Sussex commuters locked out of Brighton station after serious overcrowding

British Transport Police closed Brighton railway station yesterday evening (July 19) after serious overcrowding.
Brighton Station. Paul Knott on Twitter SUS-160720-111358001Brighton Station. Paul Knott on Twitter SUS-160720-111358001
Brighton Station. Paul Knott on Twitter SUS-160720-111358001

Passengers were not being let into the station and station staff handed out water to those inside, after trains were cancelled and the temperatures soared on the hottest day of the year.

A sinkhole at Forest Hill resulted in cancellations of trains between Brighton and London Bridge, which had a knock-on effect on trains across the county.

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This coupled with the ongoing Southern Rail problems and an influx of tourists on the scorching hot day saw the station being closed by Sussex Police at 7.30pm after ticket barriers were shut down due to crowding on the platforms.

Brighton Station. Librarypigg on Twitter SUS-160720-111520001Brighton Station. Librarypigg on Twitter SUS-160720-111520001
Brighton Station. Librarypigg on Twitter SUS-160720-111520001

Sussex commuter Ant Ierston said, “People had to fight to get on the train. It was packed. Some people were having to get off the train to get some air.

“As soon as we got into Brighton it took three or four minutes to get off the train onto the platform and to the ticket barriers. So many people were trying to get on.

“You couldn’t walk on the platform properly. People were pushed to the edge and it looked like they were going to fall onto the tracks.

“I think everyone is at breaking point.”

Brighton Station. Andykt66 on Twitter SUS-160720-111430001Brighton Station. Andykt66 on Twitter SUS-160720-111430001
Brighton Station. Andykt66 on Twitter SUS-160720-111430001
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Southern Rail said at 8.15pm that the first northbound service had left the station after the closure.

Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove, tweeted: “To everyone suffering a terrible evening on trains & carnage at Brighton Station, I’m sorry – I will make your anger heard and felt by govt.”

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “So sorry & angry about chaos at #Brighton station & on trains – have raised serious safety concerns & seeking urgent meeting with Minister.”

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