SMBJones

Good afternoon A couple of updates for you Peckham Rye Station Front I have personally spoken with the Route Director from Network Rail and put across the points regarding the "Spacia" retail units. They have assured me that they will look into this and will come back to me next week with their plans to fix windows, smarten up, etc Short Formed Services The services that were mentioned are in fact 6 Car services (Wimbledon-London Bridge) and (Crystal Palace London Bridge) and not 8 car as advertised on the Customer Information Screens, I can only apologise for this. However, I have spoken with my line manager and he has made some suggestions which have now been sent through to our Train Planning Dept and in addition these services will have some passenger counts taken over a period of a few mornings in order to support my request for these services to be strengthened (fingers crossed). Ruffers As stated Forest Hill is run by LOROL, I do know the Station Manager, so feel free to send your comments by PM and I will forward for you. Can I also request that any customer renewing season tickets for January, can you please not wait untill 4th January, I am allowing 2 weeks before the expiry date on ticket for example, if your ticket runs out on 1st January then you can renew 14 days before. 2nd January also sees the launch of PAYG across the capital, all my stations have the PVALS (machines to tap in/out) or the gates. All the software is now downloaded and hopefully all should be ok on this date! Lastly, just to let you know I am going to be off for a few days from tomorrow and will return Wednesday, no postings etc will be answered before then. I think thats it, I am packed and off to Yorkshire and will sit back and be the passenger for a change:)) Regards Barry Jones

Hi Somewhere amonst this thread I have touched on this, it is more difficult and very costly. However this is still on the table and being dealt with, not something that can be resolved overnight. I am making headway Barry pmcmullan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm curious to know why all trains arriving on > platform 1 at Peckham Rye have to pull in so far > away from the stairs? I'm guessing it's something > to do with the signals the driver sees. > > It is a particular problem in the evening when > there is a bottleneck with so many people getting > on and off. If the carriages stopped where there > was space on the platform rather than by the > waiting room, you have much quicker loading and > unloading times. It cannot possibly be safe > having the guards blowing the whistle and the > doors shutting when people are still trying to get > on.

Hi Simon, completely agree with your comments and will take on board. Firstly I will ask one of my duty managers to go and take some pictures of the units you refere too. I will then liasise with my contact at Network Rail to see what can be done in conjunction with "Spacia" In the meantime, Southwark have kindly agreed to fund some new cycle racks, in addition we are looking at the possibility of opening the old unit (looking at the station front there is a unit to the right)which will also be used for cycle storage along with some additinal CCTV. We also have a new supplier for flowers which will also brighten up the station further. The area you refer to does not come within my remit but you have my word I will do everything in my power to bring the rest of the forecourt into some sort of order. Hope this helps Barry simon K S Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Barry, > > Firstly thanks for all your hard work on Peckham > Rye station, it's really turned a corner over the > last year, it looks so much better. > > My query relates to the part of the station I know > you don't have direct control over. The area and > shops outside the front are still maintained to a > very poor standard. This is sad as it detracts and > overshadows your work on maintaining and > rejuvenating the main station. > > The main symbol of this for me is the broken > windows in the buildings, there is a report from > the US that details the social impact of broken > windows, you can read it here: > http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198203/broken-windo > ws > > or an extract: > > 'In a 1982 Atlantic Monthly article titled "Broken > Windows," James Q. > Wilson and George Kelling argued that disorder in > a community, if left > uncorrected, undercuts residents' own efforts to > maintain their homes > and neighborhoods and control unruly behavior. "If > a window in a > building is broken and left unrepaired," they > wrote, "all the rest of > the windows will soon be broken. . . . One > unrepaired window is a > signal that no one cares, so breaking more windows > costs nothing. . . > . Untended property becomes fair game for people > out for fun or > plunder." > > 'If disorder goes unchecked, a vicious cycle > begins. First, it kindles > a fear of crime among residents, who respond by > staying behind locked > doors. Their involvement in the neighborhood > declines; people begin to > ignore rowdy and threatening behavior in public. > They cease to > exercise social regulation over little things like > litter on the > street, loitering strangers, or truant > schoolchildren. When > law-abiding eyes stop watching the streets, the > social order breaks > down and criminals move in. > > '"Stable neighborhoods can change in a few months > to jungles," declare > Wilson and Kelling. Disorder also can have dire > economic consequences. > Shoppers will shun an area they perceive as being > "out of control." > One study analyzing crime in 30 different areas > found that the level > of disorder of a neighborhood -- more than such > factors as income > level, resident turnover, or racial makeup -- was > the best indicator > of an area's lack of safety.' > > There are several broken windows around the site > (for example the blue building at the front next > to the dentist) and I think fixing them would go > along way to restoring a sense of order. I was > wondering whether it is possible for you to > enquire whether the property owners, Spacia could > see their way to having these repaired and > bringing the general standard of upkeep in those > buildings to a satisfactory level. > > Cheers > > Simon

Hi Bare with me on this I have sent a flurry of emails and awaiting the responses Barry Markjonathan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Dear Barry, > > I know we've all benfited from the work you do and > I know that sometimes our requests go beyond the > boundary of your field of management and perhaps > this comment will but maybe you can advise or at > least bring it to the attention of the appropriate > authority: > > I travel regularly but at all different times of > day. Happily not always at peak times. Today, I > caught the 07.52 from Peckham Rye to London > Bridge. The 6 carriages were absolutely packed. I > managed to squeeze on but many commuters couldn't. > It was no better at London Bridge travelling onto > Charing Cross. I still hear talk of cutting > services but I believe we need Boris and Rail > managers to accept the need for longer trains and > increased services. My route today would have been > impossible if I were disabled, elderly, carrying > baggage or with a young child. I know that when I > have to travel with luggage that I usually go the > night before or take a taxi. Frankly, what our > commuters are subject to in peak times is > unhealthy and unsafe. (I nearly fell off the train > at London Bridge such was the tight pack.) > > How can we get something done to improve the > situation? > Many thanks, > Mark

Hi This has caused me untold issues in the last week or so. The company who maintain the gates have downloaded some software in readiness for the PAYG Launch on the 2nd January which has caused some problems with the gates and reading of tickets. I am hoping after the reports we have filed this week this will be rectified by Friday. I will keep you updated accordingly Barry Timster Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Barry, > > Not sure if this is a Southern issue or an Oyster > issue but someone seems to have re-set the card > readers at London Bridge and Peckham Rye (and > presumably other stations) so that once I've gone > through two sets of gates with my monthly Oyster, > the card no longer works at the gates and a guard > has to either let me in or out of the station. > This is an issue at London Bridge where I have to > (well 'have to' is putting it strongly, but it's > by far the shortest route) go through three sets > of gates to get out of the station. The guards > are obviously familiar with the issue since > they're having to let lots of people like me > through in the mornings and evenings. > > This has only started being a problem in the last > week or so, having used a monthly Oyster for a few > years now on this route. > > Anything Southern can do to help - or is it an > Oyster issue. > > Thanks,

Hi First of all apologies for the inconvenience this has caused. I have asked my duty manager to take some photos which have just been emailed to me. The issue with this disused toilet is there is no sink which in reality could cause problems with hygiene, there is a hole in the wall and the flooring needs sorting plus a few other little bits that need attention. So.... The following has been actioned by me today I have instructed our facilities department to install a tiny sink I have instructed my maintenance team to decorate, fill in the hole, buy a new toilet seat and replace the old flooring Hopefully I can get this open in the next ten days. In the meantime, if you travel to Peckham Rye I will instruct my staff to allow you to use the staff facilities there Hope this helps Barry rwres Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Barry, > > Thanks so much for starting this area of the > forum, you seem to have done a lot of good work! > > I was interested to read about the toilet > facilities at Peckham Rye. I have a medical > condition which means I often need a toilet at > short notice, and have stopped travelling from > North Dulwich to London Bridge because of the lack > of toilet facilities (I will actually travel from > Herne Hill to Victoria to Westminster to London > Bridge because, while it's less convenient and > more expensive, there are bathrooms along the > route!). > > This is all the more disappointing to have to do > because there is a toilet at the top of the stairs > to Platform 1 at North Dulwich station, but it is > always locked and whenever there is someone in the > ticket booth, they deny it exists. I'm forced to > leave the station to find a toilet. > > Is there any way to: > a) find out where all of the toilets are along the > route to London Bridge (what stations, which > platforms, what hours are they open)? > b) buy a key to the toilet at North Dulwich? I > know you have vandalism problems and need to keep > it locked, but I'm already spending extra money to > get into central London. I'd rather give the money > to you and have easier access into London. > > Thanks.

You are all so very kind, however for the record I am not going anywhere!! Barry peckhamboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What on earth are you doing? If you go telling > Barry's bosses how great he is, he'll only go and > get promoted and moved out of the area. Keep quiet > and keep Barry! > > We could always start a forum collection to > replace the pay rise he would have otherwise > got.... > > > Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Oh Moos, darling Barry is much too modest for > that > > (I tried it several pages back) > > > > Only way is to go over his head. The MD of > > Southern is Chris Burchell. He may be contacted > > here: sab@southernrailway.com or > > > > Go Ahead House > > 26-28 Addiscombe Road > > Croydon > > CR9 5GA > > > > Might as well go straight to the top!

Ruffers Pleased to report that irritation has now gone! The sign was removed this morning Regards Barry ruffers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think somewhere in this thread, ages ago, > someone asked if the estate agents ad for what > were new flats on the way up to platform 2(?) > (away from London) could be got rid of. > For whatever reason that's now become a petty > annoyance every day - can it go? > > NB Barry - Please take the fact that I'm worrying > about such a minor thing as a testimonial of sorts > to all the good stuff you've been doing!

Hi There are no Ticket Offices open on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, normal opening hours will commence from Monday 28th December right through to 3rd January. 1st January will be Sunday hours. May I also take this opportunity to suggest for those renewing season tickets and state that Monday 4th January will be exceptionally busy, my clerks will be informed this week that they can renew season tickets 2 weeks before the expiry date of the current ones. It maybe a good idea to renew during the festive season so you dont have to spend time queuing on the 4th. I am also posting the Christmas/New Year services for those who missed it before and they are as follows Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December - normal service but with an early service shutdown ? Christmas Day Friday 25 December ? a half-hourly Gatwick Express coach service (non-stop) will operate during the daytime. No other Southern services will operate. ? Boxing Day Saturday 26 December - Gatwick Express every 30 minutes calling at East Croydon, hourly Victoria to Brighton service (not calling at Clapham Junction), London Bridge to East Croydon via Norbury service every 30 minutes and London Bridge to East Croydon via Sydenham service every 30 minutes. ? Sunday 27 December ? A normal Sunday service with rail replacement buses between Balham and West Croydon plus an additional hourly service between London Bridge and Redhill, calling at Norwood Junction, East Croydon, Purley, Coulsdon South and Merstham. ? Monday 28 December ? A Saturday service will operate, with buses between Balham and West Croydon. Evening Victoria to Horsham via Redhill services will run to / from London Bridge. ? Tuesday 29 to and Wednesday 30 December - A Saturday service will operate. ? New Year?s Eve Thursday 31 December ? A Saturday service will operate. ? New Year?s Day Friday 1 January 2010 ? A Sunday service will operate. There will also be 13 ?free? services between Victoria and East Croydon every 20 minutes from 0105 until 0505 (calling all stations) running on behalf of Transport for London. Buses replace trains between Balham and West Croydon and there will also be an additional hourly service between London Bridge and Redhill. ? Saturday 2 January onwards - A normal level of service will operate, with services amended for planned engineering work as required. Hope this helps Barry Weegee Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Barry > > What are the opening times for East Dulwich > station over Xmas and New Year please.

Hi I am the man that listens and acts within my power as Station Manager to ensure good customer service is delivered! Regards Barry the-e-dealer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > When I requested this for Nunhead - the next day I > got an email saying no . And they cut down the > Trees along the cutting - making it windier! - > I'm sure your guy isnt like that though!

Hi When the new speaker is placed at East Dulwich (see previous posts) I will ask the guys to test each of the speakers and ensure that passengers can hear all the announcements Regards Barry peckhamboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Barry - any chance that the speaker volume on the > LB-bound platform could be turned up? I was no > more than ten feet from the speaker this morning, > downwind of it, and still couldn't hear the > announcements properly. I know it's a bit of a > balancing act between being able to hear the > announcements on the platform and not getting > complaints from the nearest houses, but i reckon > there must be a way to go before they can hear the > speakers if the sound isn't going ten feet with a > favourable wind.

Hi There are proposed works under the NSIP (National Stations Improvement Programme)to carry out works at East Dulwich including shelters. I am already dealing with this (short term solution) and will post accordingly Regards Barry Milo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Barry, > > Someone may have requested this already (as this > thread is now 18 pages!); are there any plans to > build a covered waiting area at East Dulwich > station, it's very cold in the mornings now and > the platform is so high the wind is strong. > > Thanks for listening.

Sorry Ruffers, this should have gone ages ago, I will get my team to sort this, hopefully by Monday Regards Barry ruffers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think somewhere in this thread, ages ago, > someone asked if the estate agents ad for what > were new flats on the way up to platform 2(?) > (away from London) could be got rid of. > For whatever reason that's now become a petty > annoyance every day - can it go? > > NB Barry - Please take the fact that I'm worrying > about such a minor thing as a testimonial of sorts > to all the good stuff you've been doing!

Good evening, Feet on Seats announcements will commence tomorrow morning In addition I have noticed that this information is now on our new posters displayed at stations Fingers crossed this will help Barry

hi I have faulted this again, I do not understand why this light keeps faulting. I have stated to my facilities dept that the electrical engineers must investigate the cause This is on a 4 hour call out Hopefully we can get this rectified once and for all Barry ruffers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Top man as ever Barry. > > Just a little note the light by the steps down at > East Dulwich is still not working. Not disastrous > as it is but if the other goes we're back to pitch > black.

Hi Denmark Hill comes under Southeastern Railway Sorry Barry evans1971 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Grafitti at Peckham Rye Station > > Barry > > For several weeks now their has been graffiti at > the Denmark Hill end of platform 4 and also > Nunhead end of platform 3. Its not a big thing - > but it hasnt been removed. > > Can it be? > > > D

Hi Sophie, unfortunately adding services etc does not come under my remit. All time table changes etc are compiled 18months to 2 years in advance by our planning department Sorry Barry sophiesofa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ooh I've thought of another request. Barry could > you ask the relevant person if it's possible to > have a later train than 11.48pm from LB to ED. > When I have got it it's been busy so I think > there'd be demand for a later one or two. I know > there are night buses but I have had many a bad > experience with night buses and I'm too stingy to > get a cab when I have a travelcard already. Sorry > I promise i'll stop requesting things one day!

ps The announcements for "feets on seats" has been agreed in principle, this will be trialled in my area. Barry

Good afternoon A few updates and keeping you in the loop Pay As You Go formally announced this morning with Boris Johnson, Lord Adonis plus many others today Balham Station. You will be able to see the bulletins on BBC and ITV local news this evening. Saturday 2nd January 2010 is the go live date East Dulwich Passenger handrails for the pathways have been agreed and monies will be signed off this week North Dulwich booking hall ceiling is now finished, once the plaster is dry, a coat of paint will be applied Peckham Rye scaffolding will be dismantled in the next fortnight, all graffiti from the tower and building has now been removed The canopy structures at Peckham will be done, however I am still waiting for dates, this will more likely be completed in the new year This also applies to the booking hall at Peckham Quotes for new speakers for East Dulwich have now been sent through, I should be able to sign these works off today An additional Ticket Vending Machine has been acquired for East Dulwich (credit card only) and will be installed in the next few weeks. I am also seeking an extra one for Peckham Rye. New shelter for South Bermondsey has been ordered (only one exists and severely damaged), however I am still waiting for agreement to be reached regarding East Dulwich Thats it for now, and will update further this week Barry

I have created a job vacancy just for you loz! Barry Loz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Personally, I think that stations get a bit > announcement-heavy and I turn off. Do we really > need the 'don't leave your bags unattended' > message every five minutes? Especially with the > grave, but over the top, "THIS IS AN IMPORTANT > ANNOUNCEMENT" lead in. > > I think a better solution would be a set of armed, > plain clothed 'enforcement officers', who travel > the lines and kneecap offenders. Offenders will > only ever do it twice.

Dear all,sophies Eureka moment! I think thats the answer.... It sounds simple but have to run this past my colleague at HQ who compiles the platform announcements.whether its feasible or not remains to be seen. For example and my idea is this. "the next train to arrive at platform 2 is the 0730 to london bridge, calling at blah blah" and then finishing the announcement with "we kindly ask passengers not to place feet on seats etc etc" this can be implemented at all stations including the terminus stations. Its a start and a simple idea I will keep you posted Barry sophiesofa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hello Barry. The no feet on seats thing has made > me think if it's possible to make some > announcements when a train pulls in to a packed > platform for an announcement to be made requesting > people wait until everyone gets off. I got the > 6.07pm from LB and was at the front waiting for > the last man (who wasn't too stable) to get off > when people started stampeding around me to get on > while he was still on the train. I did feebly say > that someone was still getting off but they mainly > ignored me. I think it's sad that I'm even having > to request this because it just shouldn't happen > but sadly it's a common occurrence and it's really > really rude and unnecessary. Thank you

Hi The depot operations manager is back next Monday, I will be taking this up with him. I have expressed my grave concerns in the metro area when there are cancellations and passengers "left stranded" Regards Barry the-e-dealer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The trouble is some fool - or fools set the > performence targets for Railways to be based the > prompt arrival at terminuses. What they should > have done is set a target that nobody was left > standing on a platform more than say 20 minutes or > similar. > I remember the days when at Denmark hill if a > train was cancelled another fast train would be > stopped specially to get us to work, not in these > days!

Hi Apologies for this I will take this up t the next performance meeting. There are quite a few to raise and I will update accordingly Regards Barry northernmonkey Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Barry > > The 6.39 train this morning was cancelled with no > reason given. Whilst waiting for the 6:51, a > train with 8 carriages (and people on it), looking > suspiciously like the 6:39 train went straight > though East Dulwich Station without stopping (at > around 6:46). It looks like what happened was > that the train was running late and someone > decided to cancel further stops to get it to > London Bridge on time. The only problem with this > approach is that the 6:51 is a 2 carriage train > with very little seating, and therefore it was > very overcrowded. Not sure if you can raise with > anyone that cancelling the 6;39 causes problems > because of insufficient passenger accommodation on > the 6:51. Additionally, given the growing > popularity of the 6:51 service, do you know if > there are any plans to add additional carriages to > this service? > > Thanks

Nero I am not sure I understand the folowing 2 points raised "but would > like to add that it is not something that should > be seen solely as an income/publicity generator!" and > "Your non-marketing managers should be thinking > about such anti-social behaviour too" Regards Barry Nero Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > From a media-interest point of view, I am pretty > sure that any effort you make to stop people > putting their feet on seats would get lots of > attention. It's something that a lot of people > think about, it ties in with the 'broke Britain' > idea and it's a good topic for interactivity (ie > people ranting on web pages and phone-ins). > I hope your marketing department are savvy enough > to recognise this and pick up on it, but would > like to add that it is not something that should > be seen solely as an income/publicity generator! > Your non-marketing managers should be thinking > about such anti-social behaviour too.

Dear all Next Monday 23rd November there will be a formal announcement made by the DFT/TFL, The announcements will be made by Lord Adonis, Boris Johnson to name a couple (I feel honoured that they have chosen to come to Balham to do this) in view that Pay As You Go will go live on the 2nd January 2010. Watch out for press releases and news bulletins on TV Monday evening! I cant explain how I feel about this but ecstatic does come to mind and a long time we have waited! Barry rbmartin Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks for your help Barry. > > I don't want to steal your thunder, but the London > Connections blog and other websites are claiming > Oyster PAYG will be operational from 2nd January > 2010 on National Rail services with cheaper single > journeys compared to buying a paper single.