Dedicated calm waiting area at Crewe

[py_megapixel]

I was quite impressed to see a waiting room at Crewe platform 5 with a sign specifically designating it as reserved for passengers requiring a calm environment. I imagine this is largely aimed at people with conditions such as ASD* which may make it difficult to cope with a noisy environment of a large station. I didn't take any pictures or even go inside, because I was fine in the main station environment and didn't want to disturb it for anyone who was making use of it. From the outside, though, it looked like it had more subdued lighting than the main waiting rooms. I'm unsure whether it has automated announcements or a departure screen inside.

I do have a couple of concerns regarding the signage. Firstly, it seems not very well signed from anywhere in the station, and secondly, the signage on the door is self-contradictory - there is one sign which says it is open to passengers requiring a calm environment, and then another one which directs you further down the platform and says "public waiting room this way" suggesting that passengers aren't allowed in there after all. I do appreciate the point they're trying to make, which is that it is not an area for general use and it has a specific purpose which people need to respect, but the wording they've chosen is confusing. Thirdly, where it is signed, they use a wheelchair symbol, which is nonsensical.

Overall, though, I think it's an excellent idea, and would be glad to see it rolled out to more large stations. What are other members' thoughts on this?

* Autism Spectrum Disorder

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is this the place that was once signed as the "Eurostar Lounge" (adjacent to the P5 stairs/lift)?
This never opened to the public as the regional services never started, and then (I think) became part of the (Virgin/Avanti) staff accommodation.
It took about a decade for the "Eurostar" signs to come down...

 

[Deafdoggie]

Is this the place that was once signed as the "Eurostar Lounge" (adjacent to the P5 stairs/lift)?
This never opened to the public as the regional services never started, and then (I think) became part of the (Virgin/Avanti) staff accommodation.
It took about a decade for the "Eurostar" signs to come down...

Under virgin it briefly became a "normal" waiting room but there's no real need for two waiting rooms on platform 5.

 

[Trainfan2019]

I've often seen the calm room at Crewe but never dared venture in plus it always looks dark and closed. I'm Asperger's which is on the ASD spectrum so in theory I should be allowed in. However, train stations never overwhelm me and I'm usually on the look out for train photo opportunities a lot of the time.

The calm room is a good idea but should be promoted a bit more and introduced at more stations.

 

[py_megapixel]

I've often seen the calm room at Crewe but never dared venture in plus it always looks dark and closed. I'm Asperger's which is on the ASD spectrum so in theory I should be allowed in. However, train stations never overwhelm me and I'm usually on the look out for train photo opportunities a lot of the time.

The calm room is a good idea but should be promoted a bit more and introduced at more stations.

Is it not dark on purpose to avoid being overwhelming? Or maybe the lights are sensor controlled?

 

[185]

Crewe overwhelms most people, staff included. Deafeningly loud announcements, a squashed mess cluttered with poster cases in the middle of platforms, tatty slippy surfaces, great roof (if you stand in the right place).

Flatten the lot, kick WH Smith & SSP (upper crud et al) off the site and start again.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Is it not dark on purpose to avoid being overwhelming? Or maybe the lights are sensor controlled?

I think they are sensor controlled.

I've often seen the calm room at Crewe but never dared venture in plus it always looks dark and closed. I'm Asperger's which is on the ASD spectrum so in theory I should be allowed in. However, train stations never overwhelm me and I'm usually on the look out for train photo opportunities a lot of the time.

The calm room is a good idea but should be promoted a bit more and introduced at more stations.

Basically they just had the spare waiting room noone was using, so worth a go. I don't think they'll be popping up elsewhere.

 

[yorksrob]

Crewe overwhelms most people, staff included. Deafeningly loud announcements, a squashed mess cluttered with poster cases in the middle of platforms, tatty slippy surfaces, great roof (if you stand in the right place).

Flatten the lot, kick WH Smith & SSP (upper crud et al) off the site and start again.

Never. I find Crewe a very pleasant place to wait, although a better stocked bar would be welcome.

 

[Lifelong]

I used this, almost by accident, when I was pacing the platform waiting for a train on a chilly day. TBH I must have missed the signs re ‘eligibility’ etc, I just thought it was a great, quiet space, one of the nicest I’ve been in whilst waiting for a train. Felt very hidden…

 

[Deafdoggie]

I think it's only recently become this. It was just a "normal" waiting room before. But very underused

 

[Trainfan2019]

I never thought about the calm room having low, sensor controlled lighting but it sounds a good idea really. With Crewe being a large interchange station, there will be a wide variety of people passing through with some requiring a calm area away from the noise and anxiety provoking situations. Luckily I rarely get affected in train related situations but I do have sensory issues elsewhere e.g certain noises, crowds (not train related) but that's another topic for another thread. Will try and have a look in the Crewe calm room and see what it's all about.

 

[PeterY]

Crewe overwhelms most people, staff included. Deafeningly loud announcements, a squashed mess cluttered with poster cases in the middle of platforms, tatty slippy surfaces, great roof (if you stand in the right place).

Flatten the lot, kick WH Smith & SSP (upper crud et al) off the site and start again.

Sadly, that's how I find Crewe station. I love your comment about the roof, leaks like a sieve

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I never thought about the calm room having low, sensor controlled lighting but it sounds a good idea really. With Crewe being a large interchange station, there will be a wide variety of people passing through with some requiring a calm area away from the noise and anxiety provoking situations. Luckily I rarely get affected in train related situations but I do have sensory issues elsewhere e.g certain noises, crowds (not train related) but that's another topic for another thread. Will try and have a look in the Crewe calm room and see what it's all about.

I'm visiting in a few weeks but won't get time to see it.

I had previously wondered if calm rooms could become a "thing" at major railway stations with a degree of soundproofing, quiet announcements and subdued lighting. But then, they might attract the local undesirables in the dark evenings looking for a haven for unsavoury activities

 

[Deafdoggie]

I'm visiting in a few weeks but won't get time to see it.

I had previously wondered if calm rooms could become a "thing" at major railway stations with a degree of soundproofing, quiet announcements and subdued lighting. But then, they might attract the local undesirables in the dark evenings looking for a haven for unsavoury activities

I don't think we will see many, if any, more. There was a spare waiting room at Crewe so it's worth using for something. But it's hardly well used and stations that don't happen to have a spare room aren't going to get one built.

 

[py_megapixel]

I don't think we will see many, if any, more. There was a spare waiting room at Crewe so it's worth using for something. But it's hardly well used and stations that don't happen to have a spare room aren't going to get one built.

If they bothered sign it properly, it might get used!

 

[Deafdoggie]

If they bothered sign it properly, it might get used!

The reason it wasn't used much as a "normal" waiting room is that it's very tucked away and not very handy for trains.

 

[Trainfan2019]

Update...I've been in the calm room at Crewe early mornings this week. Very impressed with how it feels inside, totally unlike any other waiting room I've ever been in. Subdued lighting and seating where you can feel tucked away in. The only main noises I heard were the train announcements on platform 5 outside (there were none announced in the room) and I heard the rumble of a train on platform 1 going past. I was sat next to the window at the back of the room and this must be directly next to the track leading into platform 1. All in all though, it was great.

 

[ExRes]

Is this the same sort of thing as the ridiculously named 'quiet coach', should be a fantastic success if it is

 

[py_megapixel]

Is this the same sort of thing as the ridiculously named 'quiet coach', should be a fantastic success if it is

I'm not quite sure if this post is meant to be sarcastic or not...

 

[ExRes]

I'm not quite if this post is meant to be sarcastic or not...

It most certainly is

 

[py_megapixel]

It most certainly is

I assume the way in which you mean quiet coaches are unsuccessful is that not everyone wants a quiet space, so when the non-quiet coaches get busy people over-spill into the quiet coach and ruin the quiet environment.
At a station, though, this is surely less likely to happen, as unlike in the confined environment of a train, there is plenty of other space for other passengers to go to?