A NEW pod-style shelter currently being piloted at Walthamstow Queen's Road station was open only two weeks before it was damaged.

Passengers found the door of the glazed, heated shelter was sticking, and some even got shut inside, one saying that he nearly missed her train because of it.

A Londonlines spokesman said that the door had been kicked quite severely.

But the company, which runs Silverlink's train services, is not sure if the door broke because it was vandalised or if it was kicked because somebody was trapped inside. It has now been repaired.

"It is disappointing. It is an expensive piece of equipment and put there for the benefit of customers. I'm not sure what more we can really do, but we'll obviously have to keep an eye on that," the spokesman said.

The pod, which rail users are calling the tardis, is being trialled at Queens Road to see how it stands up to life at an unstaffed station.

Some passengers have suggested something more vandal-proof would be more appropriate.

The pod locks automatically at night so that it cannot be abused by rough sleepers, late night vandals and drunks wanting to use it as a toilet, and opens again in the morning.

Anybody still inside when the doors lock can still get out, however.

If it is a success, similar pods could be installed at stations across London.

Graham Larkbey secretary of the Barking to Gospel Oak Line User Group said he thought the damage was "disappointing but inevitable" and said that the similarly unstaffed Docklands Light Railway was rarely damaged, perhaps because of better surveillance systems.

Mr Larkbey, 54, of Carr Road, Walthamstow, added: "We're actually very pleased with the new pod shelter. It is nice to have a proper waiting room after years of having only very basic shelters at this and other stations on the line."

For more information about the group, go to www.barking-gospeloak.org.uk