James Farrar gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

Having displays is not the same as displaying anything. There really
seems to be a change, and barriers that used to display information no
longer do.

I never use PAYG on Z1 gates (I think all the oldest gates are in Z1),
but occasionally travel with someone who does, and they have always had
an updated figure. Perhaps you should write to TfL and let them know
that there is a problem with the gates at this station.

The barrier definitely displayed a balance this morning as I entered the
station here out in the boonies of zone 7...