At a meeting with TfL on 4 March, we were promised that the lighting on the staircase for the Perry Vale exit would be improved to provide 150 lux as part of the Phase 3 upgrade (see below for explanation of the phases).

However, after an extensive review of the lighting on the former Southern Stations the LUX levels were considered satisfactory by LOROL. Would you agree? In the words of LOROL, they have enhanced the lighting (since the stations were transferred in September last year) by changing the lighting heads emitting yellow light to white light. This more 'natural ' light generally makes customers feel more secure. These white light bulbs were installed on the 2 lights on the Perry Vale exit last winter (based on feedback from the Forest Hill Society) which has significantly enhanced this entrance/exit.

It also transpires that the scope for the phase 3 upgrade of our Stations has been changed by LOROL and Transport for London. We were originally promised new PA, more customer service screens, DDA compliant counters and redecoration throughout, which would also involve the removal of all graffiti within 30m of the station. We are now told that the PA and customer information screeens are better than those on the NLL, so will not be changed, nor will we be getting DDA compliant counters. Phase 3 has started at all stations and will basically involve repainting in TfL colours (anything currently unpainted will remain unpainted eg galvanised security fenciing), new poster panels and the erection of permanent signs.

We continue to press for the graffiti on the railway bridge to be removed at the same time.

Phase 1 - works on Silverlink North London Line (NLL) following takeover by LOROL
Phase 2 - Deep clean and temporary orange signs put up in May. Branding of stations in LOROL colours.
Phase 3 - Improved customer information, permanent signs ELL / NLL

So it looks like the dot matrix destination boards (which were installed by Connex) on both platforms are staying then, along with the existing counters at FH which have been in use certainly for the last 25 years or so, which are next to useless for some disabled passengers.

I suppose the cutbacks to TfL's budget has caused these issues?

No doubt. I'm personally not surprised but very pleased that we at least managed to get our new bridge and lifts etc completed before the cuts set in. Lets hope they can afford to fix them if and when they break down!

The new platform signs have started to go up!

And before anyone complains too much about what the station looks like, it could be worse...

Forest Hill Station

(hover over the picture for label)

IWereAbsolutelyFuming, also it probably does not look much like the google street view either at the moment as it is probably flooded seeing how close it is to the worst affected areas in OZ at the moment!

Is the electric generator still outside the station by the cashpoints?

Gennie was there this morning. I also noticed they are painting the newly installed fences again. Cheap paint 1st time round I wonder?

Yup, that's how I came upon looking it up...actually, I found it last week too while looking for something about Forest Hill Post Office.

New benches are now on Platform 1 and 2.

The aforementioned benches have been removed already?! Did they make an error in putting them in?

I see the new station signs have been installed on unpainted surfaces. Will they remove them to do the high quality re-paint that was promised? Passing through Norwood Junction this morning, it looked like they are doing a pretty good repaint there.

New station signs:

Anyone notice the new floor in the ticket office which appears to have been laid this week?

any lifts going in? this station is awful for mums with prams, people with luggage, and disabilities. Surely this has to be a priority?

MG, if you are looking for lifts at Forest Hill then follow the signs. They are there I assure you.

Mista, if you mean HOP, have a look at the HOP station thread which if I recall contains good news about lifts being installed in the future.

sorry - wrong staton, my mistake

thanks
Chris

Unfortunately they are not always available for use and are usually locked in the late evenings. There's a button to press to request that staff open the lift but they are not always available.