Freezing weather highlights need for station revamp (From Surrey Comet)

Cold commuter calls for improvements at Epsom station

10:47am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Hardeep Matharu

Epsom station's platforms need updating says commuter

A commuter left standing on Epsom station this morning for 40 minutes in the freezing cold has said the experience raised questions about the station's redevelopment.

Angela Mingoia, who works in Sutton, tried to catch the 8.38 train to Victoria but this was cancelled due to "severe weather conditions" although there was no snow in the Epsom area.

The next train was delayed and then made fast to Victoria.

Mrs Mingoia said: "By the time the next train arrived, I had been waiting at Epsom station for more than 40 minutes, and for me it highlighted some issues with the station revamp.

"Besides the giant face-covered eyesore at the front, have the platforms seen any improvement?

"Firstly, we don’t seem to have a proper waiting room on platforms 3 and 4 – we have a choice of standing in the corner of the very small busy coffee shop, or huddling in the toilets.

"The (very pretty) wooden seating provided on the platform, though technically under cover, is fully exposed to howling gales and is next to useless in this weather unless you are wearing a sealed snowsuit.

"Of course if you were wearing a snowsuit, you most likely wouldn’t fit in the meanly-divided seats.

"There are shelters with seating towards the end of the platform, but when Southern have halved the number of coaches in your train without warning, who would risk having to sprint two coach-lengths on an icy platform?

"The only positive I can take from this morning’s experience was the wonderful (and clearly very cold) member of staff on platform 3 who managed to remain chipper despite unfairly coming under fire from some irate commuters. Get that man a pair of gloves!"

What do you think about the platforms at Epsom station? Leave a comment below or email us at newsdesk@epsomguardian.co.uk.