Paul Corfield wrote in message . ..
On 18 Jun 2004 08:24:54 -0700, (umpston) wrote:
... is opening this weekend.
See http://www.lbwf.gov.uk/news/bus-station-square.stm
well yes except that they look like they need Alan Titchmarsh and Tommy
Walsh down there to finish the ceiling, put the lights in the right way
up, clean it all up, finish the paving works, get off the site and be
ready with a bottle of champers.
I suspect that the snagging list is going to be quite long as there are
panels all along the ceiling that are clearly missing and obviously have
not been delivered in time. The fact that the subway is unfinished also
allows workmen to remain on site to continue works.
Apologies for the slight cynicism but I have watched the progress of
this scheme closely and it is evident months of time have been lost in
the early stages and it is a mad dash at the end to achieve
"completion".
I saw it Saturday evening and it was open. All finished bar some
planting, a few paving slabs (mostly around newly concreted posts) and
a few bits and bobs on the various kiosks. The toilets were not open,
but that could well be down to the operator (London Buses) rather than
the builders. Completion may well have been rushed, as you say, but I
could see no reason not to open it now.
The blue lighting looks nice too. It now puts the rest of Walthamstow
Central (the station I mean) to shame - roll on the redevelopment.
I'm not involved in the project but I think they've done quite well.
The contractor was kind enough to show me around the site a few months
ago. At that time they had experienced various delays and
difficulties (including procurement of the roof panels and bad ground
conditions in the subway) but were confident of catching up and
opening in June - as they have done.
The delay in completing the subway is down to the owners of the rail
station (LUL & Network Rail). But I think it was wise to build the
subway at the same time as the bus-station, even though they have had
to leave it incomplete. If it had been left until later they would
almost certainly have had to close the bus-station again for the
digging of the subway trench (it goes right underneath the road
entrance) and the lift/escalator shaft.