On Wed, 5 Dec 2007 19:57:01 -0000, "John Rowland"
wrote:

Steve wrote:
Shepherds Bush won't be opening any time soon. Seems the platforms
are too narrow to allow for all the shoppers in the Westfield centre
and therefore looks like it might have to be demolished and rebuilt
before opening!

So what's their reason for not opening the other platform? South Greenford
operated as a one-way station for a year or two after one of the platforms
went bungee jumping, and the Sudbury Picc stations were both one-way for a
while during platform rebuilding. Not ideal, but better than a shut
station... unless they are concerned that a one-way station on the maps for
six months will bring a lot more embarrassing publicity than a shut station,
and feigning competence is more important than helping the public get
around.

I think the difference is that Shepherds Bush is a new station and must
meet mandated standards before Works, Plant and Equipment (statutory
safety) approval can be granted thus allowing public use. Let's be frank
- the platform width issue at SB is a right royal cock up by several
parties who have duties under Construction Design Management regulations
to design correctly or to seek assurance or to grant approvals. Quite
how three key activities were mucked up to this extent would make an
interesting story.

The other examples you quote are of places that effectively have
grandfather rights exemption from complying with current standards. The
use of one way systems at such sites are just a pragmatic way of
managing disruption while works are undertaken to repair damage or
replace worn out assets. These new works at existing locations would
have to demonstrate compliance with applicable rules (subject to any
concessions to standards that might have been granted).

--
Paul C