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COMMUNITY groups are warning of travel chaos due to plans to introduce ticket gates along the East London line.
The Sydenham and Forest Hill societies are urging Southern Railway and Transport for London (TfL) to postpone the move, due to be implemented in June, saying it has not been "thought out properly".
They say shutting off the gates and restricting access to some platforms as part of the scheme will cause havoc for passengers at Sydenham and Forest Hill stations - especially mums with buggies and disabled people.
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The changes are being introduced ahead of plans to bring in an Oyster pay-as-you-go card system, as used on the London Underground, along the line next year.
Lewisham deputy mayor Councillor Heidi Alexander asked Southern and TfL to put their plans on hold while they look at other options, but said they "didn't seem that keen".
Sydenham Society transport committee member Barry Milton said: "It will be a big disruption to people.
"More and more people are using this line. We need better access to stations, not worse."
Campaigners handed out more than 1,000 leaflets at Sydenham station on April 30.
While the campaigners are not against ticket gates, they want them postponed until a "reasonable system" has been thought up.
Mr Milton added: "All of a sudden they are putting it in without thinking it out properly."
Forest Hill Society chairman Michael Abrahams said: "Southern Railways are proposing to make passengers who live on one side of the station use four sets of stairs to exit the station at most times of day."
A Southern spokesman said there will be staffed, wide access gates for people with wheelchairs, buggies and luggage.
These would be open when not staffed.
He added: "We are keen to find a balance which meets the aim of having entirely gated stations but also minimises the inconvenience to passengers who use the small gates."
Cllr Alexander said: "While the final decision will be for Southern, it seems to be there could be better long-term solutions which need to be thought through at both stations."
A TfLspokesman said it is looking at options as to how the stations can be gated while
retaining the side entrances.
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