The PROBLEM (!) is that New Street got a rebuild, but it's real difficulty is that there are only two rail entrances and exits. Network Rail spent the money on the station rebuild but couldn't afford the tunnels. (!) It's not uncommon to be stuck for 10 minutes or so outside whilst trains wait for vacant platforms.This sums up UK rail thinking----go to Paris to experience forward rail planning. Ove Arup suggested an alternative plan from the original, but it was ignored
As a local my tips are: Ignore the colours and letters. If it says 10b and you need to get to 10a, head there and walk further along the platform to get to 10a
Thank you for the advice. I am due to use New Street station for the first time in my life within the next few weeks and the whole situation seemed too complex to understand online. Now that I realise that the platforms are labelled A and B and that you just have to head for the number of the platform initially, it seems far simpler! Heaven knows why they have colour zones to complicate things till further.
You should consider what all cities are like for those of us with very severe loss of eye sight , the placement of bollards, benches, signs, steps, lack of general safety, what is the charming man or Poppy going to advise if I can even locate them ? You need a white cane to stop people bashing into you and to hopefully attract a kind person. I have no idea how to operate doors and ticket gates , I am at others mercy to help buy products and give change or use a card.
I left the UK in 2007 to live in the States and I really do not miss the confrontational, abusive attitude that a lot of English people have. Maybe it’s just the quality of life that gets people down. Stay safe Professor.
You could be correct about the quality of life that now exists in England. However, surely you have met a lot of abusive and confrontational attitudes from Americans - the home of aggression and the psychology of the gun.
It's a real shame that when they "revamped" this station that they managed to make it worse. It's very easy to miss a train. The missed opportunity to change the underground platforms that are dark and quite scary is inexcusable.
I find it very confusing, lucky enough I live in the Black Country so when I go into town (b’ham) I get the train to snow hill or moor street, I use Wolverhampton train station if I’m going north or south.
The latest gimmick First Buses are onto right now is to publish the old time tables on their website when they update the timetable for a new one. It adds a bit of excitement to the life of the prole. Well done First Busse for creative thinking. It's almost as funny as Carousel Buses that just don't run the bus advertised on the timetable at all. That's the one to Heathrow, so one can miss their flight for added amusement.
What would be the logical point about visiting Cairo in any case? Do they, in fact, even have a train station in Cairo? With so much poverty in Egypt, how many can actually afford the train ticket?
I passed through New Street a couple of years ago and concur! So easy to get lost amongst the concrete! Was at Reading three weeks ago - what an ugly, cold, characterless pile of concrete. Lousy facilities and confusing information!
Was England ever a Green and Pleasant Land, in reality? I have recently discovered that London and the Southeast of England is the most congested and highly populated part of the whole of the continent of Europe! Let that sink in. What a nasty horrifying thought - one of the smallest countries within Europe and the most congested.
I was there yesterday for the first time in years. Managed navigation and signage fine, but it's still dark and dingy on the platforms, and having that shopping centre on top really doesn't help.
Agreed it is pointless. I ignore the zones and just use the platform numbers as my guide when I am there. The a, b, c thing is fair enough as this just tells you what part of the platform to be at for your train.
This is what happens when you give highly paid but incompetent people the job of the population and how it goes about getting on with daily life. Treat them like sheep.
just ignore the zones they are completely useless once you are through the barriers you can access any platforms. Ignore the A and B platforms too they are useless and ive never seen 2 trains on the same platform.
As a resident of Birmingham you have my complete sympathies. Take good care.
It’s been a nightmare since the rebuild.
The PROBLEM (!) is that New Street got a rebuild, but it's real difficulty is that there are only two rail entrances and exits. Network Rail spent the money on the station rebuild but couldn't afford the tunnels. (!) It's not uncommon to be stuck for 10 minutes or so outside whilst trains wait for vacant platforms.This sums up UK rail thinking----go to Paris to experience forward rail planning. Ove Arup suggested an alternative plan from the original, but it was ignored
It's nice that you met kind people.
Avoid Birmingham
Why is that??
@@vincentblack7467 Avoid Birmingham
@@vincentblack7467 it's birmingham.
Tim, I always travel from Moor Street station. A nice trip from Moor Street to Marylebone, not a stressful one. Top tip!
As a local my tips are:
Ignore the colours and letters. If it says 10b and you need to get to 10a, head there and walk further along the platform to get to 10a
Thank you for the advice. I am due to use New Street station for the first time in my life within the next few weeks and the whole situation seemed too complex to understand online. Now that I realise that the platforms are labelled A and B and that you just have to head for the number of the platform initially, it seems far simpler! Heaven knows why they have colour zones to complicate things till further.
You should consider what all cities are like for those of us with very severe loss of eye sight , the placement of bollards, benches, signs, steps, lack of general safety, what is the charming man or Poppy going to advise if I can even locate them ? You need a white cane to stop people bashing into you and to hopefully attract a kind person. I have no idea how to operate doors and ticket gates , I am at others mercy to help buy products and give change or use a card.
I left the UK in 2007 to live in the States and I really do not miss the confrontational, abusive attitude that a lot of English people have. Maybe it’s just the quality of life that gets people down. Stay safe Professor.
You could be correct about the quality of life that now exists in England. However, surely you have met a lot of abusive and confrontational attitudes from Americans - the home of aggression and the psychology of the gun.
It's a real shame that when they "revamped" this station that they managed to make it worse.
It's very easy to miss a train.
The missed opportunity to change the underground platforms that are dark and quite scary is inexcusable.
So right. I look forward to a new series with you and Michael "choo choo" Portillo!
I find it very confusing, lucky enough I live in the Black Country so when I go into town (b’ham) I get the train to snow hill or moor street, I use Wolverhampton train station if I’m going north or south.
The latest gimmick First Buses are onto right now is to publish the old time tables on their website when they update the timetable for a new one. It adds a bit of excitement to the life of the prole. Well done First Busse for creative thinking. It's almost as funny as Carousel Buses that just don't run the bus advertised on the timetable at all. That's the one to Heathrow, so one can miss their flight for added amusement.
Looking sharp as ever. Good luck in Brum
... just imagine trying to Navigate Cairo Train Station....
What would be the logical point about visiting Cairo in any case? Do they, in fact, even have a train station in Cairo? With so much poverty in Egypt, how many can actually afford the train ticket?
I passed through New Street a couple of years ago and concur! So easy to get lost amongst the concrete! Was at Reading three weeks ago - what an ugly, cold, characterless pile of concrete. Lousy facilities and confusing information!
Was England ever a Green and Pleasant Land, in reality? I have recently discovered that London and the Southeast of England is the most congested and highly populated part of the whole of the continent of Europe! Let that sink in. What a nasty horrifying thought - one of the smallest countries within Europe and the most congested.
I cannot imagine person with any disabilities to manage. You have my sympathy ❤ Take care of yourself Prof. You are to valuable to be lost there😊
I was there yesterday for the first time in years. Managed navigation and signage fine, but it's still dark and dingy on the platforms, and having that shopping centre on top really doesn't help.
Agreed it is pointless. I ignore the zones and just use the platform numbers as my guide when I am there. The a, b, c thing is fair enough as this just tells you what part of the platform to be at for your train.
Use your packed lunch to make a trail so you can always find your way back, oh wait, sorry your walking round in circles. 😂
Reminiscent of the start of Airplane!
This is what happens when you give highly paid but incompetent people the job of the population and how it goes about getting on with daily life. Treat them like sheep.
I would just love the good Prof to make a video with Geoff Marshall!
Professor. I have to agree. it was a nightmare, Hoping your train was going to be on time or not cancelled.
Almost as bad as T2 at Manchester airport😂
note the spy camera to his right.....
just ignore the zones they are completely useless once you are through the barriers you can access any platforms. Ignore the A and B platforms too they are useless and ive never seen 2 trains on the same platform.
Your description reminds me of a Jacques Tati film.
Bey is home sleeping his but off,ah ha. Who is the smart one?
But what the fudge, you at prof tim. You at a military base. It rather nosy. 😂