pic: Donna Smillie

East London Line commuters will benefit from extra train services and seats over the Christmas period, Southern Railway and TFL have confirmed.

Southern Railway’s new winter timetable, which is now in full effect, offers an increased number of services as well as 5000 extra seats on the Sydenham, East Grinstead, and Redhill routes. Alex Foulds, Southern’s Development Director, said this is, “fantastic news for our passengers”.

East Londoners travelling between Croydon, London Bridge and London Victoria will benefit from the changes as a result of platform extensions and power supply upgrades.

Extra services on Southern Railway trains will run until May 18.

TFL said passengers travelling on the London Overground will see trains run more frequently at peak times, evenings and weekends.

During the busy Christmas period, up to four additional services will run between Surrey Quays, Dalston Junction and Highbury & Islington.

Howard Smith, Chief Operating Officer at London Rail, said: “This is great news for London Overground passengers who will really benefit from the increase in services created by these extra trains. We have been working closely with our operator, LOROL, and Network Rail to find a way to ease crowding and I am delighted that we have been able to implement these additional services so soon. This positive news is a great way to see out 2011.”

TFL have confirmed on the Saturday of Christmas Eve, a service will operate on the Overground, with the last train departing at 9.30pm.

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, no trains will run on the London Overground.

On New Years Eve passengers will be able to travel on Overground services for free, from 23:45 until the last train.

For more information on winter London Overground services visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/festivetravel