Menston Station - access issues

[Mr Mean]

I used the train from Ilkley to Menston recently with my daughter in a buggy. I knew there would be a footbridge to cross the line to get out of the station so was prepared for that.

However, I wasn't prepared for the 1ft+ drop from train to platform. I've never experienced such a large drop from train to platform. Luckily the guard was operating the doors where I got off so could help me but I'd have been stuck if I was alighting elsewhere. The guard said its terrible for older people and others with kids and he often has to help people get off the train.

How is such a large drop permitted on a reasonably busy station? It felt dangerous and means I probably won't be using this service again, at least when I'm with my daughter. I know some of the underground services have issues on tight curves and the bakerloo platforms are higher than the train north of London, but I can't believe that there are many other stations out there with such a large drop to get off the train?

The train was a 331 rather than 333, but not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[duncanp]

Also in Yorkshire, Horton in Ribblesdale has a large drop down to the platform, which is lower compared to other railway stations.

I alighted from an Avanti pendolino at Birmingham New Street yesterday, and because I was at one end of the train and the platform end is on a slight curve, there was a really large gap between the train and the platform.

I had to turn around and climb off the train as if I was climbing down a ladder.

St James Street station on the Chingford branch in London is another station with a large drop down to the platform.

There isn't any easy one size fits all solution, as many stations are served by different types of rolling stock, and platform heights can vary between different stations on the same line.

Platform humps can work in some cases, and this has been done on the London Underground Victoria Line.

 

[skyhigh]

but I can't believe that there are many other stations out there with such a large drop to get off the train?

Ben Rhydding is probably worse. A lateral gap as well as a big drop down.

 

[Grumpy]

, but I can't believe that there are many other stations out there with such a large drop to get off the train?

The train was a 331 rather than 333, but not sure if that makes a difference.

Apart from issues specific to the stations mentioned above, I dont think we have the right standards . I recently boarded a 331 at Leeds platform 0A (ie new platform and rolling stock) and the climb/gap seemed excessive-certainly nowhere close to level boarding

 

[class 9]

Planning permission has been submitted for lifts at Menston.
The Down platform(Ilkley bound) isn't too bad, but yes the Up Leeds bound definitely needs raising.
Has the OP contacted Northern about it, if they consider it dangerous?

 

[zwk500]

How is such a large drop permitted on a reasonably busy station?

If it existed before the standards were introduced, it can stay until the next major rebuild. It's a shame but there isn't the money to do much else.

It felt dangerous and means I probably won't be using this service again, at least when I'm with my daughter.

You should write to Northern and express this concern. It may not lead to instant action but another vote of 'dangerous for children' will help move it up the pecking order.

but I can't believe that there are many other stations out there with such a large drop to get off the train?

We have had a thread on this recently, but Wolverton and Long Buckby are also notorious (and both were very busy with commuter traffic pre-covid)

 

[najaB]

How is such a large drop permitted on a reasonably busy station? It felt dangerous and means I probably won't be using this service again, at least when I'm with my daughter. I know some of the underground services have issues on tight curves and the bakerloo platforms are higher than the train north of London, but I can't believe that there are many other stations out there with such a large drop to get off the train?

Not quite as busy, but Dunkeld and Birnam has super-low platforms, as seen in this picture from RailScot.co.uk:
https://railscot.co.uk/img/74/535/

 

[thejuggler]

I've never alighted at Menston, but it not unique. A few stations in West Yorkshire are on a curve which results in a step and a drop. New Pudsey and Saltaire Leeds bound platforms are two which spring to mind.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Marsden p2 got a Harrington Hump to mitigate similar issues. Nothing done about level access of course...

 

[The exile]

Apart from issues specific to the stations mentioned above, I dont think we have the right standards . I recently boarded a 331 at Leeds platform 0A (ie new platform and rolling stock) and the climb/gap seemed excessive-certainly nowhere close to level boarding

I may be wrong - but aren’t the various new Anglian units the first to be actually designed with level boarding according to the new platform standards in mind?

 

[pdeaves]

Not specifically answering your concerns, but if you didn't already you might find it easier (or at least, more comfortable or less stressful) to disembark with a buggy if you do so backwards (i.e. you on the platform before lifting the buggy down).

 

[Grumpy]

Planning permission has been submitted for lifts at Menston.

And approved