Platform number appearing

[mikemcniven]

I have noticed then in recent months platforms along the Airport line (Mauldeth Road, Burnage, East Didsbury, Gatley and Heald Green) have suddenly had platform numbers applied. Why would this have happened. I know before they appeared the automessages used to say "The next train from platform X will be the xx:xx to Manchester Piccadilly" but no numbers were on the platform, I mean it normally is clear which is going from which with there only been two platforms at each station, one Manchester bound, the other Airport bound


Gatley Station by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

Gatley Station by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

 

[SeanG]

People may not be aware of which direction is which, particularly if they are new to the area or railways.

Seems logical to me

 

[mikemcniven]

People may not be aware of which direction is which, particularly if they are new to the area or railways.

Seems logical to me

I know that, just seem weird that it has suddenly appeared in the past month or so

 

[QueensCurve]

I have noticed then in recent months platforms along the Airport line (Mauldeth Road, Burnage, East Didsbury, Gatley and Heald Green) have suddenly had platform numbers applied. Why would this have happened. I know before they appeared the automessages used to say "The next train from platform X will be the xx:xx to Manchester Piccadilly" but no numbers were on the platform, I mean it normally is clear which is going from which with there only been two platforms at each station, one Manchester bound, the other Airport bound

Any intention to introduce bidirectional running?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I remember when certain stations on the East Lancashire line had them introduced a few years ago in connection with the commissioning of proper PA announcements. Unfortunately, the two didn't match, so you'd have the announcements saying 'platform two for the [time] to Colne', when the signage on that platform labelled it platform one. Thankfully resolved after a while but I would have thought that's a pretty basic thing to check!

 

[Bantamzen]

My local station Baildon has only one platform but has always been numbered as far as I can remember. But it always amuses when the CIS announces "The next train at platfom 1.......".

 

[61653 HTAFC]

My local station Baildon has only one platform but has always been numbered as far as I can remember. But it always amuses when the CIS announces "The next train at platfom 1.......".

At least Baildon has the remains of a second platform, which I suppose could confuse a complete idiot- Denby Dale has the same announcements but no trace of the former platform. Even sillier, Berry Brow also does this and never had a second platform (well, the original station did but that was on a different site and closed in the 1960s - the current station opened in around 1991!).

I assume the changes mentioned in the OP are down to accessibility requirements - it's no good announcing platform numbers if the numbers aren't displayed and presumably there will be Braille notices at the entrances to assist (though getting those the wrong way round would be a big problem!).

 

[JW16]

My local station Baildon has only one platform but has always been numbered as far as I can remember. But it always amuses when the CIS announces "The next train at platfom 1.......".

Emerson Park has a recently-installed sign saying "Trains to Upminster and Romford leave from this platform." There is only one platform and only two possible destinations are reachable from the station!