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Gatwick Airport station - fit for purpose? Any future plans?

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GoneSouth

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Having visited Gatwick station last week, I was just wondering if there are any plans to improve or expand the place. It seems very cramped and from what I can tell hasn’t undergone much in the way of improvements over the past 30 years since I first used the station. In fact there seemed to be significantly more space prior to the ticket gate line being installed.

I don’t think there are lifts to all platforms from the main concourse and you have to go back out into the airport to access the second bridge entrance to all platforms where there are generally not many staff to help and no facilities at all. Surely there is a grand plan to improve the place with the number of passengers using the station these days?

Apologies if there is already a discussion on this subject.
 
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hwl

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GoneSouth said:
Having visited Gatwick station last week, I was just wondering if there are any plans to improve or expand the place. It seems very cramped and from what I can tell hasn’t undergone much in the way of improvements over the past 30 years since I first used the station. In fact there seemed to be significantly more space prior to the ticket gate line being installed.

I don’t think there are lifts to all platforms from the main concourse and you have to go back out into the airport to access the second bridge entrance to all platforms where there are generally not many staff to help and no facilities at all. Surely there is a grand plan to improve the place with the number of passengers using the station these days?

Apologies if there is already a discussion on this subject.
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It actually got a small make over a few years ago.

Yes there are huge redevelopment plans with work due to start early next year:
https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2019/07/08/gatwick-airport-train-station-to-get-150m-upgrade/
 
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Surreytraveller

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It received a new platform (number 7) about 5 years ago. From next summer it is being rebuilt, with an altered timetable in place for the duration of the works
 
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GoneSouth

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Thanks for the info.

Good news, it’s currently a bit of a mess and can be a thoroughly miserable experience when they make last minute platform changes with the lack of lifts!
 
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edwin_m

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There's at least once place where the yellow safety line is so close to the buildings that it's not possible to walk between them while carrying any sort of suitcase. Are there any plans to de-clutter the platforms Piccadilly 13/14 style or even widen them?
 
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GoneSouth

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Surreytraveller said:
Its certainly not a place to choose to change trains at
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Sadly don’t have a choice when flying. :'(

The Reading trains always seem to have the worst crowding on the platforms, everybody bunched up on the same 30m of platform waiting for what might only be a 2 coach train. The Gatwick express on the other hand... how well is that used?

Is there enough space for widening existing platforms or adding new? I thought there was a road beside the station making it impossible to extend on one side.
 
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djdanny77

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And the fact that not all bridges go to Platform 7 and some escaltors/entrances to the other platforms are 1 way only, a real pain in the backside when trying to naviagate a 2 minute change
 
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Hophead

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Trawling the Network Rail website, I perused the "Gatwick Airport station upgrade" page and found firm plans for the work:

Work dates
  • Enabling and escalator replacement works – September 2019 to April 2020
  • Main station work starts – May 2020
  • Platform 7 closes – May 2020 – December 2020
  • Platform 5 and 6 close – December 2020 to early 2021
  • Platform 3 and 4 close – early 2021 to November 2021
  • Station concourse work – June 2021 to May 2022
  • Project completion – 2022
Click to expand...
 
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cle

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There is a spot for an eighth line and p8 face, but the p7 escalator is right on the edge - might it be a bay?
 
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sheff1

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Surreytraveller said:
Its certainly not a place to choose to change trains at
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Heading from St Pancras to Sussex destinations not served by a through train I always change at Gatwick. The large volume of alighting passengers means the chances of getting a seat are much better than if I changed at East Croydon.
 
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bubieyehyeh

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I change regularly at gatwick because first/last place where I can switch to/from the cheaper oyster fares.
 
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bubieyehyeh

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bubieyehyeh said:
I change regularly at gatwick because first/last place where I can switch to/from the cheaper oyster fares.
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It is a pain though, especially with tourist standing around blocking the route to the tickets gates.

They've also just started on refurbishing the escalator which makes thinks worse.

Truely awful station design.
 
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Geogregor

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When can we expect first works at this station? Does any one know how will they phase the coming redevelopment?
 
Railcar

Railcar

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GoneSouth said:
The Gatwick express on the other hand... how well is that used?
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Whenever a Gatwick Express comes through East Croydon I make a point of counting heads as it goes past. Never full. Usually almost empty. Truly the 'Fresh Air Express'. What a waste.

By contrast the fast Southern services to Victoria coming up from the coast become jam-packed at Gatwick.
 
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