Eurostar platforms at Waterloo

[whole diary]

[johngreg]

Given the fact that Platform 20 is apparently coming back into use next year, what is the difference with this platform to the others?

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/Historic-journey-marks-the-first-anniversary-of-the-South-West-Trains-and-Network-Rail-Alliance.aspx

[stuving]

I think it can be accessed on the level from 19. For the others they would need to rebuild what is now access from underneath.

[Andrew1939 from West Oxon]

Why is it necessary to rebuild? It was always easy enough to move to and from domestic and the international trains in the days of Eurostar use. Most people arriving or departing Waterloo go to or from the outside world simply because it is a terminus. There can be some domestic transfer traffic but how much is that of the total movements?

[Brucey]

The international platforms (except 20) all require access via an escalator or stairs to the concourse below.

Being a Waterloo commuter, I can imagine the chaos if you tried to fit as 12 coach Class 450 of passengers (over 1000 people, all of whom are in an unnecessary rush) down the few escalators that are there at present.

[Electric train]

Number of factors.
The concourses below platform level were constructed as separate arrivals and departures apparently its not easy to link them together, also they exit at low level all of which were not built to the passenger density of commuter trains
The throat for the international platforms was built for 4 per hour arrival and departure to make use of all the international platforms will require extensive throat remodelling.
There are also longer term plans being expressed by the land owners of the office buildings along York Road which could incorporate the international platforms, its likely the international station will be demolished in the longer term