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Eastbound trains other than First Great Western use the east section of platforms 3 to 7, whilst westbound trains use the west section.
The First Great Western trains have nine coaches and occupy the whole platform, normally eastbound platform 2, westbound platform 3.
The area at the west end of platform 1 is reserved for preparing trains which are subsequently moved towards the east end for boarding. We presume that this platform is normally used for trains starting from this station.
Platform 0 is mainly used for major events and Central Trains services towards Gloucester etc.
You can leave platforms 1 to 7 via steps, into the main corridor, or lift into the east corridor. From here you can either go into the concourse (north) or car park (south). The exit to the car park from the east corridor is normally closed, but can be opened by staff at the barrier en route to the concourse on request.
You can leave platform 0 via steps into the concourse, or step-free into the car park to the west of the station.
The east exit into the car park from Platforms 6 and 7 may be opened during special events, at the Millennium Stadium.
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From Platform 0, Via the Concourse From Platforms 1 to 7 Via Steps into the Main Corridor From Platforms 1 to 7 Via Lift into the East Corridor From Platforms 6 and 7, Via Steps to the East Exit |
Get off the train and turn right (east) continue to the downward slope, in front of you.
Note, it is wise to keep left as it is possible to miss the path and continue off the end of the platform onto the tracks, this would be down a slope, but not what you want. By keeping left, you avoid this possibility.
Continue, from the foot of the slope, past the recess to the car park entrance on your left and locate the entrance to the building on your left. Turn left (north), go down a flight of steps, turn right (180 degrees) then down another flight to concourse level. Turn left here and continue for a few metres into the concourse. The main exits to the forecourt are to your left, the exit to the taxi rank is in front of you, across the concourse, whilst the exit to the car park is via the main corridor through the ticket barrier to your right beyond the ticket office.
There are two stairwells towards the middle of each island platform, assuming the anti-clockwise traffic flow through the station, we suggest you aim for the east steps.
For short, eastbound trains (on platforms 3 and 6) go towards the rear of the train and locate the steps down. For short, westbound trains (on platforms 4 and 7) go beyond the rear of the train and locate the steps going down in the direction of the train. If you locate the other ones, you may as well continue to the bottom then cross the corridor.
For longer trains on platforms 2 and 3, both sets of steps will be towards the middle. Ideally take the steps going down in the direction of the train (westbound) or the opposite direction (eastbound). If you get the wrong ones, you may as well continue to the bottom and cross the corridor.
You go down two flights of steps to the main corridor. Assuming you've chosen the exit steps, turn right (north) for the concourse, left (south) for the car park. The right-hand side of the corridor is preferred.
On reaching the concourse, the main exits to the forecourt are in front of you, whilst the exit to the taxi rank is in the far right-hand corner, you leave facing east.
There are two lifts from the east sections of platforms 1 - 2 and 3 - 4, but only one from platforms 6 - 7, equivalent to the west lift. It wasn't clear which is preferred, but we suggest that the east lifts are exits, in keeping with the anti-clockwise traffic flow which was in force via the steps at the time of our survey.
The lifts are located east of the middle of the platforms, though it is difficult to predict in which direction you'd need to move from each train. The following is included for guidance:
Go down to the east corridor via the lift.
From platforms 6 and 7, turn left for the concourse, otherwise right, and keep right along the corridor towards the ticket barrier.
If you need to go to the car park, ask staff at the barrier to open the exit for you.
Otherwise, go through the barrier. The main exits onto the forecourt are in front of you, whilst that for the taxi rank is in the far right-hand corner, you exit facing east.
This exit is only opened for special events at the Millennium Stadium. You need to locate the east stairwell, which is bounded by the first set of railings from the east end of the platform. This would be behind the rear of westbound trains on platform 7 and (probably) about in the middle of eastbound trains on platform 6. If you go into the open area, going east, you're going the wrong way.
Go down a flight of steps, going east, turn right and down another going south then through the exit into the car park.
© 2004, Terry Robinson