Hooton footbridge

[pablo]

Is the expensive new footbridge at Hooton a sodding mess?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Looks OK from here :

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/HOO/images/photos/800/o2119-0000179.jpg

 

[pablo]

Ha ha. PR shot? That wasn't taken last Friday wasit?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Erm, no They were taken by Network Rail for the NRE website Hooton station guide. See here for a full range of shots:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/HOO/plan.html

Why do you dislike it?

 

[OxtedL]

I see no issue with it, it's a standard design:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6372.aspx

(see also Orpington, Kidderminster, Fareham ...)

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Why do you dislike it?

It's a fresh air design - it has a roof but no windows (at least at Hooton).
After a weekend of horizontal sleet I can magine what it is like today.
Even on a good day it looks like an oversight.
The old bridge at least kept you dry.

 

[pablo]

Precisely. Probably paddling in it today.

It's actually had standing water and 'slippy floor' cones more often than not since the autumn. It's an 'elf an' safety risk in the slips and falls category. Standby for a host of ingenious compo claims and the genuine ones too.
When the tide goes out, mud is left. It's a mess, and the risers are starting to fall off, so more deterioration can be expected. How long did the previous footbridge last? 100 + years?
This looks like a case of one size doesn't fit all. Hooton is actually a surprisingly exposed station considering its mid-Wirral position. Very windy.
I can tell you, from frequent transitting, that there is a climatic difference between the NW and 'darn sarf'. NR need to consult local advice and check with meterologists before indiscriminately planting this standard design all over the country.

 

[pablo]

A right filthy wet mess again on Friday. Anyone know if anything more than leaving warning cones lying about is being done about it?

 

[First class]

The similar bridge at Bromborough is also due a renewal shortly...

 

[185]

Isn't it brand new?!

http://www.rail.co/2011/03/08/new-footbridge-and-lifts-open-at-hooton-station/

 

[ukrob]

Yes, that is kinda the point

 

[pablo]

...and again today. Whoever designed that bridge is a 20 something. S(he) should be stopped in their tracks (!), taken off their CAD machine and sent out weekly to clean the thing up until they can design something better and pay for the mods out of their PII.

 

[Jonny]

Sounds like a right Hooton mess

 

[John55]

A right filthy wet mess again on Friday. Anyone know if anything more than leaving warning cones lying about is being done about it?

Can I suggest you write to Merseyrail, Merseytravel and Network Rail pointing out the problem, though perhaps a little less cryptically than in your first post, and let us know what the result is. I have only used the bridge in dry weather but from the description it seems some glazing would seem to be in order.

Seems to be a case of spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar.

 

[First class]

Does Hooton suffer from vandalism? If so, that may be why there's no glazing. I suspect it may be down to the cleaning issue. Who cleans the outside of the glass? You'd need a possession and scaffolding.

 

[John55]

Does Hooton suffer from vandalism? If so, that may be why there's no glazing. I suspect it may be down to the cleaning issue. Who cleans the outside of the glass? You'd need a possession and scaffolding.

The old footbridge was glazed but not with material that could be seen through if I remember correctly. Hooton is in the middle of nowhere with a big car park but it is manned so I would be surprised if there was a big vandalism problem. The platform shelters are all glass and usually seem intact.

 

[HSTEd]

If you are worried about repairing it after vandalism could just use ETFE sheeting, you can fix that with a heat gun from the inside.

 

[jopsuk]

the new glazed footbridge at Cambridge, one of the driest places in britain, has been such a wet slippy mess from people tramping water in from the platforms when it has rained/snowed that they're had to cover up the tiles with interlocking black rubber matting.

 

[nedchester]

What amazes me is the price it cost to build the bridge which I believe was around £4 million. A typical high cost build by NR in my opinion.

 

[pablo]

3 lifts = disproportionate cost. Access for All it's called. Access for a few in reality.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

3 lifts = disproportionate cost. Access for All it's called. Access for a few in reality.

So who, within reason, does it deny access to?

 

[pablo]

MattE etc. That's a perverse interpretation.

Merseyrail is on the case. They have been keeping the footbridge cleaner; mopping up standing water, and now, are seeking quotes for glazing the open areas that allow in the driven rain. I give 'em 10/10.
NR please note, your standard design is inadequate.

 

[185]

Hooton is out in the stix and is fairly exposed to the elements, I don't think that was considered when they selected that design. I think fitting plastic sheet glazing and drilling additional drainage into the base are sensible solutions.

Any vandalism Hooton suffers is likely to be from those travelling to/from Ellesmere Port changing for the Chester train - Hooton's in a nice bit of the Wirral I grew up near, and usually only gets commuters.

 

[Sheridan]

Hooton is in a nice, fairly quiet area but I think it's a bit unfair to just assume it's people from Ellesmere Port who are to blame!

 

[pablo]

I don't notice any vandalism, but then, maybe I'm blind?