simoncox.com train times

A measly four coach train this morning instead of the usual cramped six or comfortable eight - we were packed like sardines. Inevitably the train was five minutes late into London Bridge and there is a turnaround time of 4 minutes so it was at least a minute late leaving on the return journey - as the crowds waiting to get on can attest. A packed sweaty train full off flu carriers - health and safety must do something about this.

When I get an off peak train I occasionally see a few seemingly underpaid old age pensioners battling against rheumatism and alzheimer's to hand out Customer Surveys (passenger questionnaires) along with free pens. I always fill these in and I always make mention of the disparity between the platform height and the train step at South Croydon railway station.

Currently it is about 24" - the track having settled since the last ballasting. If you were to take a tape measure to your stairs at home you would find that each step is about 8" - which most people would consider to be a normal size step. Passengers at South Croydon have to attempt a step at three times the height of a normal step - try taking 3 step on your stairs next time.

I raise this issue again because I recently took a photo of the gap - its huge. Surely now that the Government is tightening up even further on Disability discrimination, South Croydon Station must be in flagrant abuse of the regulations. Its difficult enough to board and leave trains for ordinary fit people but mothers with pushchairs, people with luggage, the elderly and infirm have a torrid time.