How can Brixton Southeastern station be improved?

[Elybob]

What an absolute state this station is. People shooting up in the subway, homeless people sleeping on the stairs, rubbish piled up.

I never, ever see any security or police presence here, it's a complete joke. Has it always been like this? I'm shocked there aren't more muggings here

I've complained to Southeastern but not sure that's going to do much. What else can I do?

 

[RJ]

Herne Hill is pretty close on the bus and there's another railway to Victoria downstairs.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Surprised it's still open considering the utter state its in. It and Elephant and Castle are top 2 in London for eyesores.

 

[Geogregor]

What an absolute state this station is. People shooting up in the subway, homeless people sleeping on the stairs, rubbish piled up.

I never, ever see any security or police presence here, it's a complete joke. Has it always been like this? I'm shocked there aren't more muggings here

I've complained to Southeastern but not sure that's going to do much. What else can I do?

There suppose to be station security there, especially in the evenings but I'm not sure what are exactly their hours and how effective they are.

That station has so many issues, from "undesirables" in the general station area to poor shape of the station itself.

It probably needs some serious rethink.

 

[sh24]

Surprised it's still open considering the utter state its in. It and Elephant and Castle are top 2 in London for eyesores.

Brixton is rough, but the Elephant isn't too bad at all now. Platforms in good order, so are the stairwells and the main entrance now faces out on to the new development which has a much nicer vibe than it used to. Back in the 90's it was a different story though

 

[Backroom_boy]

It goes through phases; definitely was bad in the 90's round Brixton. Wasn't too bad last time I was there

 

[Jimini]

Brixton is rough, but the Elephant isn't too bad at all now. Platforms in good order, so are the stairwells and the main entrance now faces out on to the new development which has a much nicer vibe than it used to. Back in the 90's it was a different story though

Certainly was aye. I had a part time job in the late '90s in the bowling alley up the Elephant shopping centre. Leaving there after an evening shift felt a bit like running a gauntlet! Much better now though, although I do miss the old roundabout, weirdly enough!

 

[yorksrob]

The most disappointing aspect of Brixton station these days is the lack of EPB's.

 

[Horizon22]

What an absolute state this station is. People shooting up in the subway, homeless people sleeping on the stairs, rubbish piled up.

I never, ever see any security or police presence here, it's a complete joke. Has it always been like this? I'm shocked there aren't more muggings here

I've complained to Southeastern but not sure that's going to do much. What else can I do?

It's been like this for 20+ years, yes.

Probably whole station needs a total refurb, but that would involve probably refurbing the arches and the local business below which would likely have some serious community opposition.

 

[Trackman]

What an absolute state this station is. People shooting up in the subway, homeless people sleeping on the stairs, rubbish piled up.

I never, ever see any security or police presence here, it's a complete joke. Has it always been like this? I'm shocked there aren't more muggings here

I've complained to Southeastern but not sure that's going to do much. What else can I do?

Let us know when SE get back to you.
If things are really bad or there is a risk to life, text BTP / call 999.

As for muggings, I am sure they are plentiful but not published in the media.
My no.1 station for witnessing muggings/attacks on staff and people is London Bridge, believe it or not.
I lived in Finsbury Park for a short while about 25 years ago, well... that's a different story. Won't be going back there in a hurry.

The most disappointing aspect of Brixton station these days is the lack of EPB's.

Happy days, better than their counterparts knocking around at the time.

Probably whole station needs a total refurb, but that would involve probably refurbing the arches and the local business below which would likely have some serious community opposition.

You'd be surprised on what a major refurb can do. Last I went, it was glum - sort of changes your mood / perspective of the place.

 

[yorksrob]

Happy days, better than their counterparts knocking around at the time.

Lovely and comfortable

 

[Edsmith]

There suppose to be station security there, especially in the evenings but I'm not sure what are exactly their hours and how effective they are.

That station has so many issues, from "undesirables" in the general station area to poor shape of the station itself.

It probably needs some serious rethink.

I've never seen any sort of security when I've been there and the ticket office is usually closed.

 

[cle]

The area itself is far improved (as was the tube) - but the NR station is still the pits. The Elephant comparison is very fair.

Maybe one day a Labour government and Labour Mayor will bite a very big bullet and LO-it - which I'm sure would see massive change.

 

[ScottGallagher]

Would there be a massive impact if it was closed altogether? it sounds unmanageable really.

 

[yorksrob]

Would there be a massive impact if it was closed altogether? it sounds unmanageable really.

It's a pretty important interchange with LU, and well populated locality, so I would say probably yes.

 

[Edsmith]

Would there be a massive impact if it was closed altogether? it sounds unmanageable really.

It wouldn't be the end of the world, it never seems to get a rail replacement service during engineering work with passengers using local buses so presumably they could do that anyway? The station would be far more useful if there were high level platforms for London Overground services but that would be a massive undertaking.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Would the overground possibly be ever to run any reasonable service into Brixton, hypothetically?

 

[PGAT]

Would the overground possibly be ever to run any reasonable service into Brixton, hypothetically?

Hypothetically yes realistically no

 

[NSEWonderer]

Hypothetically yes realistically no

I see. Would have been the only hope imo of Brixton station getting a spruce up

 

[yorksrob]

I see. Would have been the only hope imo of Brixton station getting a spruce up

NSE coming back and giving it a lick of paint ?

 

[Horizon22]

Hypothetically yes realistically no

It depends.

If you mean Overground to serve the station via the Clapham Junction service on the high Atlantic lines, then no. If Southeastern metro transferred to Overground - which is more realistic - then maybe.

 

[Recessio]

Would the overground possibly be ever to run any reasonable service into Brixton, hypothetically?

Far too expensive to add platforms to the Overground passing overhead. Possibly less-unlikely would be the reopening of East Brixton.

To OP, I'd say report any serious/life-threatening situations to 999, and report other ones to 61016. If the BTP keep getting an increased number of reports, hopefully they would do something about it.

 

[norbitonflyer]

It's a pretty important interchange with LU, and well populated locality, so I would say probably yes.

Not really. Few are going to change from South Eastern to the Vioctoria Line there, when they can simply stay on the train to Victoria. (There will be a few changing for Stockwell or Pimlico). Herne Hill is within walking distance or a short (and much more frequent) bus ride away.

There was a suggestion once of extending the Victoria Line to Herne Hill in a terminal loop (possibly taking in Denmark Hill as well) to speed up terminal operations on the Victoria Line (no need to change ends, or "stepping back", and no conflicting moves across the scissors crossing). This wopuld also make Brixton main line station effectively redundant, as passengers for between Brixton and SER destinations could change at Herne Hill

But ideally the Overground should stop there.

 

[stuu]

Not really. Few are going to change from South Eastern to the Vioctoria Line there, when they can simply stay on the train to Victoria. (There will be a few changing for Stockwell or Pimlico). Herne Hill is within walking distance or a short (and much more frequent) bus ride away.

Loads of people change from SE to the tube at Brixton, certainly in the morning commute. I assume a lot of them then change to the Northern line at Stockwell. But it's also a shorter interchange, and avoids the fun of Victoria tube station even if you are heading to somewhere on the Victoria line

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

Occasional security is there (Travelsafe, PCSOs) but it has long been the way it is. In fact the arches under the station are currently being 'improved' under the NR privatised arches contract, but there are no known plans to change the station. The up platform plus exit always reminds me of Chicago.

If it ever were to be renovated etc. no doubt the standards people would want it moved wholesale to be south of the A2217 to avoid the curve and allow a ground floor, gated entry hall ... or .... er .... close it altogether (!) A real test of whether the rail industry can ever find pragmatic solutions.... so, in the meantime, it might be possible to renovate the down side entry/stairs and even gate it...but would require DfT commitment to staffing to provide a visible presence.

 

[wnr1990]

Agree with everything said on this thread. Sad how it's been neglected, shoved away under some dingy arches like those in charge dont even want you to use it.

If my local Tesco Express can employ one security guard at night then why cant a station in a major London area? Get the basics right before any talk of renovation.

 

[RJ]

If my local Tesco Express can employ one security guard at night then why cant a station in a major London area? Get the basics right before any talk of renovation.

They'd have to find somebody willing to do the job first. Who would want to stand around in a urine soaked hollow for hours in an area like that?

 

[ScotGG]

The solution to a poorly managed station isn't to close it. It's like so many south eastern stations in London in that it's barely staffed and neglected though taken to an extreme. Under TfL and many other TOCs it would never have got so bad and be allowed to remain so bad.

 

[Recessio]

The solution to a poorly managed station isn't to close it. It's like so many south eastern stations in London in that it's barely staffed and neglected though taken to an extreme. Under TfL and many other TOCs it would never have got so bad and be allowed to remain so bad.

Indeed. One of the major improvements that London Overground has brought in when taking over routes is first-service to last-service station staffing. I think more staffing would definitely help Brixton NR in the short run, even if long term more structural (literally) issues would need to be tackled.

 

[Edsmith]

Agree with everything said on this thread. Sad how it's been neglected, shoved away under some dingy arches like those in charge dont even want you to use it.

If my local Tesco Express can employ one security guard at night then why cant a station in a major London area? Get the basics right before any talk of renovation.

What would the security guard actually do? Maybe I've been fortunate but when I've used the station there was no sign of any crime or anything it was just the awful appearance of the place.