Toilets are back in Norwood Junction station after four years
Cherry Wilson
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WRONG PLACE: Richard Hough, in front of where the toilets used to be
NORWOOD Junction station has been transported "back to the future" after its toilets were moved on to a platform where they stood more than four years ago.
Transport for London has spent £33,000 moving the cubicles back inside the station and they were officially opened for passengers to use on Monday.
The former toilets at the front of the building have now been removed and the wall where they stood bricked up and refurbished to fit in with the station's Victorian style.
Richard Hough, owner of garage Autoclutch, on Station Road, is delighted the station has been restored to its former glory.
The mechanic, whose garage stands opposite the station, believes the previous toilets were a waste of money which brought nothing but misery to South Norwood.
"The station has gone back to the future," he said. "It has been restored to how it looked in the 1970s when it was a Victorian-fronted building.
"This is a conservation area and we had stainless steel toilets on the front of the building, which were not suitable.
"People have asked where are they supposed to go now, but the fact is people wouldn't use the previous toilets because they weren't clean.
"I've always said they were in the wrong place. They cost a lot of money to install, maintain and then remove. They were a South Norwood folly.
"Anyone who says they were a good idea obviously doesn't spend a lot of time here. They've been a catastrophe."
Southern, which used to run the station, originally had toilets on platform one but replaced them with the new ones outside the building so they could be used by the wider community.
But they attracted vandalism and drug users and were closed within weeks.
When Transport for London (TfL) took over the station last year to prepare for the opening of the East London line extension, it made a commitment to provide toilets for commuters.
So TfL decided to go back to the original method and have cubicles, which can be used only by passengers, inside the station.
South Norwood residents, meanwhile, will soon be able to benefit from the £28,000 refurbishment of toilets on Portland Road, which are due to be opened in around six weeks' time.
TfL says the new toilets at Norwood Junction are part of bigger plans to revamp the station, which will start at the end of the year.
A spokesman explained: "TfL is spending £40 million on a station improvement programme across the London Overground network, and Norwood Junction is one of the stations due for a refurbishment."
13 Comments
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by Sort yourselves out!, South Norwood
Tuesday, August 17 2010, 2:05PM
“I pass this Garage everyday on my way to the station and have done for the last 10 years! Never had a problem with being obstructed. Richard is actually a very friendy man and i'm sure would be happy to move any vehicles causing an obstruction if asked. Your comments are extremely off track regarding an article about station facilities! Get some perspective guys!!! Or a life maybe?”
by Test Man, London
Friday, June 25 2010, 1:20PM
“Er, no. How does posting on an article automatically mean I'm really Richard Hough? It's amazing how paranoid some people get here. You can keep up with your paranoia, the rest of the intelligent people will continue to comment in an intelligent way.”
by Anon, palace1a
Thursday, June 24 2010, 1:56PM
“Test Man has been exposed as Richard Hough.
We all now it is you with these fake profiles.
Boo-hiss!”
by Richard Hough, AUTOCLUTCH
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 9:55PM
“I dont need to go under any other name but my own.
Unlike others who are posting!!”
by Test Man, London
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 3:34PM
“No Dave, I simply don't like to see rubbish or baseless attacks on people being posted that has nothing to do with the article. Whether the bloke is a nuisance or not (and he might well be) is completely immaterial and has nothing to do with the article. We need intelligent discussions on the topic at hand, not stupid nonsense. You do well to keep your comments on topic.”
by Dave, south norwood
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 1:47PM
“Test Man, You are very quick to defend this garage. Is it because you are infact Richard Hough”
by Test Man, London
Monday, June 21 2010, 2:55PM
“Dave, South Norwood, you really don't have a clue, do you? I've lived in South Norwood all my life, been to two schools in the area and have seen it transform so I full well know about that garage being there and have passed it numerous times on the way to and from work via the station. I know more about the area than you and you clearly know nothing about it yourself. Maybe you should engage your brain before you pass comment on someone who has been living in the area far longer than you have.
The garage has been there for years and is certainitely not stopping anyone from going down the alleyway. I should know, I go past it every day. Besides, it's not exactly the only way to get to the bus stop, as you should know seeing as you're apparently from the area. But then again it's easier for the likes of you to completely ignore the article and rant about someone who makes a completely valid comment. Maybe you should look yourself before YOU make a silly comment!”
by John Stuart Mill, The Centre
Monday, June 21 2010, 1:17PM
“Dave, South Norwood is presumably Dave of Croydon Conservatives.
Senstive to criticisms of Council decisions are we? Methinks the Tory doth complain too much.”
by Dave, south norwood
Monday, June 21 2010, 10:47AM
“Dave, it's a car repair shop. you sound like you don't know how car repair shops work.
John Yerell, to Portland Road, obviously. Did you not read the article? Where have you been going when there have been no toilets since (and before) it closed? Stop complaining.
I live very close to this poxy garage, of course I know how a garage operates, having worked for 10 years at the garage in Edith road (No longer there, alas) This garage is disgraceful, go round there before you pass judgement on others, The mechanic regularly park cars all over the 'little triangle' of tarmac that is there, stopping people using the footpath and getting round to the bus stop by the tower blocks, It is a public right of way! you obviously live nowhere near the area and know nothing about it. I suggest you look before you comment next time.”
by lmao, croydon
Sunday, June 20 2010, 7:20PM
“Do what you blokes normally do, pee up trees, walls etc:”