The Anonymous Widower

Hebden Bridge

I’m treating Hebden Bridge and the Grade II Listed Hebden Bridge station as a single post, as one would do other places where the station welcomes you to the town or city and is most certainly part of the identity. I would also place Brighton, Cambridge, Liverpool Lime Street, Portsmouth and Rochester, in that category, but there are others.

These pictures show my very wet visit.

I shall go back one dsy, when the weather is better.

This Google Map shows the town and the station.

Hebden Bridge

Note the Rochdale Canal and the River Calder running in the same direction as the railway.

I believe that Hebden Bridge could be key in the electrification strategy of the Calder Valley Line.

A personable member of Northern Rail’s staff told me a tale about step-free access at the station. There is a subway under the tracks and this used to be served by two parcels lifts. I was told, that it was suggested that the lifts be replaced by passenger lifts, to make the station step-free, but as the station is Grade II Listed, this was not allowed.

What will happen in the end over access, I know not, but in my dealings with Listed Buildings Officers in Suffolk, they tend to be practical and lookfor  a compromise, that satisfies all parties. Surely, there could be a design of lift, that would satisfy both the heritage and disabled lobbies without an outrageous expense.

This leads me to the electrification through Hebden Bridge station.

Look at this enlarged Google Map of the station.

Hebden Bridge Station

I think you can see the following.

• The platforms aren’t that long and would need to be lengthened for the four-car trains that would surely be appropriate after electrification.
• The canopies of the platforms will have to be cut back, so that the overhead wires and their supports can be erected.

I don’t think the heritage lobby will like either of these changes.

But what could they object to, if the electric trains were quiet four-car Class 387 IPEMUs, using selective door opening on the current platforms?

These trains could serve Hebden Bridge station tomorrow, if Leeds to Bradford and Blackburn were electrified.

There would be no other overhead wiring needed

January 3, 2016 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Calder Valley Line, Hebden Bridge, IPEMU, Trains