Swansea home train issues? (Ed. Coaches running from Dartford & Bexleyheath)

Weegie Addick said:

Do you have a link to that please @rina? It’s potentially something CAST can look to raise or at least check over when the fixtures are published. 

Not defending the EFL/PL but realistically they are already juggling a lot of requirements in fixture planning (like making sure CAFC have 4/5 away from home in a month…) Then you also have Sky / broadcast changes to take into account. 

Nevertheless it does need a close eye. 

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-and-commercial/information-for-operators/operational-rules/

it's a bit of a ballache to navigate. you need to go into eas documents, then eas 2027 (or whichever year you want obviously) then V1. then you need the appropriate PDF(s). I would imagine most relevant stuff will be in the one with KS in the title (kent and sussex). 

GreenWithEnvy said:

Is this one of those times when a 12:30 kick off would have been slightly better? After the final whistle the travelling numbers, to include fireworks ticket holders (including myself) will be mental!

Walk to the village and jump on a bus or walk to Blackheath in 30 mins.

Gravesend_Addick said:

Greenhithe said:

Looks like a train to Dartford then a cab then. 

Assuming the journey planner is accurate, you can get the train to Lewisham, then change 1 stop to Charlton.  That's what I'm doing from Gravesend.

No buses required

Sounds like a plan mate. 

Greenhithe said:

Looks like a train to Dartford then a cab then. 

If cabbing I’d stay on train to Lee and cab from there mate, must be cheaper 

shirty5 said:

A coach has been laid on from Dartford via Bexleyheath to the game on Saturday 

Ten pound return fare

https://www.charltonafc.com/news/dartford-and-bexleyheath-coach-put-saturdays-fixture

Compared to £3.50 (£1.75 each way) with tfl.

Hall Place, maybe OK as there is parking, but Bexley station is walkable from there and on the Sidcup line, which is running. Heath Lane is useless for people getting as far as Dartford by train, who will all get on the replacement bus before they will walk for half an hour to pay £10.

Good intentions, poor execution. I don't think it will get much traction as presented.

The club is unlikely to achieve full cost recovery on this in fares at any price point but sometimes you have to take a hit in pursuit of the bigger picture (ticket sales and stadium revenue in the short term, as well as goodwill). It is likely to generate less revenue at £10 than it would at £5, and running from the right places.

Hex said:

Greenhithe said:

Gravesend_Addick said:

Greenhithe said:

Looks like a train to Dartford then a cab then. 

Assuming the journey planner is accurate, you can get the train to Lewisham, then change 1 stop to Charlton.  That's what I'm doing from Gravesend.

No buses required

Sounds like a plan mate. 

There are 4 trains an hour from Dartford to Lewisham but they run in pairs, 3 or 4 minutes apart.

Hex said:

Hex said:

Greenhithe said:

Gravesend_Addick said:

Greenhithe said:

Looks like a train to Dartford then a cab then. 

Assuming the journey planner is accurate, you can get the train to Lewisham, then change 1 stop to Charlton.  That's what I'm doing from Gravesend.

No buses required

Sounds like a plan mate. 

There are 4 trains an hour from Dartford to Lewisham but they run in pairs, 3 or 4 minutes apart.

I thought I would check the ticket price via Lewisham on the Southeastern App (and Website).  The route is displayed but not with a price.  I checked with Southeastern who confirmed that result and suggested I try visiting a ticket office (not convenient and not something I would plan to leave till Saturday) or alternatively call National Rail who may be able to offer a ticket.  I asked why Southeastern couldn't as it is their trains and stations (my assumption in this particular case).  No explanation offered.  I suggested I get my usual Dartford to Charlton ticket but was told it may not be valid.  A case has been opened but could take up to 10 days !

£3.70 single fare

Hex said:

OhMyGodden said:

Hex said:

Hex said:

Greenhithe said:

Gravesend_Addick said:

Greenhithe said:

Looks like a train to Dartford then a cab then. 

Assuming the journey planner is accurate, you can get the train to Lewisham, then change 1 stop to Charlton.  That's what I'm doing from Gravesend.

No buses required

Sounds like a plan mate. 

There are 4 trains an hour from Dartford to Lewisham but they run in pairs, 3 or 4 minutes apart.

I thought I would check the ticket price via Lewisham on the Southeastern App (and Website).  The route is displayed but not with a price.  I checked with Southeastern who confirmed that result and suggested I try visiting a ticket office (not convenient and not something I would plan to leave till Saturday) or alternatively call National Rail who may be able to offer a ticket.  I asked why Southeastern couldn't as it is their trains and stations (my assumption in this particular case).  No explanation offered.  I suggested I get my usual Dartford to Charlton ticket but was told it may not be valid.  A case has been opened but could take up to 10 days !

Why would you even check a price via Lewisham? It's just a straight fare of £8.50 return, you don't need different tickets for it.

I sort of agree but I'm not familiar with Lewisham station layout although I have passed through many times.  Interestingly you can get various prices on the National Rail planner but having selected a via Lewisham route it passes you to Southeastern to finish the purchase and not surprisingly those routes are not available.

We will get our normal tickets via the Southeastern app (no 'tapping' in or out at Charlton) - £4.90 each with the Two Together railcard.

South Eastern trains run through Lewisham as well as Thames link.  It looks like the majority of London bound trains are from platform 1, though of course there is still a limited service to Cannon street on platform 3 or you could not get a train from Charlton to Lewisham . The Charing cross and Victoria going from platform 1, 
Trains from charlton come in on platform 3.

jose said:

Not sure why it is written above, but Robert Lee most definitely played for Charlton at the Valley.
He scored in our ‘final game’.

Its a dig at me. 

golfaddick said:

Weegie Addick said:

As I understand it the schedules for engineering works are planned months and months in advance. For both this weekend and the Millwall match (when there was also a restricted service- initially due to be no trains between Charlton and Lewisham or Greenwich at all) these dates would have been set before fixtures were published. What we need is to ensure there is a review of the engineering work schedules once the fixtures are released. 

Are they ?

Twice I've lived very close to a railway line (last property we backed onto it) and we got a letter in the post less than a month before any engineering works were going to take place saying to be prepared for disruption & noise.

Sorry, but I dont believe engineering works are schedule more than a month or two beforehand.

Edited to say that the fixtures came out before the end of June......so 4 months ago. Even if works were scheduled for thus weekend its not beyond the wit if man to swap them for last weekend, or next weekend. Especially as Blackheath have a firework display every year.  And that date doesn't change !

I will agree with Golfie on this one. As someone who works in the industry, there is no consideration given to events like a local football game, reason is pretty simple, change it for one, you have to change it for all. I won't go into the availability of workforce or plant but in Network Rail's defence, the work has to take place and it is always going to be on a weekend, I will drive from Canterbury and leave a little earlier, they will probably shut Brinley Corner off as well, anyone who lives down here knows where I mean.