Should Bradford Forster Square P3 be extended?

[Halifaxlad]

With platform zero at Bradford Forster Square almost complete and operational, should P3 be lengthened so that all the platforms are the same length ?

 

[Bradford1]

I was just wondering what exactly was the reason for building the new platform zero so long. Today is the first day of operation and the LNER trains aren't even using it.

Platform 1 and 2 are already long enough for LNER (whose new services are not even hourly), and I haven't seen any plans for Northern to introduce six-car trains to Bradford.

 

[zwk500]

With platform zero at Bradford Forster Square almost complete and operational, should P3 be lengthened so that all the platforms are the same length ?

From an operational perspective, yes absolutely. Having all platforms the same length makes managing services so much more flexible for both planners and signallers/controllers.

Is it worth it? Depends on the amount of services that aren't able to use it. From the pictures on the new platform construction thread there appear to be quite a few equipment cabinets and OLE stanchions that would need to be moved to extend the platform. However this wouldn't cost *that* much in the scheme of things, but I also suspect that when assessing the need for platform 0 the option of lengthening P3 would have been looked at and was obviously not chosen.

I was just wondering what exactly was the reason for building the new platform zero so long. Today is the first day of operation and the LNER trains aren't even using it.

Most likely because there wasn't any particular saving from not building it the same length. The tracks would have had to go in the same place anyway, the land was available, and there wasn't (from the photos on the construction thread) any signalling equipment to move, while the OLE stanchions would have needed to be moved for the track anyway.

 

[fishwomp]

With platform zero at Bradford Forster Square almost complete and operational, should P3 be lengthened so that all the platforms are the same length ?

All this lengthening seems to be in the wrong direction, heading off to Shipley. Restoring pre-1990s old buffer stops would be just fine for platform length and the right direction. Shame about that big building in the way though, it's gotta go.

 

[30907]

From previous discussions, P3 ends at a solid-looking retaining wall, so there would have been some considerable earth (or rock?) moving.

 

[YorksLad12]

All this lengthening seems to be in the wrong direction, heading off to Shipley. Restoring pre-1990s old buffer stops would be just fine for platform length and the right direction. Shame about that big building in the way though, it's gotta go.

Why stop at that building? Just keep going, see where you end up

A question though. Is it better to have four long platforms or six shorter platforms? As a passenger, I don't want longer platforms; I want a short walk to/from the gate line. If we're taking out Centenary Court for platform extensions then why not more platforms as well?

 

[quantinghome]

From previous discussions, P3 ends at a solid-looking retaining wall, so there would have been some considerable earth (or rock?) moving.

Yes, you either have to sort out the retaining wall or move the P3 tracks towards P2 (there is space, but obviously would need build out the platform and move equipment between the tracks).

 

[Zomboid]

If the longer platforms are mainly to permit LNER trains, then 3 of them is probably sufficient for a 2 hourly service.