Louie French, local MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup, recognises that many residents will be concerned over the timetable changes on local Southeastern services from December and is seeking the views of constituents to ensure they can be represented.

The timetable changes to the Sidcup and Bexleyheath Line are summarised below:

Sidcup Line (serving Bexley, Albany Park, Sidcup and New Eltham) 

Morning Peak (6.30am – 9.30am)

There will be 18 trains to London in the morning peak which is a total loss of 3 train services as outlined below:

• Loss of 3 Charing Cross services (12 trains total)
• Loss of 1 Cannon Street service (5 trains total)
• Gain of 1 Blackfriars service (1 train total)

Evening Peak (4pm – 7pm)

There will be 18 trains from London in the evening peak which is a total loss of 3 trains services (same as above)

• Loss of 3 Charing Cross services (12 trains total)
• Loss of 1 Cannon Street service (5 trains total)
• Gain of 1 Blackfriars service (1 train total)

The withdrawal of the loop line which serves Abbey Wood Station via Sidcup.

Off-Peak and Weekend services

There will be no off-peak and weekend services to Cannon Street (serving Abbey Wood) with the majority of these services being transferred to Charing Cross which results in 4 trains per hour to Charing Cross.

Bexleyheath Line (serving Welling, Falconwood and Eltham) 

Morning Peak (6.30am-9.30am)

There will be 21 trains to London in the morning peak which is a total loss of 2 train services as outlined below:

• Loss of 5 Charing Cross services (6 trains total)
• Gain of 3 Cannon Street services (9 trains total)
• Equal Victoria services (6 trains total)

Evening Peak (4pm -7pm)

There will be 19 trains from London in the evening peak which is a total gain of 1 train service as outlined below:

• Loss of 1 Charing Cross service (5 trains total)
• Gain of 2 Cannon Street service (8 trains total)
• Equal Victoria service (6 trains total)

Off-Peak and Weekend services

There will be no off-peak and weekend services to Charing Cross with these services being transferred to Cannon Street with 2 trains per hour to Cannon Street and 2 trains per hour to Victoria. 

Albany Park Station

Another change in the timetable includes the reduction in services stopping at Albany Park Station as outlined below:

Morning Peak

There will be 11 trains to London from Albany Park in the morning peak hours which is a total loss of 10 services and a near 50% reduction compared to the current 7 trains per hour. The breakdown of the loss of services is as below:

• Loss of 10 Charing Cross services (6 trains total)
• Loss of 2 Cannon Street services (4 trains total)
• Gain of 1 Blackfriars service (1 train total)

Evening Peak

There will be 12 trains from London to Albany Park in the evening peak which is a total loss of 9 services and means the average trains per hour is 4 per hour, in comparison to the current 7 trains per hour. The breakdown of the loss of services is as below:

• Loss of 9 Charing Cross services (6 trains total)
• Loss of 1 Cannon Street service (5 trains total)
• Gain of 1 Blackfriars service (1 train total)

The impact of timetable changes

Louie is concerned over the potential impact of the changes on commuters, patients, school children and weekend users. Specifically, Louie has expressed concern over the ending of off-peak services to Cannon Street on the Sidcup line, the ending of off-peak services to Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line and the impact this will cause and reduction of services serving Albany Park. For example, the loss of off-peak Cannon Street services on Sidcup Line will impact City workers and result in constituent’s being unable to access Abbey Wood for the Elizabeth Line, as well as school children and shift workers unable to use this service for their journey home. Equally, the loss of off-peak Charing Cross services on the Bexleyheath line will impact passengers travelling to London and the West End for leisure and work.

Louie has arranged a meeting with Southeastern to discuss these changes and to express the impact they will have on local passengers and is also making representations with Transport ministers on the timetable changes.

Prior to this, Louie wants to seek the views of local constituents on these timetable changes to ensure the voices of his constituents are heard and has produced the below survey for constituents to outline their views on each timetable change and the impact they will have.

Commenting, Louie said:

“I recognise that constituents will have concerns over the timetable changes and I want to ensure they are represented. Whilst I welcome the introduction of a Blackfriars service on the Sidcup line which will offer commuters an added choice of termini, I appreciate residents will have concerns and views over the ending of off peak services to Cannon Street on the Sidcup line and the ending of off peak services to Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line.”

“I would therefore be very grateful if constituents could complete the below survey to ensure I can represent their views to Southeastern directly.”

“Our local rail services are incredibly important. Given that Bexley does not benefit from direct access to the Underground, rail services are the principle means of transport into and out of London, as well as for travelling to other areas in the South East. As such, it is important that our frequency and links to a range of Central London stations is preserved, and I will continue to stand up for this.”