Transport for London views four trains per hour as a minimum acceptable standard. During weekends and late evenings, trains terminate at Blackfriars rather than going through to stations further north. The last train back leaves Central London as early as 23:42 – a Cinderella service, but even she got to stay at the ball until Midnight.
Does it have to stay like this?
Serious money is being pumped into the Thameslink Programme, which will transform rail services across London, and will eventually include this line. This could enable world-class transport links, with connections for London Overground (Peckham Rye and Denmark Hill), tube (Elephant & Castle, Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras International and Kentish Town), Eurostar (St Pancras International) and Crossrail services to Heathrow (Farringdon).
However, this will only work for Crofton Park if we have at least four trains per hour.
For the next four years, services on this line will be delivered under a direct contract awarded by the Department for Transport (DfT). From 2018, this service will become part of the larger new Thameslink franchise.
The window of opportunity
It's crunch time. We’ve a brief chance to try to turn this situation around. The DfT is about to award a four-year contract for this line and we have to get the minimum specifications changed. The franchise will run from 2014 to 2018 when the major Thameslink franchise will come into play.
Local people have been making their voices heard repeatedly. However, we are up against a culture of disinvestment and a powerful Kent commuter lobby who would rather have their trains whiz non-stop through Crofton Park, leaving us with just two trains per hour. We have to fight for more trains and for trains to continue beyond Blackfriars.
How is Labour working for you?
Your local Labour team has supported your Crofton Park Transport Users’ Group from the start. We are fighting for a decent service from a station with proper disabled access.
What can you do?
Your voice counts. Rail companies and the DfT do listen to passengers’ views. Join your transport user group and write directly to SouthEastern. The consultation closes on Friday 4 October.
Remember to tell them your minimum requirements:
- At least four trains per hour stopping at Crofton Park
- Trains to continue north of Blackfriars
- A last train home at or after Midnight
Tell Southeastern why this matters to you and to our area, and that you expect a fair deal for your money.
Address your comments to Mike Gibson, Public Affairs Manager, Southeastern – [email protected]
Crofton Park’s big advantage
We will be placing a big emphasis on disabled access and how easily this station could act as a hub for South East London.
Tell us more
Fill in our contact page and tell us what other improvements you’d like us to campaign for at Crofton Park Station or, more generally what other local issues concern you in Crofton Park Ward.