How will Gatwick station cope with a second runway?

[swt_passenger]

I heard this too. Having listened to all of PMQs today, plus a lot of the questions yesterday, I think that this is just "the Burnham vibe".

Number 10 North will have lots of things to look at, and lots of people to get in contact with.

It’s just kicking the can much further ‘up’ the road rather than down the road…

 

[Bald Rick]

It’s just kicking the can much further ‘up’ the road rather than down the road…

It’s kicking can down‘t’road.

(Or down’t’rerd in umberside.)

 

[Class 317]

Having used Gatwick several times lately with a range of heavy luggage and just day packs the whole station needs a complete rebuild along the lines of the transformation of Reading.

It desperately needs the following:
- much more circulation space for changing trains.
- Additional lifts and escalators to platform level.
- more space on the platforms which are very congested and narrow.
- The ticket hall needs to be bigger with more ticket barriers to reduce congestion.
- Water refill points would be nice.
- Improved toilets.
- Improved waiting rooms
- Retain good coverage from inclement weather over the whole platform length.

It really is not a welcoming station at all.

 

[JonathanH]

Having used Gatwick several times lately with a range of heavy luggage and just day packs the whole station needs a complete rebuild along the lines of the transformation of Reading.

It desperately needs the following:
- much more circulation space for changing trains.
- Additional lifts and escalators to platform level.
- more space on the platforms which are very congested and narrow.
- The ticket hall needs to be bigger with more ticket barriers to reduce congestion.
- Water refill points would be nice.
- Improved toilets.
- Improved waiting rooms
- Retain good coverage from inclement weather over the whole platform length.

It really is not a welcoming station at all.

There is a lot of circulation space for changing trains on the new concourse. Not a lot can be done with the platforms, given the footprint of the station, and that somewhat limits what can be done with lifts and escalators. Not sure what the next steps will be.

 

[Class 317]

There is a lot of circulation space for changing trains on the new concourse. Not a lot can be done with the platforms, given the footprint of the station, and that somewhat limits what can be done with lifts and escalators. Not sure what the next steps will be.

Thier isn't really with heavy luggage and the platforms have about as much space as a normal roadside footpath.

Basically the platforms need to be demolished and replaced with new ones. As a temporary solution some of the buildings could potentially have walls knocked through for more space but the crush of people for each train when it's busy is not really safe.

 

[JonathanH]

Thier isn't really with heavy luggage and the platforms have about as much space as a normal roadside footpath.

Basically the platforms need to be demolished and replaced with new ones. As a temporary solution some of the buildings could potentially have walls knocked through for more space but the crush of people for each train when it's busy is not really safe.

Yes, but I am not sure how wider platforms and seven running lines fit in the available space.

I don't think that people could ever be encouraged to wait 'upstairs' in the new concourse to keep the platforms clear before their particular train is due, just like that doesn't happen on the transfer deck at Reading, or in the 'lounge areas' at Birmingham New Street.

 

[Class 317]

Yes, but I am not sure how wider platforms and seven running lines fit in the available space.

The existing buildings etc take up enough space I'd expect to be able to double space by redesigning the layout without too much new space required.

I understand space is tight but by adding facilities both above and below platforms with good design much more space should be possible.

 

[Minstral25]

Having used Gatwick several times lately with a range of heavy luggage and just day packs the whole station needs a complete rebuild along the lines of the transformation of Reading.

It desperately needs the following:
- much more circulation space for changing trains.
- Additional lifts and escalators to platform level.
- more space on the platforms which are very congested and narrow.
- The ticket hall needs to be bigger with more ticket barriers to reduce congestion.
- Water refill points would be nice.
- Improved toilets.
- Improved waiting rooms
- Retain good coverage from inclement weather over the whole platform length.

It really is not a welcoming station at all.

There is a lot of circulation space for changing trains on the new concourse. Not a lot can be done with the platforms, given the footprint of the station, and that somewhat limits what can be done with lifts and escalators. Not sure what the next steps will be.

I agree there is good between platform circulation space in the newly built southern concourse, but there are limited passenger information screens up there except for next train, often though the next train from one platform may not be the next train to a specific destination. As I don't use my phone for online info much, I have found myself on wrong platform more than once for Brighton

 

[35B]

I agree there is good between platform circulation space in the newly built southern concourse, but there are limited passenger information screens up there except for next train, often though the next train from one platform may not be the next train to a specific destination. As I don't use my phone for online info much, I have found myself on wrong platform more than once for Brighton

Platform information is poor, and the PA was inaudible at times.

 

[Snow1964]

I agree there is good between platform circulation space in the newly built southern concourse, but there are limited passenger information screens up there except for next train, often though the next train from one platform may not be the next train to a specific destination. As I don't use my phone for online info much, I have found myself on wrong platform more than once for Brighton

That's not so much a station rebuild, it's basically providing extra screens.

Often the info is already produced, but cost cutting means screens that can be seen from every seat in waiting areas and along along 240m of platforms are not fitted, instead just token number of screens visible from limited positions exist.

Really busy platforms like Gatwick's need at least 10 screens along their length, both next train and the summary showing which platform for at least next 15-20 minutes (if not for next hour as some destinations are only hourly)