Stations with 'too low' platforms?

[stuartmoss]

Hi All,

I used Deansgate in Manchester for the first time on Monday, I'm not the most agile of people and quite struggled getting from the train to the platform, particularly with a suitcase. The train (I don't recall the class) didn't have grab handles near the door either. It's the first time I've ever had this problem at a UK station - are there many more like this or worse?

Stu.

 

[LE Greys]

Different railways built stations with different platform heights. The GWR was typically a few inches lower than others. Additional ballast thickness for some lines can exacerbate this, either because it was originally too thin or from speed increases. Just be glad you don't live overseas where platforms can be as low as six inches and you have to climb up several steps.

 

[WatcherZero]

yes, several hundred. My local Wallgate is the same suffering from low platforms and also a large gap because its a curved platform.

 

[175001]

Try Salford Central, thats why we warn people on the P.A!

Also New Lane on the Southport-Wigan line, the UP (Manchester bound) platform, its nearly on ground level!!!

 

[Travelling_Man]

Wandsworth Town Platform 4
Vauxhall Platform 1 in places
Clapham Junction Platform 8 - This is reportable if you stop to let Pax off

 

[MikeWh]

East Croydon platform 2

 

[Mojo]

Avonmouth is very low towards the level crossing end, but the other end is more reasonable.

 

[NSEFAN]

Newton St Cyres is a big drop. The guard on trains that are requested to stop only opens one door to help prevent accidents.

 

[DavidBrown]

Newton St Cyres is a big drop. The guard on trains that are requested to stop only opens one door to help prevent accidents.

Copplestone and Exton are also of similar height, and this is becoming an issue at Copplestone which is becoming a fairly well used station.

 

[142094]

Quite a few on the Cambrian Coast line and Cumbrian Coast line as well (eg. Whitehaven - there is set of steps to allow people to get off in the bay platform).

 

[glenbogle]

Dunkeld & Birnam is a shocker.

 

[asylumxl]

Designed to be lower or became low because of curves and cant?

St Albans Abbey has a very low platform. Wouldn't know about the others on the line bar Watford Junction as I have not alighted elsewhere.

Elephant and Castle has a stupidly big drop due to the curve and the subsequent cant.

 

[Poggs]

St Albans Abbey has a very low platform. Wouldn't know about the others on the line bar Watford Junction as I have not alighted elsewhere.

It's fine everywhere else on the line. I believe there's some kind of ramp structure at the Abbey station now.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Just a few weeks ago someone asked which stations had the lowest platforms AND the widest gaps. There were dozens of proposals!

Here's the thread: Biggest gap and/or step down to the platform nomination thread.

You might find these of interest

 

[Clint]

Newton St Cyres is a big drop. The guard on trains that are requested to stop only opens one door to help prevent accidents.

If you've spent a few hours in The Beer Engine, I bet it's a bugger trying to climb back on!

 

[Ferret]

East Croydon platform 2

Basingstoke. First day out on my own as a Guard, I fell back onto my train having misjudged the height and tripped up the step. Never been so embarassed!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Also New Lane on the Southport-Wigan line, the UP (Manchester bound) platform, its nearly on ground level!!!

Is it similar to this at Bescar Lane? It is more years than I can remember since I used this station and made the long walk in to the village at Bescar.

 

[pendolino]

Stratford International. £1m too low.

Also, Selhurst fast platforms (especially up fast) as nominated in the other thread.

 

[causton]

It's fine everywhere else on the line. I believe there's some kind of ramp structure at the Abbey station now.

There is a ramp like the ones on Victoria line stations on the tube - but I remember it was a bit of a step up if you're not on that particular part!

 

[2Dogbox]

Market Rasen is dreadful, especially going towards Grimsby.

 

[dk1]

Spooner Row still has steps

Cambridge platform 6 is quite a drop.

 

[- Cal -]

Flixton on the down

 

[LE Greys]

Does anyone else remember Settle having wooden step-blocks to get people in and out because of the low platform/high trackbed?

 

[Crossover]

A couple of statons on th Barton line are quite low

Scarborough platform 3 isn;t so much low but in places has a huge gap due to the curve of it and the fact 185's doors are 1/3 and 2/3 along the train

Have been at another one where the drop was somewhat larger than expected where I actually got off but I forget where!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Does anyone else remember Settle having wooden step-blocks to get people in and out because of the low platform/high trackbed?

Not seen wooden blocks on a mainline station but have seen them at Cheddleton on the CVR due to the low platforms level there (the other stations were OK height wise)

 

[Toots]

This has become a problem at many stations and has lead to the introduction of the 'Harrington Hump',which is a structure that is built onto the platform that is basically two ramps that meet at their highest point and which is set at train level.The reason for the name,is that Harrington,on the Cumbrian Coast line was where it was first trialled.

 

[brad465]

Hampton Court had a large step the last time I stopped there

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Flixton, Northwich, Grindleford, Strines, Lostock Gralam, Whaley bridge (just a few lol)

 

[175001]

Is it similar to this at Bescar Lane? It is more years than I can remember since I used this station and made the long walk in to the village at Bescar.

Its worse

When I was road learning it, we used a stopper to see how bad it was, the drop was a long one with a thud on my ankle when it got to the ground

 

[phil8715]

I remember getting on a DMU at Bamber Bridge where the station master had to use the wooden steps in the early 80's before they made the platform higher.

 

[davelew99]

Does anyone else remember Settle having wooden step-blocks to get people in and out because of the low platform/high trackbed?

Don't know about Settle but i certainly remember using the wooden steps at Whitehaven when i was a kid! Seems to be less of a problem these days (must be different stock, i never noticed when i was younger).

Birkenhead Hamilton Sq is also a bit of a jump.