Plans for a major redevelopment of Norwood Junction station in south London are being reviewed in light of lower post-pandemic passenger numbers and the cost of the project.
Proposed station layout (c) Network Rail
The proposals are part of the wider plan to clean up the mess of tracks around Croydon station to improve the capacity of the lines through the area, but it is also a stand-alone project. The plans for Norwood Junction station were expected to see the tracks and platforms realigned to allow more trains to stop at the station, and also to create more space for more non-stopping trains to get through the station. It’s all about making the station better for passengers who use it, while also fixing congestion problems on the tracks around the north of Croydon.
Although there wasn’t a commitment to funding the project yet, initial planning work for the station upgrade started just before the pandemic, with the intent to then submit the scheme for funding once the costs were fully understood.
However, Network Rail has announced that the project “has been affected by issues such as the significant uncertainty about future passenger behaviour, and demand following the COVID-19 pandemic and funding constraints following the Government’s 2020 Spending Review.”
Network Rail says that “given the significant investment required to deliver this scheme, we are now taking time to consider how the pandemic may affect passenger behaviour and travel patterns in the future, and how any such changes should be reflected in infrastructure investments such as this.”
How about raising the height of the bridge over Portland Road at the same time?
No chance… Goat House bridge over the railway is too close.
Anyway this is good news, we don’t want more awful over bridges for passengers like at East Croydon, and everyone will have to use them as the old platform one will close.
When I used the station in the 1970s, they always announced “The next train from Platforms 1 and 2 will be…”. That seemed very sensible given the station layout. It seems daft to stop using Platform 2, while it is still there, since it makes some changes easier without having to use the stairs (which, in m day, were very steep and unfriendly).
I used to get off a 12A bus and walked through the pedestrian tunnel under the station. I absolutely hated is it still open?
I think both tunnels inside and outside the station is of some engineering historical firsts, and yes there both open
Yes the pedestrian tunnel is still open.
The reason why platform 2 isn’t used is because the conductor rail is adjacent to the platform (nos. 1 and 2 are either side of a single line of rails) so there is more risk to anyone who falls down the gap between platform and train.
12A is now 312, and has electric buses!
Central Line at Stratford open both sides on the Westbound platform and that has third rail. More than likely to do with safety concerns whether a driver can self despatch with both sets of doors open.
Looks like the whole Croydon Area scheme is being reviewed in the same context, or was that already known?
Great idea, simplify the layout. A lot of Thameslink running through so the up and down fast is needed.
This and east Croydon station new plan is badly needed. Although the east Croydon plan should also have and up and down fast without platforms for Gatwick Exp.
Brighton main line should be doubled to 4 tracks all the way down to Brighton. If they put overhead power on the up and down fast you would finally be able to get trains running fast from the capital to the coast without slow trains getting in the way. It’s only 50 miles yet takes 1 hour on the express… 50mph average is not very express is it.
A lower cost project rearranging the use of tracks (and position of juice rail) would allow for platforms 2 & 3 to be used for southbound stopping trains. Similarly 6 & 7 for northbound. Leaving 4 & 5 for non-stopping services. Safety screens would be required along Platform 1.
Yes, there’s cost of trackwork, signalling and electrification changes – but little in the way of major civil engineering. Which could be deferred for another stage.
It needs to go ahead. Old people, disabled people,mums with buggies and plane passengers with heavy luggage need the proposed lifts. Does this mean Notwork Rail will stop all station upgrades just for a dip in passengers? I don’t think so.
Why isn’t there any wheelchair access I didn’t see any or lifts because you can’t get to the platforms. Very unfriendly to disabled people