They've fenced around that area in the last couple of days, so is it imminent?

I notice they've whitewashed the pedestrian underpass again - well the posh Perry Vale half anyway.

Don't worry - the challenging 'graffiti'ed part remains.
It is remarkable that something so ugly has lasted so long - and for that reason alone, I think I'm growing to like it.

I believe the graffitti was actually done by Platform One about 15 years ago with the consent of the landowners.

Was that the extent of the so-called underpass improvements/ renovation? A tad disappointing... A lick of paint and all the problems are (white) washed away?!

This new footbridge they are building... I don't suppose it will godown to street level from platform 2, will it? Seems obvious to me, but what do I know.

No. It was argued for, but Network Rail said that the platform was too narrow for that to happen, so it is going to be where the current bridge is with lifts to platform and bridge levels only. Not sure what the latest start date is, but work was due to start in June and be completed by May 2010

There will be a period whereby there will be no bridge, with no possibility for a temporary bridge during that time and there will be periods when the South Circular may be temporarily closed, during night time, but all dependent on ?possession? times for the station.

What the heck was going on this morning? I've never seen so many people trying to get tickets. They ended up opening the gates and pre-warned London bridge people would be buying retrospective tickets there. Chaos.

Also, I hope the partially whitewashed underpass is a temporary facelift. Wish they would paint over that tired and frankly poor graffiti.

I thought there was to be a second bridge built further along the platform for the lift- have the plans changed? I must look out my old emails but it might be quicker if local Councillors could update.

I think TfL took over running to station this morning, I wonder if the queues were related?

Regarding the lifts, there are plans to build a replacement footbridge slightly further north on the platforms (further from the entrances). This is because it is the only point wide enough for the lifts to be put in place (without going down to street level).

I hope you don't mind me responding even though I am not a councillor.

The two external ticket machines weren't working, and I'm not sure the inside one was either. These are (I think) Southern branded, so I imagine the switchover did impact on it, yes. Bit chaotic, really.

Does anybody know if the ticket machine on Perry Vale is operational yet?

There is no machine yet.

Thanks Fandango for your quick response - another hike up and down the stairs with suitcases to platform 2!

Footbridge has gone!
Or is going anyway.

Was not sure if thats what the road closure was for last night.
Saw the demo equipment being delivered to the FH Cars yard the other night.

So they've demolished the footbridge with no plans in place for tickets to be bought on Platform 2? Surprise surprise. Lets hope they don't forget to keep that gate open otherwise people will be getting off with no exit out from the station. Having had that experience once at Gatwick Airport ( they let us off the plane but all exits into the airport were locked) I'm not confident of any real competence here.

Thank gawd I dont have to get a train for a while yet.
Looks like they have something planned nearer the ticket office one side and near the car park on plat 2 side.
Not sure what though, anyone got any ideas what the scaffolding construction is for?

Bridge is still standing... they've removed the steps on both sides though.

Anyone know when it's scheduled to be totally removed?

The scaffolding constructions are temporary shelters for waiting passengers to hide from the elements.

Aaaah cool, that makes sense.
I was wondering about the bridge myself actually, seems a bit wierd it just sitting there lol.

Curious to see what the end game is.

A question for Michael, Roz (fantastic job promoting issues of local interest that you two do by the way) and other interested persons about the FH railway station. My limited knowledge of Forest Hill's history tells me that the station used to be a beautiful Victorian building, before finding itself on the wrong end of an incendiary bomb in WWII. Passing by Dulwich station (and to a lesser extent HOP station) I was thinking how robbed we have been of a fine Victorian centrepiece for the struggling FH shopping area. The recent survey concerning the extension of the conservation area asked for other recommendations for the improvement of the character of the area, and my question is whether a new Victorian-style station building would be within the realm of possibility, or simply something that would never be given budgetary approval. Given that 1) the station is being upgraded/transitioned to accomodate the tube, 2) as I understand it, the bollards outside the station are very old and listed, 3) the station is not the prettiest in design, and 4) the town centre could really do with a boost, would getting a station to be proud of an achievable goal? I am not sure if lottery funding would be available for this sort of thing. Would be interested in people's thoughts.

It turns out that the bollards they want to locally list are not the blue bollards around the station (I personally objected to them getting listed as they are nothing special in my opinion). It turns out the bollards for listing are at the top of the underpass and I agree that preserving these is worthwhile.

We are unlikely to see a 'Victorian-style' station, and conservation area rules are generally not in favour of attempts to build mock-Victorian buildings that usually fail to fit in. However, the station building, WH Smith and other building in the area are regarded as 'negative buildings' that the council would like to see replaced.

The supplimental planning guidelines (2002) for Forest Hill recommend building a new station building and a town square. Funding is always going to be the problem for such projects, but TfL may be more responsive to the idea of building a new station than Southern Railways or Network Rail have been. Most likely any new station would not be Victorian style but a new 21st century station.