1/12/1881 (British Railway Journal):
A major dispute arose over the subway. As the railway effectively split Forest Hill in half, the importance of the subway as a link to the main shopping area was considerable.
The original subway was a gentle slope and Banister's proposal was to replace this with some 27 steps.

The Gazette denounced the proposal :
A mount of 27 steps between you and your dinner will be the last straw.
Others may like the exercise and find it a pleasant substitute for a summer holiday and alpine climbing, but for gentle ladies and tender children, the 27 steps is a piece of positive cruelty.
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Here here! My kind of Newspaper.