swt_passenger
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 32,997
Yes, as others have suggested it’s the latest standards for secondary means of escape. Reading‘s ‘new’ platforms on the relief side (10 years old?), have steps down to an emergency subway at both ends, and marked refuge areas at both ends for those who can’t use stairs, all in addition to the double sets of normal lifts, escalators, and stairs. Winslow and Bletchley high level on EWR both have refuges, and Winslow has emergency escape stairs up to local ground level as well.The lifts were only out of action for about 2 weeks. That hasn't been the reason for the safety marshals. It seems that the latest station safety rules required emergency exits at both ends of the old platform (that had managed without for the last 152 years) and a safety refuge at the south end of the new platform in case users were unable to use the bridge. Suggestonss of a hypothetical train on fire from end to end in the station have been made.
The ramped emergency exits are lit with lights concealed in the undersides of the handrails. The emergency refuge is also lit and has PA loudspeakers.
The fact that money could be found for these features somewhat surprises local users who have lost a covered waiting shelter with bench to seat a cosy 10 plus standees without replacement. There is now no covered seating on the old platform (although some perch/squat seats are supposed to compensate). .All that money used to provide for a very unlikely scenario but none for the convenience and comfort of passengers every day.