The old overbridge, whilst conceptually simple, was utterly rammed and totally failed to allow rapid (or safe) interchange at any remotely busy time. Neither could one wait in its gloomy confines ‘in comfort’. Let alone not being ‘accessible’.
Indeed. The only redeeming feature of the old bridge was Caffè Nero - which was so poorly patronised that you never had to queue, and the staff were so pleased to see a customer they routinely gave out double stamps.
If there is plenty of space for shops it will almost certainly meet with the client's satisfaction. Network Rail sees large stations as shopping malls.
It really doesn’t. It sees large stations as places where people (customers) catch trains.
Incidentally, some of the most consistent pieces of feedback from passenger surveys is that passengers want shops and restaurants at stations to buy food, drinks and other items. In other news it is the same for transport hubs everywhere else in the world. (London Bridge has more passengers than Gatwick. Can you imagine Gatwick without shops?)
Because they, quite reasonably, don’t expect to get themselves and belongings comprehensively soaked when waiting for a train at a flagship major station?
Now, I’m a regular user of London Bridge, and have been since well before the station was rebuilt. Before rebuilding, I often got wet waiting for trains -principally whilst waiting in the majority of the station that had no cover at all, or in the case of the low level station, parts where the roof had large holes in it.
Since rebuilding, I have never, ever, got wet on a platform. If it’s coming in sideways, I stay downstairs. If it’s raining ‘regularly’ it’s fine on the platform. It is far, far better than what preceded it.