brad465
Veteran Member
Following the developments that Eurostar are effectively giving up on serving Ashford entirely, is it worth trying to reinstate at least one international platform for domestic use? Even if other operators take up the mantle, I doubt two platforms are needed for this, and they are both bi-directional so one would suffice.
The big challenge of course with only converting one platform is you would have to build a wall to completely separate them, as well as a lift, but there is already a stairwell that exists for fire exit purposes currently.
A fifth platform would provide more resilience and scope to run more services, plus it can reduce overcrowding on platforms 5 and 6, which can be particularly crowded when a HS1 St Pancras service and any other service are due close to each other. Furthermore, while there would still be a hefty amount of work involved, if platform 3 were converted, this would bridge the gap to making a Marshlink line connection from HS1 if an onward service became viable (especially as the platform can easily be shortened at the country end if needed.
The big challenge of course with only converting one platform is you would have to build a wall to completely separate them, as well as a lift, but there is already a stairwell that exists for fire exit purposes currently.
A fifth platform would provide more resilience and scope to run more services, plus it can reduce overcrowding on platforms 5 and 6, which can be particularly crowded when a HS1 St Pancras service and any other service are due close to each other. Furthermore, while there would still be a hefty amount of work involved, if platform 3 were converted, this would bridge the gap to making a Marshlink line connection from HS1 if an onward service became viable (especially as the platform can easily be shortened at the country end if needed.
