I'd like to know when this sacred ritual of the 'Opening of the Gate' commences as when I came through this afternoon it was closed, so we had to go on to Sydenham.
And when we got to Sydenham we were told there was no access on the upside due to works to the barriers. The staff refused to offer help with getting the buggy over the bridge.
So we had to find a bus home. Taking into account the roadworks at Cobbs Corner we decided the most logical place to wait was Westwood Hill just after the Lawrie Park Road junction. However 30 minutes later it transpired after an expensive call to Tfl that the 176 was no longer coming down Lawrie Park Road and up Westwood but continuing up Crystal Palace Park Road to the Sydenham Hill junction. So we had to catch a bus to Crystal Palace, change and get another one to Forest Hill. Nice day out, much of which was spent trying to get from Sydenham to Forest Hill, a trip which alone took 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Just be aware, that if you have accessibility needs and decide to go out somewhere for the day, you may not be able to get back... Its ridiculous that they have made it impossible for people to use both the Perry Vale exit and the accessible route via Sydenham. Discriminatory or what.