Local MPs have criticised the Government for allowing  Southeastern Railways to change their timetable, which see will large cuts to services across south-east London stations, without any consultation with passengers 

In a debate at Westminster Hall on Tuesday, Vicky Foxcroft MP for Lewisham Deptford criticised Department of Transport’s decision and refused to accept Southeasterns Railways’ reasons for not consulting passengers.    

She was joined by Janet Daby MP for Lewisham East, Matthew Pennycook MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, Clive Efford MP for Eltham, and MPs for other south-eastern boroughs.

The new timetable, effective from 11 December, includes the removal of off-peak direct trains from Blackheath to Charing Cross and the rerouting of the Hayes line which will go straight through Lewisham will result in St. Johns Station losing a total of 19 services per day in total. 

Foxcroft said: “While the overall number of services may not be significantly reduced, that… in no way reflects the impact that changes will have on individual stations and communities.” 

According to Southeastern Railway, the changes are designed so that trains “avoid crossing at busy junctions such as Lewisham which causes delays,” instead forcing passengers to change at various other stations.  

Foxcroft said that “the walk to neighbouring stations [from St. Johns] is long and uphill for many, causing difficulties for disabled people and those with young children.” 

Last week Eastlondonlines reported that Brockley Councillor Ayesha Lahai-Taylor had created an online petition against the timetable changes, which now has 486 signatures. 

Daby was concerned about the impact this timetable would have on “young girls, women and vulnerable people” who were now facing making changes at London Bridge late at night. 13 violent and sexual offences were reported in and around London Bridge station, in October 2022. 

Foxcroft said: “Lewisham already suffers with overcrowding at peak times and is woefully inaccessible. The situation will only get worse as large residential developments are completed. When the remaining peak time trains reach St. Johns (the next step on the line) they may be too full for passengers to access.” 

Several stations in Lewisham have already seen a huge reduction in services. In 2018, with the completion of the Thameslink, trains from New Cross to Charing Cross were stopped by Southeastern.

A spokesperson for Southeastern Railways told Lewisham Council members last month: “From 11 December, all services on the Woolwich, Bexleyheath, Sidcup and Hayes Lines will stop at London Bridge, providing interchange into Charing Cross.” During peak times over “59 services will be travelling from London Bridge to Charing Cross”, providing a connection roughly every three minutes.

The timetable will come into force this Sunday December 11, ahead of strike action on 13, 14, 16 and 17 next week.