Nothing Seems To Be Happening At Syon Lane Station
I passed through Syon Lane station today and thought I’d have a look at the progress on the step-free access to the station.
This page on the South Western Railway web site describes in detail, the works that will be done.
This is the first paragraph.
From the beginning of April, we’ll be building a new accessible footbridge with a lift at Syon Lane. The project is expected to be completed later this year and is mainly funded by Hounslow Council. Making the station step free will be a real positive for people with limited mobility traveling round the Hounslow Loop, however the delivery of the new bridge will affect the station and the platforms. The station will remain operational throughout the works, but there will be some access changes during the project delivery:
Consider the bit about being finished later this year, then look at these pictures.
It looks like they’ve all packed up and gone home.
Surely, if the bridge is going to be finished this year, workmen should be hard at work building foundations and putting up towers for lifts.
But even the tea-hut has gone.
It appears that the following has been done at the station.
- Create a level step-free route from Syon Lane to the London-bound platform.
- Move the ticket machines and the card readers.
- Run temporary cable ducts, along the back of the platforms.
- Clear some ground behind the fence, where the lift towers might be placed.
- The long platforms have been narrowed, which Network Rail say is to give space for the work.
The 3D Google Map shows the station.
I don’t know when the picture was taken, but it does look that there could have been some ground clearing about halfway along the platform.
What Do I Think Is Happening?
I think, there could be these reasons for the lack of action.
- The project has been delayed for some reason.
- Something very different is happening at Syon Lane station!
Speaking to a couple of travellers at the station today, they had heard nothing and one was looking forward to the bridge.
I have no evidence, but I do have a devious and sometimes theatrical mind.
Are Network Rail conducting an experiment on the good people, who use Syon Lane station?
They have only said this about disruption to passengers.
The station will remain operational throughout the works, but there will be some access changes during the project delivery:
Could Network Rail be bringing in the bridge in a few sections and just lifting them in with a crane?
Look at the 3D Google Map above and note that the station in surrounded by houses and lots of leafy trees, which would make getting bridge sections and the crane into place difficult.
But look at the cross-section of the average footbridge tower or bridge and it is about the same as that of a train.
For this reason, I believe that the bridge components will be brought in on a special train with a large crane.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
It is composed of the following major components.
- Two towers with lifts.
- Two sets of stairs
- A bridge deck.
All components would be built in a factory.
- They would be fully tested before delivery.
- The components would be delivered by train.
- The bridge would then be assembled using a rail mounted crane.
After testing, the Mayor could declare the bridge open
I suspect too, that the only preparation prior to the assembly of the bridge, is to have firm concrete bases for the bridge and a power supply for the lifts.
- The construction of the bases could be done from the railway, so there would be no problems of bringing in the concrete.
- The power supply might not even be needed, if the bridge had solar panels on the roof and a clear battery system.
- It’s all a bit like giant Lego construction, but then the architect of the bridge was Danish!
Could commuters on a Friday night return to a station little different to the one they’ve known for years and then on Monday morning find a working step-free bridge has been erected?
Engineering is the sconce of the possible, whereas politics is dreams of the impossible!
Is This The Future Of Step-Free Bridges?
Obviously not all, but I believe that up to a third of all stations that need a step-free bridge can use a bridge of this type.
But the station upgrade to step-free application is just one of several.
- New stations.
- Step-free bridges over busy roads, rivers or canals.
- Replacement of dangerous light-controlled road crossings.
The design could also be incorporated into other buildings.
Conclusion
Something different could be happening at Syon Lane station.
Step-Free Access At Brough Station
On my last trip North, I changed trains at Brough station.
The station appears to have been recently rebuilt and has full step-free access using ramps, as these pictures show.
This Google Map shows the station.
It may work, but those ramps could take some time, if you’re pushing a heavy buggy or wheelchair.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
So would a factory-built bridge like this be installed be installed today, if Brough or a similar simple station was being rebuilt or built from scratch?
- Concrete bases to support the bridge, would be built in the appropriate position on both platforms.
- An electrical supply would be provided.
- A special train would then arrive with the bridge and an crane to lift the bridge into place.
- A couple of hours later, the bridge would have been erected.
If the system is designed designed, it should be no more difficult than installing a new ticket machine.
Conclusion
How much would be saved in the design and building of new stations, if they were designed around a step-free bridge like this?
But the biggest saving is surely in the time needed to build the station?
Selby Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Selby station is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current bridge,
The existing pedestrian bridge has the following.
- Steep stairs at both ends.
- No provision for step-free access.
he bridge does appear to be in good condition.
Possible Electrification Through Selby Station
Perhaps most importantly, the current bridge could be too low for 25 KVAC overhead electrification to be erected underneath the bridge.
Although, it might be possible to lower the track or use one of Network Rail’s proven solutions to squeeze the electrification underneath.
At present though, it seems unlikely that the route through Selby will be electrified, due to the problem of the Selby Swing Bridge and Government policy.
Installing Step-Free Access
It could be feasible to add lifts to the existing footbridge, but it doesn’t solve the problem of the steep stairs.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
So could a factory-built bridge like this be installed be installed at Selby station?
This 3D Google Map shows Selby station.
The platforms to the South of he footbridge are wide and there is lots of space.
Could the new bridge be installed there?
Garforth Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Garforth station is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current bridge,
This Google Map shows the station.
Leeds is to the West and York is to the East.
The Commuter Parking Problem
Like other stations in my exploration of some of the stations going step-free in the list, Garforth station is not ideal for commuters, who need step-free access.
The car park is ideally-placed for those travelling to work in Leeds.
- The car park is currently free to rail users and after parking, you are ready to get a ticket and catch a train.
- Passengers can if they need buy a ticket in the Ticket Office or a machine, if they need one.
- Then without much ado, you just walk onto the platform and await the train for Leeds.
Coming back from Leeds is the problem.
- The train arrives in the opposite platform.
- To get to your car, you need to walk to the back of the train and cross over the iron footbridge to the other platform.
It is not an efficient procedure and it will be difficult, if you’re in a wheel-chair, are pushing a child or children in a buggy or you are trailing a heavy case.
To complicate the problem at Garforth station, the bridge must also be used to get to and from buses from the Leeds-bound platform.
A step-free route across the railway, with a higher capacity than the present bridge, is needed.
Replacing The Existing Bridge
The existing bridge could be replaced with a new brick-and-concrete structure with steps and lifts.
- But this would effectively close the station for as long as it takes to rebuild the new bridge.
- It would also need a temporary bridge or some other means of crossing the railway to be erected, during the construction period.
Sometimes, minimising the disruption a project creates, is a major part of the project costs.
Building A Second Bridge
Suppose though a second bridge was built at another position in the station.
It would have steps and lifts.
Once the new bridge is complete, the original bridge could either restored to create extra capacity or demolished.
This simple sequence means the following.
At all time, until the new bridge opens, there is as much capacity as there is now!
After the new bridge opens, there is extra capacity and step-free access.
The building of the second bridge, doesn’t disrupt trainms or passengers to any great extent.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
So could a factory-built bridge like this be installed, towards the York end of at Garforth station?
If it could, it would have the following advantages.
- Quality should be good for a factory-built bridge.
- Work on site would be minimised.
- The bridge could be delivered and assembled from the railway.
Costs might be more affordable.
Todmorden Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Todmorden station is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current subway,
This is a Google Map of the station.
Note how the railway clings to the hillside and is hemmed in by roads and other buildings.
As the pictures show, access to the platforms is by means of a subway under the railway and steep steps to the platforms.
An Increasingly Busy Station
For the last few years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of trains through the station.
I wonder, if on some journeys across the Pennines, there is a change at Todmorden, where the Blackburn and Leeds services to Manchester Victoria connect.
As this could require a platform change at Todmorden, you only want someone in a wheelchair to try to use Todmorden as an interchange and you get delayed trains at best and God knows what, at worst.
Manchester Airport Services
Under Future Services in the Wikipedia entry for Todmorden station, this is said.
New through services to Chester, Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street (marketed under the “Northern Connect” brand)
Passengers to Manchester Airport, will be more likely to have heavy luggage, which could be difficult at the station.
Installing Lifts
More trains and passengers will inevitably lead to more calls for step-free access.
The solution to step-free access is probably to put a lift to each platform from the subway.
There also appears to be plenty of space on the pltforms for the lifts.
It might not be the easiest installations, as it looks like the station is built from solid Pennine stone.
Conclusion
Todmorden station needs step-free access and with good design can probably be added without too much difficulty.
Daisy Hill Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Daisy Hill station is on the list.
These pictures show the station.
This Google Map shows the station.
Whilst I was at Daisy Hill, I spoke to a couple who used the station regularly, who told me the following.
- The station needed step-free access.
- The station had been recently decorated and that the platforms were being extended.
- The local kids would get in and muck about in the lift.
- There is a lot of new housing to be built locally.
My own observations are.
- The steps are long, but swell-hand-railed.
- The station is in generally good condition.
- The Google Map shows that platforms have been longer in the past.
Surprisingly, the couple hadn’t heard that the station is to be made step-free.
Installing Step-Free Access
From the pictures, that I took, it looks like a single lift could be placed between the street and platform levels.
It would probably be tucked into the angle of the building.
This arrangement is not the most difficult of designs and lifts have been incorporated into stations like this, many times.
Conclusion
This station will be greatly improved by a single lift.
As to the fact, that the couple I spoke to, hadn’t heard of the step-free access, I’ve heard this at other stations on the list.
Network Rail need to sort their publicity.
Hillside Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Hillside station in Liverpool, is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current station building, which is on a bridge.
This 3D Google Map shows the station.
Note.
- The station appears to have a large forecourt.
- The stairs to the platforms have thirty-two steps.
- There could be enough space for lifts outside the platforms.
But will a simple solution, be able to cope with major events like the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale?
Perhaps something more radical, but very possible will be done.
One idea, could be to extend the station building at both ends.
- A set of wide safe stairs and a lift could provide direct access from the street to the platform in the extensions.
- Once installed, the original stairs could be removed.
There are certainly possibilities for an architect to develop a solution to cope with the biggest events.
St Michaels Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
St. Michaels station is on the list.
These pictures show the current station.
St Michaels station, like Hunts Cross station, has rather unusual long shallow angle ramps, with steps.
This 3D Google Map shows the station.
Note.
- It is a well-appointed and well-maintained station with a Ticket Office, a toilet and cycle storage and hire.
- Car parking is very limited.
- But the station is designed for pedestrians, cyclists and visitors
- The station has a rather chequered history, being closed in 1972, only to be reopened six years later.
- I think the design of the ramps is a good example of independent Liverpudlian thinking, which often ignores conventional practice.
The ramps were built for International Garden Festival in 1984, the site of which is shown on this second Google Map.
St. Michaels station is in the top-right corner of the map.
The International Garden Festival site has since been updated and 1300 new houses are being built on the site.
Adding step-free access to the station, will surely be a big asset to the area.
Preparation For Class 777 Trains
Note that St. Michaels station has been updated to allow step-free access between the new Class 777 trains and platform.
According to a fellow traveller, it had been done at night with little inconvenience to passengers.
Installing The Lifts
I would suspect, that the two new lifts could be installed in the space currently occupied by the two disused stairways.
Conclusion
This is the type of station that needs step-free access.
- It will make nearby developments more desireable.
- It will facilitate walking with children and for those in wheelchairs.
- It will increase traffic at the station.
I would also suspect the lifts can be added without too much disruption to the travelling public.
I also think there a lesson in the chequered history of St. Michaels station.
Next time a station or even a whole line has to be closed, make sure that it can be reopened, if necessary in the future. To many useful stations like Horden and Maiden Lane have been reduced to rubble. The former is being rebuilt and many believe the latter is needed.
Hunts Cross Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Hunts Cross station is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current bridge.
Hunts Cross station, like St. Michaels station, has rather unusual long shallow angle ramps, with steps.
This 3D Google Map shows the station.
It may be unusual, but I suspect a conventional lift tower on each platform would make the station fully step-free.
Note.
- The station is Grade II Listed and is described as”A good example of the stations built for the Cheshire Lines Committee.”
- The ramps and bridge look to be in excellent condition and could be reasonably recent. Some repainting was actually in progress.
- For those that are in need of a drink, after climbing the ramps, there is a handy pub called the Waiting Room. It was busy, when I went to the station.
- As well as providing step-free entrance and exit to the station, the lifts would provide step-free interchange for passengers from Manchester needing to transfer to Merseyrail.
- Passengers arriving at the station, who need to go to Manchester, would do as they do now and walk across the platform.
- Do the last two pictures in the gallery show that the bridge was built or has been modified for lifts to be added? The bridge seems to have a lower wall, which could be removed.
- There may be some adjustments needed to the path that Links the station entrance to the bridge.
I’m also pretty certain, that the layout of the station, would allow works to be done, whilst the station is in full operation.
Preparation For Class 777 Trains
Unlike most other stations, that I saw on on the Merseyrail network, work appears to be outstanding to create level access between the new Class 777 trains and platform.
Future Electrification
The bridge would appear to be high enough to clear any future 25 KVAC electrification.
Conclusion
This shouldn’t be the most difficult of projects, unless the Heritage Lobby get upset.
The only problem, I can see would be, it might attract more passengers and create a need for a larger car park.
Hither Green Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Hither Green station is on the list.
These pictures show the station and the current bridges,
Like Petts Wood station, which I wrote about in Petts Wood Station To Go Step-Free, Hither Green station is a rather unlovely assemblage.
- It has all the qualities of the worst corrugated iron buildings.
- There are five flights of steep stairs.
- There are two separate bridges.
- Entry to and exit from the station are from a subway, that links to Platforms 4 and 5.
- To access Platforms 1,2, 3 and 6, a bridge must be used.
- I suspect that some interchanges may need crossing both bridges.
This Google Map shows the station.
Note the three pairs of tracks, with six platforms and two bridges.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
So could a factory-built bridge like this be installed be installed at Hither Green station?
This bridge has the great advantage, that it can be installed without closing the existing bridge.
This Google Map shows the South Eastern section of the station.
Could two bridges linked ny an aerial walkway across the woods be added beyond the covered parts of the station?
Some interchanges would be a walk of perhaps a hundred metres, but they would be fully step-free.
The rest of this terrible station would be left untouched and could be gradually improved in the future.
The Anonymous Widower 