BEXLEY Council has criticised the design of the platforms at the planned Abbey Wood Crossrail station.

The council’s planning committee is unhappy over the lack of canopies to protect travellers from the elements when the station opens in December 2018.

Crossrail claims there will almost always be a train waiting at the platform under normal circumstances.

But Bexley Council argues when fewer trains are running and passengers need to wait on the platform, the lack of a canopy will cause inconvenience and possible safety hazards.

Council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill has written to the chairman of Network Rail, Rick Haythornthwaite, branding the lack of canopies "completely wrong".

She said "It will undermine the otherwise high quality experience of using the new station.

"This is especially regrettable given both the high profile nature of the project and the collaborative working that has resulted in an otherwise excellent station design."

The council has no control over the design of the station and the planning committee approved the blueprints at a meeting on October 10 despite its reservations.