Markinch

[Markinch]

Markinch Station's new ticket office is due to open on 5th September, with most of the rest open about mid September. This includes (I believe) the new lift to Platform 1. This was originally to be a ramp, but the design was changed to a lift at the last minute and we were threatened with further delays if we dared to object to that. Not that there's anything wrong with a lift - it's just that there's no ramp in case of lift failure (about 2 months ago, EVERY ONE of similar lifts at Waverley Station was out of order...).

 

[VTDan]

At least Markinch station won't look so dead and boring eh!?

 

[djw1981]

Nor will it be miles from anywhere.....

 

[Markinch]

Update: All systems go with the new station (as from about 20th Sept). However, the lift (the only disabled access to Platform 1) was observed to be out of action at about 1430 on Friday 5th October and again between 0755 and 0840 on Monday 8th October. Furthermore, on Saturday 13th October a wheelchair user and her husband got stuck in the lift for 90 minutes - until eventually rescued by Fife Fire Brigade.

The lift spec. is (a) that it is reliable and (b) that the maximum call-out time in the event of breakdown is 30 minutes - and that for lift engineers to arrive, not the local fire brigade.

During the entrapment, the intercom was found to be very imperfect (worked on third attempt, but voice practically inaudible). The alarm was eventually raised by a mobile phone call to Kirkcaldy Station.