Improvement work at Cosham station

[whole diary]

[Brucey]

I was wondering if anyone knows what is being done by SWT^▸ (South West Trains) at Cosham?

It appears that the low wooden fences are being replaced with metal fences.  These are now the sort of height that can't be jumped over.

There isn't any practical way of installing ticket gates (although knowing SWT, they'll think something up) so I'm not quite sure what benefit this new taller fencing will have?

[paul7575]

Is this alongside the carpark?  It may be that the wall of railway sleepers isn't considered high enough, but the only time it might be a revenue problem is if there is a blockade at the normal exits.

OTOH^▸ (On The Other Hand) maybe it helps prevent damage to parked cars - who knows where the local kids have been landing when they've vaulted over the 'fence'...   

PS  Perhaps we are too suspicious and it may just be normal station improvement works - a number of stations in the area (such as Swanwick) have had new lighting, fencing, surfaces etc; and it hasn't really been revenue related at all...

Paul

[Brucey]

Yes, it is the sleepers that are being replaced.  I understand the wooden door on Platform 2 to the taxi rank has also been replaced with a metal surround.

[Brucey]

On closer inspection, the sleepers haven't been removed but are now alongside the new fencing.

I can only assume the reason for this work is so the station can be fully closed when no trains are running.  Anyone who has used the toilets at Cosham station will understand why the station needs to be shut overnight.

There is also work going on at Portsmouth & Southsea.  Didn't get a chance to look to see what was happening but there were plenty of builders around the station.

[paul7575]

Yes - the sleepers have just been sawn off (fairly unevenly) at about platform level.  Making the station more secure overnight seems a reasonable idea, but who'd be around to shut all the gates?  In any case, anyone determined to get in will just walk off the level crossing - and presumably the footbridge will be still be open?

Paul