Forum Topic

South Kensington Station

Not strictly about Putney but as we share a tube line I thought it might be of interest to some.  I visited the exhibition last week, apparently the TfL work to reconfigure platforms and extended the booking hall is starting later this year - https://www.southkensingtonstation.co.uk/

Michael Ixer ● 2721d8 Comments

Thanks Michael, I will keep an eye on that with interest.Our District line is beautiful with some fantastic brickwork and architecture of the highest calibre along the route.It's a shame Putney Bridge has lost its turnback platform for when there is train disruption or weekend engineering works. The recently newish S7 stock on the line are longer in length that the old D stock and there wasn't enough room in the dead end platform for them to fit, so the extra platform for turnbacks has been lost.Parsons Green is now the terminating station for trains during disruption or engineering works.It would also be good if they spent some money on the departure board system at Putney Bridge as the wrong destinations are advertised most of the time on the Eastbound.

Paul Game ● 2721d

Ah, thanks Paul; so that's the real reason the Putney Bridge reversing point was removed. I was chatting to a TfL emp!oyee once when there were delays at East Putney and he thought it was to get rid of the points so trains could go faster but that didn't seem plausible given they'd either be slowing or accelerating adding at or departing from  Putney Bridge. Yes, don't know why the indicator boards at East Putney are so unreliable. I was told once it's because Nations Rail are responsible for signals south of the bridge but I've noticed some westbound trains heading towards Earls  Court often show "See front of train" on the boards but mostly morph into Wimbledon trains so it seems more complicated than that. Although it's not unheard of for Wimbledon bound trains to be redirected to Ealing Broadway or Richmond as or after they arrive at Earls Court 😞

Michael Ixer ● 2721d

Yes Michael, as you mentioned the 3 westbound routes from Earls Ct, are Wimbledon, Richmond and Ealing Broadway and are all about 8-10 stops from Earls Ct.In the event one of these routes is suspended, I understand the trains are mainly diverted to the other 2 routes.Gunnersbury and Parsons Green are also used as a turnback option if the latter part of the route is not available.I recently got turfed off at Parsons Green when the service to Wimbledon was suspended, and I walked back towards Putney Bridge rather than catching an overcrowded bus. Straightforward as it was during the day.I felt sorry for everyone else going towards Wimbledon, as they didn't look sure how to complete their journey from Parsons Green. I guess getting to Putney bridge and catching the 93 bus towards Wimbledon was their best option but it's always easier when it's familiar territory.Even less fun when trains terminate at Parsons Green late at night due to a failure.My wife got caught up in this situation a few months ago. Feeling stranded in the middle of nowhere comes to mind when it's late at night compared to the daytime!

Paul Game ● 2721d

Agreed, local knowledge is useful. I moved to Putney in 1979, although I was familiar with the area as I knew people who lived here, and one of the attractions was the good transport options: tube, rail and buses. Don't think I've ever been stranded, although sometimes some creativity has been needed (northern line from Waterloo to Tooting and bus back to Putney one time), and even when I've stayed too long in the City on occasions either because of work or socialising a minicab or taxi back isn't too extortionate 🙂

Michael Ixer ● 2721d

It would be helpful to get either a lift or escalators at Putney Bridge station, never mind sorting out the destination confusion.

David Sharp ● 2720d

Agreed, David. Both East Putney and Putney Bridge should have lifts. I suspect resolving the accuracy of the indicator boards is a different department so perhaps we could have both correct destinations and lifts?

Michael Ixer ● 2720d

The changes to Putney main line have also been useful, with the larger booking hall area and the new lifts to each platform.Hopefully the Oxford Road entrance will happen sooner rather than later too, to create a quicker interchange from East Putney tube, and alleviate congestion at the main entrance.

Paul Game ● 2720d

Sadly, I think an Oxford Road entrance is moving further into the future. There's no budget for it: I can't see Wandsworth Council putting money forward, National Rail have different priorities, and I can't see what SWR would gain from it. Now if TfL had not been blocked from taking over the local south west London franchise by Grayling then TfL might have seen it worthwhile, at leat part, funding it to make the connection with East Putney easier as part of extending an integrated public transport service in London.

Michael Ixer ● 2720d