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New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
Is it just me or does anyone else think this expensive new 'bus station'
doesn't live up the hype made during the planning stages? I now find I have to walk from one end to the other when alighting from a 44 or 344 bus to reach the tube, quite a long way really (i.e. further than from the old 'temporary' stop outside the hideous St George Wharf development). The old (now disused......but why?) ramp leading down to the tube station, nearest the southern end of this new ski-slope-with-a-mobile-home-parked-under-it development, remains closed off. Bus users now have to walk miles from bus to tube or overground..... Meanwhile, the 'interchange' between overground/underground/bus remains as crap as ever (still exposed to the elements). What happened to the plan to enclose the whole thing and provide escalators connecting the different modes of transport? Even the new lifts tonight were 'out of order'. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, loads of staff were standing about upstairs doing apparently nothing.......When I asked if this was the new, improved, long promised transport interchange they shrugged their shoulders and one said "I know, it's absolute crap. So much for progress". What is the point in spending millions on something which has made foot journeys between the different modes even longer than before? Is this 'major new transport interchange' merely the latest manifestation of all that is wrong with Blair's Blighty? Okay rant over. I am just ****ed off with this joke new 'interchange'! Andy |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 20:25:52 -0000, "A H"
wrote: Is it just me or does anyone else think this expensive new 'bus station' doesn't live up the hype made during the planning stages? I've not used Vauxhall since the new bus station opened but I do use Walthamstow's similarly new bus station every day. It looks very pretty and is more spacious but I'm not very convinced that it works very well. I now find I have to walk from one end to the other when alighting from a 44 or 344 bus to reach the tube, quite a long way really (i.e. further than from the old 'temporary' stop outside the hideous St George Wharf development). After initially grouping the stops so that I had to wait in the middle of the bus station and then run to one of three possible stops (!) they have now rationalised it to two stops which are beside each other. The other stop groupings are now less logical than they were. Anyone with a slight clue could have got it right first time. Naturally my stops are the furthest from the tube and you cannot see if a bus is on the stand as you exit from the tube station. This means I have more chance of missing a bus than catching one. Meanwhile, the 'interchange' between overground/underground/bus remains as crap as ever (still exposed to the elements). What happened to the plan to enclose the whole thing and provide escalators connecting the different modes of transport? Even the new lifts tonight were 'out of order'. We have a nice unfinished hole in the ground with absolutely nothing being done to finish it. For the sake of balance I believe the delays are down to LUL and not London Buses. Having used the lovely side exit from the One platforms last night and been accosted by drunk, swearing "finished with your travelcards" girls I look forward to a more suitable interchange link - although it looks like it will be stairs only. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, loads of staff were standing about upstairs doing apparently nothing.......When I asked if this was the new, improved, long promised transport interchange they shrugged their shoulders and one said "I know, it's absolute crap. So much for progress". Oh we have lots of staff but none of them seem to do very much. We used to survive with one inspector at the old bus station - now we can have as many as 4 London Buses plus multiple people from the operating companies. I think it must the only bus station I've ever come across where there are no clocks - I'm convinced the bus station is still unfinished although the contractors have now moved off site. What is the point in spending millions on something which has made foot journeys between the different modes even longer than before? Is this 'major new transport interchange' merely the latest manifestation of all that is wrong with Blair's Blighty? I think there are a couple of issues. One is a laudable desire to provide some nicely designed "different" buildings. This is fine provided you don't spend huge sums achieving it - I'm not sure this has happened with the bus station schemes. The second is the quality of TfL's project management for these schemes which is not as good as it could be in my view. Recent TfL tenders in OJEC have requested additional project management expertise so perhaps TfL have recognised this weakness Future schemes should therefore be provided on time and to budget - we all know these bus stations have been late but I've not seen anything about costs. Finally there will always be some losers on where stops get allocated within a bus station - it's a shame if you're one of the ones with the longest walk! -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
I think there are a couple of issues. One is a laudable desire to
provide some nicely designed "different" buildings Why is this laudable This is meant to be a convenient transpoprt interchange, not a Tracy Emin-style work of art. This is fine provided you don't spend huge sums achieving it Yes, the fare-payers' and tax payers' money! As usual, all form and no substance - but in this case eventhe form is doubtful! Marc. |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
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New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
In message , Mait001
writes I think there are a couple of issues. One is a laudable desire to provide some nicely designed "different" buildings Why is this laudable Ask Charles Holden or Frank Pick. This is meant to be a convenient transpoprt interchange, not a Tracy Emin-style work of art. As it happens, I particularly dislike the confection at Vauxhall. However, good, striking design *can* make a difference, encouraging more use of a service and - for instance - making using these places safer (good sight lines, lots of lighting and glass. You have only to compare using the Jubilee Line Extension to using, say, the North London Line, to see what a difference to the public good design can make. Incidentally, I used Chiswick Park for the first time yesterday. What a great Holden (I assume) design. It's interesting to see that some period signs have been maintained there, together with explanatory plaques explaining that some of the places listed are no longer served by District Line trains. This is fine provided you don't spend huge sums achieving it Yes, the fare-payers' and tax payers' money! As usual, all form and no substance - but in this case eventhe form is doubtful! Despite my comments above, I'd largely echo your sentiments about Vauxhall. However, I'd be interested to hear if such things as security/safety have been improved as a result of the new design. -- Ian Jelf, MITG Birmingham, UK Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
In article ,
Robin May wrote: There's nothing wrong with a convenient transport interchange also being a nicely designed and pleasant to look at transport interchange. .... especially if the change in the budget required to make it pleasant to look at is small. -- Mike Bristow - really a very good driver |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
This is meant to be a convenient transpoprt interchange, not a
Tracy Emin-style work of art. There's nothing wrong with a convenient transport interchange also being a nicely designed and pleasant to look at transport interchange. I agree, but this particular "work of art" satisfies neither. Marc. |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
I think there are a couple of issues. One is a laudable desire to
provide some nicely designed "different" buildings Why is this laudable This is meant to be a convenient transpoprt interchange, not a Tracy Emin-style work of art. Simply because LT (as was) had a good record of commissioning high quality architecture and design. I think there is nothing wrong in TfL wishing to carry on that tradition. There is nothing high-quality about this Vauxhall carbuncle, whicvh is why I said "Tracy Emin" as opposed to "John Constable". This is fine provided you don't spend huge sums achieving it Yes, the fare-payers' and tax payers' money! Not in every case. Developer contributions can also provide a source of revenue or can deliver enhanced transport facilities. Patently, from what has already been written, the "enhancements" here are somewhat debatable. As usual, all form and no substance - but in this case eventhe form is doubtful! I haven't seen the finished article so can't comment. I have: it is unspeakably ugly (from all angles) and, for example, the 36 going Southbound must have had added at least 5 minutes to its journey time whilst it negotiates both the structure and the the bendybuses clogging up the area. Marc. |
New Vauxhall bus station/'interchange'
On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 20:25:52 -0000, "A H" wrote:
Is it just me or does anyone else think this expensive new 'bus station' doesn't live up the hype made during the planning stages? I now find I have to walk from one end to the other when alighting from a 44 or 344 bus to reach the tube, quite a long way really (i.e. further than from the old 'temporary' stop outside the hideous St George Wharf development). Worse than that. My gym is at Vauxhall and I live at the Elephant. I used to have to wait in front of the St. George buildings where I had the choice of a 322 or a 344 at the same stop. Now I have the choice of waiting at one stop in the interchange for the 322, or waiting at another two stops further back on the other side of the interchange for a 344. I could wait in betwen the two, I suppose, and run for whichever gets there first. It's typical of transit planners here that they do not take such things into consideration when designing infrastructure. As for beauty, or design, well, I'd trade that for an ordinary interchange that worked and was convenient. -- Chris Hansen | chrishansenhome at btinternet dot com | http://www.hansenhome.demon.co.uk or | http://www.livejournal.com/users/chrishansenhome/ |
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