London Bridge Terminus platforms during and after Thameslink

[Minstral25]

I was looking at the London Bridge Station plans and a few questions came up regarding the terminus platforms.

Currently there are 9 platforms - 8 - 16.

Platform 8 will be lost with the new redevelopment as it is outside the main train shed.

I assume they would not be knocking down the main train shed which has 8 platforms. However on rebuild there will only be 6 (and this is the limit from Dec 2012 when the rebuild is going on.

Why are they losing two platforms inside the shed?

 

[swt_passenger]

I assume they would not be knocking down the main train shed which has 8 platforms. However on rebuild there will only be 6 (and this is the limit from Dec 2012 when the rebuild is going on.

Why are they losing two platforms inside the shed?

Because they are knocking down the train shed, so as to fit in the 9 through platforms.

Link added: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/12182.aspx the last sentence refers...

 

[Minstral25]

That's a surprise - should read the small print more often

Presumably they will replace with big office block over the top like many main line stations but shame they are losing the platforms as there is plenty of room there to keep the same number which would be useful as traffic increases.

 

[swt_passenger]

That's a surprise - should read the small print more often

Presumably they will replace with big office block over the top like many main line stations but shame they are losing the platforms as there is plenty of room there to keep the same number which would be useful as traffic increases.

There isn't room to keep the terminating platforms, don't forget all the through platforms are completely rebuilt in different positions and are much wider. What you need is the detailed drawings of the new platforms, you'll need to go to Southwark's planning website, the reference number is 11/AP/1987

The original plan was for an 'air rights' office block over the whole station, but they have binned that. That's why the artist's impressions in this NR link http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/12179.aspx shows an aerial view of all the platform roofs...

Edit: I realised I'd saved a couple of the drawings, so have attached them here:

 

[pendolino]

There is a rumour going around (and it may only be a rumour) that the trainshed which is Grade I(?) listed is going to be relocated to a heritage railway. Seems like a major project for any heritage railway, but who knows? Anyone know any more?

 

[John Webb]

There is a rumour going around (and it may only be a rumour) that the trainshed which is Grade I(?) listed is going to be relocated to a heritage railway. Seems like a major project for any heritage railway, but who knows? Anyone know any more?

Ah! is that why items I've seen on the rebuild of London Bridge keep refering to the train shed being "deconstructed" rather than demolished? As it is listed I imagine they've had to agree to removing it so it could be re-erected somewhere else as part of the new build's planning permission.

 

[mallard]

Why they insist on converting historic railway stations into pieces of "modern art" that will undoubtedly look as dated as Euston in a few years I have no idea...

 

[Chris125]

The world moves on, and so does architecture. Im all for retaining historic structures, but in this case the argument for removing the trainshed is compelling with no realistic alternative; there just isnt any other practical way to accommadate the extra through tracks. I just hope money can be found to re-erect it elsewhere - Ruddington perhaps?

Chris

 

[swt_passenger]

What is needed is an existing pair of brick walls, which are about the right distance apart for about 6 tracks and platforms, and about 8 cars long.

So how about Crystal Palace?

 

[Chris125]

What is needed is an existing pair of brick walls, which are about the right distance apart for about 6 tracks and platforms, and about 8 cars long.

So how about Crystal Palace?

Nice try! An overall roof is already planned for Crystal Palace, though i think they've had issues finding a contractor. Dont suppose anyone has any news about that?

Chris

 

[Barclay]

The project to provide a new roof at Crystal Palace went out to tender last week, and NR expects a start on site in January.

Discussions on the London Bridge trainshed are still ongoing - hopefully a new home can be found for it but it will be very expensive, and there ain't a lot of money in the piggybank just now....

 

[swt_passenger]

The project to provide a new roof at Crystal Palace went out to tender last week, and NR expects a start on site in January.

Any idea if the contract includes the step free access and reopened ticket hall which went through the planning process a couple of years back?

Also, do you have an idea how long the overall roof will be? I suspect it will be only partial distance along the platforms - I assume they are 8 car length at least?

I'll have a look and see if there's a planning application anyway in the meantime...

 

[HSTEd]

Peterborough perhaps?

 

[Barclay]

Any idea if the contract includes the step free access and reopened ticket hall which went through the planning process a couple of years back?

Also, do you have an idea how long the overall roof will be? I suspect it will be only partial distance along the platforms - I assume they are 8 car length at least?

I'll have a look and see if there's a planning application anyway in the meantime...

Not sure about the length of the overall roof, but it does include step-free access and reopening the old ticket hall. The old timber ticket office inside the hall is off to a new home somewhere in East Anglia.

The proposals already have full planning/Listed building consent.

 

[swt_passenger]

Not sure about the length of the overall roof, but it does include step-free access and reopening the old ticket hall.

Ah, good - I suspected the step free access might be a somewhat higher priority (than the roof and ticket office) - and I recall it is fairly complex to add all the necessary lifts, with a new bridge included to get over to the central area at a sort of half height.

Doing it all at once will turn it into an impressive station once again...

Edit: Looks like the canopy is about 50m long:

http://planning.bromley.gov.uk/onli...0-62500-A03_SECTIONS_SHEET_1_OF_4-1071984.pdf

 

[pendolino]

Discussions on the London Bridge trainshed are still ongoing - hopefully a new home can be found for it but it will be very expensive, and there ain't a lot of money in the piggybank just now....

So it is more than just a rumour then? That's good to hear, I hope it comes off.

Doing it all at once will turn it into an impressive station once again...

Edit: Looks like the canopy is about 50m long:

http://planning.bromley.gov.uk/onli...0-62500-A03_SECTIONS_SHEET_1_OF_4-1071984.pdf

I think Crystal Palace is already impressive, very cathedral-like, a new roof in keeping with the existing architectural style would be wonderful.

That pdf is 'unavailable for viewing at this time' (at least for me) for some reason. That's a shame.

 

[Eagle]

Presumably they will replace with big office block over the top like many main line stations...

By big office block do you mean the tallest building in Europe?

 

[swt_passenger]

That pdf is 'unavailable for viewing at this time' (at least for me) for some reason. That's a shame.

Unavailable to me as well now, I think some of these planning websites have issues with direct links to documents unfortunately, but if anyone wants to look it up I found it fairly easily by searching LB Bromley's planning site with Crystal Palace station's postcode...

PS found it again now anyway, so will make it an attachment...