<p>Sure, it's impressive. But it has the ambiance of a shopping centre, rather than a major railway station (indeed, some might say that retail is what Network Rail focuses on these days anyway). It's also disappointing that an intended function of this extension was to improve facilities and increase space for travellers, and yet, the cafes and restaurants were all full with people who didn't look like they were going anywhere anytime soon - they seem to be catering for those who <i>aren't</i> travelling as much as for those who are. This is the problem with creating railway stations that are 'destinations' in their own right. Those who are are intending to travel are somewhat short-changed here. All we wanted was a nice cup of tea and a sit down - but that's not what is on offer.
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On the other hand, what has been achieved with the railway station building proper, and the new square is a huge success. And the development as a whole is certainly more successful than Network Rail's incoherent muddle at the other end of the East Coast mainline at Waverley... But King's Cross has had nearly <i>quadruple</i> the sum spent on it, despite only having 25% more passengers.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/97595808@N00">Tom Parnell</a> from Scottish Borders, Scotland
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/itmpa/14971279879/">King's Cross</a>