https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qu7DpDenxYf8NCRcA ...which can be accessed down those steps; I vaguely remember a post of the forum about the lack of decent signage!

 
It may be worth explaining for those not familiar with Blackfriars mainline station that the entrance was originally only on the north bank of the Thames, with platforms perhaps jutting out slightly above the water. To allow for longer trains, the platforms were rebuilt earlier this century and extended right across the river with a new entrance on the south side.  While obviously intended to allow passengers catching a train to enter at either end, people quickly and understandably saw its potential as a through pedestrian alternative to the adjacent road bridge; there's a glorious view in good weather and shelter from wind and rain at other times.

In my role at the time I was involved in fending off requests to allow free passage for all, which would have opened a real can of revenue worms. As a new build there was thankfully no question of it being an established right of way, and unlike other troublesome stations such as Southwark or Earls Court the alternative route was just as direct albeit not under cover.  Thanks to a quirk of fare pricing (the "central core" of Thameslink - the only bit that really should be on the Tube map - is charged as if it were an Underground line), we were able to set the Oyster/contactless system not to charge extra for anyone who passed through the mainline station en route for or after leaving the adjacent but separate Tube station.  Add into this that as mentioned earlier anyone with a Travelcard covering Zone 1 or a 60+/Freedom Pass can walk through the station for free, the number of people who might have to buy a platform ticket is actually pretty small.

 
It will depend on the TOC, so in the Blackfriar's case that is the ticket. I'd guess GWR would have a similar format ticket to Blackfriars as they're still using STAR, but SWR for example don't have that as a retail sundry and it needs to be done as a manual fare so would look more like a normal ticket.

 

I have a suspicion that's all the ticket you get. It's a receipt for the payment, to be produced if proof is required. Having "not valid for travel" on it is not a problem, rather the opposite, and as it's not a ticket you can't expect to use it on a train. Why bother to define a ticket to be printed as well?

 
Good spot - how many 'tickets' have space for signatures - and "Retail Sundry" typed on the base of the orange stripe?

 

Interestingly the illustrative image says "not valid for travel" - but is the image just the payment receipt and not the ticket?

 

Only in Scotland it seems 

 

I don't know the current position but this is interesting https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/news-and-media/news/2023/october/guildford-station-footbridge

I believe the bridge pass is/was free.

 
Also Guildford to get fron the main enterance to the western enterance but they discribe the ticket as a bridge pass.

 

I do note your point, ChrisB - but 'walking along the platform' is still classed as 'travelling': see https://www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/ 

 

That was my guess too, and I tried to think of stations with multiple entrances not close to each other with no easy other way around.    One really big tangential question I have is Sheffield which is an open station because the footbridge is a significant public right of way, and if games a platform ticket to walk through might sell.

 

I don't think you can buy a platform ticket at stations with ticket gates.  Non-gated stations, yes and yes, they're still 10p.  I'm sure by the letter of the Railway by-laws you need one but since at non-gated stations, there's no-one on the barrier checking tickets, of course you can just walk on to the platform.  I don't think a booking clerk would sell one to someone who said they simply wanted to go on to the platform to see granny off.  They'd just say you don't need one.

Until last year, you could even still buy platform tickets at Tube stations - cost £1.00.  Just another option on the ticket machines until removed in a software update.

The footbridge over the railway at Welwyn Garden City used to be similar to the situation with the long platform crossing the river at Blackfriars today i.e. you needed a platform ticket to go across it.  I haven't been there since my days doing London Country Golden Rovers back in the late 70s.  Anyone know the position now?

 

I guess Blackfriars is unique in what it offers, but it is possible to purchase a platform ticket from any staffed ticket office for 10p. However, I believe (I may be wrong!) that the general policy is that they are not required to access the platform.

 
You've lost me - Graham means walking, not getting on a train to cross - but walking from one end of the platform to the other, across the Thames. The platform isn't a right of way, hence a platform ticket being required

 

But grahame's ticket clearly states, it is "Not valid for travel" 

 
Assuming you mean a Travelcard ticket - these are valid for crossing the Thames during the period that they are valid & a platform ticket would not be required.

 
Do you get a discount with a travel card, assuming you don't use it in peak hours?

 
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=431500369544958

From a suggestion in "my London" - 10p to cross the river at Blackfriars

Where else are there still platform tickets, and is Blackfriars unique in what it offers?