THE CONCOURSE, PLATFORM LEVEL |
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The platform level concourse (level 2) is roughly triangular in shape, with the platforms leaving from the east side. The north and west sides are occupied by shops and other essential facilities. The main entrance is in the northwest corner, whilst that from the long stay car park brings you into the northeast corner of the concourse, beside the gate towards platform 1. The steps and escalators to the Metro Link (level 1) are towards the south end.
A boat-shaped island containing the booking office and shops is located towards the west side of the concourse, leaving a corridor between it and the shops along the outer wall.
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gates to platform 1 benches gates to platforms 2 and 3, one for each benches gates to platforms 4 and 5, one for each benches gates to platforms 6 and 7, one for each benches gates to platforms 8 and 9, one for each benches gate to platform 10, single gate benches gate to platforms 13 and 14, single gate |
Platforms 11 and 12 extend further west into the concourse.
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gate to platform 11, single gate benches gate to platform 12, single gate |
| kiosk, closed at time of survey |
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2 lifts pillar on right 3 pay phones disabled persons toilet toilets - ladies and gents change machine |
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steps up north to upper level escalator up north to upper level pillar |
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cash machines, Lincolnshire, Lloyds TSB, Natwest, and Natwest Sainsbury's Local |
We now enter the corridor between the outer wall of the concourse and the island of shops. The corridor has shops on each side with benches and pot plants along the middle.
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HMV Records Vacant Van Heusen blank door Knickerbox Starbucks, tables and chairs outside Boots WH Smith |
| main entrance |
There's a pillar to each side of the doors, you leave facing north. Turn left and go through two sets of automatic sliding doors facing west. The inside ones were open at the time of our survey. There's tactile matting between these sets of doors which lead out west onto Station Approach.
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Superdrug Dr and Herbs Bigshots, amusement arcade Burger King small lift up to upper level stairs up, jutting south going up north, tactile at foot barrier jutting out Pasty Shop, counter in wall drinks cabinet and tables outside Virgin Information Point, having come back round tables, counter curves left small seating area Fastticket machine, credit cards |
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| doors towards long stay car park and Station Reception |
| sliding doors from concourse |
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car park payment point Station Reception metal rail juts out Trade Reception |
| doors to long stay car park |
| pot plant |
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Accessorise, opposite Sainsbury's Vodafone, opposite HMV 2 photo booths blank door Vacant, opposite Knickerbox Bagel Factory column with BT pay and internet phones, opposite Starbucks photo print point column with BT pay and internet phones 2 Fastticket machines Millie's Cookies, opposite Boots |
Opposite WH Smith, the Island curves round to the right, through north then east, becoming the west wall of the concourse space.
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stairs to upper level, with tactile at foot, up south escalator up 5 Fastticket machines advance bookings, queue round Tensa barriers, various information boards in entrance wall curves right same day bookings, queue round Tensa barriers, various information boards in entrance electronic information points with keyboard and screen Fastticket machine 2 ticket machines, self service blank door |
There's a row of pillars on your left supporting the balcony of the upper level.
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Orange Shop wall curves right Upper Crust with plants and tables outside blank door Thorntons accessible Lift to Metro Accessorise |
Note that the island comes to a sharp point at the south end.
as you come in via the main entrance, the steps and escalator to the upper level are in front of you. Bear left, into the main area of the concourse, past the booking offices to your right. There are two departure screens and an information desk (with no-one there at the time of our survey).
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Tie Rack, stall large, triangular information point in middle of concourse with departure screens above desk on west side, posters on other two sides |
We're opposite platform 3. To your left is the Virgin Information desk and exit to car park. There are pot plants dotted about within the rest of the concourse space.
The following orientation tips are offered:
Between platforms 10 and accessorise are escalators left down, stairs, then up escalator to the Metro Link (level 1) going down south. There's a glass and tiled barrier with benches round the escalator and stairwell.
Hybrid Florist, is south of the stairwell, opposite the entrance to platforms 13 and 14, whilst the escalators and stairs to the upper level are opposite platforms 11 and 12.
© 2004, Terry Robinson