As there seem to be no rules which determine on which platforms trains will arrive and, since arrivals aren't regularly announced, it may be difficult to establish which platform you're on when you get off a train. The easiest thing to do is ask someone to tell you this! This is a busy station, so there should be plenty of people about.

However, if that doesn't happen, perhaps the following orientation tips will help.

• Platforms 1 and 12 are single platforms at the boundaries of the station, though there is a bay platform towards each end of platform 12.
• There are five island platforms between these.
• Generally speaking, trains arriving from an easterly direction will arrive facing west, i.e. towards the B sections of the platforms, though they may stop in the A section. Higher numbered platforms will be to your left, lower to your right, as you face the front of the train.
• Trains arriving from a westerly direction will arrive facing east, i.e. towards the A sections of platforms, though they may stop in the B section. Lower numberd platforms will be to your left, higher to your right, as you face the front of the train.
• There's a roadway, supported by pillars, which cuts across the station at an angle, about southeast/northwest. This crosses the lower numbered platforms near the end of the B section and the higher numbered ones near the end of the A sections.
• The lifts are located on the A section of the platforms.
• the lift on platform 12 faces west, towards the B section.
• the lift on platform 10 - 11 has the call button to the left of the door.
• The lifts on platforms 6 - 7 and 8 - 9 have both an up and down call button.
• The exit from platform 8 - 9 has the two exits on the platform 8 side facing at right angles to the stairs/escalator, whilst the further exits on all other island platforms face at an angle, bringing the building towards a point.
• At the time of our survey, the waiting room in the middle of platform 4 - 5 had a door in each corner with a push button facing onto the platform.
• At the time of our survey, the waiting room in the middle of platform 2 - 3 had doors in diagonally opposite corners controlled by a press pad inside the door post.
• If all else fails you can go onto either bridge or take a lift into the subway and sort yourself out from there.

If anyone has any better clues to orientation, we welcome your suggestions.

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© 2003, Terry Robinson