Network Rail has lodged a listed building application to extend Platform 1 at Bath Spa Station.
Bath Spa Railway Station | Photo © Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com
The proposals will enable passengers to open all doors on the passenger trains stopping at the station, which Network Rail says will be especially helpful for people with reduced mobility.
The station is managed by Great Western Railway and served by trains operated by CrossCountry, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway.
The platforms at the station, which was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, have been altered and extended in several ways since it opened in 1841.
A report with the application, which has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council, says: “The down platform (Platform 1) at Bath Spa Station is currently too short to open all the doors for both the 9 or 2×5 Car Class 800 Intercity Express Train (IET) sets onto a useable platform.
“This means that Great Western Railway (GWR) have adopted special operational procedures utilising Selective Door Opening (SDO) principles and technology.
“Driver stopping tolerances are presently non-compliant and therefore consistent positioning of the train on the platform is unreliable, especially for Persons of Reduced Mobility (PRM) doors.”
The proposed platform extensions are 5.6 metres at the ‘Country End’ and 0.93 metres at the ‘London End’.
The application says the proposed works will not have an impact on the historic fabric and overall look of the Grade II* listed station.
Construction works are expected to be carried out during weekend night shifts. The proposed compound is in the station car park and will take up 17 spaces including the motorcycle area.
The consultation deadline is 5th June. The planning reference is 26/01549/LBA.
