Gravesend: A Bridge Too Far?

Gravesend

A Bridge Too Far?

History has been kind to this station. It retains main buildings on either side which date right back to 1849, when the line first opened. The station is also host to a quintessential lattice footbridge of the steam era, spanning four tracks, and the base of a vintage water tower. New plans, however, outline the demolition of the water tower base, the elimination of the lattice footbridge, and the erection of a rather crude replacement structure. Gravesend station very much remains the pride of the North Kent Line – can its existing features be saved?

The Story So Far

In 2006, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched the ‘’Access for All’’ programme, which aimed to provide step-free access at over 160 medium-sized Network Rail stations in England, Scotland, and Wales. This involved spending £35 million per year up to 2015 to equip key stations with ramps and platform lifts, the latter of which required, in most cases, completely new footbridges. The footbridges thus far erected at selected stations have proven to be quite imposing, austere constructions, not built in sympathy with existing buildings. This situation is now well demonstrated at Orpington, which was one of the first South Eastern Division stations to receive a new footbridge as part of the scheme.

Gravesend was placed in the fourth wave of stations to receive platform lifts, and 2013 was outlined as the expected year of completion. At present, the site retains a roofed lattice footbridge, which was erected in 1904 during a partial rebuild of the station by the SE&CR (prior to this, passengers used to cross the tracks on the level). These works saw the installation of new platform canopies in place of the existing trainshed roofs, and the construction of notable brick-built extensions on ‘’up’’ side. Today's proposals outline a replacement footbridge at the western end of the station, but works here will be more extensive than at other sites, if the existing plans are carried through. Currently, four tracks separate two platform faces, and the proposals are as follows:

· Demolition of the surviving base of the water tower, at the London end of platform 1. It currently sits on the proposed site of the new footbridge.

· Removal of the existing SE&CR lattice footbridge, once the new footbridge is complete.

· Removal of the existing ‘’up’’ through line. This is to make way for a new island platform, capable of accommodating twelve-vehicle ‘’Networker’’ formations.

· Conversion of the existing platform 1 to a London-facing bay. This will create the unusual spectacle of a single-track being sandwiched in-between two platform surfaces (those of the current platform 1 and the new island). However, artists’ impressions suggest that the face of the island platform next to the bay line will be fenced off, preventing a train being boarded from either side. Thus, the station will have three operational platform faces after the works, including the existing platform 2 (which will be re-numbered platform 3).

· The existing platforms will be lengthened to match the extent of the new island, to accommodate twelve-car trains, and the layout completely re-signalled.

Does this plan require an urgent re-think? Will the proposed development mar the Grade II Listed station? Could the lattice footbridge and water tower base be saved? Contact the Webmaster.

In the News

Gravesend Reporter: Gravesend Train Station Footbridge Design Row.

News Shopper: Century-old Gravesend station footbridge to be replaced with ''soulless metal walkway''.

2nd December 2007

A northward view within the SE&CR lattice footbridge, looking towards the Thames. Current plans outline the

removal of this structure after the new footbridge has been completed. Apparently, it does not qualify as part of

the station's overall Grade II Listed status. Can this integral feature of the station be saved?

5th April 2008

Pride of the North Kent line, but for how much longer? The station (known as ''Gravesend Central'' until 14th

June 1965) retains original SER buildings of 1849 origin on both platforms, in addition to structures erected

by the SE&CR. The framework of the platform canopies is of 1904 origin; the timber canopy valances were

installed by British Railways (Southern Region) in about 1955. The footbridge dates from 1904, but its design

15th January 2012

Class 465 No. 465167 is just about to depart on the rear of the 14:10 service to Gillingham, from platform 2.

The base of the former water tower can be seen on the right, through the branches of the trees. Current plans

include the demolition of this structure, for it occupies part of the proposed site for the replacement footbridge.

It sits on platform 1, which is to be converted into a London-facing bay. The through line alongside is to be lifted

and replaced by an island platform. Works are already underway to renovate the booking halls on both platforms.

Gravesend Station History >>

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