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!
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.
Done that several times. Had to stop at the Rose for a breather, obviously… 1 more contactless readers 2 stop shutting the gates 3 put on a ‘football special’; non-stop to LB then on to Waterloo East and Charing X 4 bring back barriers on Delafield road to help with funnelling queue
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!
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.
Done that several times. Had to stop at the Rose for a breather, obviously… 1 more contactless readers 2 stop shutting the gates 3 put on a ‘football special’; non-stop to LB then on to Waterloo East and Charing X 4 bring back barriers on Delafield road to help with funnelling queue
I can promise you that point three will never happen .
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!
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.
Done that several times. Had to stop at the Rose for a breather, obviously… 1 more contactless readers 2 stop shutting the gates 3 put on a ‘football special’; non-stop to LB then on to Waterloo East and Charing X 4 bring back barriers on Delafield road to help with funnelling queue
I can promise you that point three will never happen .
I think the only way changes will be made is if the Police get involved and say things have to improve on safety grounds.
Given they stand on the bridge watching and don’t do anything except half heartedly tell away fans they’re going the wrong way I wouldn’t hold your breath on the police getting involved
I think the only way changes will be made is if the Police get involved and say things have to improve on safety grounds.
Given they stand on the bridge watching and don’t do anything except half heartedly tell away fans they’re going the wrong way I wouldn’t hold your breath on the police getting involved
I'm surprised there are police at football nowadays, I thought they were all camped outside hotels.
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.
Unlike when you are at Wembley Stadium Station (overground) or Cheltenham Spa for examples, where there are barriers, staff with megaphones and they hold the trains for a few minutes until they are full.
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.
Have the supporters trust not contacted the local MP and fellow trust member (Unless he’s not payed his subs since 2020) and asked him about this issue in his constituency
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!
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.
When they remove the bridge over the A2 next year you won't be able to!
Of course you will, it's not the only way to access the station.
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 😇
Play your cards right, you can go home with more money than you started with
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!
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.
When they remove the bridge over the A2 next year you won't be able to!
Eh? Wasnt aware of this. I mean will still be able to walk down the main street but i like the bridge, any links to anything that discusses its removal?
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.
Unlike when you are at Wembley Stadium Station (overground) or Cheltenham Spa for examples, where there are barriers, staff with megaphones and they hold the trains for a few minutes until they are full.
All common sense stuff.
And that Ladies and Gentleman is the solution to the current problems at Charlton station.
Southeastern are surely aware of the main problem - put in more contactless readers for both platforms and then review what other measures may be needed.
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.
Unlike when you are at Wembley Stadium Station (overground) or Cheltenham Spa for examples, where there are barriers, staff with megaphones and they hold the trains for a few minutes until they are full.
All common sense stuff.
trains aren't actually held at Wembley Stadium, in fact a lot of them leave early. what is actually happening is that on event days the normal timetable is ripped up and a completely different schedule is run with rolling stock moved from other services to allow additional and/or longer trains to run to Wembley. a multiple queue system is then operated outside of the station meaning that only passengers who want the next train are allowed on to the platform speeding up boarding. arriving trains have a longer than usual dwell time meaning they are full before departure time and can leave early at the driver's discretion.
unfortunately that can't really work at Charlton. South-Eastern don't have DFT permission to change the timetable in the same way or to move rolling stock away from other services. They could definitely figure out a better way to organise queues and the crowds on platforms though
"arriving trains have a longer than usual dwell time meaning they are full before departure time"
Fair enough, they aren't held for a minute or two, they just have a longer than usual dwelling time until they are full
yeah, I know it's semantics but the point is that you get the impression of the train being held (and a resulting much better travel experience) because Chiltern are allowed to run an amended timetable, in fact they are expected to as part of their franchise, something which south-eastern can't do
And to be fair to Southeastern, all the trains that serve Charlton before and after games are usually 8 or 10 car trains. A lot of the regular Chiltern trains are tiny by comparison, so need to be lengthened when events are happening at Wembley.
Might help things flow a bit if 75% of the Charlton contingent using the station, post match, weren't all sitting in their camping chairs with their notepads in hand
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!
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.
When they remove the bridge over the A2 next year you won't be able to!
Eh? Wasnt aware of this. I mean will still be able to walk down the main street but i like the bridge, any links to anything that discusses its removal?
Got an information piece from Greenwich Council through my letterbox the other day about it. They're gonna be re-doing the bridge starting in January/february. Details of it will be released on 8th September. All part of the areas around the Silvertown Tunnel getting improvements.
Opportunity here for lots of engagement, good ideas tabled, expectations raised, then missing and short trains in true Southeastern fashion. Protecting the brand. Seriously, when have they ever done anything in response to customers requests?
Saying that I am all for trying. I would be impressed if they brought back the Sidcup loop service at least for matchdays. I think that was withdraw for cost cutting and because the Elizabeth line was taking their customers off the network.
The other, easier, fix would be some staff or police or both, with loud hailers to move people along the platforms, but I doubt Southeastern would.commit to that alone, i.e. without being told to by other,, higher authorities.
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!
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.
Done that several times. Had to stop at the Rose for a breather, obviously… 1 more contactless readers 2 stop shutting the gates 3 put on a ‘football special’; non-stop to LB then on to Waterloo East and Charing X 4 bring back barriers on Delafield road to help with funnelling queue
I can promise you that point three will never happen .
Plus the fast train will be behind a slow train and will stop outside all stations anyway
this thread can only be described as Charlton life porn
"arriving trains have a longer than usual dwell time meaning they are full before departure time"
Fair enough, they aren't held for a minute or two, they just have a longer than usual dwelling time until they are full
yeah, I know it's semantics but the point is that you get the impression of the train being held (and a resulting much better travel experience) because Chiltern are allowed to run an amended timetable, in fact they are expected to as part of their franchise, something which south-eastern can't do
Why can’t SE amend the timetables now? They certainly used to. We had regular safety meetings with Millwall, Lewisham Council, South Eastern to cover these issues and adding extra football trains or bigger trains was always done. In fact the guy from SE was always really helpful.
"arriving trains have a longer than usual dwell time meaning they are full before departure time"
Fair enough, they aren't held for a minute or two, they just have a longer than usual dwelling time until they are full
yeah, I know it's semantics but the point is that you get the impression of the train being held (and a resulting much better travel experience) because Chiltern are allowed to run an amended timetable, in fact they are expected to as part of their franchise, something which south-eastern can't do
Why can’t SE amend the timetables now? They certainly used to. We had regular safety meetings with Millwall, Lewisham Council, South Eastern to cover these issues and adding extra football trains or bigger trains was always done. In fact the guy from SE was always really helpful.
they can make small changes subject to availablity of pathing, train crew and rolling stock
what they can't do is run a completely amended timetable in the way that Chiltern do for Wembley where dependent on the event they can shut down other sections of the network and move the resources over (sometimes the Amersham line is completely closed or no trains are run north of Warwick Parkway)
The lack of a proper queuing system is definitely an issue I think, there's quite often frustrations of folk cutting in as it gets to the alley way on the London bound platforms.
But another issue I've found is the lack of announcements when there's problems, last season there was a game when some numpty decided to pull the emergency alarm on a train in the platform which lead to it being held for half hour at the station. There was no announcement to those waiting outside the gates for ages and left people just waiting around clueless to what was going on.
Comments
1 more contactless readers
2 stop shutting the gates
3 put on a ‘football special’; non-stop to LB then on to Waterloo East and Charing X
4 bring back barriers on Delafield road to help with funnelling queue
I would have thought it would take longer to get a beer than get on the train
Understandable given the large crowds.
I'm surprised there are police at football nowadays, I thought they were all camped outside hotels.
All common sense stuff.
https://www.castrust.org/2020/05/matt-pennycook-mp-joins-cast/
If Greenwich council want to force people out of cars, they need to help with public transport issues.... You cant have one without the other...
Unless, of course, they just want the extra cash from people continuing to use cars and paying for the privilege 😉
unfortunately that can't really work at Charlton. South-Eastern don't have DFT permission to change the timetable in the same way or to move rolling stock away from other services. They could definitely figure out a better way to organise queues and the crowds on platforms though
"arriving trains have a longer than usual dwell time meaning they are full before departure time"
Fair enough, they aren't held for a minute or two, they just have a longer than usual dwelling time until they are full
Saying that I am all for trying. I would be impressed if they brought back the Sidcup loop service at least for matchdays. I think that was withdraw for cost cutting and because the Elizabeth line was taking their customers off the network.
The other, easier, fix would be some staff or police or both, with loud hailers to move people along the platforms, but I doubt Southeastern would.commit to that alone, i.e. without being told to by other,, higher authorities.
this thread can only be described as Charlton life porn
They certainly used to.
We had regular safety meetings with Millwall, Lewisham Council, South Eastern to cover these issues and adding extra football trains or bigger trains was always done. In fact the guy from SE was always really helpful.
what they can't do is run a completely amended timetable in the way that Chiltern do for Wembley where dependent on the event they can shut down other sections of the network and move the resources over (sometimes the Amersham line is completely closed or no trains are run north of Warwick Parkway)
But another issue I've found is the lack of announcements when there's problems, last season there was a game when some numpty decided to pull the emergency alarm on a train in the platform which lead to it being held for half hour at the station. There was no announcement to those waiting outside the gates for ages and left people just waiting around clueless to what was going on.