This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Business profile


staff, Sonic Windows was contracted to supply a new ticket office work station.


Loughborough station upgrade Built in 1872 and an exceptionally fine example of Midland Railway architecture, Loughborough station is also a key rail junction serving well over 1.25 million passengers annually. A recent major refurbishment of the ‘listed’ building included undertaking conservation work on the unusual colonnaded glass canopies over the platforms and ensuring that general facilities were updated. This included the refurbishment of the period concourse and booking office. The Loughborough booking office is very striking with two ticket windows set in a wall of decorative boarding in white, framed with pleasantly carved and moulded timber work in dark blue. Clearly this distinctive feature had to be preserved and Sonic, well used to heritage work, produced a format where the only visible change to the 19th


century design


was to bring down the bottom level of the windows and introduce a projecting shelf in maple wood to accommodate the needs of wheelchair users. For general usage, a higher writing area was made available between the two windows. While the general appearance of the ticket area hardly changed, the facilities certainly did. Although the windows are bullet-resistant glass they are perfectly clear, allowing unobstructed face-to-face contact between the traveller and booking staff. Chip and pin facilities were placed either side of the raised writing area and ticket trays were recessed into the counter under each window to ensure security.


Sonic’s basic principle with ticket office work stations is to create an area where the customer has non-threatening eye contact and clear voice exchange with staff, yet the employee is safe from assault, theft, germs and even, to a large extent, the draughts that circulate station forecourts.


Jones added: ‘Due to their large, clear- glass areas, modern communications systems neither distort the words used in interactions, nor do they make the parties sound far away from one another. ‘Cash passing trays, cash tills and a full range of internal user-friendly counter units greet today’s traveller. Laminated safety glass, sometimes bullet-resistant, a voice system that does not require bending to ensure close contact with a microphone and an administration area designed by people that understand railway needs certainly help cosset the ticket office staff.’


Disabled rail users


The facilities offered to disabled rail users have been under the spotlight in recent years and Sonic has been quick to react. Virtually all recent installations feature a lower level window with a protruding ticket shelf which allow ticket exchanges at a convenient height and conformation for the user. At Sonic, the needs of the deaf are also important. The new generation of communications window incorporates induction loops for those with hearing aids.


Farringdon station renovation Clerkenwell’s Farringdon station, which is set to become one of the country’s busiest, has also enjoyed a Sonic overhaul. Jones said: ‘Needless to say, this upgrade of its overground services requires a complete remodelling of the existing station, with longer platforms, a new roof canopy, a new entrance and a new concourse and booking hall.’ Farringdon boasts three ticket office windows facing directly onto the concourse. Since the floor tiles and predominant colour scheme of the ticket hall is grey, the stainless steel used


Page 112 October 2013


Southampton Parkway and Basingstoke stations


More recent Sonic installations include the complete refitting of the ticket offices for South West Trains at Basingstoke and Southampton Parkway, which originally had an open plan ‘airport style’ ticket office and has now reverted to the more traditional type with the protective glass screen.


Jones said: ‘The special relationship between Sonic and train operators over the years has been a fruitful one for both parties. Readily cooperating to agree on and arrange the most suitable system for each individual station situation has been professionally rewarding.


‘Ticket office windows may not be a major item in the greater railway romance but they are essential in providing the main link between passengers and railway staff. Next time you see a nice, refurbished ticket station, have a close look; it’s probably by Sonic Windows.’





Tel 01424 223864 Email enquiries@sonicwindows.co.uk Visit: www.sonicwindows.co.uk


immediately above, below and framing the windows blends perfectly with the surroundings, while any hint of starkness is relieved by the use of oatmeal coloured panels leading up to the ceiling. No timber was used in the construction


to eliminate fire risks. The windows are clear yet made of laminated 42mm bullet- resistant glass, granting utmost safety for staff and security for cash transactions. The larger windows weighed 425kg so all were lifted into position using specialist Geko lifting hydraulic equipment fitted with powerful vacuum pads. They extend down to below waist level to aid those with restricted mobility.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140