Newstransport for londonsouth west trainsLondon Waterloo station

London Waterloo Train 'Chaos' Doesn't Turn Out Quite As Expected

Erm...?
Jessica Pitocchi
By 

Deputy Audience Editor, HuffPost UK

LOADINGERROR LOADING

As the first day of major upgrade works begins at London Waterloo - aka, the busiest train station in the capital - commuters were well and truly braced for the chaos.

Preparations were made.

There's an army of rail staff at #Clapham getting ready to turn the place into a huge queuing system. Good luck folks. #Waterloo

— The Trainster (@TheTrainster) August 7, 2017

#waterloo tonight before the big #waterlooupgrade closedown. pic.twitter.com/73BiuoYeLQ

— Charlie Molloy (@tw11stroller) August 4, 2017

Prayers were sent.

Tomorrow I need to get back to Egham on the train during the Waterloo works. I'm an atheist, but please, pray for me. pic.twitter.com/Koy8dDwFS4

— Maria Gallagher (@MooEvilBoffin) August 6, 2017

Good luck & God speed to all those commuting with @SW_Trains to Waterloo this morning. I'm with you. pic.twitter.com/EdafCig27X

— Matthew Lock (@matthewlock8) August 7, 2017

But as people set off on their journeys, they realised something strange: everything wasn’t as terrible as expected.

Platforms were quiet.

Surbiton station is usually packed at this time. Looks like everyone else got the work from home memo and I'll get a seat 💁#Waterloo pic.twitter.com/6sNlajqWkW

— Bethany Armorel (@BethanyArmorel) August 7, 2017

08:00 at #Esher station. Projected delays because of #Waterloo upgrades have not materialised. #emptyplatforms pic.twitter.com/LtIK5fnwx0

— BBC Surrey (@BBCSurrey) August 7, 2017

Trains were empty.

Train to #waterloo was rammed #WaterlooUpgrade pic.twitter.com/gAiqe7C37C

— Emma Tregoning (@EmmaTregoning) August 7, 2017

No one standing and even spare seats on this @SW_Trains from #Wimbledon to #Waterloo - happy passengers, quiet carriage #WaterlooUpgrade pic.twitter.com/qUctcpBRTt

— Barry Caffrey (@BarryCaffrey) August 7, 2017

Monday rush hour 8am with #waterloo upgrade on @SW_Trains pic.twitter.com/AhErakFrNo

— Nick Metcalfe (@nickmetcalfeuk) August 7, 2017

If this is what the Waterloo upgrade works mean then selfishly it suits me 😀 pic.twitter.com/BWRwkgjGe8

— Steve Springford (@stevespringford) August 7, 2017

And the concourse wasn’t as busy as usual.

#Waterloo horrific scenes of travel chaos.... pic.twitter.com/QDhPv6VJiq

— FrankBwrites (@frankbwrites) August 7, 2017

#Waterloo definitely much quieter than normal with people possibly delaying their journeys, working from home or having gone on holiday @LBC pic.twitter.com/R8cXJz1bZk

— Vincent McAviney (@Vinny_LBC) August 7, 2017

Of course, the same smooth experience couldn’t be said for all commuters.

Chaos already pic.twitter.com/rQ9dcvL6g9

— Sage Wonderland (@SageWonderland) August 7, 2017

Different story on Epsom to Waterloo 😩 pic.twitter.com/q0syl1dgZS

— Commuting Girl (@ismySWTdelayed) August 7, 2017

And those who’ve managed to avoid it this morning are now fearful that karma will catch up with them by tonight.

The start of the month from hell for london Waterloo travel Went in mega early and seemed ok, it is the getting home tonight I am dreading

— Mark Skelton (@m_skelts) August 7, 2017

The major upgrade works to extend platforms at Waterloo will take place from 5 - 28 August.

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