markcurran.co.uk: A quick trip out east (London)

Time for a quick look see at Barking Riverside.....but first....

1) WEST HAM

A crash deck has appeared over the Jubilee line and almost 4,000 residential units being constructed adjacent. This site has been vacant for some years I recall.

The c2c train service remains incredibly popular. The use of the service by construction workers became noticeable during Covid, when demand didn't drop off and the fairly narrow staircases and platforms at West Ham raised social distancing concerns. In the peaks extra security staff (in yellow hi-vis) are employed to manage congestion on the stairs.

London Underground '4 Lines Modernisation' Signalling Migration area 6 went live a few weeks agi: the traditional colour light signals are now bagged so they can no longer be seen. In a past life sighting these signals caused a bit of an issue when there was a temporary foot bridge built at the east end of the District line platforms for London 2012.

Also observed plenty of wooden sleepers on the c2c route, which should keep the closure planners in Network Rail and TfL employed for a while yet!

Busy c2c platforms

Crowd/congestion control staff for c2c

Bagged signals on the sub-surface.

2) BARKING STATION

What a dump. Definitely up there with Luton.

3) BARKING RIVERSIDE

A substantial flyover crossing assorted railways and industrial lands, including HS1, lead to a station that is ostensibly in the middle of nowhere; planning consent demands that the station be operational midway through construction of Barking Riverside. There is actually a lot of residential and a new school built just north of the station: school children were notable users of the new Overground service. Otherwise the 4 trains/hour service through to Gospel Oak. However it's a nice big station, step free access, level boarding etc, all things you'd expect to see at a new station. Bus EL1 passes.