Littlehaven platform extensions.

[RichardN]

Surprisingly not being built from the standard parts being used for the 10 car extensions elsewhere. It looks to me that they are making the platforms deeper as well as longer. They've also been built with a large 1 coach gap to the existing platforms which makes me think they plan to demolish and rebuild the entire station. Anybody know what is planned?

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[Hophead]

The gap makes me think they intend to move the equipment boxes that occupy the space before joining the bits up (and they probably will need to widen the sections that are the current ramps).

In summary, I don't know what's planned (nor the timescales), but a longer platform will greatly reduce platform time at the station during the peaks (and get the level crossing barriers up that bit sooner in the evening).

 

[RichardN]

In that case I don't understand why they didn't move the cabinets, then build the complete platform extension. This would be more efficient than doing the job in two parts, especially as they seem to be finishing the tops of the new platform sections.

I think that they'll commission the new platforms and either build a temporary footbridge where the cabinets are or provide temporary access another way, then demolish and rebuild each of the original sections in turn. Remove the footbridge then build the missing section of platform in the gap.

 

[sarahj]

TBH, I think extending the down platform is a waste of money. Passengers will still crowd the last coach on the platform as thats where the exit is. Billingshurst on the down was also a waste. Everyone gets off at coach 1, right where the station exit is.

 

[RichardN]

TBH, I think extending the down platform is a waste of money. Passengers will still crowd the last coach on the platform as thats where the exit is. Billingshurst on the down was also a waste. Everyone gets off at coach 1, right where the station exit is.

I don't think car drivers waiting at the level crossing while an 8 coach unloads will agree with you there. On the up it should stop everybody loading through the last coach and help dwell times.

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[sarahj]

Its quite a bizzare thing to watch, but people will queue in a train so they can exit to doors nearest the exit. So even if you extend the platform to 12 coaches, as long as the exit is next to a certain coach, you will get people queuing to get off at one, or perhaps 2 doors. I've watched it happen at Billingshurt, Arundel, Burgess hill, Polegate etc etc. Having the exit in the middle helps quite a bit, having two exits from the platform speeds things up.

For up platforms its not such a problem. People heading into london will spread themselves along the platform. Shoreham by Sea is a good one. the down is 7, the up is 12. Coming from london the regs will head to coach 1 as that is where the exit is, with only the odd one or two getting off from coach 4 back. On the up, as its 12 they will spread nicely along the plaform during their wait for the train. So, no point in making the down any longer.

There are so many times at places like billingshurst on the down during rush hour, there is such a crush of people in coach one, you think, right thats it, everyone is off, then another body pops out of door 1, then another.

With Littlehaven as well, due to people queuing to get off the down platform you also have to be careful leaving the station as folks are so close to the edge of the platform. By all means extend the platform, but:
A Make it wider.
B Place a second exit half way up the platform.

With that you could cut dwel times by half and then clear the station, and thus the level crossing.

But thats only the thoughts of a lowly conductor.

 

[Stats]

The platform extensions will be brought into use and the existing platforms demolished and rebuilt early next year. Platforms will be wider and access ramps will also be rebuilt with lighting, signage, passenger information systems and waiting shelters being upgraded as part of a £4.5m investment in the station.

 

[RichardN]

Just thought I'd do an update. The original part of Littlehaven has largely been demolished except for a small section by the ticket office. New platforms are in use with temporary raised walkways for access while they they extend the newly built platforms. As they left an area around the ticket office intact, I suspect that the ticket issuing facilities will move to the up platform which would be more useful, at which point the old ticket office on the down platform will be demolished which has to happen if they want to solve problem with the narrow exit mentioned above.

 

[talldave]

Made a rare trip from here yesterday. The full-length 8 car platforms are now in use, although doors on trains will not be opening for coaches 5-8 until 2nd June according to a poster at the station. It looks as if it's just the shelters and loose ends of tidying up to go now.

Hopefully there will be shorter queuing times for cars at the level crossing for down services now.