‘I visited the London Overground station with an absurdly narrow platform’

If you have ever experienced Wapping Overground station first hand, you will know what I’m talking about. Its platform is so small that brushing against the wall becomes a necessity to let other people pass through.

When I visited the station for the first time, the platform's narrowness took me by surprise. The initial surprise quickly turned into a sense of precariousness, as I could not shake the fear of inadvertently stumbling onto the tracks if I got distracted.

To illustrate the magnitude of the issue, I even conducted an experiment: I leaned against the wall and it only took me three steps to reach the train, which proved how small the platform is, mirrored on both its North and Southbound sides. The stairs leading up to the platform do not make the experience any more pleasant, as they are super narrow too.

READ MORE: ‘I visited the London Underground station where the Overground runs below the Tube’

Despite the evident need for expansion, the prospects for enlarging the platform seem dim. It may be very costly, and the station underwent some remodelling in recent years after a temporary closure and subsequent reopening in April 2010.

Following its reopening, Wapping station introduced preview services to New Cross and New Cross Gate. Later, it extended routes to West Croydon and Crystal Palace, though without addressing the platform’s size.

However, amidst these challenges lies a silver lining: it's not exactly central London, so you will not find yourself battling the crowds on the weekends and peak times. As an exclusive London Overground station, Wapping recorded a usage figure of 1.64 million people between 2021 and 2022, significantly lower than the bustling traffic witnessed at Covent Garden, which counted a staggering 7.48 million visitors.

Although Wapping sees considerably fewer commuters than its central counterparts, it's imperative to remain mindful of fellow passengers while awaiting a train. Let us know about your experience in the comments next time you find yourself at Wapping Overground station.

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