Kings Cross - New station

[jon0844]

Er, would you have to go that way round? Surely you could use a lift from the bridge to another nearby platform, then make your way along to the buffers and back round to your platform (and train)?

Good point! Hopefully one that would be thought of by anyone in that situation.

I went there today and think the station looks great - but it's funny that they've opened up the side gates to let people walk indoors to/from the arrivals hall and put up a little barrier to stop people going around. People were still using the gates and not being tempted to just walk around!

 

[Deerfold]

As the bottom of the escalators is by Coach D they're not much use to FC passengers. Perhaps the trains are now the wrong way round.

I think that's been pointed out - as has the fact you can't fix it without inconveniencing arriving 1st class pax.

 

[Mainliner]

On another note entirely, I don't think that there is nearly enough seating in the lower Western concourse area. Some people need to sit down, and not everyone needs to go in a café. A few more seats would avoid people sitting on suitcases, and there are plenty of places to put them

Exactly what I thought on my first visit to it yesterday - a vast, pointless, open area without the very thing that would have been useful.

 

[tsr]

All the metal seating on the mezzanine balcony is for anyone to use.

I know it is. That rule, in itself, is not entirely clear, as there is some sort of upmarket refreshments pod in the middle of that seating, which means that it seems rather like those seats are for paying customers of that establishment. Some people work out the real situation, whereby anyone can sit there, and some don't, unfortunately. I have eaten my lunch up there twice now, and I certainly hadn't purchased it within the station, and of course there was no problem with that.

Unfortunately, not everyone will think to go to the upper area / mezzanine and will think it is for restaurants or platform access for first class passengers only. The escalators are not signed clearly enough and are a little bit tucked away on first glance. Also, if everyone goes upstairs, the number of seats and tables will simply not be adequate. People with lots of luggage or who don't want to walk far - generally the people who would appreciate seating and comfortable waiting areas - don't really have many options.

I appreciate that the open and uncluttered nature of the concourse is probably designed to aid passenger flow and prevent overcrowding, as well as reflect the rather nice flowing architecture, but more seating would do nobody any harm if it was placed strategically - just like the signage in the middle of the floor, which I personally feel could generally be suspended on thin, strong cables from the ceiling.

 

[yorksrob]

I know it is. That rule, in itself, is not entirely clear, as there is some sort of upmarket refreshments pod in the middle of that seating, which means that it seems rather like those seats are for paying customers of that establishment. Some people work out the real situation, whereby anyone can sit there, and some don't, unfortunately. I have eaten my lunch up there twice now, and I certainly hadn't purchased it within the station, and of course there was no problem with that.

Unfortunately, not everyone will think to go to the upper area / mezzanine and will think it is for restaurants or platform access for first class passengers only. The escalators are not signed clearly enough and are a little bit tucked away on first glance. Also, if everyone goes upstairs, the number of seats and tables will simply not be adequate. People with lots of luggage or who don't want to walk far - generally the people who would appreciate seating and comfortable waiting areas - don't really have many options.

I appreciate that the open and uncluttered nature of the concourse is probably designed to aid passenger flow and prevent overcrowding, as well as reflect the rather nice flowing architecture, but more seating would do nobody any harm if it was placed strategically - just like the signage in the middle of the floor, which I personally feel could generally be suspended on thin, strong cables from the ceiling.

That is true. There are Mezzanines in terminals (cough Manchester Piccadilly)where the proprietor will come and turf you out if you're eating food from the wrong Network Rail sanctioned emporium. If the seating is available to all, it should be stated obviously.

 

[amcluesent]

They've really not thought about this!

Adding 5 minutes to get a train by blocking the Euston Road exit from the tube to platforms 0-8.
Not enough seats on the concourse
No entry to FC lounge from the bridge over the platforms
Muddle over pax movement from west concourse to train shed. The In/Out model is broken!

 

[G123T]

I know it is. That rule, in itself, is not entirely clear,

I disagree. All of the wayfinding designates the mezzanine as Passenger Seating & Restaurants. The station map does the same. How much more clearer does it need to be? If I was looking for a seat and saw a sign directing me to passenger seating I'd follow it. Once you're up there you're in a great location to wait for a train as you're pretty much eye level with the departure boards (instead of sitting with your head at 90 degrees if you were downstairs), and you can access standard class easier from the foot bridge and avoid the majority of the scrum that will be entering at the main gate line.

 

[jon0844]

I do think a lot of people will, however, assume that any seating near a food/drink area will be reserved for people who are buying food or drink there. If only because that's how it usually is.

 

[Whistler40145]

What is the planned opening date for the link from the ECML to St Pancras Thameslink?


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?o1nwea

 

[swt_passenger]

What is the planned opening date for the link from the ECML to St Pancras Thameslink?

By 2018

 

[Whistler40145]

Strange question, is the signalling setup at St Pancras Thameslink platforms for a service to come off the ECML, reverse @ St Pancras & depart up the MML? Although it couldn't be done in the daytime.

Also, could an East Coast InterCity service use the St Pancras Thameslink platforms e.g. on Saturday evenings & Sundays if Engineering Works limit the number of services into Kings Cross?


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[Bald Rick]

Strange question, is the signalling setup at St Pancras Thameslink platforms for a service to come off the ECML, reverse @ St Pancras & depart up the MML? Although it couldn't be done in the daytime.

Also, could an East Coast InterCity service use the St Pancras Thameslink platforms e.g. on Saturday evenings & Sundays if Engineering Works limit the number of services into Kings Cross?


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?efp0b0

1) yes it will be, when commissioned.
2) in theory yes, subject to gauging, but pretty unlikely.

Limited services planned to commence off the ECML in 2017, with full 8 trans per hour in Dec 2018.

 

[LE Greys]

Not at all. For example I arrive from St. Pancras so can go straight up on to the bridge and (sometimes) down the escalator which gets me nearer the front of the train which is where I like to sit.
Otherwise I'm effectively walking halfway down the back of P8 then all the way back again.

As the bottom of the escalators is by Coach D they're not much use to FC passengers. Perhaps the trains are now the wrong way round.

Well, they're still nearer the exit. It might be an opportunity to go back to having first class in the middle (thus nearer the exit at intermediate stations) but I imagine that would be a bit awkward.

 

[tsr]

Limited services planned to commence off the ECML in 2017, with full 8 trans per hour in Dec 2018.

Indeed! IIRC, I believe there will, for example, be direct links between Cambridge and Three Bridges.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

There is no screen anywhere train-side of the barriers which displays a summary of the departures (destinations, times, platforms) to passengers. (the only public display would be by walking along the buffer-stop end of all plats and reading the 9 or more individual screens).

I'm aware of circumstances when passengers may require platform information from train-side.

Has this just been an oversight, cost cutting or deliberate policy?

 

[PTF62]

Adding 5 minutes to get a train by blocking the Euston Road exit from the tube to platforms 0-8.

They now appear to have at least one wide barrier set as an entry from the Euston Road (entrance) exit.

When I spoke to East Coast and National Rail managers shortly after the opening, both told me that all staff have been instructed to let staff through the barriers from the old concourse if the customer asks.

 

[daniel3982]

If I use my oyster to enter the western concourse and then leave via the southern concourse will it charge me?

 

[PTF62]

If I use my oyster to enter the western concourse and then leave via the southern concourse will it charge me?

If it is a PAYG, probably. I recall a similar question about the new Blackfriars station, and the answer was that it would.

 

[swt_passenger]

If I use my oyster to enter the western concourse and then leave via the southern concourse will it charge me?

The rules are on TfL's site, see the heading 'same station exits' here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14870.aspx

Blackfriars (as mentioned above) operates exactly the same as anywhere else basically - it all depends on the time taken, and what you do next...

 

[jon0844]

Given the 'scam' shown on 'The Tube' I presume there has to be a delay before you can exit without being charged the maximum fare.

 

[stut]

First non-airport commute today, and the exit is much improved - the EC-bound crowds were no longer crowding the barriers at the York Way end (obviously). Noticed that the very last barrier (non-wide) was sent to entry at platform 0 end.

Am going to be a good boy tonight and go via the main entrance and see how it works. Hopefully quick enough to lock the bike on platform 0 and catch my train.

 

[Deerfold]

Not impressed this morning.

Arrived at Kings X and went to St Pancras. Is their any signage for this? I didn't see any. Thought there must be some way across past the main entrance but ended up having to cross 2 taxi lanes and a main road with no crossing with a large suitcase (or I could have gone all the way back to Euston Road).

What's the suggested route for doing this?

 

[jon0844]

Was the gate entry at platform 0, or possibly set to first come, first served (i.e. open both ways)?

If the latter, it can still be a problem getting in as when a train arrives there will be a constant flow of people coming out - and you're stuck until it clears.

 

[Bungle73]

Not impressed this morning.

Arrived at Kings X and went to St Pancras. Is their any signage for this? I didn't see any. Thought there must be some way across past the main entrance but ended up having to cross 2 taxi lanes and a main road with no crossing with a large suitcase (or I could have gone all the way back to Euston Road).

What's the suggested route for doing this?

There's a crossing by the two main entrances for both stations, and one at the Euston road end iirc.

 

[stut]

Was the gate entry at platform 0, or possibly set to first come, first served (i.e. open both ways)?

If the latter, it can still be a problem getting in as when a train arrives there will be a constant flow of people coming out - and you're stuck until it clears.

It was set for entry only - nobody used it the whole time I was there, but it was definitely red from the platform side and green from the public side.

However, it was a standard-width gate, and you have to get past the PFYs with the giant fingers too.

 

[jon0844]

Sorry, missed the 'non-wide' bit. I do think it's usually only the wide ones that are set to first come, first served (often with a member of staff that keeps the gate open once a large flow comes through).

 

[stut]

Sorry, missed the 'non-wide' bit. I do think it's usually only the wide ones that are set to first come, first served (often with a member of staff that keeps the gate open once a large flow comes through).

I know them well - Hitchin has one that makes it particularly hard to get in with a bike in the evening peak!

 

[HSTEd]

Im going through this evening wil have to seee what it looks like, although Im worried what it might look like in 15 years time.

 

[Bungle73]

Im going through this evening wil have to seee what it looks like, although Im worried what it might look like in 15 years time.

I think it will still look great. I'm glad they decided to spend a decent amount of money on it and make it look nice, rather than do it on the cheap and have something that everyone will detest in 10 years' time

 

[Wolfie]

I think it will still look great. I'm glad they decided to spend a decent amount of money on it and make it look nice, rather than do it on the cheap and have something that everyone will detest in 10 years' time

I hope you are right but have my doubts. KX has only been open two minutes and the flooring is already much more stained than St Pancras after years of operation. Seems like the flooring material in the new concourse soaks up spilled coffee etc and the stains are not removed by the cleaning process - NOT a good look.

Otherwise quite impressed but as others have said the operational detail needs to be worked on.