SE23.com - The Official Forum for Forest Hill & Honor Oak, London SE23
Online since 2002   11,000+ members   72,000+ posts

Home | SE23 Topics | Businesses & Services | Wider Topics | Offered/Wanted/Lost/Found | About SE23.com | Advertising | Contact | |
 Armstrong & Co Solicitors



Post Reply  Post Topic 
Pages (5): « First [1] 2 3 4 5 Next > Last »
Southern trains into London Bridge
Author Message
mrwandle


Posts: 73
Joined: Sep 2011
Post: #1
24-09-2014 08:54 AM

These services seem to be back to the bad old days of circa 2007. Late, short trains, signal problems, queuing outside London Bridge, then fighting to get off the train when you get there. Today a 13 minute journey from HOP took over 30, and that's not even the first time this week... and it's still Wednesday!

I feel like it's been like this since the late August service shutdown but I can't accurately remember. Before I complain to Southern can anyone back this up?

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Mr_Numbers


Posts: 513
Joined: May 2012
Post: #2
24-09-2014 09:04 AM

I've no idea - but it might be worth while starting to make notes of your journeys for a couple of weeks. One of two things will happen: either you'll have a notebook full of facts to present to Southern, or the service will miraculously improve in a kind of inverse s*d's law! Thumbsup

EDIT: Apparently "s * * ' s l a w" is disallowed on this website. Seems a tad harsh! My apologies if anyone is offended by me circumventing the asterisks, but I didn't really want anyone thinking I'd said something much worse! Wink

This post was last modified: 24-09-2014 09:06 AM by Mr_Numbers.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
mrwandle


Posts: 73
Joined: Sep 2011
Post: #3
24-09-2014 09:06 AM

Thanks Mr Numbers. Sounds like a sandwich filler I'm not keen on trying.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
EDjules


Posts: 17
Joined: Sep 2012
Post: #4
24-09-2014 11:55 AM

there is an open letter to passengers, seems this will continue till next batch of major works over Christmas. oh joy.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/letter-from-dave-ward/

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Londondrz


Posts: 1,538
Joined: Apr 2006
Post: #5
24-09-2014 12:04 PM

The service is frankly rubbish. I have given up on Souther and take the Overground now. It's crowded but at least it goes somewhere.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
michael


Posts: 3,255
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #6
24-09-2014 12:25 PM

Dave Ward, Route managing director South East route wrote:
In the last week of August we made some significant changes, involving the replacement or amendment of thousands of cables and hundreds of electrical switches. Every change was tested thoroughly to confirm the safety and reliability of the system. However, since then there have been problems with the existing, older systems and some isolated incidents of components failing.


So they put in new parts, tested that they all worked, but didn't make sure the changes were fully compatible with the existing systems.

There is no doubt that the reliability of trains and signals in and out of London Bridge lower station has seen significant degradation since the works in August.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Chris88


Posts: 43
Joined: Sep 2012
Post: #7
24-09-2014 01:05 PM

Welcome to the future of London Bridge.

Southern are actually losing a platform permanently by the end of the development. So this is likely to not only continue throughout development but beyond this date. Queueing outside London Bridge will be a permanent fixture.

They won't tell you that though. They just tell you how awesome thameslink will be.

The platforms should have far more space when the escalators and underground ticket Hall are complete but that's years away.

Then you also have the Gatwick Express which takes priority over every train on the network. So when you already have limited track and platforms, they have to freeze all trains to let the Gatwick Express come through unhindered. Doesn't matter if it delays everyone else by 5-10 minutes. The Gatwick express has to arrive on time otherwise the airport lobby will kick up a fuss.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
michael


Posts: 3,255
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #8
24-09-2014 01:46 PM

Quote:
Southern are actually losing a platform permanently by the end of the development. So this is likely to not only continue throughout development but beyond this date. Queueing outside London Bridge will be a permanent fixture.

But they will be diverting some of the fast services (Caterham and Tattenham Corner) to use the Thameslink line, so they won't need so many terminating platforms after 2019.

At present there are two platforms out of action (as has been the case all year). After December platforms 9-15 should all be operational, giving Southern an extra platform compared to 2014 (one less than 2013 but the South London Loop was discontinued).

I'll continue to press for some of our weekend and off-peak services to use the Thameslink line or the Charing Cross line, so that there is some direct benefit for South Londoners.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
mrwandle


Posts: 73
Joined: Sep 2011
Post: #9
24-09-2014 01:52 PM


Thanks all, and thanks Michael for lobbying them on our behalf.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
oryx


Posts: 205
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #10
24-09-2014 09:19 PM

I have definitely noticed that Southern trains in the rush hour are almost inevitably a few minutes late.....at least. I think this problem predated August, though.

I occasionally use Southeastern or Thameslink from Crofton Park or Catford Bridge and they do seem more punctual.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Chris88


Posts: 43
Joined: Sep 2012
Post: #11
25-09-2014 09:01 AM

Wow Ok. Michael you know what you're talking about!

All I can say is thanks for keeping this up. Let me know if you need any help.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Sherwood


Posts: 1,412
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #12
25-09-2014 01:21 PM

Michael,

Does this mean that we might have the mainline trains from Forest Hill to Charing Cross in the evenings restored?

They were very convenient.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
clausy


Posts: 73
Joined: Mar 2014
Post: #13
27-09-2014 09:06 AM

Just saying, you can cycle to London Bridge in 20-25 minutes from Forest Hill Station. If you count the time getting to the station, waiting for the train etc, you're always quicker on a bike.

Canary Wharf is a bit more of a struggle to beat the Overground and Jubilee Smile but at least you're not jammed into a sardine can for the trip.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
RobF


Posts: 27
Joined: Oct 2008
Post: #14
27-09-2014 09:20 AM

Quote:
I'll continue to press for some of our weekend and off-peak services to use the Thameslink line or the Charing Cross line, so that there is some direct benefit for South Londoners.


It would be nice if there were any trains at all at weekends...

This is this the 2nd weekend in the last month or so when there's been total closure, and most weeks there's some kind of bus replacement service.

Not directed at you Michael - you do an amazing job - but people do actually want to travel at weekends and I'm fed up with having to get expensive taxis (who don't want to go to SE London anyway) home from Central London virtually every other week.

This post was last modified: 27-09-2014 09:21 AM by RobF.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
lacb


Posts: 627
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #15
27-09-2014 09:28 AM

Now that Thameslink and Southern are effectively the same franchise, it is tempting to hope that we could get some stopping thameslink services. There would have to be a switch onto the fast lines somewhere though - is there anywhere north of Norwood Junction this can happen though? At London Bridge it could be done but would involve crossing Charing Cross services, which are South Eastern and so I suspect would be blocked for that reason. And there lies the crux of the issue as it is this that prevents our sadly missed CX services from running too.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
RobF


Posts: 27
Joined: Oct 2008
Post: #16
27-09-2014 09:47 AM

Quote:
Just saying, you can cycle to London Bridge in 20-25 minutes from Forest Hill Station. If you count the time getting to the station, waiting for the train etc, you're always quicker on a bike.


Totally agree Clausy and I cycle into town for work virtually very day (although it's far less pleasant in the cold and rain which is undoubtedly coming), but at the weekend if you go out for drinks/dinner/party/clubs or whatever in town and you have a few drinks, you don't want to be cycling home because that's just as bad and dangerous as drinking and driving, and even if you're not drinking you're probably not dressed for cycling.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
clausy


Posts: 73
Joined: Mar 2014
Post: #17
27-09-2014 10:14 AM

Of course there are times when you wouldn't want to cycle, and it isn't for everyone, but I'm just saying that as an alternative to the daily train ride, it's usually a much more pleasant option that really doesn't take any more time than the train end to end. Especially if you're going all the way to the City on a bike instead of walking over London Bridge, or worse jumping into the Northern Line pit.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Poppy9560


Posts: 273
Joined: Aug 2008
Post: #18
27-09-2014 10:53 AM

Rob F - rather than expensive cabs home we are reasonably well served by night buses- I certainly can't afford cabs home!

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
rbmartin


Posts: 1,074
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #19
27-09-2014 07:58 PM

Quote:
Now that Thameslink and Southern are effectively the same franchise


Not just yet. Southern is still a separate company in the GoVia family until next summer. Thameslink, Southern and Southeastern may have the same overall company, but the management are different. This explains to some extent why Southeastern continues to poor in comparison to Southern.

Next weekend, all trains will operate on Saturday. On Sunday the overground is running normally with a reduced service to London Bridge on Southern.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
OakR


Posts: 216
Joined: Oct 2011
Post: #20
27-09-2014 08:08 PM

re the cycling, whilst when I did cycle into Shoreditch via London Bridge, I'd say 20-25 minutes is ok once you've got going, but for anyone setting out you'd need to allow more time.

Also for me, I need a shower after the cycle, so time wise it never saved me time - I just felt miles better getting into work after the cycle than being crammed on the train.

Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Pages (5): « First [1] 2 3 4 5 Next > Last »

Friends of Blythe Hill Fields


Possibly Related Topics ...
Topic: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
  TfL considering running the Overground into London Bridge rbmartin 35 6,089 17-03-2024 07:20 PM
Last Post: nottinghillbilly
  Petition to reinstate our lost London Bridge trains nottinghillbilly 19 6,623 26-10-2023 12:00 PM
Last Post: Ger
  London Bridge to Victoria 'Loop Line' trains - update clausy 0 3,011 08-11-2021 07:44 PM
Last Post: clausy
  Do you want more trains an hour for SE London? A Cinderella Line 5 6,674 27-11-2016 06:18 PM
Last Post: A Cinderella Line
  Cuts to London Bridge trains SEN 4 5,838 08-11-2016 02:35 PM
Last Post: Poppy9560
  London Bridge service changes SEN 3 5,974 08-09-2016 07:55 PM
Last Post: rbmartin
  London Bridge to Charing Cross - How do you do it? eastofthetrack 7 9,928 19-08-2015 01:05 PM
Last Post: eastofthetrack
  London Bridge trains - here's the best and the worst peak services Decker 333 277,614 04-08-2015 09:59 AM
Last Post: Londondrz
  London Bridge shut over Easter squashst 1 4,669 16-04-2014 11:01 AM
Last Post: michael
  London Bridge Irregularities this Friday 28th March michael 2 6,125 28-03-2014 08:44 AM
Last Post: michael
  24 dates without southern trains to London Bridge next year mrwandle 13 15,616 14-09-2013 12:43 PM
Last Post: Mr_Numbers
  Southern services from London Bridge Jon Lloyd 13 14,829 07-12-2010 09:18 AM
Last Post: showtunesgirl
  Lost - between London Bridge and Fairlawn school tttttttttttttt 2 6,713 18-11-2010 09:28 AM
Last Post: tttttttttttttt
  What's going on with the 5:27am Southern Service Forest Hill to London Bridge? ukulele_lady 0 4,293 10-08-2010 06:49 AM
Last Post: ukulele_lady
  Who will use ELL and who will stick to London Bridge services? Jon Lloyd 12 14,210 27-10-2009 10:08 AM
Last Post: Mattfh
  What Platform at London Bridge loca 6 10,225 07-01-2008 01:03 PM
Last Post: shzl400
  8:24 to London Bridge from HOP Jon Lloyd 21 26,015 23-11-2007 06:09 PM
Last Post: Londondrz