London
Underground
Because some
platforms on the London Underground are curved, and the rolling stock that use
them are straight, an unsafe gap is created when a train stops at a curved
platform.In the absence of a device to fill the gap, some form of visual and
auditory warning is needed to advise passengers of the risk of being caught
unaware and sustaining injury by stepping into the gap. The phrase "Mind
the gap" was chosen for this purpose and can be found painted along the
edges of curved platforms and heard on recorded announcements when a train
arrives at many Underground stations.
The
recording is also used where platforms are non-standard height. Deep-level tube
trains have a floor height around 20 cm (8 inches) less than sub-surface stock
trains. Where trains share platforms, for example, some Piccadilly line
(deep-tube) and District line (sub-surface) stations, the platform is a
compromise. On London's Metropolitan line, a gap has been created between the
train and the platform edge at Aldgate and Baker Street stations. This is due
to the phasing out of the old "A" stock trains and their replacement
with "S" stock trains, which have low floors to ease accessibility
for disabled people.
"Mind
the gap" audible warnings are always played on the Central line platforms
at Bank, the Northern line northbound platform at Embankment, and the Bakerloo
line platforms at Piccadilly Circus. The markings on the platform edge usually
line up with the doors on the cars.
While the
message is sometimes played over the platform's public address system on some
lines, usually it is an arrival message inside the train itself: "Please
mind the gap between the train and the platform".
During the
coronation weekend of King Charles III in 2023, the message was voiced by the
King himself and his wife Camilla. The King says, "My wife and I wish you
and your families a wonderful coronation weekend," followed by Camilla,
who says, "Wherever you are travelling, we hope you have a safe and
pleasant journey," which is ended with the King saying "And remember,
please mind the gap." It was played throughout every railway station in
the United Kingdom.
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