The continued closure of this gate and the conflicting messages from Southern are a disgrace, and a severe health and safety issue for everyone who uses this station, not just those with access or mobility issues who are probably just not using it any longer.

As they can clearly continue to fund the presence of several Revenue Protection officers let them open the Platform 2 gate and assist passengers as well as check tickets.

Personally speaking I very much resent having to spend additional time and money travelling to and from Sydenham as it is nigh impossible to use Forest Hill to go south with a buggy. I have to catch a bus to Sydenham Station from FH and if coming back from London I have to go an extra stop, walk around and catch the train back up. This adds around 45 minutes to each trip. I also forgot to buy a return via Sydenham last week so was threatened with a penalty fine when I got out at Sydenham.

Why should people have to pay extra just because they have some special need, such as disability or have to travel with a child? This is surely discriminatory.

Why is there no firm date for Cubic to complete the work? Probably because the budgets have not been agreed and I suspect that someone is having trouble trying to eke out some money due to conflicting end of year spending priorities.

It is now time to involve Jim Dowd MP who did such excellent work on this a few years ago and/or our friends at the South London Press.