Stations in the UK with more platforms than they need

[jyte]

I think what this thread has highlighted is that through platforms are more useful than bays...but that's probably for another thread.

 

[B&I]

Not been in England for over 2 years but Wigan wallgate the westerly bay platform If anything Wallgate needs a Manchester bound bay platform as no one really wants to go to Merseyside from Wigan.

None, save the fairly large numbers of people who use the 3 TPH to Liverpool (in normal service) from North Western

 

[alxndr]

Could Lowestoft make do with just the two?

 

[B&I]

This is a silly thread. You could turn it around as "not enough trains to use the platforms as the train operator hasn't generated enough demand"

It would also be more useful and relevant if anyone could point out any practical detriments arising from having these extra platforms eg line speed restrictions on othet tracks, space that could be better used for other things at stations. Presumably the cost of maintaining low-use platforms is minimal

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The central island platform on the fast lines at New Malden. Nothing ever stops at them.

There is still access to the island (albeit locked), which means it could be used for emergencies. Unlike Esher, where the island platform is completely inaccessible due to a missing staircase from the footbridge.

 

[Trainfan344]

Could Lowestoft make do with just the two?

For normal services yes. But it needs the other platform to help when things go wrong, hold test trains in. In an ideal world it'd have a half hourly train service to Norwich and the East Suffolk Line would be double track throughout to make room for special trains to the seaside.

 

[Ianno87]

There is still access to the island (albeit locked), which means it could be used for emergencies. Unlike Esher, where the island platform is completely inaccessible due to a missing staircase from the footbridge.

It is used for emergencies, very very occasionally. Last saw timetabled use in 1967, from what I can figure out.

 

[boxy321]

Bordesley has 2 more than it needs.

 

[Esker-pades]

Bordesley has 2 more than it needs.

Tell that to the people who made over 13,000 journeys there last year.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Bordesley has 2 more than it needs.

Except when Birmingham City are playing at home... or your team is playing away at Birmingham City.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It is used for emergencies, very very occasionally. Last saw timetabled use in 1967, from what I can figure out.

I assume you're referring to New Malden rather than Esher, as turfing pax out onto Esher's island platform would just create another headache!

 

[boxy321]

Except when Birmingham City are playing at home... or your team is playing away at Birmingham City.

By the time they've waited for the one train they could have walked the short distance or got a bus. It's a bit like getting the tube from Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus.

 

[Kite159]

There is still access to the island (albeit locked), which means it could be used for emergencies. Unlike Esher, where the island platform is completely inaccessible due to a missing staircase from the footbridge.

The staircase to the disused platforms at Esher still exists:


Protected by a locked gate

 

[gazr]

Bordesley has 2 more than it needs.

If the new (old) chord gets built, Bordesley will get a brand new, relocated station.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The staircase to the disused platforms at Esher still exists:


Protected by a locked gate

So it does... I must've been very unobservant when I passed by several times a week about 15 years ago, unless they replaced it to avoid people getting trapped- which was unlikely to happen since the slammers went!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

By the time they've waited for the one train they could have walked the short distance or got a bus. It's a bit like getting the tube from Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus.

Though buying a ticket to Bordesley from Batley or wherever is a damn sight cheaper than getting plusbus added to your Brum stations ticket, or paying for two singles on the local bus service which you'd then have to research.

 

[Dr_Paul]

Probably Watford Junction, does the Overground need 4 platforms?

Is there not a plan to run Metropolitan services to Watford Junction when the connection between the Met's Watford line and the old Croxley Green line is finally built? Four platforms will come in very handy then.

 

[Esker-pades]

Is there not a plan to run Metropolitan services to Watford Junction when the connection between the Met's Watford line and the old Croxley Green line is finally built? Four platforms will come in very handy then.

That plan is on hold because TfL have no money.

 

[318266]

Is there not a plan to run Metropolitan services to Watford Junction when the connection between the Met's Watford line and the old Croxley Green line is finally built? Four platforms will come in very handy then.

Yes, but nothing is happening.

 

[Intercity 225]

It is used for emergencies, very very occasionally. Last saw timetabled use in 1967, from what I can figure out.

Out of interest do you know when it was last used for an emergency and the rough frequency?

 

[Dr_Paul]

Yes, but nothing is happening.

True, but it's worth keeping the four platforms for when, eventually, the link is built. There have been various examples where railway infrastructure has been reduced and the land flogged off only for this to be regretted later on.

As it is, the rebuilding of Twickenham station is allowing for the bay to be converted to the fourth through platform should this become necessary sometime in the future. Someone here has shown some sensible foresight.

 

[jyte]

As it is, the rebuilding of Twickenham station is allowing for the bay to be converted to the fourth through platform should this become necessary sometime in the future. Someone here has shown some sensible foresight.

Think the same is true of the proposed 5th bay platform at Stevenage.

 

[HLE]

Discounting the additional handful of Virgin services, there aren't many trains per hour.
I suppose the large layout and flyover for the Leicester to Birmingham line are what encourages thinking into Nuneaton having too many platforms.
But during the day, there's what, the Coventry once an hour, a London Midland to London once an hour in each direction and the two Leicester-Birminghams - so that's 7 trains an hour. 8 platforms is a lot for that, but as I say, having a whole platform that gets used twice an hour is a little strange comparing it to other close-by stations such as Rugby, which has a lot more using one platform.

Nuneaton has 7 platforms.....beaten to it though upthread.

I’d say they’re needed so the WCML doesn’t go up the creek. Which platform would you get rid of?

 

[route101]

Good shout, is any service booked to call there?

Never seen anything in it ! Maybe something gets looped

 

[urpert]

I don't think Kent House P1 & P4 has been mentioned yet. P1 lost it's service from the May timetable. P4 hasn't seen passenger use in a long time; with the exception of a pathing stop (no doors open) on the Waterloo International - Kent services recently.

They do get used quite often to get stoppers out of the way when there has been disruption, though. I hate to think what the Chatham main would be like as a 2-track railway all the way from Shortlands to Herne Hill.

 

[urpert]

They do get used quite often to get stoppers out of the way when there has been disruption, though. I hate to think what the Chatham main would be like as a 2-track railway all the way from Shortlands to Herne Hill.

In the same part of the world, Bromley North.

 

[najaB]

...turfing pax out onto Esher's island platform would just create another headache!

For some reason, I thought you meant MC Escher.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

For some reason, I thought you meant MC Escher.

Good one!
I think he may have been involved in the design of Leeds station, but not his near-namesake!

 

[laseandre]

Springburn's bays have been in use recently because of the Rutherglen works, a lot of services that would normally go through Central to Motherwell/other Lanarkshire stations are being diverted through Queen St as Springburn terminators.

On a tangentially related station, Helensburgh Central! It has 3 platforms and only platform 2 is really regularly used. 1 and 3 are used to stable trains overnight, and for some peak services, but you could easily get away with 1 less of them.