Stevenage platform 5

[trek]

Boards have been updated...

Happy to say I am currently on the first train due in!

 

[Fred26]

The official opening is tomorrow. Trains are running into P5 today. First arrival at 0854.

 

[D365]

Boards have been updated...

Happy to say I am currently on the first train due in!

Looking forward to the livestream

 

[Validation]

Boards have been updated...

Happy to say I am currently on the first train due in!

Destined for platform 4 on TRUST.. Nearly put it in 4 too

 

[David Goddard]

RTT shows it has just arrived in Platform 5 at 0850, four minutes early

 

[Hadders]

I was on the first arrival, and am about to take the first departure as far as Watton at Stone.

 

[malc-c]

Hadders, congrats on being on the first commercial train into P5.

Unfortunately, family commitments made when RTT were showing tomorrow as being the first day in service meant I wasn't able to make this event. Looking forward to seeing some of your pictures

 

[trek]

Destined for platform 4 on TRUST.. Nearly put it in 4 too

Yes indeed, they didn't get planned early enough. The boards were changed to show 5 for about 30 minutes, and the first 4 trains used Platform 5, however they had to be reverted because there were other implications for the service if that change were kept at very short notice. Some quick communication by station staff ensured that the first train went into Platform 5.

The infrastructure is open and usable, one further train used the platform around 14:00 as there was the possibility of a driver arriving late, and using platform 5 kept that train from blocking platform 4.

 

[Fred26]

Yes indeed, they didn't get planned early enough. The boards were changed to show 5 for about 30 minutes, and the first 4 trains used Platform 5, however they had to be reverted because there were other implications for the service if that change were kept at very short notice. Some quick communication by station staff ensured that the first train went into Platform 5.

The infrastructure is open and usable, one further train used the platform around 14:00 as there was the possibility of a driver arriving late, and using platform 5 kept that train from blocking platform 4.

Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management were all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.

However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.

 

[trek]

Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management we're all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.

However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.

I am aware, but I was keeping it vague

The gateline is certainly not ready to go but we shall see if a miracle gets pulled off...

 

[Hadders]

Yes indeed, they didn't get planned early enough. The boards were changed to show 5 for about 30 minutes, and the first 4 trains used Platform 5, however they had to be reverted because there were other implications for the service if that change were kept at very short notice. Some quick communication by station staff ensured that the first train went into Platform 5.

The infrastructure is open and usable, one further train used the platform around 14:00 as there was the possibility of a driver arriving late, and using platform 5 kept that train from blocking platform 4.

Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management were all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.

However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.

I'm told the supervisor had to beg the signalman to put the first train into P5. Imagine the embarrassment if the first train had gone into P4, the passengers could've waved across to the waiting staff and orange army awaiting its arrival on P4

 

[malc-c]

Oh dear, seem a classic case of the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing....

@trek - can you elaborate on the gateline not being ready ?

 

[trek]

Oh dear, seem a classic case of the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing....

@trek - can you elaborate on the gateline not being ready ?

There are multiple minor faults with a couple of the gates, but given its more than one fault it means they are not usable.

The gates have been fully working previously, so hopefully they can be fully restored asap. They have been tinkered with a few too many times which probably hasn't helped, hopefully the right person comes out to fix them for good!

 

[Class 170101]

A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.

However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.

In the grand scheme of things right now with COVID re-writes - replatforming a few trains from four to five at Stevenage is hardly up theer in terms of importance I'm afraid.

 

[Ianno87]

Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management were all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.

However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.

A balls up how exactly? Train planning did exactly what they are supposed to do - offer a compliant train plan.

If anything, better for passengers interchanging on Sundays if there's no conflicting train in platform 4. You know, putting passengers first 'n' all that....

 

[Fred26]

In the grand scheme of things right now with COVID re-writes - replatforming a few trains from four to five at Stevenage is hardly up theer in terms of importance I'm afraid.

I think you've misunderstood.

A balls up how exactly? Train planning did exactly what they are supposed to do - offer a compliant train plan.

If anything, better for passengers interchanging on Sundays if there's no conflicting train in platform 4. You know, putting passengers first 'n' all that....

It's a balls-up because the platform was supposed to open today, but train planning didn't book any trains to use it. All the advertising was almost for nothing, bar a couple of early trains.
As to your second point - the platform was built to be used 7 days a week, regardless of how busy the route is. Ridiculous to suggest building a platform and then not use it for 1 day a week.

 

[Ianno87]

It's a balls-up because the platform was supposed to open today, but train planning didn't book any trains to use it. All the advertising was almost for nothing, bar a couple of early trains.

...so? 99% of actual, real passengers don't give a monkeys what platform a train uses, as long as it runs to the timetable.

As to your second point - the platform was built to be used 7 days a week, regardless of how busy the route is. Ridiculous to suggest building a platform and then not use it for 1 day a week.

Along with the long, long list of other infrastructure that isn't used 7 days a week.

As I said, there are advantages to *not* using Platform 5 when possible, such as saving having to man/monitor the gateline, and giving passengers heading north a same-island interchange rather than cross via the bridge.

It's ridiculous to make passengers cross a bridge for no other reason than the neatness using all the bits of track in your trainset.

 

[bramling]

Along with the long, long list of other infrastructure that isn't used 7 days a week.

As I said, there are advantages to *not* using Platform 5 when possible, such as saving having to man/monitor the gateline, and giving passengers heading north a same-island interchange rather than cross via the bridge.

It's ridiculous to make passengers cross a bridge for no other reason than the neatness using all the bits of track in your trainset.

Two sides to this one. Whilst platform 4 is no doubt more convenient for people continuing northwards, this has to be weighed against the simplicity of "all Hertford trains go from platform 5".

Evidently the industry has opted for the latter, since platform 5 is booked to be used 7 days per week in the underlying timetable.

 

[Hadders]

...so? 99% of actual, real passengers don't give a monkeys what platform a train uses, as long as it runs to the timetable.



Along with the long, long list of other infrastructure that isn't used 7 days a week.

As I said, there are advantages to *not* using Platform 5 when possible, such as saving having to man/monitor the gateline, and giving passengers heading north a same-island interchange rather than cross via the bridge.

It's ridiculous to make passengers cross a bridge for no other reason than the neatness using all the bits of track in your trainset.

It makes sense to use P4 rather than P5 on Sundays if there is sufficient capacity given it will save staffing costs, provide same or cross-platform interchange etc.

However, GTR had touted across their network that P5 was going to open today (Sunday). It would have been better for GTR to have announced the opening for Monday and done a 'soft' opening today.

 

[Fred26]

It was supposed to be a soft opening today, officials opening tomorrow.

 

[Hadders]

It was supposed to be a soft opening today, officials opening tomorrow.

That would have made a lot of sense. Send a couple of trains into P5 this afternoon and everyone would have been happy.

The problem seems to have been the publicity saying P5 was opening today which raised expectations. To be honest I kept my eye on things last night as I half expected a soft launch , under the radar, yesterday afternoon.

 

[malc-c]

It was supposed to be a soft opening today, officials opening tomorrow.

Do you have any info as to when the "officials" will be doing the opening.... Despite all my efforts in contacting GN, Raitrack, Spencers, Stevenage Council, Stevenage Regeneration program, Stevenage Mayor's office, and Grant Shapps (and the DoT) nothing has been forthcoming...

Regards to the discussion on the use of P4 vs P5. IMO I can't see how, given all the time, effort, money and planning into giving Stevenage a new platform to relieve the congestion Hertford trains caused when hogging P4 that it would only be used for certain days or the week, or peak times only... Granted there is an inconvenience for anyone travelling from say Herford to Letchworth in that they must change platforms, but then I would wager that there are more people traveling to London from Hertford in the peak morning times than northwards?

 

[TheHSRailFan]

Granted there is an inconvenience for anyone travelling from say Herford to Letchworth in that they must change platforms, but then I would wager that there are more people traveling to London from Hertford in the peak morning times than northwards?

that was the exact reason why NR wanted to make the platform 7 years after the may 2018 time table change. Yes, there are more people travelling down into London but there typically is an afternoon crowed or day crowed that will go up to Stevenage because it's simpler for the people of Hertford and Welwyn to see a movie or go bowling in Stevenage than Enfield. there is still people travelling for work and the college there but the roads between Stevenage, Hertford and Watton are not the best and its much quicker to go by train.

 

[Hadders]

Do you have any info as to when the "officials" will be doing the opening.... Despite all my efforts in contacting GN, Raitrack, Spencers, Stevenage Council, Stevenage Regeneration program, Stevenage Mayor's office, and Grant Shapps (and the DoT) nothing has been forthcoming...

Regards to the discussion on the use of P4 vs P5. IMO I can't see how, given all the time, effort, money and planning into giving Stevenage a new platform to relieve the congestion Hertford trains caused when hogging P4 that it would only be used for certain days or the week, or peak times only... Granted there is an inconvenience for anyone travelling from say Herford to Letchworth in that they must change platforms, but then I would wager that there are more people traveling to London from Hertford in the peak morning times than northwards?

Around 10am tomorrow morning, I believe.

 

[malc-c]

.... because it's simpler for the people of Hertford and Welwyn to see a movie or go bowling in Stevenage than Enfield. there is still people travelling for work and the college there but the roads between Stevenage, Hertford and Watton are not the best and its much quicker to go by train.

And as such with no need for onward travel, it matters not which platform the train uses....

Around 10am tomorrow morning, I believe.

Cheers... I'll do my best to try and get down there for that

 

[Fred26]

Do you have any info as to when the "officials" will be doing the opening....

Lol, the 's' was a typo. But yes, there will be plenty of dignitaries and GTR management on site from 1000 onwards.

 

[gazr]

Whilst attempting (and failing) to get platform 5 yesterday, I noticed they still had 313 stop markers up at Stevenage (P4). I'd be willing to make a small donation to charity for one, if GTR decide to do that instead of binning them.

 

[cle]

Do we know what % of passengers change onto other services at Stevenage, vs exiting there?

 

[WymoWanderer]

Platform 5 has made the local press https://www.thecomet.net/news/east-coast-mainline-upgrade-new-platform-stevenage-1-6774596

£40 million Platform 5 project opens in Stevenage
PUBLISHED: 12:30 03 August 2020 | UPDATED: 12:31 03 August 2020

Jacob Thorburn


Platform 5 at Stevenage station was opened by Stephen McPartland MP and Chris Heaton-Harris MP. Picture: Karyn Haddon
The eagerly anticipated fifth platform at Stevenage train station opened today, with operators promising commuters better connections and improved reliability.

Platform 5, which formed part of the government’s £1.2 billion rail infrastructure improvement plan, opened this morning, with Stephen McPartland MP and rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris present and praising the new platform.

Work began in early 2019 to build a dedicated fifth platform at Stevenage station – which has a passenger lift, two waiting rooms, three sets of seating, a help point and ticket machine.

Construction work was pushed ahead after an agreement from both Network Rail and Govia Thameslink, with Platform 5 being completed more than a year ahead of its revised schedule.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris commented: “This new platform and track at Stevenage will mean more frequent and reliable services for passengers who use the line day in day out.


“Thanks to the hard work of Network Rail and GTR who have worked tirelessly to accelerate the project, we have reached an important milestone in our ambitious £1.2 billion East Coast upgrade.”

Great Northern trains from the Hertford North line can now terminate at Stevenage and return to London, freeing up vital space on the existing tracks for Thameslink trains.

The restored service running between Stevenage’s new platform and the Hertford Loop will be an all day and twice hourly service.

Paul Rutter, Network Rail route director, said: “This vital project to build a bay platform at Stevenage is part of a programme of investment that will allow additional services to run on the East Coast Main Line, bringing more choice, more seats and a more reliable railway for passengers.

“We would like to thank passengers who have needed to use bus replacement services between Stevenage and Watton-at-Stone, station users and people who live near the railway for their continued patience whilst this essential part of the East Coast upgrade was completed.”

The East Coast Upgrade was first introduced by the Government in 2014, as part of a 10-year, £1.2 billion investment into connecting London with Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.

 

[malc-c]

Just returned with some footage for the final update to my Vlog, which I will start editing after lunch.

Had an interesting chat with one of the "officials" who was rather blunt with regards to me being there. Having explained why I was there, and at what lengths I went to to obtain permission to attend any "official" opening ceremony he was still adamant that as I didn't have a commercial permit to film I wasn't welcome on the platform. Having explained that I had traveled on the service still in the platform, with a ticket I stated I had every right to be on the platform, even if I wasn't filming. Fortunately the station manager came over, knew about my vlog (including the track walk which he found interesting) and after apologising for the heavy handed approach of his colleague we came to a compromise which was agreeable. I did explain that it wasn't my intention to obstruct proceeding, which he understood, so ,most of the recording was done from platform 4. He even offered to buy me a coffee after, which was nice, but due to my time constraints I couldn't take up that offer. I have no idea who the other "official" was, but I must say I have always been welcomed by the staff of Stevenage, and found them to be very hospitable to me on the odd occasion I've been there to document things.

I'm not 100% sure things were going smoothly though, and certainly not as Chris Heaton-Harris stated above.... with cancellations due to damaged OHLE in two areas on the ECML, and drivers not being available as a result it meant that a lot of the officials were kept waiting about for others to attend. The public travelling were also asked (Herded??) to remain in one place by the ticket barriers due to the "official" opening, and were not happy when a cancelled service was then taken up by an empty coaching stock 717 unit departing from platform 1 and were ushered off the platform. Whilst I was there the service into platform 5 was 1 train per hour, which didn't seem to go down well with the TV crews who wanted B-Roll footage for their segment, and no doubt were on a tight schedule in order to get the tape back to the newsroom.

Anyway... like I said, video will be up later....