There is, again, a complete lack of signage to direct passengers either to bus services, pedestrian crossings or town centre."

The report highlights that there is not a specified taxi rank, meaning taxi drivers are forced to park in the limited spaces available to train passengers.

"There are no facilities for taxi drivers and we were told that they are not even allowed to use the toilet facilities on the station," the councillors say.

"It is important to note that, in the original consultation on Bridgwater Railway Station, as part of the Celebration Mile project, there was additional parking, signage, seating and planters, which have not been completed as part of the final project."

The councillors put forward recommendations including improving signage, a more prominent and informative noticeboard on Platform 1 and in the station forecourt, a lift to be installed at each end of the outside station bridge to facilitate disabled access, and a temporary sign on the bus shelter saying there are no bus services running from the station.