AIBU to think this is at best dangerous and worse lethal

[Mammajay]

Yesterday we took grandchildren by train and had to change at Clapham Junction ( London) and the gap between the train and platform was huge..about 40cns. Trying to get off with a baby in a buggy and a toddler on foot was frightening. Please share your experiences. AIBU to think this is a danger for many people.. including the less able;elderly;mum's with buggies and children etc. I had to jump across the gap,not being tall like my husband,as did my little granddaughter. I saw a lady on TV last week who had fallen between the train and track and lost an arm and leg as a result of the accident. Surely something can and should be done to improve this.

Oh no I didn’t realise Clapham Junction had a big gap too 😬 I broke my ankle earlier this year at another station (Victoria) as my son’s drink bottle fell out the bottom of the pushchair as I was stepping off train.

Yes, DH has a scar on his shin from a misjudged leap over the gap at Clapham Junction. East Croydon also has some massive gaps.

I once saw a man fall into the gap at Farringdon (tube platform). Luckily other commuters grabbed him under his arm pits and dragged him back up.

I hate the gap at Clapham Junction. If I'm boarding a train there I choose a part where the platform is straight, not curved. If I need yo change trains there and have luggage I allow extra time and go on to Waterloo and change there.

I don't know whether it is allowed or how to do it but I would like to copy this thread and send it to someone? Not sure who..? Minister of transport? my local MP??? The question is how to try and get something done. I would possibly focus on Clapham Junction to start with? Your thoughts please.

They want to get rid of guards on trains who watch out for problems like this

The only panic attack I have ever had was at Birmingham New Street when I needed to get on a local train and the gap was too big.

There's also a big gap at Lewisham, a man kindly held my hand so I could get off.

It's the same at some stations up north. Despite reversing off, my dds buggy with her in it fell down the gap so it was tipped forward with her facing the train. The guard didn't notice. Luckily a friend of mine happened to be getting on the train at the time and ran to help. No one was hurt thank goodness. It's put me off using trains even though my children are no longer in a buggy. My youngest is tiny but heavy and I feel afraid to lift her off trains incase we slip or fall in the gap. I have to lift her because she can't clear the gap alone but it means I have to jump with a 5 year old in my arms. Dangerous.

That's a really bad one. I sometimes go on massive detours to avoid it, but not always possible.

Oh god, this brings back memories of getting a really high up, old fashioned train from Bologna to Parma in Italy, where you had to hold on to handles by the train door and sort of launch yourself on to the platform.

Gosh I know that gap! I've asked a fellow passenger for help in the past, just a hand to steady myself but yes it's daunting. It seems terribly dangerous.

I went looking at Jago Hazzard's channel to see if he had any answers about why these gaps aren't ameliorated. I couldn't find anything direct, but I did find this gem -

I have emailed the railway safety board..be interesting to see what reply I get.

It's a huge gap there. I always get off first and carry my children off and my eldest is six but i still do it for her

Let us know! I emailed when the platform 13 lift that was scheduled to be finished in February still was out of action in May. They just said separate contractors, not their issue bla bla bla. Was an absolute pain in the arse getting up those steps with the buggy, the staff would often tell me they were ‘not allowed’ to help.