Peterborough Station remodelling

[swt_passenger]

Is anyone able to report on how this job went please?

After all the discussions way back about exactly what they intended to do it would be nice to hear what the new features are like?

Apologies if I've missed any recent posts, but I've had a reasonable search...

 

[Mugby]

Well I was there on Sunday and to be honest, new features seemed rather lacking.

Sure there are extra platforms which will be extremely useful but they have very little on them apart from extended bus shelter type structures.
There is a new additional footbridge at the north end with ramp access. Everything else seemed pretty much same as before.

I thought it was a little odd that XC services from Leicester were crossing over and terminating on Platform 2 rather than on the Ely platform.

 

[Aictos]

Is anyone able to report on how this job went please?

After all the discussions way back about exactly what they intended to do it would be nice to hear what the new features are like?

Apologies if I've missed any recent posts, but I've had a reasonable search...

I think they've done a good job, it increases platform capacity a lot ie by using platforms 4 to 7 for the Regional Railways stuff it should mean the East Coast services heading north no longer have to wait on the Nene Bridge for a platform, it's also good that East Coast can now stop on the Up Fast with Platform 3 rather then be slowed to be looped into what is now Platforms 1 and 2.

They haven't yet finished but the majority of the work is done I believe, I know some of the waiting rooms haven't got seats yet but as they're not yet in passenger service it's no surprise there

As to photography, with the layout as it is at the moment you should be able to get much better photos.

In short, it's a project that's been long overdue and I'm happy to finally have a station worthy of the city

 

[poshfan]

I went Stamford to Cambrige and return last Saturday, and the trains used the old platform 4/5 both times instead of the new 6/7 which is meant to be dedicated to the east-west services. People were waiting on 6/7 though on the way back so some services must be using it. All southbound East Coasts seem to be using the new platform 3 though. The waiting room on 2/3 was just an empty shell when I was there on Dec 28, no seats in it. I think the ones on 6/7 were as well. I believe the lifts aren't ready yet either. There is obviously still a lot of work to do, I think it goes on till March. But the general impression you now get is of a large station, all it needs now is a 1st class lounge.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think it's in the nature of these things for NR to announce some sort of 'completion' based on the track functionality, and 'platform edge' availability for trains; rather than anything else, such as lifts, waiting rooms, seats, shelter etc.

Then the next (and subsequent) weekends there'll nearly always be more closures to crack on with the stuff that wasn't ever ready...

 

[bb21]

Question: How have the platform numbers changed?

I assume that Pfm 3 has become Pfm 2 and Pfm 2 has become Pfm 1, with the opening of a new Pfm 3 on the Up Fast? What has Pfm 1 become? Pfm 0?

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm sure the plan was that old P1 shut completely - but I can't easily find the prior discussion...

 

[philjo]

There was a report I read somewhere saying that the old bay platform 1 has been fenced off and the track lifted.
the old platform 2 is now platform 1.

 

[91101]

Fellow Peterborough resident and commuter here!

All lifts are operational (or have been unless there has been a fault that has developed with them that has prevented there use today - I have been working from home today!)

Platform 2/3 waiting shelter won't be opened till Mid Jan.

Frieghliner are in dispute over their replacement mess/SOP facilities (the building at the south end of platform 6/7.

Arrangements for train dispatch don't seem to have been altered so staff are now running between platforms more than ever, this seems to almost defeat the point of putting the new platforms in!

The project is far from finished, the "finish" of the station at the moment is appalling, hoardings and exposed cables and wiring all over on the footbridge. No clear join between the old and new portions of the footbridge roof. I haven't used the parcels bridge yet.

There is also the matter of the west end entrance to the station which has not been constructed yet, not sure what is happening with this. Given the hoardings at that end of the footbridge I assume this is still continuing.

Operationally, the project has been great, and is a big boost to a critical junction, but if you look at the rebuild and remodelling of other stations - it is appalling when it comes to the customer facing element.

Just to address a few points from other posters:

First Class lounges have been looked into many times by EC, NXEC and GNER, its not commercially viable. The first class season ticket holders who commute from Peterborough do not spend enough time at the station, as a first class pass holder myself, I can confirm most first class passengers on the 0610, 0640 and 0700 all turn up a few minutes before and get straight on.

The amount of business travel down to London with First Class tickets again does not justify the costs, which would be substantial when you consider that the lounge would probably need to replace one of the existing station tenants, and there is a sizeable income lost.

And regarding platform 2 being used on Sunday for XC, platforms 4-7 were under possession at the time.

 

[jopsuk]

according to the diagram on page 20 of January's Modern Railways, the trackwork (including points) for the old platform 1 is removed/is being removed.

 

[91101]

Already been removed the the platform fenced off to prevent access.

 

[DarloRich]

Well I was there on Sunday and to be honest, new features seemed rather lacking.

Sure there are extra platforms which will be extremely useful but they have very little on them apart from extended bus shelter type structures.
There is a new additional footbridge at the north end with ramp access. Everything else seemed pretty much same as before.

What do you expect? A scale replica of York station?

Stations these days are, sadly, not designed to be used by people for any length of time so aesthetics come quite low down on the list of things.

the capacity enhancement is all that really matters - as long as the passengers are able to keep dry and warmish!

 

[dk1]

Do we have any sort of catering outlets on 6/7 yet?

 

[306024]

Just the one waiting room on 6/7 when I passed through. Dunno if there are even plans for a tea room there.

 

[eastdyke]

.....
Stations these days are, sadly, not designed to be used by people for any length of time so aesthetics come quite low down on the list of things.

the capacity enhancement is all that really matters - as long as the passengers are able to keep dry and warmish!

Aaaahhhhh ... this about sums it up for me:

'Stations these days are, sadly, not designed to be used by people (for any length of time so aesthetics come quite low down on the list of things)'

I use PBO quite often but never as a destination, just as an interchange arriving departing EM from/to Norwich and departing/arriving XC or EC.

Using P6/7 (mostly) will not permit refreshment input or toilet output without stairs/slopes/lifts.

So great for railway operations but not so great at all for customers (people)?

Just my thoughts, not traveled since the improvements so will use with interest next time!

 

[poshfan]

There is a new additional footbridge at the north end with ramp access.

It's not new, it's been there for years, it has just been extended to the new platform 6/7.

 

[edwin_m]

Having had many unhappy memories of waiting on P4/5 in a freezing wind off the Fens with the small waiting room completely full, I would hope that there are some better facilities on the new and upgraded platforms.

 

[eastdyke]

Having had many unhappy memories of waiting on P4/5 in a freezing wind off the Fens with the small waiting room completely full, I would hope that there are some better facilities on the new and upgraded platforms.

Remember that this is an East Coast Station. EC trains will only be very rare visitors to the new platforms 6/7!

 

[poshfan]

Having had many unhappy memories of waiting on P4/5 in a freezing wind off the Fens with the small waiting room completely full, I would hope that there are some better facilities on the new and upgraded platforms.

Looks like two small waiting rooms on 6/7, and one larger waiting room on 2/3. There are refreshment rooms and toilets on 1 and 4/5 but at the moment there's no sign of anything in the making on 2/3 or 6/7.
Strangely the new platform 3 takes me back to the 70's as there was a platform on that site before, in a slightly different position, used by Midland and Anglia line trains. The Stamford trains always used it. It was taken out of use, basically fenced off and platform edge turned into a slope, when the fast through lines were installed. Mid 70s? I think all the ECML trains, whether stopping or not, had to go through what is now 2/3. The site of the current 4/5 and 6/7 was all sidings with loads of box vans parked on them.

 

[91101]

There is only one waiting room on P6/7.

The building to the London end is the Frieghtliner accommodation

 

[David Goddard]

Good to see this long awaited project nearing completion. Lets hope the niggles get ironed out and the facilities come up to standard. This is a major interchange station so needs to have refreshment/toilet/waiting facilities on all platforms.

Interesting that XC/EM trains are still using 4/5- real time trains shows quiet a few booked in there- five Northbound EMT, eleven Southbound EMT (mainly due to GA trains blocking P6) and three Southbound XC.

Each platform is booked to see twenty six trains a day. Naturally the platforms are bi-directional, but logic suggests that 7 is principally used Northwards and 6 Southwards. This is largely adhered to, with the exception of one EMT service each way (1327 to Liverpool uses 6 and 1940 to Norwich uses 7). All Greater Anglia terminators/starters are booked to use platform 6, which explains the higher number of Southbound trains using 4/5

 

[CockneySparrow]

Well I was there on Sunday and to be honest, new features seemed rather lacking.

Sure there are extra platforms which will be extremely useful but they have very little on them apart from extended bus shelter type structures.
There is a new additional footbridge at the north end with ramp access. Everything else seemed pretty much same as before.

I thought it was a little odd that XC services from Leicester were crossing over and terminating on Platform 2 rather than on the Ely platform.

Yes odd that they were terminating in platform 2, I know the Redwing line is closed on Sundays so would have thought they would have used the space on platform 3 that Lincoln trains use, obviously with a XC train in platform 2 most of the day EC services to KX were disrupted

Thinking about it though passengers can get off the train at platform 2 four steps through the side gate onto the bus to Ely if the bus was picking up where the X1 does not at platform 1 where they were over xmas
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Remember that this is an East Coast Station. EC trains will only be very rare visitors to the new platforms 6/7!

Buildings on platforms are not flavour of the month since the 60s, they cost money to build then I ongoing maintenance
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Question: How have the platform numbers changed?

I assume that Pfm 3 has become Pfm 2 and Pfm 2 has become Pfm 1, with the opening of a new Pfm 3 on the Up Fast? What has Pfm 1 become? Pfm 0?

I might be wrong but there is a total of 8 platforms from what I have seen, there is a new one next to 3 then there appears to be a new island platform next to the old platform 5

 

[edwin_m]

As I understand it:
P1 is abolished
P2 becomes P1
P3 becomes P2
a new platform becomes P3
P4 and P5 are unchanged
P6 and P7 are new

 

[CockneySparrow]

Platform 2/3 waiting shelter won't be opened till Mid Jan

Interesting to see where on platform 2 they are going to put a shelter, suppose one could go near the gate, but is there really a need
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As I understand it:
P1 is abolished
P2 becomes P1
P3 becomes P2
a new platform becomes P3
P4 and P5 are unchanged
P6 and P7 are new

Surely they haven't got rid of the bay platform, what a stupid thing to do!

 

[edwin_m]

I think extending the through platform took it over the points, and that the bay wasn't long enough for most of the London terminators anyway. Remember also that London fast trains will now mainly use P3, with few having to loop into (what are now) P1 and P2 which can now be used almost exclusively by the London terminators and the Spaldings.

 

[WestCountry]

Surely they haven't got rid of the bay platform, what a stupid thing to do!

How so? It only fitted a single 4-car EMU anyway, so during the peak periods where a bay might actually have been useful the trains were too long for it.
The new P3 keeps EC trains out of P2 (old P3) and allows that to be used by more FCC terminators, with enough space for reasonable train lengths.

 

[cle]

For someone with not much knowledge of the station, is there a diagram of the new layout including which lines/services use what? And a very quick summary of the main changes?

Is there a diveunder from the Ely line to the western side of the station? Will this allow the rumoured doubling of Stansted - Birmingham services?

 

[dk1]

For someone with not much knowledge of the station, is there a diagram of the new layout including which lines/services use what? And a very quick summary of the main changes?

Is there a diveunder from the Ely line to the western side of the station? Will this allow the rumoured doubling of Stansted - Birmingham services?

The Ely line passes under the ECML & emerges on the West side. Only platforms 4-7 are accessible from this direction.

 

[edwin_m]

This diveunder has always been there, but in the past trains both to and from Ely had to share two platforms with northbound ECML trains. Now (in theory at least) there are two platforms for each of these flows.

 

[eastdyke]

Operationally, the improvements represent a huge leap forward for this important and increasingly well used commuter and interchange station. Service improvements will not see Peterborough as the constraint for some years to come.

My view is that, sadly, convenience for the passengers does not match convenience for the trains.