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Post match problems at Charlton station

castrustcastrust
in General Charlton
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
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Comments

  • SoundAsa£SoundAsa£
    edited August 21
    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. 😂😂😂 
  • Pelham123Pelham123
    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.
  • HexHex
    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 ?
  • EastStandEastStand
    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 😇
  • ArmchairAddickArmchairAddick
    All the more reason to piss off to the pub for an hour after the game.
  • josejose
    edited August 21
    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.
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  • Todds_right_hookTodds_right_hook
    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 ago
  • CAFCTrevCAFCTrev
    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. 
  • IanJROIanJRO
    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. 
  • msomertonmsomerton
    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. 
    they did put on a special in the prem days, though it left to early for many supporters.
  • ElfsborgAddickElfsborgAddick
    edited August 21
    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.
  • ElfsborgAddickElfsborgAddick
    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.

  • killerandflashkillerandflash
    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. 
    We didn't have to tap in and out back then. That massively slows things down.
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  • CaptainRobboCaptainRobbo
    IanJRO 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. 
    Pub surely, introduce them at an early age
  • HastingsRedHastingsRed
    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.
  • Todds_right_hookTodds_right_hook
    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 travel back towards Kent and there always seems more trains heading into London straight after. 

    I’ve started going for a beer in the fan zone after to let the crowds die down. Such a hard life!!
  • 801912601801912601
    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 platforms 
  • follettfollett
    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!
    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. 
  • killerandflashkillerandflash
    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.
    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.
  • golfaddickgolfaddick
    msomerton said:
    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. 
    they did put on a special in the prem days, though it left to early for many supporters.
    There used to be a special into London Bridge & back out to Dartford during the Selhurst days.

    Perhaps we should ground share again...😉🙊
  • OhMyGoddenOhMyGodden
    follett said:
    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!
    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!
  • iaitchiaitch
    msomerton said:
    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. 
    they did put on a special in the prem days, though it left to early for many supporters.
    Nowadays you're not sure if the ref will add 5 minutes or 15 minutes injury time.
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