Portsmouth & Southsea

[MidnightFlyer]

Hi,

Just some things I want answering with regard to the aforementioned:

1) Does it feature the final branch of the Lemon Tree buffet anywhere in the UK?
2) When did the booking office move from the entrance to the concourse?
3) Am I the only person who finds this station simply wonderful? The traditional shops on the concourse, the relatively large passenger areas, clean, tidy, and the almost unique station layout?

Cheers

 

[TEW]

There's a Lemon Tree at Exeter St David's station.

 

[swt_passenger]

2) Early this year

3) I think the layout needs a major rethink. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who has just arrived on either of the low level platforms. Walk towards the buffer stops, you have to take a route round the back of the toilet block, through a narrow passageway under the high level platforms.

Why don't they just open up the direct route towards the barriers?

 

[43067]

I hate that station i use it to start my journey to the north east. but as with most stations it has that certain something about it. ah thats it a toilet.I also discovered that you can't but a ticket from the automatic machine to eaglescliffe because its north of waterloo.

 

[dk1]

Thats scary. I just booked the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth & was looking at location for this or Harbour stns. Last time i caught a train here (rather than pass through) Virgin had XC & 47+7 sat waiting in a low level bay.

 

[BestWestern]

I hate that station i use it to start my journey to the north east. but as with most stations it has that certain something about it. ah thats it a toilet.I also discovered that you can't but a ticket from the automatic machine to eaglescliffe because its north of waterloo.

Well why on earth would you want to go beyond Waterloo and venture out of the south...??! Sorry, just kidding

I think the concourse area is quite pleasant, it's light and airy and has a nice feel to it. Once you venture through the barriers it's a little grim, and of course the empty booking hall does it no favours. But on the whole I quite like it, and it's considerably nicer than the Harbour station, which truly is grotty!

 

[noddy1878]

There's a Lemon Tree at Exeter St David's station.

I don't think it is. I'm sure it's a Pumpkin Cafe.

 

[anthony263]

There's a Lemon Tree at Exeter St David's station.

I am sure I saw a Lemon tree when I was pasing through Exeter st davids back in march.

 

[wintonian]

Well why on earth would you want to go beyond Waterloo and venture out of the south...??! Sorry, just kidding

I think the concourse area is quite pleasant, it's light and airy and has a nice feel to it. Once you venture through the barriers it's a little grim, and of course the empty booking hall does it no favours. But on the whole I quite like it, and it's considerably nicer than the Harbour station, which truly is grotty!

A bit Grim? Have you ever seen the upper level platforms?

Harbour is much more pleasing with a nice view across the water.

I am sure I saw a Lemon tree when I was pasing through Exeter st davids back in march.

It's defiantly Pumpkin on plt 1 and a according to the NRE maps it's also a Pumpkin on plt 5/6

 

[TEW]

It's still a Lemon Tree on the platform side but the inside is now decorated as a Pumpkin, that's a recent change though.

 

[Schnellzug]

Thats scary. I just booked the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth & was looking at location for this or Harbour stns. Last time i caught a train here (rather than pass through) Virgin had XC & 47+7 sat waiting in a low level bay.

I remember seeing a Voyager parked in the low Level. Ah, they was the days ....

 

[BestWestern]

A bit Grim? Have you ever seen the upper level platforms?

Harbour is much more pleasing with a nice view across the water.

Hmm yes the upper platforms are a bit on the dark and dank side, and a deep clean of the overall roof is long overdue But I still find the 'Harbour to be a grottier place. It'd be lovely if they'd put a new overall roof on the place, something modern that would go nicely alongside the tower, and build the long-promised walkway between the two. Then a partition along platform 1 to the Wightlink terminal and a ticket barrier, and a revamp of the ticket office. That'd be nice. Somehow I don't see it coming soon. I expect it would probably collapse if you put a new roof on, actually

 

[wintonian]

Hmm yes the upper platforms are a bit on the dark and dank side, and a deep clean of the overall roof is long overdue But I still find the 'Harbour to be a grottier place. It'd be lovely if they'd put a new overall roof on the place, something modern that would go nicely alongside the tower, and build the long-promised walkway between the two. Then a partition along platform 1 to the Wightlink terminal and a ticket barrier, and a revamp of the ticket office. That'd be nice. Somehow I don't see it coming soon. I expect it would probably collapse if you put a new roof on, actually

When were the upper platforms built? Might give us an idea as to the last time it was cleaned.

 

[BestWestern]

When were the upper platforms built? Might give us an idea as to the last time it was cleaned.

I have a feeling the 'new' roof went up in the seventies-ish?? Could be wrong though. The actual structure itself still looks remarkably modern, if it was just tidied up a bit it would be fine. But as for the cleaning, it's thick with cr*p and really does look as though it's been decades since anybody touched it!

 

[Waldgrun]

The high level as it is known was rebuilt in 1988.
Schroll down to view the 4th image on the left on this link.

http://www.networksoutheast.net/solent-and-wessex.html

Sounds like it's going back to the state it use to be dark, damp etc. However the old high level still had temporary repairs in place, from bomb damage in 1941, with glazing replaced by boarding!

 

[BestWestern]

The high level as it is known was rebuilt in 1988.
Schroll down to view the 4th image on the left on this link.

http://www.networksoutheast.net/solent-and-wessex.html

Sounds like it's going back to the state it use to be dark, damp etc. However the old high level still had temporary repairs in place, from bomb damage in 1941, with glazing replaced by boarding!

Blimey, I didn't realise it was as late as that! That'll be why it looks vaguely modern-ish then!

That's a fascinating site, thanks for the link

 

[Matt Taylor]

The high level was rebuilt to coincide with the electrification of the Solent area. Ironically the low level concourse has just had a very extensive clean including the replacement of all the skylights so the whole area is now much brighter.

The old ticket hall is set to become another M&S Just Food outlet I understand.