Gatwick Airport station upgrade

[MPW]

So I travel from my local station (Blackwater) heading for Brighton, Lewes or Hove. Where else would you suggest I change?

I usually get changed in my bedroom.

I used gatwick Station to get to the airport yesterday and thought it was a massive improvement! All those people with suitcases easily funneled into the new exit only concourse

 

[Tunnel Bore]

I would have thought Gatwick is probably one of the worst places to change trains. Change somewhere else!

I change there on my regular commute from Balcombe to Victoria. It's not perfect but it is a good place to change: more stairs and escalators than Three Bridges or East Croydon and boarding trains at Croydon means getting on an already busy service. It also means I can change on to GatEx which I couldn't do at Three Bridges or East Croydon.

 

[Ted633]

So where so you recommend someone travelling from Dorking to Eastbourne change instead?

Redhill, Three Bridges AND Haywards Heath obviously!

(Not a serious suggestion)

 

[AlbertBeale]

I usually get changed in my bedroom.

I used gatwick Station to get to the airport yesterday and thought it was a massive improvement! All those people with suitcases easily funneled into the new exit only concourse

Is there clear signage so that you know which platform exit is best for changing trains, and which is best to leave to access the airport terminals?

 

[MPW]

Signage points to the new concourse for exit to airport. My experience did not involve changing trains, neither will the experience of most people using the station and especially most of the inexperienced users.

 

[Minstral25]

Is there clear signage so that you know which platform exit is best for changing trains, and which is best to leave to access the airport terminals?

The signage is mostly aimed at Airport Passengers only

Signage points to the new concourse for exit to airport. My experience did not involve changing trains, neither will the experience of most people using the station and especially most of the inexperienced users.

Whilst a large % will be going to the Airport, the numbers changing train every day are in the 1,000s. Personally do it at least once a week, sometimes more.

Anyone coming from North Downs/Tonbridge/Redhill route for Hayward's Heath and the Coastway's will change at Gatwick. Three Bridges the only alternative but a lot of trains don't call there. Also Journey Planners normally tell you to change at Gatwick when heading that way too.

The lack of usable signage and Public Information Systems is a real problem if you are not glued to a phone.

 

[AlbertBeale]

The signage is mostly aimed at Airport Passengers only



Whilst a large % will be going to the Airport, the numbers changing train every day are in the 1,000s. Personally do it at least once a week, sometimes more.

Anyone coming from North Downs/Tonbridge/Redhill route for Hayward's Heath and the Coastway's will change at Gatwick. Three Bridges the only alternative but a lot of trains don't call there. Also Journey Planners normally tell you to change at Gatwick when heading that way too.

The lack of usable signage and Public Information Systems is a real problem if you are not glued to a phone.

Indeed - despite (obviously) being a major destination, Gatwick is one of the significant interchange points on the Brighton-London route; and not just for people connecting in from branches like the NDL (I occasionally want to change there en route between Brighton and London). To leave interchange passengers floundering, ending up going to the airport terminal and finding their way into the station again is absurd. (There are plenty of us who need to interchange there from time to time, but never need or want to get to the airport.)

If one lot of stairs/lifts provides direct interchange to all the other platforms, and the other doesn't, then that should be clearly signposted. And in both cases, when you get to the upper level there needs to be obvious signposting, distinguishing where you go for the airport from where you go for all the platforms (even if that means heading airportwards first in the case of some platforms ... then at least you know!).

Without that, I'd consider the revamp to be dysfunctional from a rail passenger point of view.

 

[takno]

In spite of having tried a couple of times I've never actually managed to go up the stairs to the new concourse. I guess that's just a matter of where I happen to sit on the train. They work pretty hard to get people using contactless, and that will work for 80% of passengers, so I'm not really sure why they didn't just put another gate line and up/down steps in. Either way, the main station area does feel quite roomy now.

 

[infobleep]

Redhill, Three Bridges AND Haywards Heath obviously!

(Not a serious suggestion)

Well today it could have been Redhill and Haywards Heath. A rare day of direct trains all day.

In spite of having tried a couple of times I've never actually managed to go up the stairs to the new concourse. I guess that's just a matter of where I happen to sit on the train. They work pretty hard to get people using contactless, and that will work for 80% of passengers, so I'm not really sure why they didn't just put another gate line and up/down steps in. Either way, the main station area does feel quite roomy now.

I rarely visit the main station area, beyond changing trains but I don't go through the barriers so haven't seen this new roomy area.

 

[neilm]

Can anyone explain how in the redevelopment they made platform 6 not long enough and therefore the rear doors in the rear coach do not open on a Class 700 train?

 

[PGAT]

Can anyone explain how in the redevelopment they made platform 6 not long enough and therefore the rear doors in the rear coach do not open on a Class 700 train?

This is news to me

 

[neilm]

This is news to me

I contacted GTR via Twitter who confirm "upon checking this with the relevant team they’ve advised that this is due to safety reasons. Whilst the platform may look long enough, the last coach can just about fit which isn’t enough distance clearance for the doors to safety open and for passengers to get on and off the train. "

But I have looked at the window and it seems fine.

 

[Sunset route]

I contacted GTR via Twitter who confirm "upon checking this with the relevant team they’ve advised that this is due to safety reasons. Whilst the platform may look long enough, the last coach can just about fit which isn’t enough distance clearance for the doors to safety open and for passengers to get on and off the train. "

But I have looked at the window and it seems fine.

Interesting as the previous platform 6 could fit a 12 car going southbound and the platform was lengthened slightly at the London end when they altered the layout.

 

[infobleep]

Interesting as the previous platform 6 could fit a 12 car going southbound and the platform was lengthened slightly at the London end when they altered the layout.

How often do Thameslink services using platform 6? Is it just when there is engineering works?

 

[Peregrine 4903]

How often do Thameslink services using platform 6? Is it just when there is engineering works?

9T49 and 9T51 are booked SX to use Platform 6.

 

[neilm]

9T49 and 9T51 are booked SX to use Platform 6.

Indeed although I see both used platform 7 tonight...

 

[infobleep]

9T49 and 9T51 are booked SX to use Platform 6.

Is that just to keep up drivers knowledge of platform 6?

 

[thelem]

I've been through Gatwick a few times since the so called improvements. Today, typically, Redhill ....change at Gatwick, onwards to the south coast. The main point is poor signage, the north stairs are blocked and the only escalator deposits you in a large "atrium" without well defined platform signage. More importantly, there is a lack of departure screens throughout the station and no "next train to" screen. Arriving on platform 6, no coffee stand, no toilets and hard, open air seating for transit pax. (Mustn't forget the tiny lounge at the far end of the platform!)

I assume you're referring to the new atrium shown in the photos in post #27? This is really the bulk of the upgrade, and I'm not sure what more you could ask for in this section. I'll quote one of the images from that post here:

There is huge signage on the lifts for platforms 7, 6 and 5. If you're after platforms 1-4 it's fairly obvious these will be found nearer platform 5 than platform 7, and indeed there is a smaller sign with these platform numbers above the exit that leads to these platforms (just visible in the centre right of this picture). There are departure boards for all platforms on the platform, and between the lifts there is a large display with departures for platforms 5-7.

While there is a clearly intended exit and entrance concourse, it is possible to change between any platforms on either concourse.

 

[infobleep]

I assume you're referring to the new atrium shown in the photos in post #27? This is really the bulk of the upgrade, and I'm not sure what more you could ask for in this section. I'll quote one of the images from that post here:

There is huge signage on the lifts for platforms 7, 6 and 5. If you're after platforms 1-4 it's fairly obvious these will be found nearer platform 5 than platform 7, and indeed there is a smaller sign with these platform numbers above the exit that leads to these platforms (just visible in the centre right of this picture). There are departure boards for all platforms on the platform, and between the lifts there is a large display with departures for platforms 5-7.

While there is a clearly intended exit and entrance concourse, it is possible to change between any platforms on either concourse.

I guess what I don't understand is why the large circulating space when all one can do it go down to platforms or exit the station. You can't enter the station here, which seems very odd.

I've yet to read a plausible justification for it being this way, vers it having an entry and exit gateline.

 

[thelem]

I guess what I don't understand is why the large circulating space when all one can do it go down to platforms or exit the station.

I believe it's to ensure the platforms clear quickly. In the worst-case scenario of 3, 12 coach trains arriving on platforms 5, 6 and 7 at the same time, there is space for the passengers to clear the platform and queue for the gatelines.

 

[infobleep]

I believe it's to ensure the platforms clear quickly. In the worst-case scenario of 3, 12 coach trains arriving on platforms 5, 6 and 7 at the same time, there is space for the passengers to clear the platform and queue for the gatelines.

I guess I have never been there when it has been this busy.

If they wish to deal with busy platforms, perhaps they could turn their attention to Wimbledon Station.

Going back to Gatwick Airport, I still think they need entry barriers here.

 

[swt_passenger]

I guess what I don't understand is why the large circulating space when all one can do it go down to platforms or exit the station. You can enter the station here, which seems very odd.

I've yet to read a plausible justification for it being this way, vers it having an entry and exit gateline.

Did you mean to write can’t enter?

The original station concourse with all the ticket machines is supposed to be entry only now, isn‘t it?

 

[infobleep]

Did you mean to write can’t enter?

The original station concourse with all the ticket machines is supposed to enter only now, isn‘t it?

Yes, I did mean that. I've ensured it is now correct.

 

[wagnaga]

I believe it's to ensure the platforms clear quickly. In the worst-case scenario of 3, 12 coach trains arriving on platforms 5, 6 and 7 at the same time, there is space for the passengers to clear the platform and queue for the gatelines.

This was my understanding because delays at Gatwick could end up being transmitted across the Thameslink network.

 

[AlbertBeale]

So is it that with the separation of people entering the station en route to the trains from people arriving on the trains, those planning the rebuild decided that full train departure information wasn't needed on the route from the platforms to the airport? Hence ignoring the needs of people changing trains at the station?

 

[infobleep]

So is it that with the separation of people entering the station en route to the trains from people arriving on the trains, those planning the rebuild decided that full train departure information wasn't needed on the route from the platforms to the airport? Hence ignoring the needs of people changing trains at the station?

I change trains via the nearest set of stairs or escalators when changing trains, regardless of the footbridge I use.

When it came to a recent rail replacement bus service, I tried to exit via the new concourse, only to find the gateline to the outside was closed and one had to go to the other footbridge and wait there to be escorted to the coach.

 

[Bishopstone]

Towards the rear of the old concourse, where the First Class lounge used to be (briefly), is a gallery-style chronological history of the Gatwick area and the various stations in the vicinity, including Racecourse and Tinsley Green. Plus content about the development of the airport. The posters include lots of old photographs and maps.

Worth fifteen minutes of your time if you have a wait for a train.

 

[dastocks]

The original station concourse with all the ticket machines is supposed to be entry only now, isn‘t it?

You are certainly discouraged from trying to exit that way, but I was able to do this last time I used the station to access the airport in July last year. A couple of gates next to the Platform 1 escalators were allowing exits. I was actually heading to a local bus stop which is accessed via the walkway to the North Terminal shuttle and having to go through the airport to get there would be irritating.

This would still be the preferred route to the North Terminal if it's still possible. I can't think of a reason why you would want to enter the station via the new concourse.

 

[modernrail]

Is anybody else finding the area from the top of the escalators to the gate lines sub-optimal?

Bearing in mind this a very expensive rebuild the gateline queue seems as bad as ever if not worse.

Is the problem the lack of obvious route through to the left hand gates I wonder.

It all just feels awkward rather than smooth.

 

[thelem]

IIRC when this was first proposed it would have included rebuilding the area around the gateline as well, but that was cut back to save money before the project got the go ahead. I think they've done the best they can to open up both parts of the gateline from platforms 3-7. Platforms 1 & 2 are harder but don't get the same traffic so it should be less of an issue.