While the new exit facilitates commuters, it lacks signs or maps to indicate where to go next, which seems like a serious oversight, writes Lorraine Tapper.

Staff members at Station Gibbins Road exit — Tube staff welcome the new exit

On 10 July Stratford Station got a new exit. It was a long time coming. On 20 July 2017, a blog post was written about a new station entrance to be located near the Jubilee line concourse. This had been in discussion for more than ten years, even before the blog was written.

Residents in and around the Carpenters Estate now have a reduced journey time to access Stratford Station, the London Stadium and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park without having to take the walkway over the railway lines.

The new entrance and exit was developed in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). It was funded from Newham Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy, £1 million, and £3.8 million by the LLDC.

The initiative is part of the Council’s 28-acre billion-pound Carpenters Estate restoration and regeneration project. This aims to deliver over 2,000 homes, with 50 percent designated for social rent.

However, according to a post on the Diamond Geezer website: “The new exit ejects you abruptly into a semi-industrial backwater at the tip of a maze-like housing estate with minimal facilities. As yet there are no signs or maps to suggest where to go next which seems a serious lack of forethought.”

Outside the exit is a small square with bicycle parking and four attractive benches.

There is currently at least one person managing the exit. It is open during normal station times. Low key promotion means the exit is currently underused.

Unfortunately, on event days (including when nearby West Ham United are playing at home) and when there is a high volume of traffic (up to 65,000 people) the exit is closed. This is due to Newham Council and local police being unwilling to fund the extra staffing needed outside the station. Health and safety reasons prevent staff from working away from TFL premises.

Due to the isolation of the area outside the station and the lack of visible people some may be unwilling to use the exit at night as Stratford is a high crime area.

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