Integration Implemented!
Trains from Shrewsbury (in the north!) arrived in Hereford in 1853 and served a station, named Hereford Barrs Court, on the present site. Here we see the station a tad later being served by motor omnibus!
Trains from Newport (South Wales) via Abergavenny reached their station, Hereford Barton ...
... in 1854. The two operating companies realised that this duality was not helping either of them, so, after a bit if corporate argy-bargy, a link line was built. This opened in 1866.
A few trains continued to terminate at Barton until 1913.
Today's map does reveal something of the line to Barton.
It ran due north from bottom left. The station was north of the GREEN road just above the left hand " Mus ". Google Earth reveals the obligatory scar of greenery at the junction ...
... a bridge across the River Wye ...
... with green stuff fizzling out in an industrial estate.
You can also follow the whole route in this Google Earth view.
When the last passenger trains transferred to Barrs Court in 1913, the line remained in use serving a goods yard; which closed in 1979. A large goods shed was built and is shown in this historic aerial photo.
North is on the left!
Take note of the long thin warehouse upper centre, above.
fbb has spun the modern view round to match the historic picture, and, lo and behold ...
Pictures do exist of the single line track to the goods yard.
Most of the track bed is now a public footpath.
.., the shed is still there!
Impressive Integration - OR ...
Inadequate Integration?
For years the above picture illustrated the level of integration at Hereford Station; one lavish stop pole and flag?
The local City bus map shows a few more local bus routes at the station ...
... a city centre FREE bus that follows a fairly incomprehensible route ...
... that is easier to understand in its diagrammatic version.
But the service does link railway station, 'country' bus station and stops near the city bus station (Yates). Sadly, as it is a one way circuit, journeys in the opposite direction are lengthy and slow.
But it is free.
Recently the Council has winced at the cost of the free bus and the whole service is "under review".
But the Council has another cunning plan. Let's just build a brand new transport Interchange right outside Hereford Station!
It is due to open in three months.
The station building is upper right.
But will it be big enough?
Blog readers should know that this new interchange will replace the country bus station ...
... with all services due to move to the new build. Rumours suggest that the bus station will (eventually?) become a multi-storey car park.
fbb will express his concerns as part of tomorrow's blog.
Next Weekend Variety blog : Sat 8 Aug
"The Council" is in fact two separate bodies. Zipper is funded by Hereford City Council, which despite the name is a parish council. The bus station builder is Herefordshire Council, a unitary Local Transport Authority.
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