CJB wrote on 10 July 2012 09:54:06 ...
They've now blocked off the direct link between platforms 15/16 of the
Hammersmith & City / Circle Lines and platforms 13/14 used by the FGW
locals. Indeed they've now demolished the stairs from the old
footbridge down to 15/16.

Now it is not possible to get to the main station concourse from 15/16
except via an unmarked unsignposted convoluted route

Fully signposted today.

via the banks of Paddington Basin on the Grand Uniion Canal.

Sort of. You use a footbridge parallel to the previous one which takes
you across both H&C tracks and into the new spacious H&C ticket hall,
with gates leading to a choice of two staircases down to the platform.

This route is also not wheelchair user-friendly either.

Yet. But the old route wasn't either. There will be lifts to the
platform when it's complete.

And anyone with luggage will also have a problem. I'm not sure if its
possible to cut through the new taxi rank above platform 12 - that
requires investigation.

Yes, you can get through that way from the main concourse, and it's
signed on platform 12. Or you can walk up the ramp from platforms 8/9.
Anyone familiar with the old route who uses the footbridge across the
FGW/HEx tracks will be directed by signs past the platform 13/14
entrance to the new route.

To get to 15/16 via the main concourse also requires a convolute route
- which is as yet unsignposted. Indeed all mentions of platforms 15/16
and the Hammersmith & City / Circle Lines have been removed throughout
Paddington. This is confusing for locals and tourists alike; it is as
though the platforms and lines have disappeared for good.

I don't know whether you happened to catch the signage in an
intermediate state, but today, one day after your post, there were
numerous signs for "Hammersmith & City Line" and "Circle Line to King's
Cross". Also, the yellow/pink stripe showing the route to the
Circle/H&C still runs across the main cooncourse and along the wide
thoroughfare between platforms 8 and 9.

The new signage is admittedly rather small and could be improved, but it
didn't seem as confusing as you claim. It is true that there is no
mention now of platform numbers 15/16, which is reasonable in view of
the separate entrance.

Since the previous access was totally inadequate and could not easily
have its capacity increased, what would your solution have been?
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)