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Post match problems at Charlton station
castrust
Posts: 527
CAST has recently received a few comments about difficulties at Charlton Station after the game. In particular, the lack of any apparent queueing system, shortage of Oyster points, trains departing with places free but no access to platform. It sounds generally chaotic.
We'd like to take this up with South Eastern. Please let us have your thoughts / complaints and any steps that you think might improve matters. Please leave comments here or email secretary@castrust.org
We'd like to take this up with South Eastern. Please let us have your thoughts / complaints and any steps that you think might improve matters. Please leave comments here or email secretary@castrust.org
11
Comments
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It's been chaos for ages and especially with large crowds. I think SE trains use the same employment agency as Gather & Gather.12
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I love seeing the faces of passengers already on arriving trains….they just aren’t prepared for suddenly having their space invaded by hundreds/thousands of football fans……as in WTF. 😂😂😂3
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I think the problem is that they close the gates when a train is approaching irrespective of how busy the platform is, and then don't open them again until the train has departed. This is why there are often spaces on trains.
The lack of Oyster readers massively slows things down. It is probably fine normally, but with large crowds it is a problem.
A few more post-match trains in either direction on match days would help, but that is probably impractical from a time-tabling perspective
Anyone expecting a queuing system may be disappointed!7 -
Every home game it’s the same. London bound rail travellers head towards the main station entrance only to be sent back to the platform entrance in Delafield Road. Needs some permanent signage or a steward with a megaphone directing the masses.7
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Grandsons use Oyster but we have moved from using debit/credit cards to buying tickets from the Southeastern app so we only need to scan both ways at Dartford. Additional Oyster readers a bit further along the platform or outside on the match exit/entrances would help.The main problem is moving along the kent-bound platform while most travellers just hang about just inside the entrance gate. If everyone already on the platform stepped back we could make our way to the back of the train much faster - it won't happen, though !More trains ? - Why not ?0
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Can you ask South Eastern to start running the Sidcup line loop on matchday. They run it on the Bexleyheath line but there were loads of us who would like the Sidcup Loop reinstated11
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Simple jib on and don't pay7
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More oyster contact points for sure, proper free for all at the first match. I’ll get a paper ticket next time too much hassle, especially as a short woman. That or a bloody big stick to hit people with 😇2
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All the more reason to piss off to the pub for an hour after the game.2
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The lighting on the station approach is appalling. The crush is dangerous. The bollock pole can be painful. The entrance is too narrow with the ticket machines very badly placed. Nobody gives out any information and the gates are closed too early. At both Charlton and Blackheath stations the London bound trains stop too far down the platform. The staff regard us as scum.
The train times are not related to when matches finish. The Lewisham train is either an unrealistic five past or 35 past.2 - Sponsored links:
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Big numbers on the front of the trains so that we can tick them off our train spotting books.20
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Locking the gates to see a train leave half empty (half full if we win) is very frustrating. Especially seeing the number of trains on the service seems low compared to a few years ago4
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And why run all trains into Cannon Street rather than Charing Cross via Waterloo? The City is empty, most places closed, and the drain doesn't run at weekends. It puts 15/20 minutes on a journey with a forced change at LB.9
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Is it worse now than it was in the prem days with 27k at every home game? If it was better back then how was it managed.1
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Having more Oyster readers is the biggest "quick win" that could be done. Back in the Premier League days we didn't have to tap in and out, so it was much quicker to pass through the station.
It takes ages to clear the platforms before games, so that for example people at the back of the "Kent bound" trains are often still on the platform when the next train arrives.
On the London bound side, a larger gate would help, as it's a pinch point there. And have more Oyster readers outside the station.
It would help a lot if people walked down the platform, there's always more space down the far end.
Greenwich Council need to be involved as well. If they want to restrict people driving to games, THEY need to get involved in this process.25 -
Started driving because of this as it’s a nightmare getting in a London bound train with young kids. Only going to be worse this season with bigger crowds. Aside from the queuing system, the obvious solution is to run more trains on match days.Haven’t got the car this weekend so will have to suck it up or arse about at the park for an hour or so to let the crowds subside.0
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thetomahawkkid said:I think the problem is that they close the gates when a train is approaching irrespective of how busy the platform is, and then don't open them again until the train has departed. This is why there are often spaces on trains.
The lack of Oyster readers massively slows things down. It is probably fine normally, but with large crowds it is a problem.
A few more post-match trains in either direction on match days would help, but that is probably impractical from a time-tabling perspective
Anyone expecting a queuing system may be disappointed!The opening paragraph is where the problem is.I do not think it is helped that, difficult as it may be, there are no station staff to shepherd fans down the platform to ease congestion.0 -
For people travelling towards London, I imagine it could be quicker to go back to Woolwich and pick up a train going back upto London.4
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We didn't have to tap in and out back then. That massively slows things down.CAFCTrev said:Is it worse now than it was in the prem days with 27k at every home game? If it was better back then how was it managed.3 - Sponsored links:
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Feel we are missing a chance here. I would like the following:Marble toilets as part of a full station refurbishmentPullman cars with onboard restaurantTable service on the trainFree hot or cold drinks while waiting for a trainAll Charlton fans priority boarding.I don't tend to travel by train, but these small improvements would make a great day out fantastic 😊22
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Pub surely, introduce them at an early ageIanJRO said:Started driving because of this as it’s a nightmare getting in a London bound train with young kids. Only going to be worse this season with bigger crowds. Aside from the queuing system, the obvious solution is to run more trains on match days.Haven’t got the car this weekend so will have to suck it up or arse about at the park for an hour or so to let the crowds subside.0 -
Prefer to walk back to North Greenwich tube....jubilee line to LB....train home to Hastings....obviously when it's not pissing down with rain.0
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I travel back towards Kent and there always seems more trains heading into London straight after.ElfsborgAddick said:For people travelling towards London, I imagine it could be quicker to go back to Woolwich and pick up a train going back upto London.I’ve started going for a beer in the fan zone after to let the crowds die down. Such a hard life!!3 -
As said a few times already there needs to be station staff on the platforms to encourage people to move along from the entrances. There are station staff but they seem to stand on the bridge between the 2 platforms laughing at the melee on the platforms1
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I’ve had it before we’ve I’ve walked to Westcombe Park because there was a huge queue at Charlton and caught the first train after the game (as it was delayed) and the front few carriages were practically empty because they shut the gates at Charlton and don’t let anyone else on the platform.thetomahawkkid said:I think the problem is that they close the gates when a train is approaching irrespective of how busy the platform is, and then don't open them again until the train has departed. This is why there are often spaces on trains.
The lack of Oyster readers massively slows things down. It is probably fine normally, but with large crowds it is a problem.
A few more post-match trains in either direction on match days would help, but that is probably impractical from a time-tabling perspective
Anyone expecting a queuing system may be disappointed!1 -
That change happened as part of the massive London Bridge rebuild. To improve capacity, they didn't want trains from Greenwich crossing over the tracks outside London Bridge to reach the platforms to Charing Cross.Gisappointed said:And why run all trains into Cannon Street rather than Charing Cross via Waterloo? The City is empty, most places closed, and the drain doesn't run at weekends. It puts 15/20 minutes on a journey with a forced change at LB.
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There used to be a special into London Bridge & back out to Dartford during the Selhurst days.msomerton said:
they did put on a special in the prem days, though it left to early for many supporters.CAFCTrev said:Is it worse now than it was in the prem days with 27k at every home game? If it was better back then how was it managed.
Perhaps we should ground share again...😉🙊4 -
When they remove the bridge over the A2 next year you won't be able to!follett said:
I’ve had it before we’ve I’ve walked to Westcombe Park because there was a huge queue at Charlton and caught the first train after the game (as it was delayed) and the front few carriages were practically empty because they shut the gates at Charlton and don’t let anyone else on the platform.thetomahawkkid said:I think the problem is that they close the gates when a train is approaching irrespective of how busy the platform is, and then don't open them again until the train has departed. This is why there are often spaces on trains.
The lack of Oyster readers massively slows things down. It is probably fine normally, but with large crowds it is a problem.
A few more post-match trains in either direction on match days would help, but that is probably impractical from a time-tabling perspective
Anyone expecting a queuing system may be disappointed!1 -
Nowadays you're not sure if the ref will add 5 minutes or 15 minutes injury time.msomerton said:
they did put on a special in the prem days, though it left to early for many supporters.CAFCTrev said:Is it worse now than it was in the prem days with 27k at every home game? If it was better back then how was it managed.0
