Progress (or lack) of Thameslink 2000 work at Farringdon

[jas_sl]

Ever since the footbridge was installed at Farringdon it appears the work at the station has simply ground to a halt.

The wooden panelling is still surrounding parts of the platforms and on the bridge. What is particularly irritating from a user point-of-view is the new staircase from Turnmill Street and entrance through the north wall is not in use yet. If this was available, the crowds of people changing from Thameslink to LU would be eased signficantly. Instead, the hole in the wall is there but hidden behind more blue pannelling.

Does anyone know a) why things appear delayed or stalled and b) when things are expected to be completed. I would have thought this work could be completely seperate from the new ticket office and platform extensions at the south of the station.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

Ever since the footbridge was installed at Farringdon it appears the work at the station has simply ground to a halt.

The wooden panelling is still surrounding parts of the platforms and on the bridge. What is particularly irritating from a user point-of-view is the new staircase from Turnmill Street and entrance through the north wall is not in use yet. If this was available, the crowds of people changing from Thameslink to LU would be eased signficantly. Instead, the hole in the wall is there but hidden behind more blue pannelling.

Does anyone know a) why things appear delayed or stalled and b) when things are expected to be completed. I would have thought this work could be completely seperate from the new ticket office and platform extensions at the south of the station.

Er major works like at Blackfriars was never suppose to start till December due to the need for Moorgate to be retained until City was ready to handle OHLE. There has been behind the scenes work at Farringdon for months now. But it will step up a gear in early 2010. Bare in mind there less work to be done at Farringdon compared to Blackfriars.

However I will agree the bridge is abit of a state and never seems finished. Not sure why but will speak to few people in work and get some information on what the problem is with the bridge.

And its not Thameslink 2000 anymore. They removed the date to avoid futher hold ups. its offically Thameslink Programme or TLP.

 

[jas_sl]

Thanks for the info. I'm not saying the Farringdon work that ties in with the other stations etc is behind - it just seems weird that the bits that could be finished with the footbridge haven't. I really doubt it takes that long to install the extra staircase to appear thru the hole in the wall but maybe resources have been diverted elsewhere.

The same goes for the platform extension work at West Hampstead - only a couple of weekends ago it started again after a gap of at least 6 months. From a project management and resources point-of-view it would surely be better to complete these jobs rather than keep coming and going.