Update on the Author

This blog has been quiet as I have stopped commuting from Surbiton. Ironically, the moment this happened I received a call from SW Trains to tell me a parking permit for the Cage was available. I  took up the offer as I still use the Station from time to time.

My example does highlight every thing that is wrong with the system as it stands. I have a place in the Cage and I use it 1-2 times a fortnight, usually later in the morning. I arrive at the Cage at 9.30am and the cage is less than half full, the outside racks are over flowing.  The sensible option would be for SW Trains to over issue places, those eager commuters that arrive for 7-8am trains would get first dips, those that need the security for late night parking would be protected. The facility would protect the maximum number of bicycles. This fact is self evident to all except SW Trains.

Beyond a Joke

The Cage Remains Empty

The now familiar scene at the Surbiton Cycle Cage, this picture was taken at 8.10am and shows that many cyclists are not getting the benefit of the increased security. SW Trains has botched the allocation of spaces in the cage whilst most commuters are finding the open cycle parking spaces heavily congested with all but a couple of spaces remaining at peak arrival times.

Over crowding in the remaining cycle bays

The only fair resolution of the this problem is for all those that applied for a space in the cage to be given access and allow use of the cage on a first come, first serve basis.

The Cage goes Live- Again

And again it does appear to be working.

What is clear, is that at 8.10am, the cage is half empty and I counted only 6 parking spaces for the remainder 0f Surbiton’s cycle commuters.

UPDATE

Still not switched on at home time tonight (6pm). The cage was about 2/3 full with the the other racks over flowing. I noticed that the street bike posts also looked to be busier than usual

Campaign Update

Having written to Councilor Bob Steed of Kingston Council and Ben Plowden of  TFL to highlight how badly SW Trains has spent their money, it is disappointing that that they have failed to respond to my communication. I guess, we are now a long way off from the next election.

What is encouraging is the comments from the station manager that usage will be monitored and cards ‘oversold’. I think the latter is the the most pragmatic solution to the impasse that we currently have. We can not get away from the initial allocation process being highly flawed but those with cards are going to be very upset if the current distribution is ripped up and new applications taken.

If the rail company were to allocate a swipe cards to all those that apply, the places in the cage can be utilised on first come-first served basis. This many not suit the occasional cyclist who arrives at 10am, but will suit the daily commuter or someone needing to park in the evening or overnight.  It would optimize usage and ensure that the maximum number of users will gain the security of the cage at all times.

Lets get Something Done

The recent move by South West Trains to extend and improve security for cycle parking at Surbiton Station is to be applauded. I have been parking at the station for 4 years, 12 months a year, and I have seen demand for parking raise enormously and it is great that they have responded to this need.

What is disgraceful is the way access to the secure area has been handled. I have heard two descriptions as to how places were allocated, one from SWT and one from a (successful) applicant; neither inspires confidence as to the process.

I spoke to the SWT police liaison officer on Wednesday 12th May, when I first saw the poster telling us that spaces had all gone. He called me back to say that the station manager had put up a poster and spaces where taken on a first come, first served basis. All places when within the day.

Another cyclist told me that he had asked at the service counter and had his name had been written down and was later told he had been successful.

What is clear from both of these descriptions is that the process was seriously flawed and unfair;

• Inadequate opportunity for cyclist to apply for spaces
• Insufficient publicity as to how to apply for publicity
• Lack of priority for most frequent users of the facility
• Actively, disadvantages against season ticket holders, as they are less likely to queue at the service counter.

I was aware that the secure compound was coming,  from discussions with SWT Customer Service Centre, when the construction started, I was actively looking out for a notice telling me how to apply for a place. I did ask at the counter, to be told that customers would find out in due course. If I can miss the publicity then there was something flawed.

A lottery for places would have produced a fairer outcome, at least all of us would have had an equal chance.

I am calling for SWT’s to review the allocation process and put in place something that is transparent and in which all cyclist have a equal opportunity to participate. Furthermore they should review usage of the facility so that the heaviest uses are not kept out of the facility by those that only occasionally cycle to the station

Please sign the petition here