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WTM travel trouble – Comments from a Londoner
I live in London E1, only a couple of miles from Excel. Knowing that Tower Gateway (DLR) is closed for platform extensions (how many WTM guests would?) I backtracked to Monument/Bank, against TfL advice (escalator repairs), to change from the Circle to DLR. Beckton (for Excel) trains were rare, being impatient and desperate for fresh air, I decided to go to West Ferry and change. “Improvements” meant that the roof had been removed. In the pouring rain I joined other WTM participants sheltering wherever they could. Finally, a Beckton train arrived, I boarded only to travel a few stops before we stopped at Royal Victoria. The two DLR attendants were crouched over their radios at the front. After a while one made a garbled announcement, a “faulty train in front”, “don’t know how long…”, “Maybe three hours…!!!” “You can walk!”. Many left the train in the pouring rain, not knowing where they were. Experience told me to ignore his humourous(?) remark… Indeed, seconds later the train doors closed, it departed and arrived at Excel/Custom House.
At WTM, hearing that the DLR was in meltdown mode, I took the bus to Canary Wharf to catch the Thames Clipper back to Tower Pier. A magnificent achievement in timing, the bus arrived,the WTM guests were at the pier just as the westbound “Clipper” left. A truly coordinated transport system. To buy a ticket or speak to a staff member meant standing in an inch of water in front of the ticket office, too much to expect any of the numerous staff there to sweep it away. A half an hour wait, and then, finally, goodbye WTM for another year. Perhaps. Sorry, people….
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