London Bridge station has undergone a redesign of routes to alleviate fears of overcrowding following panic attacks among commuters in January. Several commuters had panic attacks after
being trapped on station platforms due to rail staff trying to manage congestion. According to a London passenger watchdog, rail bosses had not managed overcrowding properly, leading to the redesign. The new layout aims to make exiting quicker and more efficient by separating Southeastern, Thameslink and Southern passengers through new walking routes.
Southeastern timetable changes in the new year meant more services terminated at London Bridge station rather than continuing on to Cannon Street. Two occasions in January saw rail bosses using crowd control measures due to a points failure and a trespasser on the lines. Commuters complained on social media about "dangerous" overcrowding at the end of February.
Passenger Jimmy Court was caught up in the second overcrowding incident in January and expressed concern that there seemed to be "no way out." Meanwhile, Ollie Waite posted video footage of a crowded platform where the exit escalator had been closed off. TravelWatch chief executive Michael Roberts stated that Network Rail and Southeastern had not managed overcrowding properly and that timetable changes were "definitely a factor." Roberts said that operators needed to ensure they had the right measures in place to manage large crowds safely.
Southeastern and Network Rail issued a joint statement, saying that their top priority was always safety. They acknowledged that disruptions to train services can result in crowding, particularly at large stations like London Bridge. While they recognized that crowding can be confusing and frustrating, they have "thorough plans" in place to ensure the safety of crowded stations.
Local MPs and councillors have started a petition to transfer services to Transport for London, which has more than 5,000 signatures. Despite this, Southeastern and Network Rail remain committed to addressing concerns around overcrowding and ensuring the safety of commuters. The new station layout, which separates passengers and makes exiting quicker and more efficient, is one way that they are attempting to do so. Photo by DAVID HOLT from London, England, Wikimedia commons.