Disused short platform at Sevenoaks

[TransportHub]

Does anyone know what this disused short platform at Sevenoaks is/was used for?
It's opposite platform 4 and probably 1 maybe 2 coaches long.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Blind guess here, but mail loading/unloading or maybe Motorail?

 

[hexagon789]

Blind guess here, but mail loading/unloading or maybe Motorail?

Believe it was indeed for mail/parcels.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Believe it was indeed for mail/parcels.

And newspaper traffic in particular.

 

[stuving]

Before the station was rebuilt there were six full-length platforms, and that was where platform six was. But it's not part of the original one; both the outside platforms were demolished in 1975 so that tracks could be moved outwards and the two island platforms widened.

Obviously that bit was rebuilt, for some reason. Perhaps it was just as a retaining wall for the higher ground with car parking and the fence on it. However, while slam-door stock was still operating there was nothing to really stop people getting off. They just had to be sensible then!

But unloading newspapers from down trains with direct level access to road transport does sound plausible. I'm not sure how long after 1975 use for mail would have been called for.

 

[Bodiam]

Before the station was rebuilt there were six full-length platforms, and that was where platform six was. But it's not part of the original one; both the outside platforms were demolished in 1975 so that tracks could be moved outwards and the two island platforms widened.

Six platforms but only four tracks - the two outer tracks had platform faces on both sides. Convenient for transfer but not ideal for safety when trains started.