I am sick to death of the phrase "apologies for the inconvenience". It is empty and meaningless. I hear it all the time, particularly at the station ...

"I [says the recorded voice which has no name and no personality] would like to apologise for the delay this may cause to your journey" (I paraphrase)

This was particularly brought home to me today as I got off the train on platform 2 and realised I had to go the long way around. Thankfully I am able-bodied and only had a back-pack, but a poor woman, that I only spotted having crossed to the other platform, had to haul her pram up and down the steps for the bridge (another friendly passenger did help). Why?

Because the gate is closed "for maintenance reasons" for 2 days. Of course this is fine with me as I'd love to see improvments, and the station manager even left a little note to "apologise for the inconvenience". Isn't that nice of him?



Unfortunately, when I finally walked all the way around this is what greeted me (I walked all the way around to check what had caused this issue):



Now, is it just me, or has NOTHING happened in 36 of the alloted 48 hours? Why should passengers suffer, in particular those who have prams or mobility issues?

If the manager REALLY cared enough (as his apology seems to suggest) surely if nothing was happening they could open the gate? It is a tiny station. Surely someone could come across and unlock it?

And as for any help for people to get across the bridge ... you must be joking!

I find this VERY irritating (as the lack of smilies and the number of capitals I hope shows)