On 5 Dec, 21:25, "John Rowland"
wrote:
Paul Corfield wrote:
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).

I find it hard to believe that opening a new one-way station now and making
it two-way sixths months later would be illegal.


Unlawful is probably the word you are looking for.

Regardless of the legal situation half opening a new station for one-
way travel only would cause a lot of confusion and annoyance -
passengers could get there, but not back again.