I too experienced what DavidWhiting experienced and agree. There is no need to harangue the station staff - I spoke with them and the two guys on the platform informed me that they are in fact agency staff - not properly qualified station/platform managers.

Southern are currently using New Cross Gate strategically - they have reduced the rush hour service and are dumping passengers, expecting them to continue their journey on the ELL. However, TfL are terminating that service there too. Last night the number of people on the platform was dangerous, the volume of people coming up and down the stairs came to s standstill. However, there were no qualified station workers to deal with it.

That is unfair on them, front line workers, and the customers using it. it is a disgrace - someone is going to get hurt