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lewisham platform large gap

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rainbow1

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I will be having to travel with an elderly person to london bridge station regularly over the next few months from sittingbourne, to get there we start at sittingbourne change at gillingham then at lewisham to london bridge ,to get back is the opposite

The problem is changing at lewisham to get back to gillingham the gap at lewisham is to wide to get off the person I am traveling with will not get over the gap I dont like getting off there it is even a worry doing it myself.

Is there an alternative route where the gaps are not so wide

Thank you
 
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Antman

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I will be having to travel with an elderly person to london bridge station regularly over the next few months from sittingbourne, to get there we start at sittingbourne change at gillingham then at lewisham to london bridge ,to get back is the opposite

The problem is changing at lewisham to get back to gillingham the gap at lewisham is to wide to get off the person I am traveling with will not get over the gap I dont like getting off there it is even a worry doing it myself.

Is there an alternative route where the gaps are not so wide

Thank you

The large gap is on the platform for trains towards Hither Green and Hayes, the platform for the train to Gillingham via Woolwich Arsenal is on a left hand curve.

You could change at Woolwich Arsenal or at Dartford instead though.

I don't know what time you are travelling but there are a few peak hour trains direct between the two stations.
 
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rainbow1

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The gap I noticed was very bad was getting off at lewisham from london bridge it makes me feel ill just thinking about it ,I realy need someone to help with a route where that wont happen , the times we will travel will change but mainly will be after 8pm for the travel back, im not used to traveling on trains more than one or two stops away so this is very confusing
 

rainbow1

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Im a bit confused wouldnt I still have to change and lewisham to go to dartford from london bridge
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Yes we are travelling to and from the hospital its all very confusing for me
 

30907

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As Antman says, there are several possibilities.

If you're travelling during the day or in the evening, when there are no straight through trains, the best option is to take a train to Woolwich Arsenal or Abbey Wood and change there, because you stay on the same platform for the Gillingham train.
The train you want will be going "via Greenwich" to Dartford or Slade Green.
The platform at Abbey Wood is dead straight.

If there isn't one of those, which is unlikely, then a train to Slade Green "via Bexleyheath" will take you to the nearly straight platform at Lewisham, the one the Gillingham train uses.

BTW on your way home, it is also a good idea to change at Chatham not Gillingham, again because you can stay on the same platform.

Hope this is helpful.
 
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Antman

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Im a bit confused wouldnt I still have to change and lewisham to go to dartford from london bridge
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Yes we are travelling to and from the hospital its all very confusing for me

Journey planner suggests the 20.10 to Peckham Rye changing there and again at Bromley South arriving in Sittingbourne at 21.41
 

rainbow1

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Is it only lewisham with such a large gap are the stations above small gaps (peckham rye ,bromley south. Chatham ,slade green, dartford, woolwich arsenal, bexleyheath, abbey wood) thank you for trying to help I didnt realise the gaps could be that wide it made me feel so ill and the thought of doing it again is horrible
 

Antman

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Is it only lewisham with such a large gap are the stations above small gaps (peckham rye ,bromley south. Chatham ,slade green, dartford, woolwich arsenal, bexleyheath, abbey wood) thank you for trying to help I didnt realise the gaps could be that wide it made me feel so ill and the thought of doing it again is horrible

That gap at Lewisham is exceptional.

Another possible option would be to use Elephant & Castle instead, it is a short bus ride from London Bridge although it isn't the nicest of places and access to the platform is up a long staircase, there are no lifts. From there it would be one change at Bromley South.
 

Clip

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Hi

Depending on when you are actually travelling would it not be better on the way back going from Cannon Street or Charing cross both are a short bus ride away and they do services to Sittingbourne which means you wont have to change - not frequent I know but its another option to look at
 

rainbow1

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I will try to work out the best route for us to travel you have all given me so many options to choose from ,

would anyone recommend one of the routes as the best option

The size of the gap between the platform and the train is very important also the time it will take and the crossing of platforms because I will be traveling with someone with mobility problems also the safety of the stations we will be changing at as it will be getting late in the evening ,

Thank you so much for all the help you all have already given me
 

ComUtoR

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The gaps do not extend down the entire length of the train.

However; Contact Southeastern Assisted travel

http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/assisted-travel/


Ramps can be provided on and off the train and they are no issue whatsoever and take seconds to setup and remove. They are used frequently by many rail users on Southeastern. Wheelchairs etc can also be provided. If you intend to travel regularly then speak to the station staff who will be more than happy to assist you. It only requires a phone call to the receiving station to let them know your coming and where you are sitting on the train.

Ring SE :)

Telephone: 0800 783 4524
or 01732 77 00 99
Textphone: 0800 783 4548
These numbers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 

kentman

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As above, from what I've seen the station staff are always willing to help and Lewisham & Dartford are fully staffed stations.

At my local station the gateline person opens the gates and goes off to assist a regular morning commuter during the peak, I also get the impression they like the change from the gateline duty as well!
 

Antman

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I will try to work out the best route for us to travel you have all given me so many options to choose from ,

would anyone recommend one of the routes as the best option

The size of the gap between the platform and the train is very important also the time it will take and the crossing of platforms because I will be traveling with someone with mobility problems also the safety of the stations we will be changing at as it will be getting late in the evening ,

Thank you so much for all the help you all have already given me

I would suggest London Bridge to Dartford, you may have to change platforms at Dartford but there are lifts and staff who will be happy to help.

Dartford to Chatham, you then remain on the same platform for trains to Sittingbourne.
 

ComUtoR

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As a staff member for SE I can assure you that changing your route may be pointless.

You sound like you need help. Assisted travel is the best option for you. Dartford is on a curve and has large(ish) gaps so you will still be in the same situation and might still require assistance.

Get the best route (price, timing, etc.) for YOU. Then let SE do the rest. That is what you pay your ticket price for.

The whole gap at Lewisham can be remedied by sitting in the front carriage as that hits the platform in both directions on the straight. No fluffing about with changes to your route or whatever is convenient for you.

The ramp is a folds out and is designed for wheelchair access so it is very very stable. I see it in use daily. Even if you turned up randomly. Just ask platform staff and they will help.

TOC's provide a service to YOU the passenger. It is up to us to help you ;)
 

Antman

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As a staff member for SE I can assure you that changing your route may be pointless.

You sound like you need help. Assisted travel is the best option for you. Dartford is on a curve and has large(ish) gaps so you will still be in the same situation and might still require assistance.

Get the best route (price, timing, etc.) for YOU. Then let SE do the rest. That is what you pay your ticket price for.

The whole gap at Lewisham can be remedied by sitting in the front carriage as that hits the platform in both directions on the straight. No fluffing about with changes to your route or whatever is convenient for you.

The ramp is a folds out and is designed for wheelchair access so it is very very stable. I see it in use daily. Even if you turned up randomly. Just ask platform staff and they will help.

TOC's provide a service to YOU the passenger. It is up to us to help you ;)

The problem arriving at Lewisham in the front carriage is that it would be a long walk back down the platform as indeed it would be to get in the front carriage at London Bridge
 

ComUtoR

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The problem arriving at Lewisham in the front carriage is that it would be a long walk back down the platform as indeed it would be to get in the front carriage at London Bridge

Are people really that lazy that they cannot walk down a platform. They would rather change their entire journey :roll:

Not only is the first coach on the straight. Other carriages do not have a gap. Dartford has gaps so even if you change stations you still need to be aware that gaps exist and you still have the same issue and may still need the ramps anyway.

Also with Lewisham if you got on the rearmost coach at London Bridge Then you will also be on the straight part of the platform

The large gap is on the platform for trains towards Hither Green and Hayes, the platform for the train to Gillingham via Woolwich Arsenal is on a left hand curve.

The curve is minimal and there is plenty of straight portions of the platform where there is no gap.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/html/NRE_LEW/images/photos/800/o2343-0000053.jpg

Again; getting on the back at London bridge completely removes the gap issue at Lewisham. No need to change trains or mess with journey plans. The only one you would need to avoid is any service via Sidcup/Hither Green/Hayes Line. But then your just making problems for yourself and adding to your journey for no real reason.

Call up SE, speak to the platform staff, Job done. It really is the TOC's responsibility to get you there safely. If you need assistance then ask them. Your paying for it !
 

Antman

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Are people really that lazy that they cannot walk down a platform. They would rather change their entire journey :roll:

Not only is the first coach on the straight. Other carriages do not have a gap. Dartford has gaps so even if you change stations you still need to be aware that gaps exist and you still have the same issue and may still need the ramps anyway.

Also with Lewisham if you got on the rearmost coach at London Bridge Then you will also be on the straight part of the platform



The curve is minimal and there is plenty of straight portions of the platform where there is no gap.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/SME/html/NRE_LEW/images/photos/800/o2343-0000053.jpg

Again; getting on the back at London bridge completely removes the gap issue at Lewisham. No need to change trains or mess with journey plans. The only one you would need to avoid is any service via Sidcup/Hither Green/Hayes Line. But then your just making problems for yourself and adding to your journey for no real reason.

Call up SE, speak to the platform staff, Job done. It really is the TOC's responsibility to get you there safely. If you need assistance then ask them. Your paying for it !

The person asking has mobility problems, your opening comment is astounding. They are planning on returning after 8pm so there may not be anybody around to ask at some stations.

I would have thought changing at Dartford would be better than Lewisham anyway, regardless of other issues?
 
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ComUtoR

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Dartford/Lewisham it really matters little. Both platforms have gaps. Remember that the train to/from Dartford most likely has come from Lewisham. Whatever happens the problem with the gap will always exist. Hell you can change at Bromley South (very straight) SIT>BMS>ORP>LBG (1h 33m) Bromley and Orpy are manned 24/7 but I still wouldn't recommend that route.

The BEST advice I can give is to use assisted travel. Get a journey that is suitable and best priced then use assisted travel. Any mobility problems are then resolved. Wheelchair/Ramps can be provided. If there is mobility issues why struggle ?

The railways is there to provide help. Passengers shouldn't be the ones to make allowances.
 

Antman

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Dartford/Lewisham it really matters little. Both platforms have gaps. Remember that the train to/from Dartford most likely has come from Lewisham. Whatever happens the problem with the gap will always exist. Hell you can change at Bromley South (very straight) SIT>BMS>ORP>LBG (1h 33m) Bromley and Orpy are manned 24/7 but I still wouldn't recommend that route.

The BEST advice I can give is to use assisted travel. Get a journey that is suitable and best priced then use assisted travel. Any mobility problems are then resolved. Wheelchair/Ramps can be provided. If there is mobility issues why struggle ?

The railways is there to provide help. Passengers shouldn't be the ones to make allowances.

It is worth pointing out that assisted travel has to be booked 24 hours in advance.

I don't know why you wouldn't recommend Bromley South, journey planner does with another change at Peckham Rye.
 
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ComUtoR

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It is worth pointing out that assisted travel has to be booked 24 hours in advance.

Noted, with thanks.

I don't know why you wouldn't recommend Bromley South, journey planner does with another change at Peckham Rye.

Journey planner showed me via Orpy and for gaps and staff that is a good option. However; I am not the one making the journey and nor am I the one with mobility needs. So much more information is needed than A to B. Does the OP need a specific time ? Are all journeys unplanned ? Is flexibility required ? Is there a specific need to have staffed platforms ? Hence my advice to simply contact SE. They can provide answers to all of the above.

I am also not an expert on ticketing and I rarely pay for fares anyway. Cost implications of going via different stations I have zero clue about. If I was the passenger then I would be considering a weekly ticket and again; I have no idea about whatever caveats that they require.

Calling the TOC is pretty much the best advice. The ticketing forum section does have some very good advice from some seasoned travelers so may be worth a trip down a few sections for the best route/price options.

But as to issues with the OP. Simply changing route doesn't solve anything.

Lewisham is manned and you can avoid the gap by changing coach - Simple
Dartford is manned
Bromley/Orpy is straight with little to no gap but may require a platform change (lifts available)

I'm not knocking any advice you have given but the simple fact is that if you have mobility issues then your gonna need the ramp.

Personally I would have thought that the TOC working for the passenger is what everyone wants. We all knock them and when they have provide the service we don't use it ? Na, sod that. Buy your ticket and use every means at your disposal. WE are there to help.
 

EM2

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It is worth pointing out that assisted travel has to be booked 24 hours in advance.
It *should* be but doesn't *have* to be. We deal with a couple of dozen unbooked assists every day.
Having said that, the OP has said they're travelling to and from hospital, so I guess would have more than 24 hours notice of needing to travel.
 

hulabaloo

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Sorry if this is a daft question, but how accessible is London Bridge at the moment as well? I've avoided like the plague since the rebuilding works started but can't imagine it would be that great for someone with mobility problems.
 

DynamicSpirit

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I would suggest London Bridge to Dartford, you may have to change platforms at Dartford but there are lifts and staff who will be happy to help.

Dartford to Chatham, you then remain on the same platform for trains to Sittingbourne.

Change at either Abbey Wood or Woolwich Arsenal rather than Dartford - guaranteed no need to change platforms, both stations are usually manned, and at Abbey Wood the platforms are dead straight. So London Bridge to either Woolwich Arsenal or Abbey Wood, then from there to Chatham. (But ComUtoR's advice about getting assisted travel is better anyway).
 

rainbow1

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Dartford is on a curve too?

Where would anyone recommend, the person I will be travelling with doesn't have a wheelchair and will not want assisted help and will want to do it alone

Are the other stations recommended above more suitable for us (not a large gap
 

ComUtoR

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Dartford is on a curve too?

Yes. It is my local station.


Where would anyone recommend, the person I will be travelling with doesn't have a wheelchair and will not want assisted help and will want to do it alone

Are the other stations recommended above more suitable for us (not a large gap

The gap issue will NEVER go away. Even on a straight platform there can be a considerable gap when boarding the train. Yes it is less than a curved platform but due to old, out of date, antiquated, victorian architecture there will always be a gap of some description.

Orpington is a good route and a short one (1h 33m) Both platforms are straight and manned 24/7. I like the abbey wood suggestion and the semi fast Gilly down does stop there.

Route is dependent on time and dates. Peak isn't usually a problem but off-peak and your waiting about for connections.

PERSONALLY I would get on the back at London Bridge and change at Lewisham as planned. If you are doing it regularly then just find the right coach that doesn't have any gap on the route.

PERSONALLY I would still phone SE as they can plan a route for you. Even if you wish to do it alone then they can still plan the route giving advice only. Again; you pay for a service and should get it.

PERSONALLY I'm finally at a place where I'm not to proud to ask for help.

Do you want a quick route or a cheap one ?
 

Antman

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The advantage I thought with Dartford is that the train from London Bridge terminates there and you can take all the time you need, plus the fact there are always staff available to help and lifts if you need to change platform.

It's one of these journeys where there are a few options and a lot of swings and roundabouts.
 
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rainbow1

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Is there a best carriage to get off at dartford so the gaps not to bad

Is it better to always get of at the back of the train or is that only at Lewisham
 

telstarbox

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Hi Rainbow1 - thanks for your PM. All your questions are answered by others in this thread so there's not much else I can add. I strongly recommend contacting the Assisted Travel team or choosing an alternative mode of travel.
 
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