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Southeastern to look into boosting matchday trains for Charlton fans
clive
Posts: 19,478
Southeastern will look at increasing train services on Charlton Athletic matchdays after being asked about the issue by a Greenwich councillor.
https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/02/11/charlton-athletic-southeastern-trains-sidcup-line/
https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/02/11/charlton-athletic-southeastern-trains-sidcup-line/
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Comments
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They can barely run trains as it is!9
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Good to see a Greenwich Councillor doing something that will help our club.16
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It’s about f*****g timeJohnnyH2 said:Good to see a Greenwich Councillor doing something that will help our club.3 -
I did complain to Southeastern a year ago as they were sticking 4 or 5 car trains on one of the via Lewisham services before and after Saturday matches. Since then I think all the trains before and after our matches are at least 8 cars long.5
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Recently they've started shutting the platforms off when there's still loads of room on the platform. Had it the other week where they'd locked the platform and there was a massive queue to get in so ended up walking to Westcombe park. Actually ended up on the first train out after the final whistle because the train got delayed and there was loads of space on it.
Frustrating as always been able to hop on the train as soon as I get to the station and with no more fans than normal they're making us wait.1 -
Given our attendances surprised they aren’t reducing them more !
Seriously though it is a step forward and would become more important in the event of promotion and any relative success on the pitch.
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It doesn't help though that people bunch on the platform just inside the entrance instead of moving down.follett said:Recently they've started shutting the platforms off when there's still loads of room on the platform. Had it the other week where they'd locked the platform and there was a massive queue to get in so ended up walking to Westcombe park. Actually ended up on the first train out after the final whistle because the train got delayed and there was loads of space on it.
Frustrating as always been able to hop on the train as soon as I get to the station and with no more fans than normal they're making us wait.5 -
The other thing that the station could do with is more machines to tap in or out on. Would clear the queues quicker.11
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The number of away fans going to the Kent platform too, omg, every week when there's no steward or police directing them to London bound..
Anyway more important to actually run some actual trains would be nice of them.2 -
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A large semi permanent sign on the corner of Delafield Rd might help.swords_alive said:The number of away fans going to the Kent platform too, omg, every week when there's no steward or police directing them to London bound..
Anyway more important to actually run some actual trains would be nice of them.2 -
One solution may be holding existing trains after matches for, say, up to 5 minutes. This would be particularly useful given how most matches last much longer.1
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Wont hold my breath. SouthEastern still pretending its customers don't mostly want a direct train on the various local lines to Charing Cross and not Canon Street on a weekend / late at night
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"I'd like to thank all of you on the South Eastern Trains board of directors for giving me this fantastic opportunity to assist you in improving the pitiful service offered by your pathetic excuse for a train operator company. My first, and most important recommendation is for all of you to be fired. Fired from your jobs, then fired from a cannon from the top of The Shard, then set fire to on board one of your filthy trains. The latter point would have the added benefit of bringing some warmth to to your long suffering passengers who are accustomed to sitting in the cold due to your entirely predictable decision to turn the heating off throughout winter."TelMc32 said:Can see some lucrative consultancy work for @MrLargo incoming!! 🚂😉9 -
It definitely feels like it's gotten worse. Only 12kish in the ground on Saturday and the queue was back to the road for the first train after the final whistle.follett said:Recently they've started shutting the platforms off when there's still loads of room on the platform. Had it the other week where they'd locked the platform and there was a massive queue to get in so ended up walking to Westcombe park. Actually ended up on the first train out after the final whistle because the train got delayed and there was loads of space on it.
Frustrating as always been able to hop on the train as soon as I get to the station and with no more fans than normal they're making us wait.2 -
If we have lost, I let them keep walking!!!swords_alive said:The number of away fans going to the Kent platform too, omg, every week when there's no steward or police directing them to London bound..
Anyway more important to actually run some actual trains would be nice of them.2 -
Shortcomings of a narrow/shortish platform and controlling a rush of football fans not easy. If we get bigger crowds I'll reconsider using the train and go back to the car, bike it in fair weather for Sats.Croydon said:
It definitely feels like it's gotten worse. Only 12kish in the ground on Saturday and the queue was back to the road for the first train after the final whistle.follett said:Recently they've started shutting the platforms off when there's still loads of room on the platform. Had it the other week where they'd locked the platform and there was a massive queue to get in so ended up walking to Westcombe park. Actually ended up on the first train out after the final whistle because the train got delayed and there was loads of space on it.
Frustrating as always been able to hop on the train as soon as I get to the station and with no more fans than normal they're making us wait.0 -
Any mention of a direct train from west wickham?0
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Seems like there's been a change in directive with it for whatever reason in the last few weeks and they're jumping the gun shutting it before allowing people to spread down the whole platform.Croydon said:
It definitely feels like it's gotten worse. Only 12kish in the ground on Saturday and the queue was back to the road for the first train after the final whistle.follett said:Recently they've started shutting the platforms off when there's still loads of room on the platform. Had it the other week where they'd locked the platform and there was a massive queue to get in so ended up walking to Westcombe park. Actually ended up on the first train out after the final whistle because the train got delayed and there was loads of space on it.
Frustrating as always been able to hop on the train as soon as I get to the station and with no more fans than normal they're making us wait.2 -
I think there could be improvements on the London bound trains, and as a user of the Lewisham line would like two extra trains on that line for an hour before and after matches. The train times could be better coordinated with the usual time matches end.I also think South Eastern should be explicit and transparent about the loopy loop thing. There are still occasional trains confusingly flagged up as kind of Slade Green only that will run from a station like mine (Lee) to Charlton (although it is a 40 minute trip) via Slade Green.After games on the Kent bound service they should make explicit times and destinations of any loopy trains that curve round from Slade Green to Bexley, Sidcup and the like. You can never be sure which trains do what, (no good asking station staff) indeed recently during one of the engineering times there were trains from Blackheath to Charlton, both direct one stoppers, or via Kidbrooke and Bexleyheath and Slade Green back round to Charlton.
I never understood why the loopy service wasn’t made explicit at all times.
As for the after game filter and queue into the London bound entrance at Charlton station, the design is poor, the queue can take ages and become crushed and dangerous, and you can injure your testicles on that unexpected bollard that suddenly appears just before the gate.
The ticket machines are badly placed around there, staff don’t assist but they and the police look at the customers as enemies and nobody has the wit to make any announcements. The stationary train not long ago with the closed gate crush was extremely badly managed and distressing for a lot of little kids in the queue.1 -
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The train service specification is determined by the DfT and has nothing to do with the the train operator, who exists solely to operate the service they are told to. Better to lobby local politicians for service improvements than complain about Southeastern.seth plum said:I think there could be improvements on the London bound trains, and as a user of the Lewisham line would like two extra trains on that line for an hour before and after matches. The train times could be better coordinated with the usual time matches end.I also think South Eastern should be explicit and transparent about the loopy loop thing. There are still occasional trains confusingly flagged up as kind of Slade Green only that will run from a station like mine (Lee) to Charlton (although it is a 40 minute trip) via Slade Green.After games on the Kent bound service they should make explicit times and destinations of any loopy trains that curve round from Slade Green to Bexley, Sidcup and the like. You can never be sure which trains do what, (no good asking station staff) indeed recently during one of the engineering times there were trains from Blackheath to Charlton, both direct one stoppers, or via Kidbrooke and Bexleyheath and Slade Green back round to Charlton.
I never understood why the loopy service wasn’t made explicit at all times.
As for the after game filter and queue into the London bound entrance at Charlton station, the design is poor, the queue can take ages and become crushed and dangerous, and you can injure your testicles on that unexpected bollard that suddenly appears just before the gate.
The ticket machines are badly placed around there, staff don’t assist but they and the police look at the customers as enemies and nobody has the wit to make any announcements. The stationary train not long ago with the closed gate crush was extremely badly managed and distressing for a lot of little kids in the queue.
The problem with the Loop services is that both directions go to London. To avoid those not familiar with the service getting on a train heading away from London because it says Cannon Street, the final destination is not stated until the train reaches the return part of the loop. As the Loop train gets further from London the destination is extended, so at Lewisham may say Slade Green, but by Falconwood its Woolwich Arsenal for the Bexleyheath / Woolwich line Loops. Its not consistent as I'm sure I have seen Woolwich Arsenal posted at Lewisham for Sidcup / Woolwich services when these operated more frequently.
A quick look at the timetable will show if a Slade Green service goes beyond SG and if it doesn't, it's a same platform connection to jump on a following Woolwich line service at Slade Green.
I agree it would be better to advertise the Loop services as such and peeps would get used to it in time. At Lewisham, 'Loop service via Woolwich' for the Bexleyheath line section would be more informative.0 -
This has stopped being a big issue for me since Crossrail opened and the best route to Paddington almost always starts with heading for Woolwich, but I can get decent information about where the loop trains are going from my phone app, even though it's Great Western not Southeastern. The only thing it doesn't give me is how many carriages there are, which I'd get for a GWR train. One of the few phone apps that's really been a positive benefit.0
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Yes you're right in as much people could be getting trains into London or elsewhere, and it would be the long way or the short way, but I still think having a bit of choice, or clearly knowing there's a choice, wouldn't even demand extra trains, simply better information.RickAddick said:
The train service specification is determined by the DfT and has nothing to do with the the train operator, who exists solely to operate the service they are told to. Better to lobby local politicians for service improvements than complain about Southeastern.seth plum said:I think there could be improvements on the London bound trains, and as a user of the Lewisham line would like two extra trains on that line for an hour before and after matches. The train times could be better coordinated with the usual time matches end.I also think South Eastern should be explicit and transparent about the loopy loop thing. There are still occasional trains confusingly flagged up as kind of Slade Green only that will run from a station like mine (Lee) to Charlton (although it is a 40 minute trip) via Slade Green.After games on the Kent bound service they should make explicit times and destinations of any loopy trains that curve round from Slade Green to Bexley, Sidcup and the like. You can never be sure which trains do what, (no good asking station staff) indeed recently during one of the engineering times there were trains from Blackheath to Charlton, both direct one stoppers, or via Kidbrooke and Bexleyheath and Slade Green back round to Charlton.
I never understood why the loopy service wasn’t made explicit at all times.
As for the after game filter and queue into the London bound entrance at Charlton station, the design is poor, the queue can take ages and become crushed and dangerous, and you can injure your testicles on that unexpected bollard that suddenly appears just before the gate.
The ticket machines are badly placed around there, staff don’t assist but they and the police look at the customers as enemies and nobody has the wit to make any announcements. The stationary train not long ago with the closed gate crush was extremely badly managed and distressing for a lot of little kids in the queue.
The problem with the Loop services is that both directions go to London. To avoid those not familiar with the service getting on a train heading away from London because it says Cannon Street, the final destination is not stated until the train reaches the return part of the loop. As the Loop train gets further from London the destination is extended, so at Lewisham may say Slade Green, but by Falconwood its Woolwich Arsenal for the Bexleyheath / Woolwich line Loops. Its not consistent as I'm sure I have seen Woolwich Arsenal posted at Lewisham for Sidcup / Woolwich services when these operated more frequently.
A quick look at the timetable will show if a Slade Green service goes beyond SG and if it doesn't, it's a same platform connection to jump on a following Woolwich line service at Slade Green.
I agree it would be better to advertise the Loop services as such and peeps would get used to it in time. At Lewisham, 'Loop service via Woolwich' for the Bexleyheath line section would be more informative.0 -
Charing Cross is the City, and the area is a ghost town on evenings and weekends, so why they terminate here I have no idea.valleynick66 said:Wont hold my breath. SouthEastern still pretending its customers don't mostly want a direct train on the various local lines to Charing Cross and not Canon Street on a weekend / late at night
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Going ff topic somewhat but surely Charing Cross is the more required starting/ stopping point, especially in the evening after the commute period, and at weekends at it is closer to theatreland. Also (closer to topic) i would think away fans coming to Charlton generally favour direct to and from Charing Cross rather than Cannon Street. Cannon Street is just more 'off-centre'. However we had a long discussion here years ago about the capacity issues through from London Bridge to Charing Cross and I think they are still relevant as there are only the 2 (or 4 or 6?) lines between the two to serve all south London and Kent.Gisappointed said:
Charing Cross is the City, and the area is a ghost town on evenings and weekends, so why they terminate here I have no idea.valleynick66 said:Wont hold my breath. SouthEastern still pretending its customers don't mostly want a direct train on the various local lines to Charing Cross and not Canon Street on a weekend / late at night2 -
Depends who it is and if they've dicked us. Quite happy to send away fans to deepest darkest... IF they bloody deserve it.swords_alive said:The number of away fans going to the Kent platform too, omg, every week when there's no steward or police directing them to London bound..
Anyway more important to actually run some actual trains would be nice of them.1 -
I go that way and plenty of police/stewards directing fans every game to the London bound platform.swords_alive said:The number of away fans going to the Kent platform too, omg, every week when there's no steward or police directing them to London bound..
Anyway more important to actually run some actual trains would be nice of them.0 -
And yet for about 60 years before we managed to recognise the customer needs / wants Charing Cross and accommodated it. 😡swords_alive said:
Going ff topic somewhat but surely Charing Cross is the more required starting/ stopping point, especially in the evening after the commute period, and at weekends at it is closer to theatreland. Also (closer to topic) i would think away fans coming to Charlton generally favour direct to and from Charing Cross rather than Cannon Street. Cannon Street is just more 'off-centre'. However we had a long discussion here years ago about the capacity issues through from London Bridge to Charing Cross and I think they are still relevant as there are only the 2 (or 4 or 6?) lines between the two to serve all south London and Kent.Gisappointed said:
Charing Cross is the City, and the area is a ghost town on evenings and weekends, so why they terminate here I have no idea.valleynick66 said:Wont hold my breath. SouthEastern still pretending its customers don't mostly want a direct train on the various local lines to Charing Cross and not Canon Street on a weekend / late at night0 -
Charing Cross is the West End, Cannon Street is in the city.Gisappointed said:
Charing Cross is the City, and the area is a ghost town on evenings and weekends, so why they terminate here I have no idea.valleynick66 said:Wont hold my breath. SouthEastern still pretending its customers don't mostly want a direct train on the various local lines to Charing Cross and not Canon Street on a weekend / late at night0 -
Not sure quite how that would help but better than nothingHex said:
A large semi on the corner of Delafield Rd might help.swords_alive said:The number of away fans going to the Kent platform too, omg, every week when there's no steward or police directing them to London bound..
Anyway more important to actually run some actual trains would be nice of them.0
