True, but then Southern needn't have messed us about for the best part of a year with nonsense excuses. If I were in their place I wouldn't bother NOW, but the problem hasn't started NOW, has it? They've spun the situation out and along until such time as they can basically say 'yeah, well, not our problem soon, why should we spend money on it?'

But the exit does not need remote operation after 8:00 pm.
If it is no longer cost effective to man the gate after this time (remotely or otherwise), then that is a business decision and the gates should be left open, as agreed.
Southern are being dishonest in their dealing with us.

I think we should stop showing our tickets at platform 2 exit until they open it after 8pm. 'I'm sorry, I won't show you my ticket until the gates are opened after 8pm'.

Who's with me?

I'm not a regular user of Platform 2 in the evening but have been following this story with interest. Is the issue that although Southern might be happy to leave the gate open after the station becomes unmanned, they don't want to leave it open after the last train has run - and they have no means of closing it without someone visiting the station? Do they close the gate from Platform 1 after the last train? If not, why do they need to close the gate from Platform 2. If they do close the gate from Platform 1, why cant the person who does that close the gate from platform 2? All a bit mysterious - but it is absolutely clear that on ebit of Southern has no idea what another bit is doing.

I think they close the gate on platform 2 because of the new screen. They are worried that it's going to get smashed up at night. I asked one of the guys (who has the thrilling job of sitting in the booth on platform 2 checking everyone's ticket) what the deal was. He said there was meant to be a security camera but the installation was delayed. Rather than waiting for the camera before installing the screen they've decided to just close the gate. Thus deeming the screen more important than the disruption of hundreds of FH residents...

Does anybody know how we can sort this out? Would the local MP help? Petition?

AndrewR: the station building itself is closed when the station is unmanned, and just the two side gates on Platform 1 are left open. I don't know if they are left open all night. Presumably when the Platform 2 exit was just a gate, it too could be left unlocked.

Now that Platform 2 has the ticket-shelter-thingy at the bottom of the stairs, Southern are treating it the same as the station building and closing it when the station is unmanned. It seems the Customer Relations Manager at Southern believed that the roller shutter that secures the entrance of the shelter could be remotely operated and therefore could be closed when there were no staff at the station. Unfortunately he was mistaken (because it was installed to TfL's specification, which didn't request remote operation) and therefore it has to be closed by station staff.

I got caught out by this once again last night. Was not amused as I was carrying a fairly big package. If I had to carry a pram, or were less able I would have been stranded on the platform.

As ever, all the other Platform 2 entrance users were less than happy.

I think we need to be clear here. This was not a mistake by the customer relations manager (in telling us the exit would continue to be open until midnight). The planning application itself was explicit - the exit's uncompromised opening times had been recognised as a core requirement.

From the planning application:

link

Southern admit the specification changed. They are aware they are not meeting their commitments. But who changed the specification - Southern or TFL? Can we get clarification?

This is a pretty disgusting way for Southern to treat their customers to be honest. Not impressed with this news at all.

However, if enough people are against this, I think the most effective challenge is to kick up a stink about the lack of disabled and pram/wheelchair/heavy-luggage access - at all hours, but especially when the side gate is closed.

I'm thinking that tfl will have to do something about this when they take over; so why not pressurise them to start the work now?
Perhaps a locked gate with step-free access at the post-office end of the platform (which can be left open afterhours like the gates on Platform 1 and opened as required by staff during the day)?

It has been announced today that Southern have won the franchise for running services on our line beyond September this year. Not really a surprise given that any other operator would only have 3 months to take control of a vast network.

They did not deserve to win the franchise, after making a mess of our evening timetable (with random gaps between trains) and failing to listen to customers regarding gating policies. Fortunately they will not be responsible for staffing the station or gating policy from September.

They have promised longer trains and slightly later services on Friday and Saturday nights, but not as long or as late as passengers would want. It will be interesting to see what happens about lengthening our platforms for longer Southern Trains, when the stations are operated by TfL. The rail industry is not good at joined up thinking.

After my accident of last year and the fact that I can no longer ride a motorcycle using the train fills me with dread. I have had to use the train six times over the last eight months and only once has it been on time. One day I needed to use it there was not even a train service running, dreadful service.

Am keen to make a fuss about the side gate having got off with buggy at the weekend only to find it closed. A lot of hassle trying to get it and child up and down those very steep steps, also a health and safety nightmare in case I fell. This isn't acceptable. We should all email Jim Dowd as he was instrumental last time in getting it re opened.

Roz
I symphasise but even if side gate open the steps are as bad as the bridge , although only about half.

Not sure what Mr Dowd can do but worth a try. I think we will have to wait until station transfers in September I think.

Good Luck anyway.

Heard today that Southern have maintained the franchise with promise of more trains and more station staff. Could be interesting.

Brian, I agree the side gate staircase is not very safe, and the sooner they open the gate into the car park the better.
But compared with climbing up a double staircase, down a double staircase and then (if PV is in fact where you are going,) there is yet another double staircase to negotiate in the underpass, plus a few stairs, it is much much safer and convenient.

If the station manager thinks the situation is OK, perhaps he should volunteer to carry children, prams, heavy luggage etc from passengers on platform 2 - shouldn't take him a minute to run the various 'baggage' up and down the stairs. Part of the service really.

Perryman
You have a vaild point. But not sure what can be done

Perryman,

It is a long route. But you can go round under the railway bridge to avoid the underpass steps.

Maybe now they have unexpectantly retained the franchise they will have second thoughts about the gate.

I emailed Jim Dowd about the gate over a week ago but haven't had a response yet, which is disappointing...

Hi there - Se23 lurker here, bearing good news on the gate front.
I emailed Southern as I had serious concerns regarding Health and safety (having witnessed a man collapse on the steps of the footbridge and receive medical attention while a busy train load tried to squeeze past him). They've just replied stating:-
"I can confirm that the gate in the Perry Vale exit off platform 2 will now be left open whilst the station is open. After having reviewed this matter and now consider this to be the best option. As such this gate will no longer be closed after 2000.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused while this decision was being made."

If the station manager finds that is an easier route to take our prams/baggage around to the PV side exit, that is fine by me.

In practice, it is such a long, dark, noisy and dirty detour, the vast majority having to cross the railway, fight their belongings (even bikes) up and down the pedestrian underpass stairs.

PS Am I right in thinking the reason the south circular underpass is so far from the station is that it made use of an natural 'valley' at that point (possibly the stream that ran down by London Rd cut it)?
Or was it the easiest way for the 'traffic' from the London Rd level to be gently dropped 12' to the Perry Vale level?