Jim Dowd resolved this matter last time they attempted to close the gates- I suggest someone write to him about it.
It seems that with every positive technological advancement comes an administrative hitch.
I can't see how the situation differs from what it is now.
I would love to see them trying to staff this reliably at all, especially at 8.30pm in the evenings which as far as I am concerned should also qualify as ' peak time' judging by the hundreds that got off a packed train on Monday evening.
As someone with a pushchair, I try to avoid peak time journeys so this affects me as well. If the gate is no longer open then like a lot of people I will have no choice but to continue to Sydenham and catch the train back up. It is much too dangerous to attempt the bridge steps twice with a baby in a pushchair. At least the other way its fairly easy to bump or carry it up or down.