Written in a rush, but hopefully expressing my exasperation and send to comments@southernrailway.com
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Dear Sirs
I would like to raise some issues with you on several counts regarding a recent restriction of access to Forest Hill Station, London, SE23.
The gate to platform 2, a platform which is only accessible only through a back gate and via a footbridge with numerous steps either side, was closed on the 28th and 29th of November, 2007.
Disregarding the fact that our posters announcing this fact in advance were not particularly visible, there were small, A4 posters placed on the gate and at the bottom of these steps with the following wording:
?THIS GATE WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY 28TH AND THURSDAY 29TH
THIS IS TO ALLOW MAINTENANCE WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT
I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGISE ON BEHALF OF SOUTHERN FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO YOUR JOURNEYS
DAVID COATES
STATION MANAGER?
(photo attached)
My issues are as follows:
1. there was no evidence at all of any work having been carried out on this gate, the steps or the area surrounding it when it when it was reopened today
2. when the gate was shut there was no additional help on the platforms for travellers with prams or with mobility restrictions. I personally witnessed prams having to be carried by fellow passengers as the only means of leaving the platform for a young mother travelling alone.
3. there were no obvious alternative routes of escape for safety reasons, nor was there anyone on hand to advise of such
4. I have been led to believe that when this issue was raised with you by a fellow traveller, your response was as follows:
?I have been in contact with the station manager who has advised me that the reason that this access gate has been closed is due to passenger counts being carried out for the forthcoming gating strategy.
Safety requirements will have been adhered to and emergency procedures followed if necessary. I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused.?
* There was no evidence of any passenger count happening at the station at any time, particularly at off peak hours when a substantial number of less mobile passengers choose to travel.
* Can you provide any evidence that this actually took place to justify the inconvenience you claim to regret?
* If this was the case, how come you choose to close one of the main access points for the station? It would render any count meaningless as you have artificially skewed the results and lost data on the actual passenger flow between the front and rear access.
* In addition, how come this response does not match the station masters? own printed statement?
I am afraid that repetition of a phrase such as ?I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused? does not actually do anything to address the frustrations you are causing to passengers.
I would appreciate a more informed response to the reasons for the closure which I can share with other frustrated and confused Forest Hill station users