London Midland

Some of those people that were reading yesterday may of read me moan about the exit of Snow Hill station and how dangerous it is when two commuter trains arrive together and passengers try to leave the station at the same time.

Yesterday I found myself stuck at the top of a moving escalator with no way forward and no way backward because the electronic gates weren't letting the flow of passengers out quickly enough. It is not the first time it has happened to me.

I decided to put my new found piece of technology to use and Twitter London Midland with my concerns.

I was actually pleasantly surprised to get a Tweet back at all asking me what I thought the solution was!

Solution 1

Instead of keeping the gates closed for the early morning commuters putting them in danger leave them open and then try closing them after 10am until 15:30hrs. I notice when I get to work late or leave early there is no one around and the gates are open.

Solution 2

Move the gates to the Glass door exit, Block up the current ticket office and knock a hole in the wall facing the car park exit door (So as people can pay to get on at Snow Hill if needed) and so as there is more room for when two trains do arrive together giving passengers more room to maneuver.

Solution 3

Keep the gates open until the new platform exits are finished and usable by the general public and then see how the electronic gates cope with the passenger flow.

Your staff are manning electronic gates instead of checking the tickets like the used to. What is the point of paying for the gates and leaving the staff in place.

Let the hoards of people at commuter time walk freely and safely with your staff checking tickets. Help your Business during the off peak times when fewer people get off the train and the space can cope with it close the gates.

Who do you think will avoid payment? Those going to work with weekly,monthly or annual passes or those who know they can because the gates are open and there is no one there to check tickets?

Foot Note

I have now offered 3 possible solutions. All of which should have been considered prior to putting the gates into operation.

As far as I am concerned Snow Hill Station Exit is a hazard as it is.