On 28 Sep, 11:38, kytelly wrote:
On 28 Sep, 00:48, Mizter T wrote:

When trains are running OK then it's far less likely for it to get
overcrowded and temporarily close.

Rebuilding the whole complex including the platforms, which would mean
the station had a bit more give before overcrowding would cause it to
close, would be a massive and very expensive project. And closing when
the station gets overcrowded is a sensible way to avert the risk of
mishaps that could otherwse occur.

Basically the best way to deal with potential overcrowding problems at
stations such as KXSP is for LU to ensure that all their lines are
working properly. The current modernisation plan's aim is to do just
that.

How difficult would it be to "hollow out" the platform side walls to
enable another couple of metres of platform width? (ie. put in some
other kind of roof supports) Doing that and somehow separating the
northern line and the picc lines escaltor routes would go a long way
in cutting perceived overcrowding. Also making sure that all the
ticket windows are manned in peak times which I would have thought a
no brainer!

I guess anything is possible - but it'd probably be spectacularly
expensive! One thing to say is that problems of overcrowding at such
stations does justify the decision made when designing the Jubilee
Line extension that each new station would be very spacious.

Regarding the ticket windows - yes, having them all open would be
useful! I'm not sure how much queueing problems outside the gateline/
fare-paid area contributes to the overcrowding problem that leads to
the station being closed.

One thing that would be really useful would be for TfL/LU to have a
far greater presence on the concourses of mainline stations. Yes,
there's a Travel Information Centre at Victoria, Euston and Liverpool
Street but they're all too small. There should be more (including one
at KX and at St Pancras) and they should be far larger. If they were
signed correctly they could scoop up an awful lot of the confused
tourists who need to have a more attentive service and more time spent
with them, who currently clog up the concourses waiting for tickets at
these stations.