Markjonathan

Eileen- thanks for bringing this issue to everyone's attention. I live on the one-way section of Bellenden Rd and my immediate neighbours and I are completely against the proposal. Hoping that 2-way will force traffic to slow down is not the solution. It will just make the journey as awkward as the other 2 way streets in the vicinity where the roads are not really wide enough for parked vehicles and 2-way traffic. I think it will create more congestion which will not help the environment. It certainly won't make crossing the road safer with traffic coming from 2 directions. We believe the issue that needs solving is simply to make a safe way of crossing Chadwick Road and Holly Grove as you walk along Bellenden Rd. I'm not convinced this issue has been improved in the new plans and the current (effective) Zebra crossing on Lyndhurst Way appears to be partially removed making crossing the road here less safe. Are the raised platforms really safer for crossing the road? Don't we need Zebra or Pelican crossings? This is a massive change and will effect pedestrians, cyclists and road users who need to get across this area. The consultation has failed to include many people who will be effected. The attention to detail on the public consultation document's maps is shocking: On different maps there are a number of spelling mistakes (eg: 'Belended'/ 'Bellendon'/ 'Juction' and the most shocking- the mis-naming of Holly Grove as Chadwick Rd!This doesn't fill me with confidence that our traffic planners have their fingers on the pulse. How much will this all cost versus maintaining the current one-way but improving safe crossings for pedestrians? Why have we only been given one option that purports to be the safest option? Why are the planners refusing to consider anything other than the 2 way option? On a personal level, those residents like myself who have off street parking will now be trying to get onto our driveways from a 2-way street which will cause further delay to other road users rather than the current situation where they can overtake safely. I think it will be a much more scary manoeuvre. One of my neighbours remembers the time before the current one-way system and is adamant that its better now as a one way system. I support making the area safer for all pedestrian and road users but this is not the solution.

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Dear Barry, Thanks for being there for us. You are model for all the institutions that have generally made themselves totally inaccessible and automated. It's great to have a 'real live person' who's prepared to listen and make a difference. I hope that you have a peaceful Christmas and that you get some rest too. Thanks again, Mark J

Dear Barry, I wonder why the ticket office at Peckham Rye was shut around 5pm on Monday 21st so there was a long queue for the one machine; as we were buying tickets people were comIng through saying that there were no trains. I stared on Plat 3, then with my heavy bag I was advised to go to platform 2 and then back to platform 3 again. A train came eventually. I appreciate that these are extreme weather conditions but the information we were getting wasn't very joined up. Mark

Barry, I'm afraid that the time it takes to buy a ticket at Peckham Rye as reported by Huggers is not an isolated one. It drives me crazy. I think generally the railway authorities think it's ok to have us queue. Huggers: My imperfect solution is to try and buy the ticket the day before but I agree let's have shorter queues! Mark

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 Barry, Thanks for everything you are doing to get things sorted out. Having been a supporter of the barriers at Peckham Rye I realise that they've created a new problem: queues are longer at the window/s and at the one ticket machine both on Saturday morning, yesterday and today around 10am. I've learnt where possible to buy my ticket for the next day in advance however, it seems that the machine will only sell a full fare/anytime return and not a cheap day (or whatever the after rush hour ticket is called). I mentioned it to the helpful lady at PR and she said she'd have a look at the machine. I travelled back from Waterloo East today, around 18.20 /London Bridge 18.38 / Peckham Rye the trains were unbearably crowded- I couldn't get on the 1st train at Waterloo East. I hope the authorities are aware of this when considering cutting the London Bridge -Victoria loop line? Thanks again for your help. Mark

Dear Barry, It's really great that you do receive, comment and do what you can to act upon our feedback. Thanks a lot. Just to add to other comments it's really frustrating to experience queues at Peckham Rye to buy a ticket. I do try and buy tickets the day before etc but it would be great if the amount of time people wait to buy tickets could be monitored. Inevitably, when there is only when sales window open will be when there is a customer in front with a complicated question. I'm law abiding otherwise there have been a number of occasions when I could have been tempted to vault the new barriers! It's a pity that we have to wait for a 'pay as you go' option to be introduced on our Oyster cards. Mark

Hi Barry, There is a fantastic train service from Peckham Rye direct to St Pancras International but as far as I can see it doesn't come up on the big indicator board above the ticket office at P'Rye so you have to look on the smaller screen. Also, if I enter Peckham Rye to ST P on the TFL site it suggests I go by bus or change at London Bridge. Is this just a temporary service? Or can it be publicised properly? Could I also mention that I'm deeply concerned about the planned loss of the London Bridge->Victoria->Lon Bridge loop line? I can't believe that the railway authority think we don't need this valuable service. (I hope hope East Dulwich residents don't mind me mentioning a Peckham Rye issue but I'm sure I'm not the only one who crosses over between the two areas.) Mark