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Post by spsmiler on Sept 13, 2024 21:28:59 GMT
I just realised on the report that half of the stations on the eastern end Central Line could have been step-free by now! I wonder how Loughton, Gants Hill & Leytonstone would have become step-free? Gants Hill - convert one escalator to incline lift? Loughton - lifts? Leytonstone - new elevated passage over the tracks with exits at both bus stations and lifts down to the platforms? All guesses!
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vincenture
Quiz tryhard, and an advocate for simpler, less complicated rail routes
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Post by vincenture on Sept 14, 2024 17:38:42 GMT
Within Epping Forest area itself, there is not much incentive for Loughton to be step-free because from my guess 1. It needs lifts 2. Buckhurst Hill and Debden are already 3. The only counterpoint is night tube bus connection 4. The platforms are very curvy
For Leytonstone, perhaps either a revamp to make it have ramps? Lifts also doable. However, they’re currently focusing on Leyton.
Gants Hill probably its ridership would mean that with only 1 way between the concourse and platforms, an inclined lift might be reducing overall passenger flow. Unfortunately making Redbridge step-free might be easier imo.
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Post by spsmiler on Sept 15, 2024 22:28:29 GMT
When I was younger all three escalators would be used in the rush hours - with two down in the mornings and two up in the evenings. Oh and one in the opposite direction.
Nowadays they never have all three in operation at the same time - instead its just two - one up and one down, with the stationary escalator often varying from day to day,. The platform concourse has plenty of space for home-bound passengers to queue before starting their up escalator journey; some people walk up the stationary escalator!
What worries me is if there are only two escalators because an inclined lift has taken over the third escalator then what happens if one breaks down? Close the station? Havoc!
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Post by Chris L on Sept 16, 2024 9:26:54 GMT
Within Epping Forest area itself, there is not much incentive for Loughton to be step-free because from my guess 1. It needs lifts 2. Buckhurst Hill and Debden are already 3. The only counterpoint is night tube bus connection 4. The platforms are very curvy For Leytonstone, perhaps either a revamp to make it have ramps? Lifts also doable. However, they’re currently focusing on Leyton. Gants Hill probably its ridership would mean that with only 1 way between the concourse and platforms, an inclined lift might be reducing overall passenger flow. Unfortunately making Redbridge step-free might be easier imo. At Leytonstone a new bridge with lifts near the train crew accommodation should be possible and would be useful for the drivers.
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Post by stapler on Sept 16, 2024 10:10:29 GMT
Within Epping Forest area itself, there is not much incentive for Loughton to be step-free because from my guess 1. It needs lifts 2. Buckhurst Hill and Debden are already 3. The only counterpoint is night tube bus connection 4. The platforms are very curvy For Leytonstone, perhaps either a revamp to make it have ramps? Lifts also doable. However, they’re currently focusing on Leyton. Gants Hill probably its ridership would mean that with only 1 way between the concourse and platforms, an inclined lift might be reducing overall passenger flow. Unfortunately making Redbridge step-free might be easier imo. I strongly agree that Loughton is on the too difficult list, but it should not be forgotten, as it is a major interchange, LU/bus/taxi, where Debden and BH are not. And the existing concrete steps are quite sheer, and slippy. I doubt whether there is sufficient space for lifts in the subway, and up to the waiting room area; but there might be scope for an extra lift complex to Great Eastern Path at the London end of the platforms. This could be designed such that it did not interfere with the listed building and would assure level access. No solution would be cheap...
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vincenture
Quiz tryhard, and an advocate for simpler, less complicated rail routes
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Post by vincenture on Sept 17, 2024 15:31:23 GMT
When I was younger all three escalators would be used in the rush hours - with two down in the mornings and two up in the evenings. Oh and one in the opposite direction. Nowadays they never have all three in operation at the same time - instead its just two - one up and one down, with the stationary escalator often varying from day to day,. The platform concourse has plenty of space for home-bound passengers to queue before starting their up escalator journey; some people walk up the stationary escalator! What worries me is if there are only two escalators because an inclined lift has taken over the third escalator then what happens if one breaks down? Close the station? Havoc! True, that's the danger of all stations with only 1 entry and exit point (usually underground stations would have higher risk)
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Sept 17, 2024 16:44:36 GMT
It will depend on the specifics of each station, but usually stations can remain open with a working escalator taking people from platforms to the exit (usually up) and a fixed staircase (or stationary escalator) for the opposite direction. For example Kentish Town operated like this not infrequently prior to the current closure.
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Post by billbedford on Sept 18, 2024 7:55:37 GMT
Can someone please give me the definition of "step-free" access? Is it 'All public parts of the station can be reached by dedicated step-free routes' or 'Normal passengers can access all of the station without encountering steps'?
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Post by Dstock7080 on Sept 18, 2024 9:26:04 GMT
I wouldn’t agree those definitions, perhaps: “a step-free route is available within the station, from street to train” therefore not all areas available for all users.
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Sept 18, 2024 11:45:07 GMT
I generally agree with Dstock7080, although at some stations the route is only from the street to the platform as boarding ramps are not considered to constitute step-free access. It is also possible to quibble in some cases about "within the station" as e.g. West Croydon requires a trip via the street and car park to get between the ticket hall and the LO platform. Additionally, ticket halls having step-free access does not guarantee that ticket machines are accessible to wheelchair users.
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