[asylumxl]

As a commuter on TL I'm glad to see TL services are now running through on evenings and weekends. I couldn't find a thread about this so I thought I'd make one.

Did the first day go smoothly? The TL route has been plagued with problems recently, most of which I was unfortunate enough to get caught up in.

What work is left of the first phase of the programme? What will be the first work to commence of the next?

Thanks in advance

[Passenger John]

While on the subject of TL - does anyone know when the service to Herts and Cambs (GN Routes) will be due to commence.

[swt_passenger]

Originally Posted by Passenger John

While on the subject of TL - does anyone know when the service to Herts and Cambs (GN Routes) will be due to commence.

Not until 2018.

[Tommy3000]

Originally Posted by asylumxl

What work is left of the first phase of the programme?

I believe the last signalling upgrade (between Blackfriars and Loughborough Junction) is done, and the rebuilding work at Blackfriars and Farringdon is going to be finished within a few weeks. Sutton Loop trains are due to terminate at Blackfriars on Sundays from the 27th, which would suggest the bay platforms will be commissioned within the week.

[Edvid]

Remaining works at Farringdon are:

* Restoration of the shop fronts on the 1923 ticket hall
* Removal of the temporary ticket office/accomodation on the corner of Turnmill and Cowcross Streets
* Completion of the emergency exit from platform 4 to Farringdon Road
* Completion of works near a white building adjacent to platform 1 (old signalbox cabin?)

The columns of the old roof need some visual TLC (especially on their bases) and I'd like to see glass installed in the old roof's gap above the Thameslink tracks.

-----

There's still quite a bit to do at Blackfriars.

I think the entire station is covered now. The bay platforms should be ready for passenger use on 27 May, if not earlier (21 May according to the TLP website); the north bank ticket office should be open now, though adjacent escalators and lifts are still a work in progress and should be ready for the Olympics (same goes for the Mermaid Theatre entrance).

Any remaining works at Blackfriars not finished by late July won't affect passengers.

[HLE 13]

Originally Posted by Tommy3000

I believe the last signalling upgrade (between Blackfriars and Loughborough Junction) is done, and the rebuilding work at Blackfriars and Farringdon is going to be finished within a few weeks. Sutton Loop trains are due to terminate at Blackfriars on Sundays from the 27th, which would suggest the bay platforms will be commissioned within the week.

Network Rail tweeted Friday that the final two platforms open on the 19th May which was yesterday, in other words the bay platforms have now been commissioned for passenger service.

[hwl]

Originally Posted by HLE 13

Network Rail tweeted Friday that the final two platforms open on the 19th May which was yesterday, in other words the bay platforms have now been commissioned for passenger service.

I go through Blackfriars once every fortnight or so and I had a good look on Thursday and there was no way NR could say they would be open on Friday, still plenty to do.

[asylumxl]

To add, when I went through on Thursday there was certainly still a lot of work going on in the bay platforms. Several road/rail vehicles were sitting in the bays with workers hard at work .

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by asylumxl

To add, when I went through on Thursday there was certainly still a lot of work going on in the bay platforms. Several road/rail vehicles were sitting in the bays with workers hard at work .

Can't seem to find a diagram of the new station online, so can someone explain to me how platform 5 is now a through platform?

[YorkshireBear]

Originally Posted by asylumxl

To add, when I went through on Thursday there was certainly still a lot of work going on in the bay platforms. Several road/rail vehicles were sitting in the bays with workers hard at work .

This cant be right? you sure they weren't drinking tea?

[asylumxl]

Originally Posted by YorkshireBear

This cant be right? you sure they weren't drinking tea?

Not a single mug in sight! Unless ofcourse, they discovered the secret of invisibility...

[Waddon]

Originally Posted by Eagle

Can't seem to find a diagram of the new station online, so can someone explain to me how platform 5 is now a through platform?

I haven't got a diagram or the platform numbers, but there is only four platforms now, two through ones and two terminating, so I guess there is no platform 5. The terminating ones are on the west side of the bridge, and the through on the east, the opposite of the original arrangement.

[swt_passenger]

Diagram attached below.

[HLE 13]

Originally Posted by hwl

I go through Blackfriars once every fortnight or so and I had a good look on Thursday and there was no way NR could say they would be open on Friday, still plenty to do.

You should ask Network Rail that, would be rather silly to publicly announce the bay platforms will be open from that date if they haven't actually finished the work.

[hwl]

Originally Posted by HLE 13

You should ask Network Rail that, would be rather silly to publicly announce the bay platforms will be open from that date if they haven't actually finished the work.

The schedule probably says work completed on day X but they have another 2 weeks till services run and can do enough in 1 week to get it open but not finished so they can announce they have finished on schedule
Targets met all round

Presumably as the bays won't be used at night they will be able to do plenty then for the next couple of months?