A Bridge Too Far - Again!

A Bridge At Harlington 

Harlington (Bedfordshire) station retains something of its rural status but this tranquility hides its role as a commuter stop on the Thameslink services between Bedford, St Pancras and the south.

On Monday to Saturday it has a southbound train ...

... every 15 minutes of which half the cycle is shown below.

Likewise northbound, obviously.

Trains continue from St Pancras through the Thameslink tunnels and Blackfriars.

The station has four platforms with an exposed footbridge and NO LIFTS.

Here is the current station plan c/o Notwork Rail.

The station does NOT have step free access.

But hoo jolly ray, Notwork Rail is beginning the installation of a brand new footbridge ...

... costing  a great deal of pounds.

Here is a builders plan published, helpfully, by the local MP.

Like its predecessor, the bridge will remain open to the Bedfordshire gales and rain but, amazingly, IT WILL HAVE NO LIFTS. That is also confirmed by the MP.

Now even Axminster, fbb's "local" has a roof on the footbridge and lifts for one train an hour in each direction. Harlington, as a ruthless roofless result of Notwork Rail's utterly crackpot policy. can expect no such luxury

The comment was that this is a "like for like" replacement with "passive provision" for lifts to be added later.

Really?

Harlington has FOUR trains an hour plus extras at peak times; but will have no "accessibility" for the disabled or mobility impaired as a result. Surely it makes economic sense to throw up three lift towers while contractors are on site?

Surely that would be sensible?

What also defies belief is the picture, supplied by Notwork Rail, of the new blue bridge.

Look beyond he bridge and you will see that the Midland Main Line terminates (without buffer stops) in a field.

Yep, that's AI again; Appalling Incompetence!

Is this really the best we can do customer care in 2025?

A message to Notwork Rail ...

See It, Say It, Sorted!

Windows 2025 Part  6 (?)

The gaps where plastic strip filled the uneven space between skylights and ridge needed more treatment; a bodge to hide a previous bodge.

A mixture of Gerbil Sand (what else?) and PVA glue provided a "rough cast" surface which sort-of obscures the irregular filling-in bits. A lick of light grey paint completes the job.

The new fenestration looks so much better than what it replaced ...

... and the roof trusses have been painted with a red oxide colour.

This hides recent repairs to the trusses, damaged during storage after being brought in from the cold and wet of the former outdoor layout. 

Now a new entrance is needed ...

... as in a picture which emphasizes the warp in the roof and the ensuing gap. 

Best not look too closely inside the carriage shed! 

The dangling white strip is the lighting, which may also need replacing.

 Next Knightsbridge blog : Fri 16 May