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A London station was exposed today as one of the worst in the country.
Clapham Junction is second from the bottom in a list of stations criticised for failing to meet basic standards.
An official report highlighted its poor facilities, appearance, delivery of information and ease of access.
Passengers complain about having to haul luggage down a damp passageway or over a dilapidated footbridge to move between platforms.
Manchester Victoria station was voted the worst in the country in the report compiled by a group of "mystery shopper" official inspectors. Funding has been promised by the Government to improve the stations.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the number of cycle parks would be doubled at stations including Clapham Junction. He added that over the next five years, an additional 10,000 car-parking spaces would be provided at each station. Basic minimum standards would also be set for all stations.
According to the report, only 39 per cent of customers at Clapham Junction are happy with the service. Most say it desperately needs refurbishment.
It has been criticised for dirty access to platforms, being inaccessible for the disabled or elderly and for exposed electric cables and water pipes.
Barking was fifth from the bottom and Luton was voted eighth worst station.
Network Rail has pledged to canvass public opinion on how best to invest a promised £3.25billion earmarked for stations. The report is calling for £50million of that to be released urgently and an emergency rebuilding programme. Lord Adonis said the money would be released.
Reader views (12)
Clapham Junction is a sess pit. You would need all the £50million to clean it up and get it ready for the 21st century
- Mr S.Port, London, 18/11/2009 00:56
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It was pretty bad in the 60s, porters wouldn't help with anything, announcements in broken English etc.
Still it's a fun sight, all those railway lines and trains.
- Stan Ex-London, USA, 17/11/2009 16:08
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I used Clapham 5 days a week for 3 years,yes it was busy but it does work. Tunnel is wet when it rains and I always kept out of the toilet (I peeked in once and the desire to go vanished) but it works fine as a station.
My only complaint is that the live train progress on the internet is more accurate than the live train feeds shown at the station, but this is true of all the stations I ever used.
- Stewart, Twickenham, 17/11/2009 16:02
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Clapham Junction isn't beautiful, but it's OK as a place to get on and off trains PROVIDED that they do turn up on time! I think that this once again shows they have their priorities wrong. Please, put off beautifying stations until the serious problems with tracks, signals, trains and staffing practices are sorted out.
- Nigel, London, 17/11/2009 14:28
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Anthony, South London is closer to the 3rd world than Manchester City Centre.
Both Manc Victoria and Clapham are filthy stations that need a clean and a face lift, the same can be said about nearly every station in the country. I'm sure a few cosmetic changes to a couple of major stations will be passed off as "continuted investment in public services"
- Sean, Camden, 17/11/2009 14:19
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When changing trains at Clapham, the biggest problem I have is trying to figure out which platform I should be waiting at next - the TV info screens are above each platform stairwell which means you have to run past all 10 or so stairwells to find the right platform or go to the entrance. Its not very user friendly. There must be a better way. Perhaps a digital information board halfway along the overhead walkway...
- B Lane, London, 17/11/2009 13:48
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The junction is the most hellish awful station I have ever had the mispleasure of using; every day I have to pass down a dank, urine smelling foot passage to my platform that is overcrowded and full of obstacles to fall over. Having bumped into Martin Linton MP at the station the other day (he was stuck in a ticket queue longer than the channel tunnel that snaked out of the station) I understand that the first lifts from the footbridge to the platforms will be open "in December" but he didn't have information on when the Brigton Yard entrance would open to allow disabled access from St Johns Hill. Come on Martin, sort it out...
- Will, Clapham Junction, SW11, 17/11/2009 13:09
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Leave my Clapham Junction alone! I've never had problems there, with access, information or even buying a paper.
Understandable that the worst station is in Manchester. It's third world, as is the whole of nearby Lancashire.
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey, 17/11/2009 12:57
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Clapham Junction is just an old train station. Other than give it a lick of paint, how are they going to improve it without major work which of course would result in more delays and cancellations.
- Slean-Dog, SW2, 17/11/2009 12:06
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The problem with Clapham is that there are only 2 tiny entrances serving one of the busiest stations in the world meaning that no real maintenance can occur on the tunnel itself hence the free shower every time it rains. Couple that with staff who are either clueless or little Hitlers and a toilet that seems to be an experiment in bacteriological warfare and you have a recipe for disaster.
- Bob, Cheam, 17/11/2009 11:53
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Mike, I'm not a Labour apologist, but just because the local seat is Labour has no real influence on the station maintenance, as the bulk of funding for this doesn't come from the local authority! If anything it shows that Labour are not treating 'their' seats more favourably than others.
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall, 17/11/2009 11:53
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It is an odd selection, but of the 10 worst stations, 9 are in Labour held seats. I also wonder when Barking Station was added to the list, was it within the last 7 days?
- Mike, bristol, 17/11/2009 11:01
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