Public Transport

The sound of police sirens tore the evening air of New Cross and the blue lights seemed urgently vivid in the dusk. Although a pedestrian and not in the mounting traffic, I felt a surge of irritation as sight and sound took me back to my London years and the many Belmarsh convoys I saw then. To time these for the evening rush and then carve ostentatiously through the traffic is senselessly stupid planning and the make-up of the convoys is a grave misuse of police resources. This one had three or four rather heavily populated vehicles in addition to what appeared to be the prisoner transport. As I noted in Brighton recently, you never see a policeman when you want one but there’s never any shortage on what they deem the big occasions.

I was beginning the return leg of an exhilarating solo trip on public transport from our temporary base in Bexleyheath. Greg would not have wanted to come on this bus and train trip and will see enough of London tomorrow either side of his medical appointment. I am hoping the weather will permit a little wandering around. It was quite kind this afternoon and even conceded a little sunshine. The trip had not started well. I had to walk all the way to Bexleyheath station because the local agents are no longer allowed to sell paper tickets and therefore One-Day Travelcards. I was passed by dozens of buses I could have used had I already had a ticket. One is supposed to use an Oyster Card, a scheme ideal for the resident or regular traveller but completely inappropriate for the casual traveller. The two apologetic newsagents I tried should have offered me an Oyster Card appropriately charged but the problem is that a first time purchase attracts a £5 deposit which would have made the whole purchase expensive. This seems like a scam but I think it is intended to cover replacement costs as the card is, believe it or not, valid for 50 years. I was impressed by the intensive rail service and South Eastern branding. A lot of effort has visibly gone into improving station environments. The smart trains and mostly graffiti free infrastructure compared very favourably with last week’s Trenitalia and Rome Metro. The corporate image came under some stress at St. Johns and New Cross and it was a little poignant to pass through the barely noticeable remains of (Eltham) Well Hall which did not survive into the modern age.

My intention and an intention fulfilled was to travel on the New Cross to Dalston Junction section of London Overground or at least a small part of it. The Class 378 units are impressive and the service pattern is nothing short of astonishing. I noted with some chagrin that some weekend disruption to this recently opened system is due and I hope, charitably, that it is due only to its continuing development. I visited Canada Water and Surrey Quays stations and openly photographed what I wanted without being assailed by PCSOs, security guards or anyone else who does not know the law. I returned intentionally to New Cross Gate in order to walk between the two local stations. This area will probably be kept well hidden during the Olympics as it has, if anything, decayed further since what I earlier referred to as my ‘London years’. The South Eastern service back to Bexleyheath was adequately formed and on time but also very busy. I fail to understand the seating arrangements on these trains unless they were designed by or for amputees. No-one of any reasonable height can sit facing fully forward (or backward) in the space available.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and finished my journey by bus from what is called the Bexleyheath Station stop but only because it is near the station – not in any way properly integrated for the hard of moving. I saw a lot of good things today. Train and bus services have undoubtedly improved and very much so and are well used but we still fall short in many areas of a properly integrated transport system. The inducements to use it remain often weak and incoherent but progress is being made.