Harrow and Wealdstone platform 4

[block6panger]

I was on the train last night which arrived at 00:53 (coming from watford junction). Usually the London midland trains arrive on platform 6.

However, last night it arrived on platform 4. Both Platform 3 and 4 are blocked off from the public. So I was left climbing over the fence to get to the stairs. Thankfully, I was just about to able to get over.

What would have happened if there was someone less abled to climb?

I did not see any staff around. Is this a regular occurrence at Harrow and wealdstone?

 

[Pumbaa]

Odd. They were all running fast line last night so I'm surprised that they shut the gates. They had certainly been open earlier.

 

[Deerfold]

I was on the train last night which arrived at 00:53 (coming from watford junction). Usually the London midland trains arrive on platform 6.

However, last night it arrived on platform 4. Both Platform 3 and 4 are blocked off from the public. So I was left climbing over the fence to get to the stairs. Thankfully, I was just about to able to get over.

What would have happened if there was someone less abled to climb?

I did not see any staff around. Is this a regular occurrence at Harrow and wealdstone?

Have you raise this with Lonfon Midland?

This certainly shouldn't happen.

 

[33056]

Station is managed by London Underground. I have never known the gates blocking off platforms 3 and 4 to be locked; closed maybe but have never physically locked. Did you try the handle to open the gate next to the bottom of the stairs?

 

[Mojo]

There is a Station Supervisor rostered at Harrow/Wealdstone 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, except Christmas day. The office is on platform 1. Is there a possibility that perhaps nobody from Network Rail informed him of the changes, or that some miscreant closed the gates? When I was last there earlier in the year, the gates were locked.

 

[rmt4ever]

Why would platforms be locked at all anyway >??????

 

[Mojo]

Why would platforms be locked at all anyway >??????

Network Rail have installed fences and gates at a number of infrequently used platforms where fast trains pass to cut down on the numbers of customers being hit by trains.

 

[transportphoto]

Why would platforms be locked at all anyway >??????

In an attempt to reduce the amount of people being struck (dead) by a train, the platforms are adjacent to the fast lines which both Virgin Trains and London Midland services pass through at a considerable speed.

 

[33056]

Is there a possibility that perhaps nobody from Network Rail informed him of the changes, or that some miscreant closed the gates? When I was last there earlier in the year, the gates were locked.

It was a booked possession that has been on all week. My experiences with the 22:17 departure off platform 3 (the secret one that never appears on the screens) is that intending passengers usually have to open the gate themselves - rarely see anybody "official" come out do it.

 

[block6panger]

Station is managed by London Underground. I have never known the gates blocking off platforms 3 and 4 to be locked; closed maybe but have never physically locked. Did you try the handle to open the gate next to the bottom of the stairs?

I did try to open the gate but without success.

If the fence is there to stop people being struck, then why would the gate easily open?

 

[Nym]

It should easilly open in the direction of exit route, but from the looks of it, it was poorly specified and does not include emergency break glass / interlocks.

 

[CMS]

It was a booked possession that has been on all week. My experiences with the 22:17 departure off platform 3 (the secret one that never appears on the screens) is that intending passengers usually have to open the gate themselves - rarely see anybody "official" come out do it.

I used platform 5 to catch the 2013 to Watford Junction (SN to Milton Keynes) and noticed that 4 was gated off, looked shut but I didn't attempt to open it, obviously. I think this is usually a good idea though, the whole station shakes, signs and all, when a Pendo comes roaring through. No wonder the HRW Waiting room is so heavily used - to seek refuge! It has got better since LU took over the station, reducing the number of hanging signs.

33056, looking at RTT, that train seems to use the fast throughout, not too sure if that's the standard path but I'm sure platform 3 at Bushey is for passengers to alight (normally with SDO), and passengers cannot board trains on that platform because of turbulence issues (like FL at Wembley Central)? Is it set down only at Bushey then?

 

[rmt4ever]

I've heard it all, NR install gates that passengers can not open. So most would probably cross tracks in order to escape being trapped on the platform, significantly rising the risk of a passenger being struck by a train.. Crazy!

Don't NR realise trains can be diverted at very short notice - I.e. broken down train, points failure. And if the train is diverted onto a fancied platform, station might be unstaffed or staff on break , how are passengers expected to access the platform to join their service and ones alighting to leave the stn ? Crazy !

 

[tractakid]

Ooh. I might be on the Southern train that arrives just before the 22:17 in question later today. If I am, and everything's running to schedule, I will attempt the very unofficial 1m change (1.5 according to WTTs) and see what I find.

I'd be much more sensible trying to make the still unofficial 3 minute change at Watford Junction. But who can resist an adventure?

 

[33056]

33056, looking at RTT, that train seems to use the fast throughout, not too sure if that's the standard path but I'm sure platform 3 at Bushey is for passengers to alight (normally with SDO), and passengers cannot board trains on that platform because of turbulence issues (like FL at Wembley Central)? Is it set down only at Bushey then?

Yes, the 22:04 Euston to Milton Keynes has been booked to run on the Fast Line throughout for some time now though it does end up on the slow line north of Watford fairly often depending on what possessions are taking place that week. It is shown in the timetable as set down only at Bushey.

block6panger, I am sure that the gate between platforms 4 and 5 is no different to that between 2 and 3 in that it is not actually locked but, IIRC, there is a locking "knob" that might have to be released to free the handle. The fences serve their purpose in that merely having a barrier there can distract the mind of somebody intent on taking their own life and make them consider their actions; in fact many of the other stations on the WCML south will be getting fences in the near future.

 

[Nippy]

Of course Network Rail knows trains can be diverted a short notice. They are the ones that do it!

These fences are being installed on the GWML between London And Reading. The gates are normally only locked when the station is manned. As soon as the station is unmanned the gates are unlocked and left open. If trains are diverted when the station is manned we are meant to phone the station staff to tell them that trains are running on the Main Lines. Now whether that happens is another matter, all I can say is it does when I am on

 

[rmt4ever]

Of course Network Rail knows trains can be diverted a short notice. They are the ones that do it!

These fences are being installed on the GWML between London And Reading. The gates are normally only locked when the station is manned. As soon as the station is unmanned the gates are unlocked and left open. If trains are diverted when the station is manned we are meant to phone the station staff to tell them that trains are running on the Main Lines. Now whether that happens is another matter, all I can say is it does when I am on

I see they have done it at Acton, which seems a bit daft because
A) the station is always unmanned except a few hours each morning
B) if one needed access to a fast train here for suicidal reasons there are plenty of them on the relief lines that speed through upto 90mph not stopping

 

[block6panger]

This was the reply.

'I was sorry to hear about the difficulties you had on this occasion.

I have discussed this case with the Station Supervisor at Harrow & Wealdstone, who informed me that although the gates may have been closed, they would not have been locked when the station was still in use. Staffing would have been minimal at this time, but the Station Supervisor would have been on site for as long as trains were stopping at this station.

In any case, I apologise for the difficulties you had leaving this station. Please contact us again if you would like to discuss this matter further.'


Do I bother replying? I did try to open it a few times but to no avail.

 

[Trog]

the whole station shakes, signs and all, when a Pendo comes roaring through.

Was standing on the DF platform at Harrow once years ago when after the passage of a train a sheet of hardboard that was part of the station canopy fell onto the track. So I put my yellow jacket on, jumped down and fished it back out.