Station Name: LEA BRIDGE


[Source: Nick Catford]

Lea Bridge Station Gallery 6: Reopening 15/16 May 2016


Looking north along the up platform during the evening of 15 May 2016. The station is now open with tickets being sold, but the first train has yet to stop. It is indicated on the display and is the 20.14 from Tottenham Hale, due at Lea Bridge at 20.18.
Photo by Nick Catford


Looking south along the up platform during the evening of 15 May 2016 before the arrival of the first train to Stratford. The new footbridge, complete with lifts, is seen in the distance.
Photo by Nick Catford


Although scheduled as the second train and due to arrive at Lea Bridge at 20.21, recovery time meant the Class 317/6 actually arrived before the 'official' first train; hence the large crowd of people waiting on platform 1. Luckily Richard Allen was on the wrong platform at the right time and obtained an unobscured view of the first arrival.
Photo by Richard Allen from his Flickr photostream


As the second train stands in platform 2 the first train is seen approaching platform 1 on time on
15 May 2016.
Photo by Richard Allen from his Flickr photostream

Crowds greet the 'official' first train as it arrives at Lea Bridge station. In December 2015 Abellio Greater Anglia completed an upgrade of its fleet of 24 Class 317/6 EMUs that operate Cambridge to Liverpool Street and Cheshunt / Hertford East to Liverpool Street services and now the Lea Bridge service. The trains received an interior refresh and upgrade to improve passenger comfort. The upgrade programme saw 96 carriages in total improved with new seat covers and vinyl flooring, new First Class seat covers and trim and carpets renewed, interiors re-sprayed (including grab handles and luggage racks) and new signage applied.
Photo by Nick Catford

One of the passengers on the first train was local musician and railway campaigner Graham Larkbey who had played gigs at the station and on the last train in July 1985.
Photo by Nick Catford


Crowds wait for the official opening of Lea Bridge station on 16 May 2016. The 09.33 to Stratford waits at platform 1. The VIP guests will be on the next train, arriving from Tottenham Hale at 10.01
Photo by Nick Catford


With the party in full swing a jazz band entertains the waiting crowd, with children from the nearby Sybourn Primary School joining in with 'When the saints go marching in''
Photo by Nick Catford


Also back to entertain the crowds were Aunt Fortescue's Bluesrockers, specially reformed for the occasion. Once again frontman Graham Larkbey is in full swing leading the children from Sybourn School in his rendition of the laughing song 'The Wild Rover' sung to the tune of Charles Penrose's 'Laughing Policeman''.
Photo by Nick Catford

The children from Sybourn Primary School responded with gusto!
Photo by Nick Catford

There were a number of speeches during the opening ceremony. Rail Minister Claire Perry MP told the crowd, ‘Lea Bridge station is a great example of how our record investment in the railways and partnership working with local authorities and industry is delivering better journeys for passengers and boosting local economies. Passengers will now benefit from new connections and faster journeys, making it easier to get to work and visit friends and family.”
Photo by Nick Catford


It was then time to cut the cake. Claire Perry and Councillor Chris Robbins, Leader of Waltham Forest Council, have their hands on the knife. Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Abellio Greater Anglia stands to the left with Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow on the right.
Photo by Nick Catford


Lea Bridge concourse seen from the station entrance on 16 May 2016.
Photo by Nick Catford


Looking north from Lea Bridge station footbridge later on 16 May 2016 after the cowds and left.
Photo by Sunil Prasannan, reproduced from Wikipedia under creative commons licence

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[Source: Nick Catford]



Last updated: Sunday, 21-May-2017 14:29:44 CEST
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