Boards have been updated...
Happy to say I am currently on the first train due in!
Boards have been updated...
Happy to say I am currently on the first train due in!
Destined for platform 4 on TRUST.. Nearly put it in 4 too
Yes indeed, they didn't get planned early enough. The boards were changed to show 5 for about 30 minutes, and the first 4 trains used Platform 5, however they had to be reverted because there were other implications for the service if that change were kept at very short notice. Some quick communication by station staff ensured that the first train went into Platform 5.
The infrastructure is open and usable, one further train used the platform around 14:00 as there was the possibility of a driver arriving late, and using platform 5 kept that train from blocking platform 4.
Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management we're all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.
However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.
Yes indeed, they didn't get planned early enough. The boards were changed to show 5 for about 30 minutes, and the first 4 trains used Platform 5, however they had to be reverted because there were other implications for the service if that change were kept at very short notice. Some quick communication by station staff ensured that the first train went into Platform 5.
The infrastructure is open and usable, one further train used the platform around 14:00 as there was the possibility of a driver arriving late, and using platform 5 kept that train from blocking platform 4.
Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management were all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.
However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.
Oh dear, seem a classic case of the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing....
@trek - can you elaborate on the gateline not being ready ?
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.
However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.
Almost. The platform was planned to open today, station staff and customer service management were all prepared, but train planning didn't book it.
The Supervisor on duty managed to save face by persuading the signalman to use P5 for the first couple, but after that it was agreed to use P4 as the drivers' diagrams were not compliant.
A complete balls-up by train planning, really. Given how they regularly forget to book buses, or run trains, or forget engineering work, it's hardly surprising.
However, all is in place for tomorrow... Allegedly.
In the grand scheme of things right now with COVID re-writes - replatforming a few trains from four to five at Stevenage is hardly up theer in terms of importance I'm afraid.
A balls up how exactly? Train planning did exactly what they are supposed to do - offer a compliant train plan.
If anything, better for passengers interchanging on Sundays if there's no conflicting train in platform 4. You know, putting passengers first 'n' all that....
It's a balls-up because the platform was supposed to open today, but train planning didn't book any trains to use it. All the advertising was almost for nothing, bar a couple of early trains.
As to your second point - the platform was built to be used 7 days a week, regardless of how busy the route is. Ridiculous to suggest building a platform and then not use it for 1 day a week.
Along with the long, long list of other infrastructure that isn't used 7 days a week.
As I said, there are advantages to *not* using Platform 5 when possible, such as saving having to man/monitor the gateline, and giving passengers heading north a same-island interchange rather than cross via the bridge.
It's ridiculous to make passengers cross a bridge for no other reason than the neatness using all the bits of track in your trainset.
...so? 99% of actual, real passengers don't give a monkeys what platform a train uses, as long as it runs to the timetable.
Along with the long, long list of other infrastructure that isn't used 7 days a week.
As I said, there are advantages to *not* using Platform 5 when possible, such as saving having to man/monitor the gateline, and giving passengers heading north a same-island interchange rather than cross via the bridge.
It's ridiculous to make passengers cross a bridge for no other reason than the neatness using all the bits of track in your trainset.
It was supposed to be a soft opening today, officials opening tomorrow.
It was supposed to be a soft opening today, officials opening tomorrow.
that was the exact reason why NR wanted to make the platform 7 years after the may 2018 time table change. Yes, there are more people travelling down into London but there typically is an afternoon crowed or day crowed that will go up to Stevenage because it's simpler for the people of Hertford and Welwyn to see a movie or go bowling in Stevenage than Enfield. there is still people travelling for work and the college there but the roads between Stevenage, Hertford and Watton are not the best and its much quicker to go by train.Granted there is an inconvenience for anyone travelling from say Herford to Letchworth in that they must change platforms, but then I would wager that there are more people traveling to London from Hertford in the peak morning times than northwards?
Do you have any info as to when the "officials" will be doing the opening.... Despite all my efforts in contacting GN, Raitrack, Spencers, Stevenage Council, Stevenage Regeneration program, Stevenage Mayor's office, and Grant Shapps (and the DoT) nothing has been forthcoming...
Regards to the discussion on the use of P4 vs P5. IMO I can't see how, given all the time, effort, money and planning into giving Stevenage a new platform to relieve the congestion Hertford trains caused when hogging P4 that it would only be used for certain days or the week, or peak times only... Granted there is an inconvenience for anyone travelling from say Herford to Letchworth in that they must change platforms, but then I would wager that there are more people traveling to London from Hertford in the peak morning times than northwards?
.... because it's simpler for the people of Hertford and Welwyn to see a movie or go bowling in Stevenage than Enfield. there is still people travelling for work and the college there but the roads between Stevenage, Hertford and Watton are not the best and its much quicker to go by train.
Around 10am tomorrow morning, I believe.
Do you have any info as to when the "officials" will be doing the opening....
£40 million Platform 5 project opens in Stevenage
PUBLISHED: 12:30 03 August 2020 | UPDATED: 12:31 03 August 2020
Jacob Thorburn
Platform 5 at Stevenage station was opened by Stephen McPartland MP and Chris Heaton-Harris MP. Picture: Karyn Haddon
The eagerly anticipated fifth platform at Stevenage train station opened today, with operators promising commuters better connections and improved reliability.
Platform 5, which formed part of the government’s £1.2 billion rail infrastructure improvement plan, opened this morning, with Stephen McPartland MP and rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris present and praising the new platform.
Work began in early 2019 to build a dedicated fifth platform at Stevenage station – which has a passenger lift, two waiting rooms, three sets of seating, a help point and ticket machine.
Construction work was pushed ahead after an agreement from both Network Rail and Govia Thameslink, with Platform 5 being completed more than a year ahead of its revised schedule.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris commented: “This new platform and track at Stevenage will mean more frequent and reliable services for passengers who use the line day in day out.
“Thanks to the hard work of Network Rail and GTR who have worked tirelessly to accelerate the project, we have reached an important milestone in our ambitious £1.2 billion East Coast upgrade.”
Great Northern trains from the Hertford North line can now terminate at Stevenage and return to London, freeing up vital space on the existing tracks for Thameslink trains.
The restored service running between Stevenage’s new platform and the Hertford Loop will be an all day and twice hourly service.
Paul Rutter, Network Rail route director, said: “This vital project to build a bay platform at Stevenage is part of a programme of investment that will allow additional services to run on the East Coast Main Line, bringing more choice, more seats and a more reliable railway for passengers.
“We would like to thank passengers who have needed to use bus replacement services between Stevenage and Watton-at-Stone, station users and people who live near the railway for their continued patience whilst this essential part of the East Coast upgrade was completed.”
The East Coast Upgrade was first introduced by the Government in 2014, as part of a 10-year, £1.2 billion investment into connecting London with Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.