On 12 Feb, 20:42, "Peter Masson" wrote:

"Andy" wrote

I don't think that platform 8 is regularly used by Southeastern
trains. It is accessed by from the Southern gateline and *there is a
gate between it and platform 7. Physically, the pointwork allows all
of platforms 3-8 access to/from the 'Brighton' lines at Victoria
(rather than via Stewarts Lane), but I can't remember if the
signalling allows it.

IIRC platform 8 has its own gates, and can't be accessed through the gates
to any other platform. It has at least until quite recently been used by
Southeastern trains. Time was, of course, when it was a full length
platform, and regularly used by - and specifically labelled for - the Golden
Arrow.


Platform 8 does indeed have its own gateline - whilst it can't be
accessed from any of the central side platforms it is possible to
reach it from the eastern side platforms by walking all the way up to
the end of platform 7 (there are cycle racks up this way) - this map
of the station illustrates this (PDF):
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/For Passengers/Station Maps/
4510_Victoria Station Map.pdf

My recollection is that it is attended to by Southeastern gateline
staff.

Southeastern trains certainly do make regular use of platform 8 - the
Dartford trains arrive and depart from there sometimes, perhaps it
normally only happens around peak times (?).

Didn't know that was the Golden Arrow platform - I'll remember that
next time I'm hopping on an EMU there!