The final version of the Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) – recommendations for future rail routes, timetables, improvements etc – has just been published by Network Rail. Here are the main recommendations which affect local services. They represent great news for local travellers - and a testament to the campaign run jointly by the Forest Hill and Sydenham Society with the support of local MP Jim Dowd and Len Duvall our GLA member. These plans still have to be approved by the Office of the Rail Regulator and negotiated with the rail operating companies but when put into effect will make rail transport from this area as good as any in south-east England.
EAST LONDON RAILWAY
10 trains per hour in each direction (previously 8 were planned) – five to and from West Croydon and five to and from Crystal Palace.
LONDON BRIDGE/CHARING CROSS SERVICES
1. A commitment to continue to run the same number of trains (18 in total) to London Bridge during morning rush hours (7am to 10am) as at present.
The effect of these recommendations will mean 16 trains per hour in each direction, 10 ELR services and 6 LB services.
2. All trains will be 8 carriages long.
3. Platforms to be widened along the line to accommodate 10 and 12 carriage trains before 2015, possibly as early as 2012.
4. A commitment to “consider” continuation of existing services to and from Charing Cross subject to negotiations with the train operating company over the new franchise starting in 2009.
LONDON BRIDGE TO VICTORIA “LOOP” LINE
Existing direct services on this line will continue and will commence earlier to take in the morning rush hour. (In addition, 5 additional trains per hour on the East London line will go to Crystal Palace where passengers can change platform to catch trains on the line from Norwood Junction to Victoria via Clapham Junction.)
THAMESLINK
A £3.5 billion improvement to Thameslink by 2015 will see a three-fold increase in trains going through the central section of this line between St Pancras International and Blackfriars (from the current 8 trains per hour to 24 trains per hour). There is a very real prospect that four trains per hour could be stopping services along the Sydenham to London Bridge line which terminate not at London Bridge or Charing Cross but continue along the line to St Pancras International and north to Luton Airport - in other words, Sydenham will become part of the Thameslink network.
