Rail News

[nasaroc]

Below is some latest information on local rail issues:

EAST LONDON LINE
The East London line is currently on schedule and will open no later than June 2010. It will connect Dalston Junction in the north and West Croydon and Crystal Palace in the south. Eight trains per hour will run in each direction starting at around 6.am in the morning and ending at around 00.45 the next morning. (Please note - all trains on the ELL are four carriages only).

STATION IMPROVEMENTS
TFL (Transport for London) will take over running all the stations along the line when the ELL opens. This will mean approximately £500,000 to spend on improvements to each station. Forest Hill station will receive extra improvement grants including a £300,000 grant from Access for All to build a lift to platform 2 and to help improve entrances to and from the station.

Before 2010, TFL has agreed to look into the erection of a temporary shelter on platform 1 (the up platform to LB) at Sydenham station to shelter passengers. After 2010, the main improvements at Sydenham will be to widen the up platform and erect permanent shelters on that platform. TFL has asked local groups to consider what further improvements are needed.

STAFFING
After 2010, Sydenham will be fully staffed at any time trains are running ie there will be staff at the station from early in the morning until the line closes.

OYSTER CARDS
Oyster card readers and barriers will be erected at Sydenham station in March 2008. The gates at both sides of the station will be widened to cut queuing. The barrier system will greatly increase security at stations and on the line.

RAIL UTILISATION STUDY
Network Rail is currently running a RUS – a public consultation which sets out the rail routes and timetables for all trains in south-east England for the next few years. Here are their main recommendations for our line post-2010:

1. Stopping all through trains from Charing Cross to Sydenham.
2. Cutting trains to and from London Bridge by 25 per cent i.e cutting rush hour trains from the current 8 trains per hour to 6 trains per hour and off-peak trains from 6 per hour to 4 per hour.
3. The “loop” line from LB to Victoria could be axed – we have been told the decision about its future has yet to be taken.

The RUS has also recommended that during the peak, all trains to and from London Bridge will be eight carriages in length and platforms along this line could be lengthened after 2015 to take 10 or 12 carriage trains.

We welcome moves to lengthen trains during peak periods but we will not accept the cuts in train numbers proposed by the RUS, nor an axing of the loop line to Victoria.

You have until the end of October (when the consultation period ends) to make your views known.

If you are concerned about these cuts please write to or e mail your MP:

Jim Dowd MP
43 Sunderland Road
Forest Hill
London
SE23 2PS

jimdowd.newlabour at care4free.net

[ALIB]

Thanks nasaroc. I suggest that this information is passed on to as many friends and fellow commuters as possible, as not everyone has access to the internet.
Personally, i am against axing of the loopline to Victoria and the reducing of peak hour trains to and from London Bridge. This can only be detrimental to the residents of sydenham and FH.
You have until the end of October everyone. Get writing

alib