Paddington Station - wow factor

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

The gable end screen at the country end of the fourth span looks particularly impressive when lit up in the evening:

[paul7575]

As it all comes together I predict that the one remaining 'Yuk factor' about the station will be the 'direct' surface route from the end of P12 to the P13/P14 island - haven't seen any evidence so far that it will be altered at all.

I always think it looks as though it was a complete afterthought, designed by the only bloke who happened to have a biro and empty fag packet with him on the day...

Paul

[Electric train]

As it all comes together I predict that the one remaining 'Yuk factor' about the station will be the 'direct' surface route from the end of P12 to the P13/P14 island - haven't seen any evidence so far that it will be altered at all.

I always think it looks as though it was a complete afterthought, designed by the only bloke who happened to have a biro and empty fag packet with him on the day...
Paul

The link at platform level between 12 and 13/14 was originally built for parcels tractors and BRUTEs^▸ (British Rail Universal Trolley Equipment) and was not intended for public use other than disabled passengers escorted by staff.  The link allowed for the decommissioning of the lifts on 8/9 and 13/14 which had rather ancient 1920 exposed contactor (control) panels in the lift motor room it was interesting working on those as a young electrician 

Hopefully when the Hot n Cold new concourse is complete the whole area of the over-bridge between 8/9, 10/11 and 13/13 and the link between 12 and 13/14 and the platforms themselves will get a makeover

[paul7575]

Hopefully when the Hot n Cold new concourse is complete the whole area of the over-bridge between 8/9, 10/11 and 13/13 and the link between 12 and 13/14 and the platforms themselves will get a makeover

Hopefully, but I can't find anything live on Westminster's planning site so far. The only detail I can find is that there will be a direct access from the footbridge through a barrier line in the direction of the new LU station concourse, ie it will be extended past the current stairs to P15/16, the LU platforms. 

The present wooden covered lift shafts are therefore (from what you describe) completely redundant and could be removed anytime thereby clearing platform clutter, (assuming no listed building complaints), and presumably the old LU ticket office (presently used as an enquiry desk) will also be completely redundant and removable?

I also have my doubts about that other external (public) footbridge's condition.  The canopy over it is completely out of touch with the surroundings IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion)...

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

It's a proposed Control Period 5 enhancement to enhance the footbridge according to the Initial Industry Plan as published by Network Rail:

CP5^▸ (Control Period 5 - the five year period between 2014 and 2019) output driver
To reduce the passenger congestion at Paddington station through the construction of an
enhanced overbridge at the country end of the station to improve passenger flows to / from the
mainline station, taxi rank , Crossrail station and London Underground.

Scope of works
An enhancement to the passenger footbridges at the country end of Paddington station to
improve the flows and reduce congestion to / from the Underground, Crossrail, Taxi deck and
mainline station.

[paul7575]

That seems a good idea, and I see they have a price range of up to ^M 9.4,    so hopefully not a bodge job.

The current requirement to allow for public access (ie unpaid side) must cause all sorts of difficulties with those various routes.  Maybe the whole idea of whether or not there should still be public access across the station at the end of the main sheds (ie spans 1-3) should be re-appraised as part of the scope?

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

The new H&C station is starting to take shape.  Here's a snap from last week which is already out of date as more glazing panels have now been installed.  A shame it couldn't have been completed in time for the Olympics as the steps and overbridge are going to be under even more strain than usual.

[ellendune]

Saw H&C station building today looks impressive. The pattern in the glass matches the tracery in the ends of the main station roof.  Poster says new ticket hall opening at the end of June.

 

[IndustryInsider]

Poster says new ticket hall opening at the end of June.

I was going to correct myself on what I posted a couple of days ago having read the same poster, though it read to me the new station entrance and two sets of steps are opening at the end of June, and that the new ticket hall, lifts and a further set of steps won't be completed until next spring?

[eightf48544]

As it all comes together I predict that the one remaining 'Yuk factor' about the station will be the 'direct' surface route from the end of P12 to the P13/P14 island - haven't seen any evidence so far that it will be altered at all.

I always think it looks as though it was a complete afterthought, designed by the only bloke who happened to have a biro and empty fag packet with him on the day...
Paul

The link at platform level between 12 and 13/14 was originally built for parcels tractors and BRUTEs^▸ (British Rail Universal Trolley Equipment) and was not intended for public use other than disabled passengers escorted by staff.  The link allowed for the decommissioning of the lifts on 8/9 and 13/14 which had rather ancient 1920 exposed contactor (control) panels in the lift motor room it was interesting working on those as a young electrician 

Hopefully when the Hot n Cold new concourse is complete the whole area of the over-bridge between 8/9, 10/11 and 13/13 and the link between 12 and 13/14 and the platforms themselves will get a makeover

Come to this a bit late I thought that as part at least of teh original plans paltforms 13/14 were going to be extended to line up with 11 and 12 thus the bridge becomes irrelevant or has that been shelved?

On the link itself has any noticed that Paddington seems to have been served by Thompson B1s?

[paul7575]

Come to this a bit late I thought that as part at least of the original plans paltforms 13/14 were going to be extended to line up with 11 and 12 thus the bridge becomes irrelevant or has that been shelved?

On the link itself has any noticed that Paddington seems to have been served by Thompson B1s?

I've only heard that P13 and P12 will be remodelled as one long platform, however the footbridge is getting quite a lot of work done to adapt it for the current changes, whereby it will provide a link from P10-P14, via a new gateline, into the unpaid side of the new H&C ticket hall, as per the attachment to my earlier post #48.

Can't see any logical reason why that wouldn't still be used, unless of course the package described in Industryinsider's post #64 makes it redundant?

Paul

[ellendune]

Poster says new ticket hall opening at the end of June.

I was going to correct myself on what I posted a couple of days ago having read the same poster, though it read to me the new station entrance and two sets of steps are opening at the end of June, and that the new ticket hall, lifts and a further set of steps won't be completed until next spring?

Now I recall the wording - you are correct -  It is indeed the new entrance and steps for the end of June. It should be a welcome releif for the overcrowing on the current steps. 

[IndustryInsider]

The new steps and gateline/concourse for the H&C Line platforms opened this morning.  This means the access to Platforms 15 & 16 has now changed and is via the old taxi approach road bridge (the current route out of the station from the overbridge towards Paddington Central), or via the taxi rank and down the escalator and lifts to Platform 12. 

The new northern entrance looked bright and airy with plenty of space to move about and a wide gateline when I had a quick gander earlier on - though it will still resemble a building site until fully completed next year.  The flow of passengers should be much better to and from Platforms 13-16 now, but beware that, temporarily at least, the quick dash between 15/16 and 13/14 is no longer possible as the old steps to 15/16 is now closed.

[Worcester_Passenger]

When is the map of Paddington at (Paddington (London) - next trains)/plan.html" target="_blank">http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/PAD/plan.html going to be updated?

It still has taxis on the south side of the station, along with entrances and exits - yet alone today's changes.

[IndustryInsider]

The H&C station continues to be modified with the third and last set of steps opening a month or two ago, so three sets of dedicated steps rather than just the one.  The northern entrance is now complete, so it's just the lifts to be opened (there didn't use to be any lifts) and I believe a ticket office?

Here's a picture of the new northern entrance, which, for once, bears a striking resemblance to the artist's impressions:



http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/images/station-designs/paddington-station