Ateïs UK systems have been enlisted to handle PA/VA duties as part of the extensive high-end tech spec at London’s Kings Cross station, which is currently the subject of a much-publicised renovation project.
A long-term project, the refurbishment of Kings Cross will allow it to handle an estimated 60 million passengers by 2020. Network Rail is investing £500 million in the site to create a transport hub for local, national and – via neighbouring station St. Pancras – international services.
Up to 80 pre-recorded safety messages have been stored digitally on the PA/VA system to complement train announcement messages and accommodate a wide variety of scenarios.
The spec includes four LAP G2 Linked Audio Processors, one IDA4XMS Master PAVA controller, nine IDA4XMS Slave PAVA controllers, ten IDA4SU Loudspeaker circuit switching units, four PSS96DT LCD touch screen paging microphones, one PPM Push button paging microphone, five PABFMP Ambient Noise Sensing microphones and 22 SPA2120 dual channel 120W amplifiers, along with four Sonaes battery chargers.
Richard Osborne, design manager of project integrator Fourway Communications, commented: “The selection process of the manufacturer required careful consideration that the installation, commissioning and complex migration stages could be carried out with minimum risk to the operation of the station, whilst also providing a cost-effective solution, and to date the Ateïs system has proven itself in meeting all those requirements.”
Work on platforms 1 to 8 is scheduled to finish by the end of this year. Restoration of the main roof and Victorian buildings is due for completion by mid-2012, while the opening of a new public square on the site of the old concourse is set to take place by late 2013.
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