Deepgreen
Established Member
When the new platform 0 was built at Redhill, it was intended that GW trains would, as a rule, use platform 1, which became a ten-car south-facing bay, worked as a two section platform when required. However, many GW trains use platform 0 to reverse, even when platform 1 is empty. One such time is the 1223 arrival (reverses to form the 1230 departure) and the 1242 Reading to Gatwick reverser.
Both these could use platform 1, which would avoid the need for connecting passengers to cross via the subway to/from platform 2 (to/from the stopping point halfway up platform 0 - why can't there be a specific 3 car mark sited to make the GW trains stop as close to the subway as possible?!). The use of platform 1 would also keep platform 0 (a through road) free for use by any other trains that may be late, etc. I have seen many passengers with luggage miss a Reading train (only 2 hourly at some intermediate stations!) which they would easily have caught if it had been across the same platform.
It seems that passenger convenience has, yet again, been overlooked for want of a bit of thought about operations here.
Both these could use platform 1, which would avoid the need for connecting passengers to cross via the subway to/from platform 2 (to/from the stopping point halfway up platform 0 - why can't there be a specific 3 car mark sited to make the GW trains stop as close to the subway as possible?!). The use of platform 1 would also keep platform 0 (a through road) free for use by any other trains that may be late, etc. I have seen many passengers with luggage miss a Reading train (only 2 hourly at some intermediate stations!) which they would easily have caught if it had been across the same platform.
It seems that passenger convenience has, yet again, been overlooked for want of a bit of thought about operations here.