Great Coates Station Platform modification

[grah2702]

Noticed on Wednesday that a ramp and raised section of platform about 4/5 metres in length has been built on the UP platform.
Evidently this is to do with the gap between platform and train and according to the guard 3 stations on the Cleethorpes-Barton line are being modified.
This means passengers getting on or of the trains will have to use the rear door as the modified section of platform is not long enough for both doors on the usual Class 153 to fit.
Passengers will not be allowed to get on or off the trains without using this modification.

 

[Andrew Nelson]

So, although the platform has been considered perfectly safe for well over 100 years, suddenly....

 

[grah2702]

Yep good old health and safety.

 

[NSEFAN]

Will the modification allow "step-free access" between train and platform? I suspect it might be for disability regulations rather than safety reasons. It's probably cheaper to raise just a section of platform (as is done on London Underground) rather than fix up an entire platform.

 

[1D53]

Sounds like a Harrington Hump - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrington_Hump

 

[asylumxl]

Is there a station for those with poor taste in clothing? :P

... I'll get my coates.

 

[David Barrett]

Market Rasen is currently being furnished likewise.

 

[Andrew Nelson]

Will the modification allow "step-free access" between train and platform?

No, but it may well close the gap slightly.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

St Albans Abbey has a similar arrangement - there is actually quite a big step apart from the raised section. You are allowed to use it, so I don't see why the other door can't be used at Great Coates if one does not mind the step.

 

[corin paul]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/class_153/10493477116/
well there you go a waste of money. We got off and didn't us it.

 

[edwin_m]

I believe Harrington Humps are a cheaper alternative to raising the platform, at stations where the passenger numbers are too low to warrant a full rebuild. They provide stepping distances at a couple of doors that are similar to those at a platform that meets the modern standard. This is not level access, since the loading gauge rules out platforms level with train floors anywhere where a freight train might pass the platform. Presumably in an ideal world the train would stop with the wheelchair door next to the high part of the platform, but this could be tricky witih 156s where the wheelchair area is either right at the front or right at the back.

The rather similar looking humps seen at some Tube stations do give level access for wheelchairs, and line up with the position of the wheelchair area on the trains.

 

[High Dyke]

Sounds like a Harrington Hump - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrington_Hump

Indeed it is. Quite a number of smaller stations around the LNE Region are having this Easier Access Ability programme of works carried out.

 

[brompton rail]

At Harrington, when first installed, the front door of the train was the one to stop adjacent to the hump. This way the driver could halt the train in the correct place. Conductors either opened doors from front door, or stepped down to the platform from the rear door. A great improvement for most passengers, especially those using bikes, push chairs, wheelchairs etc as standing on the platform floor level of the carriage is above waist level. Steps were provided before (3 steps high) and these were never near a train door and were heavy to try to move.