Lifts and Crossing The Road At Euston Square Station
I had to go to University College Hospital this morning and took a train to Euston Square station.
The new lifts from the westbound platform to street level aren’t as well signposted as they should be and I met a young lady, who had got rather harassed trying to get to the street.
Coming back, I wanted to get a 30 bus to either Islington or home, so I decided that the quickest way was to take a train to Kings Cross and get the bus from there. I got to the stop just before one arrived.
Public transport from the hospital isn’t as good eastbound as it might be.
St. Pancras, Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley Stations
St. Pancras and Kings Cross stations sit above one of the biggest Underground stations in London; Kings Cross St. Pancras. Over the last few years, the moles have been burrowing deep under and between the stations to make the access between all three stations, accessible for those in wheel-chairs and with heavy cases. It’s not perfect, especially, if you want to make a quick transfer to an Underground line, but it’s a lot better than it was.
Edinburgh Waverley has always been difficult for passengers, unless you arrive and leave in a taxi, as walking up the famous Waverley Steps has not been easy for anybody with a mobility problem. Network Rail are improving the station, by glazing the enormous roof properly with clear glass to get more light into the station and installing lifts to improve disabled access. You’d think the installation of lifts would be welcomed, but I was surprised to read this article in the Edinburgh Guide. Here’s an extract.
Two 16-person lifts now descend to Waverley from the roof of the Princes Mall. Also, as part of the “Waverley Steps Improvement Project” a new covered step and escalator access has been put in between Princes Street and the north entrance to Waverley station.
“The ‘Windy Steps’ have been given a vital upgrade and are now accessible and convenient for all passengers,” said David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, of the “stylish and bright” new entrance.
Personally, I liked it the way things were. Trudging up and down the broad staircase of the well-worn stone slabs of Waverley Steps, there was a sense of walking in the footsteps of millions of travellers before me.
Lifts and escalators leave me cold. The building materials have little of the traditional quality or aesthetic of Edinburgh’s New Town and Old Town architecture. The machinery usually requires large amounts of energy (more CO2 emissions), seeing as they are running all day.
They are, frankly, utilitarian and ugly.
That gives me the impression, that they think things should have been left the way they are.
I travel extensively by train and if you look at Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Newcastle, Sheffield and London Paddington and Waterloo, all have been or are being upgraded to improve the passenger experience.
I suppose the writer would perhaps prefer Edinburgh Waverley to revert to diesel or even steam power for the trains, as they are more in keeping with the history of Edinburgh.
The Big Hole Between Kings Cross and St. Pancras
When I took the Javelin to the Olympic Park, I noticed this big hole between the two stations.
The Big Hole Between Kings Cross and St. Pancras
Looking at this map, it would appear it’s just more offices, with retail underneath.
Could this be deemed boring? A nice public piazza or even some more platforms for the two stations might have been better! But then that wouldn’t have been so profitable.
Stations Reborn As Shopping Destinations
This was a sub-headline in The Times yesterday describing the new policy of Network Rail in transforming stations. Head of Retail at the company is quoted as saying that they want to move away from the likes of McDonalds and Burger King. As a coeliac, I say good riddance to both of them. At the two stations fully redeveloped in London, they’ve got a Leon at Kings Cross and a champagne bar and Carluccio’s in St. Pancras. Both stations have proper pubs too. Next for the treatment in London is Waterloo, with Euston and Birmingham to follow. Both of the latter are terrible.
The Head of Retail also talked about removing the stranglehold of W H Smith, a shop of last resort if ever there was one. A French company, Relay, has been invited to open in Cannon Street.
Stations can’t be improved fast enough, as far as I’m concerned.
What Do You Think Of It Boys?
The picture shows three High Speed Diesel Trains this morning in platforms seven, six and five at Kings Cross station this morning. Note that platform seven is to left.
Three High Speed Diesel Trains at Kings Cross
For those of you, who know Kings Cross station, they started running to the station at the end of the 1970s, which is just about the time, that the disgusting dark green extension was erected.
The irony is that they’ll actually outlive the extension, by several years.
So good old British Rail did get some things right. But not stations! Where should Network Rail’s refurbishment experts strike next in London? After all, they’ve now done or have nearly finished St. Pancras, Stratford, Clapham Junction, Blackfriars, Kings Cross and Paddington. I think London Bridge and Waterloo are being planned. But what about the others!
Vote now and vote often.
The Intro And The Outtro
Network Rail showed how to open a station today. There were lots of signs and the old entrances had ushers so you would know the correct way to go.
Pratt of the Week? - Not Really!
I suggested to this guy, that he might be the “Pratt of the Week”. He took it well and it certainly is a light-hearted way to herd people in the right direction.
On exiting the station though, I was greeted by lines of smokers.
Pratts of this and every other Year!
How do we stop these “Pratts of this and every other Year” causing litter and blocking the way for those who are less than mobile?
The New Kings Cross Opens A Day Early
I hadn’t intended to go into the new part of Kings Cross station until it opened on the 19th. But I found it was open on Sunday the 18th.
It is impressive and even has a restaurant that does gluten-free fast-food; Leon
I have added some more pictures taken on the Monday. I’ll probably add a few more as time goes on.
There is a very good article on the design here in the Evening Standard.
Where’s All The Dirt Gone?
In my earliest memories of Kings Cross, this picture would have shown a dirty roof, with steam and smoke everywhere, as Gresley A4 and A3 4-6-2 “Pacifics” were getting ready to steam north.
We may think that was a long time ago and it is probably nearly 60 years ago. But there is a link to this picture I took today.
Where's All The Dirt Gone?
In the picture there are two of the InterCity 225 trains, which look like they’ve just had a good wash too!
But they could easily have been two iconic InterCity 125 trains of the 1970s!
Sir Nigel would have been proud as the 125’s were designed by a team led by one of his apprentices; Terry Miller.
I will not guarantee, that if I’m still here to take this picture in ten years time, that none of the platforms will contain an InterCity 125. These wonderful trains, where I’ve proven that you can sit on the floor and still be comfortable, will outlive most of us. And certainly me!
I notice in the picture, that they haven’t put the clock back up yet!
The New Kings Cross Station Opens on the 19th
On of the largest building projects in London hits a big milestone on Monday, the 19th with the opening of the new reception area at Kings Cross station. Before that though drinkers will get a new pub called the Parcel Yard, next Wednesday.
They do seem to be going to hit their target. In one of the pictures, you might just see the working destination board.
The Anonymous Widower 