Painting a Platform Blue!

Phil SPRT · 26 Sep 2019

Hello,
a very random question.
I am involved in the Sheaf and Porter River Trust in Sheffield.
The river sheaf runs under Sheffield station in a system on culverts at the moment. While we are pushing for deculverting of the river in other areas, the railway station prevents any major changes in this section.

However, we are trying to research if it would be possible to paint part of platform 2-5 Bright Blue, marking the river below it.

Does anyone know if there is any official guidance preventing this?

As a side note, we are also looking to add some light wells where possible, so even though the culvert remains, it will no longer be in darkness.

RailUK Forums

pdeaves · 26 Sep 2019

Phil SPRT said:
if it would be possible to paint part of platform 2-5 Bright Blue

Welcome.

It would certainly be possible. However, there are likely to be many hoops to jump through - making sure the surface is acceptable, the colour doesn't cause confusion under certain light conditions, that sort of thing. Have a word with East Midlands Railway (as the company responsible for most station things). If they are 'on board' it will be much easier than if they aren't.

John Webb · 26 Sep 2019

Is there a "Community Rail Partnership" (CRP) covering that part of the railway? If so, I would suggest you get involved with it. It's the sort of thing they might well be willing to pick up on. For example, the fairly new CRP for the MML between Bedford and St Albans approached the St Albans Signal Box Preservation Trust to design a panel for the waiting room at St Albans City station outlining the station's history, commemorating the local railway men who died in WW1 and also outlining the preservation of the adjacent signal box. Got us some good publicity at the end of July when it was officially unveiled.

yorksrob · 26 Sep 2019

The platforms at Leeds were painted grey when the station was rebuilt in 2001.

sheff1 · 26 Sep 2019

Building on the previous posts, even if painting the platform was not possible I don't see why EMR would be adverse to information panels - there are already a number at Derby.

edwin_m · 26 Sep 2019

Is there still a log displayed on one of the platforms, which according to the plaque was left there when the entire station flooded about 20 years ago? If so it might be of interest to link your proposal to this.

dmncf · 26 Sep 2019

Phil, a change of surface colour, pattern or texture is a distraction and even a barrier for some people with disabilities, for example it can cause people with Parkinson's disease to freeze: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/freezing . Your plan to unearth the River Sheaf sounds great, but can I suggest you do it in places outside the station where people can make a choice to visit and enjoy it, and not on the station platforms where people don't have that choice and people need to concentrate on boarding and a lighting trains safely?

sheff1 · 26 Sep 2019

edwin_m said:
Is there still a log displayed on one of the platforms, which according to the plaque was left there when the entire station flooded about 20 years ago?

Yes it is.

61653 HTAFC · 27 Sep 2019

yorksrob said:
The platforms at Leeds were painted grey when the station was rebuilt in 2001.

Another station with a river underneath it... perhaps the OP will have started a trend (though in the case of the Aire through Leeds, grey is a more accurate colour)!

Ken H · 27 Sep 2019

Phil SPRT said:
Hello,
a very random question.
I am involved in the Sheaf and Porter River Trust in Sheffield.
The river sheaf runs under Sheffield station in a system on culverts at the moment. While we are pushing for deculverting of the river in other areas, the railway station prevents any major changes in this section.

However, we are trying to research if it would be possible to paint part of platform 2-5 Bright Blue, marking the river below it.

Does anyone know if there is any official guidance preventing this?

As a side note, we are also looking to add some light wells where possible, so even though the culvert remains, it will no longer be in darkness.

There is a bit of kit called a light tube. The inside of a metal tube is highly polished. Its usually let into a roof to light dim corners. The light reflects down the tube.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/velux-ri...MI6emwmrPw5AIVFeDtCh0qTgObEAQYAyABEgJR9fD_BwE

_toommm_ · 27 Sep 2019

edwin_m said:
Is there still a log displayed on one of the platforms, which according to the plaque was left there when the entire station flooded about 20 years ago? If so it might be of interest to link your proposal to this.

Next to the management office on P5 (on the way down to Platform 2C)

DarloRich · 27 Sep 2019

Without wishing to pee on anyone's chips I fear this will be much harder than people here suggest. I think at best some interpretative panels might be possible. I cant see blue paint being allowed and I absolutely cant see light wells being dug in the platforms.

Sorry.

However, keep working with the ACoRP people, the council, Network Rail and the TOC and see what CAN be done. You might have to compromise but there are options. I think telling people the river is down there is a good thing. It helps with local history and geography and an understanding of the history of the station area.

Meerkat · 27 Sep 2019

Are their canopies that could support a wavy river sculpture without blocking other signage?

johnnychips · 27 Sep 2019

Meerkat said:
Are their canopies that could support a wavy river sculpture without blocking other signage?

That sounds good!

Peter Mugridge · 28 Sep 2019

Well... they do cover half the platform at Southfields with a green carpet during the Wimbledon fortnight each year, although that is of course a different company involved. However, it does show that a coloured surface isn't always a no-no.

Tio Terry · 28 Sep 2019

Any platform surface of any colour would need to meet the minimum slip index requirements. It’s not difficult to achieve but painted surfaces are normally worse than, say, asphalt when wet.

eastdyke · 28 Sep 2019

Tio Terry said:
Any platform surface of any colour would need to meet the minimum slip index requirements. It’s not difficult to achieve but painted surfaces are normally worse than, say, asphalt when wet.

No need for paint. Tarmac do a range of coloured asphalts under the name ULTICOLOUR. The mid-blue looks good.
Of course small quanties may come at a high price.
Perhaps, if the platform is wide enough, the coloured area could be confined to the centre of the platform leaving the platform edges and, say, the first 2 metres each side as 'normal'?
https://www.tarmac.com/solutions/aggregates-asphalt/ulticolour/

talltim · 28 Sep 2019

I saw a photo of an area further downstream where the river runs under the road. Someone, I assume the OPs society, has projected a blue stripe of light to show where the river runs

talltim · 28 Sep 2019

Isn’t the river pretty wide under station? Looks like 2 times Circa 20 foot arches

Sean Emmett · 29 Sep 2019

Parts of the platforms at Temple Meads are painted blue to indicate stop clear of the mid platform signals.

Does this set a precedent?

xc170 · 29 Sep 2019

Can't help but think painting a platform blue will end up looking really scruffy after a few months use, maybe information boards will be a better idea?

Tio Terry · 30 Sep 2019

eastdyke said:
No need for paint. Tarmac do a range of coloured asphalts under the name ULTICOLOUR. The mid-blue looks good.
Of course small quanties may come at a high price.
Perhaps, if the platform is wide enough, the coloured area could be confined to the centre of the platform leaving the platform edges and, say, the first 2 metres each side as 'normal'?
https://www.tarmac.com/solutions/aggregates-asphalt/ulticolour/

Yes, I am aware of coloured tarmac but the original question revolved around painting a surface designed for walking on.

eastdyke · 1 Oct 2019

Tio Terry said:
Yes, I am aware of coloured tarmac but the original question revolved around painting a surface designed for walking on.

Guilty, as charged

Painting a Platform Blue!

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