New era for rail travel in London and the South East

A new agreement between the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) will offer a new approach to rail passenger services across London and the South East of England.

Proposals, on which views are being sought, set forward by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Mayor of London Boris Johnson will mark a ‘new era for rail’ which will involve more frequent and more reliable trains. With the London’s population set to increase from 8.6 million to 10 million by 2030, DfT has said that it is essential that the rail network continues to support housing and jobs.

Other improvements to be analysed include: better interchanges; increased capacity; new rail lines to connect poorly serviced areas; improvements to accessibility; and joined up travel information.

The proposals also include the creation of a London Suburban Metro service, with the potential for more than 80 per cent of stations to have a train every 15 minutes, up from the current level of 67 per cent, as well as the potential for more regular services via Clapham Junction, south east London and Kent.

The new partnership will allow local authorities, local enterprise partnerships and other local and regional bodies, both inside and outside London, to have a direct say in the way services are planned and specified.

The changes could see suburban services operating into and out of London Bridge, Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Moorgate, Victoria and Waterloo stations brought within the London Overground network.

According to the Evening Standard, the first route to come under the next London mayor’s control will be Southeastern in 2018, followed by Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services in 2021.

McLoughlin said: “We are committed to making journeys better across London and the south east, and this new partnership represents a huge opportunity to transform travel by putting passengers where they should be – at the heart of the rail network.

“We are working closely with TfL to agree the best way of delivering integrated, seamless journeys for passengers both inside and outside of London, and as we continue these discussions, we want to hear people’s views.”

Johnson said: “Our railways are key in the day-to-day lives of millions of people and vital to our future prosperity, and that’s exactly why this new partnership is such a seminal moment. By working closely together and taking on these new services, we’re going to emulate the success of the London Overground and give the entire capital and surrounding areas the services they truly deserve.”