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Calling London Mumsnetters - advice please!

13 replies

suedonim · 14/07/2004 16:46

I'm hoping a London-based M/Netter can give me some advice. 17yo dd is going to London to visit her godmother. Getting there isn't a problem but I am concerned about her getting home to us. She'll be leaving Victoria on a long distance late-night bus which involves her travelling from the Upminster area in the evening. Would dd be safer getting the (District Line) Tube from U/Minster at about 9pm all the way to Victoria, or would it be safer to train it to Fenchurch St at about 10pm then Tube to Victoria? How much would a black cab cost, roughly, from Fenchurch St to Victoria? Any other ideas also very welcome!

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suedonim · 16/07/2004 21:48

Thanks all. Oh to be a fly on the wall when dd has to be out of bed at the crack of dawn, tee hee!

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tamum · 16/07/2004 13:43

Phew, that's good news. I'm sure it will be easier on her in the end to be honest

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prufrock · 16/07/2004 12:01

glad you've decided on the morning one. The tube wouldn't be a problem AFAIC, but the walk from Victoria tube to Victoria coach station can be a bit dodgy. If she does have to do it at night, she must wait for the free bus (I think that still runs) rather than walking through the shopping centre or up teh road as at least that way there are staff around her at all times.

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suedonim · 16/07/2004 02:46

Thanks for all your comments. I've managed to persuade dd that it's possible for her to get up in time to catch the morning bus so that's what she's going to do, rather than take a chance. I'm much happier with that, I must say.

I'm glad I asked on here as I'd have had no idea otherwise. I guess coach stations must have changed from when my mum used to take me and my bro on holidays!!

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eddm · 16/07/2004 02:40

Suedonim, the old coach station is about ten minutes walk from the tube; don't know if the new one is any closer. I've never had a problem walking around Victoria in the evening, but if she's not used to London it might be a bit un-nerving. TBH, the area around Victoria is OK, just that train and coach stations always seem to attract the sort of people you don't want to hang out with ? drunks on their way home, that kind of thing.
HTH

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tamum · 16/07/2004 01:35

I haven't been there for a few years but I would agree with SofiaAmes that it's not a great area, especially at that time of night. I would certainly go for tube rather than train and taxi rather than tube, but I don't feel that confident about it all really (not that it's any of my business). She couldn't get a cheap flight to Edinburgh and bus from there instead could she?

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sibble · 16/07/2004 01:29

I would definately use the district line and stay put rather than have to change. it is quite well used and should be safe at that time of the night from Upminster and as with all things the key is to look confident and as though you know where you are going, you are less vulnerable. I havn't been to the new coach station but agree that some can be a bit 'dodgy'.

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SofiaAmes · 16/07/2004 01:19

suedonim, sorry to sound so down about it. To be fair, I have only been to the old one. I didn't realize there was a new one. Maybe it's brighter and cleaner. The old one was a bit of a maze and difficult to figure out where to go. I suppose it also depends on how sensible your dd is.

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suedonim · 15/07/2004 02:43

Oh, Sofiames, your post appeared while I was still typing. Is it really that bad - I had no idea. It's not the usual coach station, it's a newer one, across the road. Oh crumbs, I'm in a quandry now! Will have to go away and think again.....

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suedonim · 15/07/2004 02:36

Pamina, dd is reasonably au fait with London but not on her own at that time of night. The haul from Fenchurch round to Towerhill is where dd might go wrong hence my thinking the tube would be better, though longer.

It'll be a Thursday night, Marina. 10gbp sounds okay to me, dh was being a gloom-merchant, saying it would be at least 20gbp - but what price safety? G-M might take dd but she often works late so I want to have plans for all eventualities.

Thanks for the food for thought, it's very helpful.

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SofiaAmes · 15/07/2004 02:20

suedonim, personally I wouldn't go to Victoria bus station on my own at night. I certainly wouldn't recommend a 17 yo going on her own. It's a pretty yucky place during the day, night has to be worse. I think god mother should accompany her. If that's not an option, maybe she should consider day bus or train. The journey there on the train isn't really the issue. It's the bus station itself and its surroundings.

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Marina · 14/07/2004 17:01

What night of the week Suedonim? That would certainly affect the cost of the taxi. Monday-Saturday I'd allow about £10, at a guess.
I live SE of the river so only have overground services in my area but my general feeling is that tube services in from the suburbs are usually more populated and the STATIONS have STAFF in them after 9pm, unlike overground equivalents. Hopefully someone with real local knowledge will confirm, but I'd go for the tube.
Is there any chance at all godmother could see her to Victoria? Or will dd not hear of that ?