GoVia to arrive at Abbey Wood Station - but local people want better security

9.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 17th Jan 2006

Abbey Wood campaigner Bonnie Soanes calls for improved security at Abbey Wood station

In residents' surveys carried out by local Liberal Democrats time and again the lack of security at Abbey Wood station has been mentioned by people living nearby or using it at night.

The government recently announced that GoVia has been awarded the contract to run train services in South East London from 1 April 2006. This includes having responsibility for Abbey Wood Station.

Poor lighting and the lack of staff leave the station a place where groups of youths can wander in and out at all hours and make a nuisance of themselves.

"The GoVia announcement promises £76 million in passenger and staff facilities that is separate from money spent on trains and infrastructure. I have contacted GoVia to make sure they are aware of the concerns of local people in Abbey Wood and to ask what improvements we may expect to see when they take over the running of the station," says Abbey Wood Liberal Democrat campaigner Bonnie Soanes.