Closed entrances and one-way systems annoyed commuters travelling through key London stations yesterday as Network Rail went through its crowd management practices ahead of the Olympic Games.
A queuing system was imposed at London Bridge at the same time the station’s Hay’s Galleria entrance was closed.
The disruption was compounded when King’s Cross station was evacuated during rush hour after a train broke down on the Northern Line.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “We appreciate that today’s (July 10) rehearsal is frustrating for some commuters and that it takes some people longer to get through the station than normal.
“We would like to reassure people that today’s test is crucial to make sure that large numbers of people can use the station safely during Games time.”
More than 130,000 people travel through London Bridge every morning.
Network Rail has predicted that July 30 will be the station’s busiest day, with an additional 69,000 passengers expected to travel to watch the equestrian event at Greenwich Park.
GLA Conservatives transport spokesman, Richard Tracey, branded London Bridge’s Olympic test event an “utter shambles”.
Mr Tracey said: “These test events are supposed to inform the public how things will run during the Olympics. To work well they require joined up thinking and co-operation of all stakeholders. And yet to have one of the station’s principle exits, the Hay’s Galleria over bridge, closed for escalator maintenance on a test event day seems a bad omen for the co-ordination London’s going to need if it is to run smoothly under the pressure of Olympic traffic.”
Whilst appreciating safety and security will be paramount, I really feel for those people who will have to continue commuting to their normal places of work during Olympic fortnight. No matter what Network Rail and local authorities are now saying, it is likely that there will be problems during peak travelling periods and thousands of commuters will be incovenienced. I’m glad to be living in the North West and will have no need to visit London during that period.