I have called for this stopping service to be one of the conditions in the specification for the new franchise but it seems that it will still be down to the special pleading of our regional transport body if this is to be achieved.
While not directly a franchise issue, there is a remaining important equality issue at the station which Network Rail need to address. Put simply the platforms are set too low for modern trains and it's a very significant step up to board the train and a big drop down when you are alighting. To their credit FirstScotrail have tried to address this with sets of wooden steps placed on the platforms but this was always a bit improvised and doesn't work when trains are not of a consistent length. There were also concerns about the the back draft from the East Coast Mainline trains going through the station at speeds close to 100mph and the steps being blown onto the track. I understand that this issue has been resolved in other stations by constructing a raised section of platform.
