Why is there a gate and stairs at North Shields Station that's never open/used?

[Willie Bee]

I've often wondered why there is a gate on the south side of North Shields station and a ramp and stairs. These are never open.
Were these built when there was a line from NS to St James and a third platform was being used ?

 

[DanNCL]

This has no relevance to the posting, but does involve the Metro

I've often wondered why there is a gate on the south side of North Shields station and a ramp and stairs. These are never open.
Were these built when there was a line from NS to St James and a third platform was being used ?

These were built in the early 2010s and were used as temporary entrances to the station whilst the old concourse was demolished and current one built. There’s one on the north side of the station too.

The construction of these was actually what ended the availability of P3 to be used for terminating services. Though the blue line had long gone, the platform had until then remained available for use if required.

 

[Willie Bee]

These were built in the early 2010s and were used as temporary entrances to the station whilst the old concourse was demolished and current one built. There’s one on the north side of the station too.

The construction of these was actually what ended the availability of P3 to be used for terminating services. Though the blue line had long gone, the platform had until then remained available for use if required.

many thanks !

 

[MPR]

I've often wondered why there is a gate on the south side of North Shields station and a ramp and stairs. These are never open.
Were these built when there was a line from NS to St James and a third platform was being used ?

They are supposed to be used as an alternative entrance if the lift is out of service. Whether they are or not is a different matter

 

[SeanG]

I've seen them used for an entrance for a queuing system after the great north run, after passengers have come across on the ferry

 

[Class142sbad]

They are supposed to be used as an alternative entrance if the lift is out of service. Whether they are or not is a different matter

Seen a sign saying that on Platform 1.

 

[hacman]

Always struck me as odd that they built an extra platform at North Sheilds rather than just re-using one of the existing bays at Tynemouth!

Same with the siding at North Sheilds on the opposite side to Hylton Street yard - keeping two bays at Tynemouth would have removed the need for this too.

 

[Trestrol]

Yes but remember Nexus never owned Tynemouth Station. I think the council? bought it from BR and they intend to flatten it and redevelop the land. The new intended footbridge lay for years in one of the old bay platforms. It was only through a concerted campaign that the station was saved. And aren't we so glad it was its such an impressive structure. But it would have made sense to use the bays at Tynemouth if the stations future was secure from the start.

 

[hacman]

Yes but remember Nexus never owned Tynemouth Station. I think the council? bought it from BR and they intend to flatten it and redevelop the land. The new intended footbridge lay for years in one of the old bay platforms. It was only through a concerted campaign that the station was saved. And aren't we so glad it was its such an impressive structure. But it would have made sense to use the bays at Tynemouth if the stations future was secure from the start.

Indeed! I had forgotten about that plan! Hard to imagine that large space being replaced with a "halt" instead!

I didn't know it came so close to happening that the footbridge was actually delivered. I wonder how that worked given that the platform at Tynemouth then had to be altered; the platform the initial Tynemouth - Haymarket service used too!