Connecting Clapham Junction
8. Increase the capacity of the station
At peak times the platforms and trains at Clapham Junction are severely overcrowded. Network Rail have promised longer platforms and trains, but so far nothing has materialised. However platform lengthening is included in Network Rail's business plan for local services to Waterloo and Victoria, for delivery by December 2013.
Longer platforms will be effective only if the train operators run longer trains. Longer trains were originally planned for the Waterloo-Windsor route in December 2010, but this has now slipped to December 2011, and it is still unclear how this will be delivered. Longer trains require extra coaches, and this is controlled by the Department for Transport (DfT). The council is lobbying for a break-through in this process, for the DfT to agree to the long-promised extra coaches, and particularly for extra investment in the station itself.
Not only do platforms need to be lengthened, but the high-numbered platforms also need to be straightened to reduce the stepping distance onto the trains. At present the large gap is very difficult to negotiate by many passengers, especially the elderly or mobility impaired. This is a major undertaking that will require land acquisition.
Access to the platforms should also be improved by widening staircases and, ideally, the provision of escalators to bring the station in line with other major interchange stations.
What do you think?
We are keen that investment is targeted effectively and delivers real improvements - particularly for people living locally who use the station regularly.
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