Local users of Denmark Hill station asked me how the chaos that has become Denmark Hill station could be allowed to happen.

After digging…. The coalition government agree to fund making the station Access for All. When Network Rail contacted Southwark Council the Labour council insisted that as the existing walkway was part of the overall station listing it couldn’t be touched. The planners refused to discuss widening the walkway sufficiently to support station growth and adding lifts. Instead they insisted upon a new bridge and structures to link the platforms. This then meant a new ticket office and blew the budget. It also meant the funds didn’t stretch to expand capacity for more people coming and going and forecast growth. This broken scheme was built. London Overground opened. It is now clear the wrong scheme was built and Southwark Council are equally to blame as Network Rail.

At rush hour it feels decidedly dangerous due to extreme over crowding.

We need a station fit to work properly with so many more passengers. In just one year 10% growth in users: