To: Claire Perry MP. From: Thameslink Programme

SCS signoff: Jonathan Daley Major Projects and Growth

Clearances obtained: (“X” to confirm) Tel: Date: 25 May 2016 Finance Copies: Analytical Assurance PS/Other Ministers Legal PS/Philip Rutnam Special Advisers

Press

(Finance);

(Press); (Legal); Bernadette Kelly (DG Rail)

Others as per list at end

Handling Instructions:

This correspondence is classified as OFFICIAL SENSITIVE as it contains information regarding contentious / sensitive train service issues. Please do not print or distribute beyond the copied recipients.

Thameslink Programme: London Bridge August 2016 changes and the Impact to Passengers

Summary

In August 2016, Network Rail will be undertaking the next major phase of works at London Bridge Station. You have requested information about the impact to customers during and after the works.

Timing

Routine. This is provided for information only

Recommendation

You are asked to Note the impact to customers of the changes at London Bridge from August 2016.

Background

1) In August 2016, Network Rail will complete the current phase of work at London Bridge by opening platforms 7, 8 & 9 for Charing Cross services (Platform 6, also for Charing Cross, will be opened in August 2017) and part-opening the new ground-level concourse to serve the terminating platforms and the Charing Cross platforms.

2) Also in August, NR will begin the next major phase of works leading to the completion of the station in early 2018. This will include:

i) Closure of the Cannon Street platforms (1 to 3) for redevelopment; ii) Completion of the new Thameslink platforms (4 and 5); and iii) Completion of the concourse and new entrance on Tooley Street.

Impact to Passengers

3) Southeastern customers will experience short-term changes to services around the August bank holiday weekend and longer term changes until early 2018. The changes are summarised in the table below:

Date Event Impact to Customers London Bridge station No services to London Bridge, Waterloo Sat 27 Aug closed to through services East, Charing Cross or Cannon Street Most services to Charing Cross and 3 of 4 Charing Cross Waterloo East resume and are able to Mon 29 Aug platforms open at London call at London Bridge. Services in Bridge contra-peak direction not all able to call Cannon Street lines through Services to Cannon Street resume but Fri 2 Sept London Bridge re-open are not able to call at London Bridge 4th platform for Charing All services to/from Charing Cross are Aug 2017 Cross services opens at able to call at London Bridge London Bridge Cannon Street services resume calling at London Bridge. Thameslink and Cannon Jan 2018 Thameslink services will be phased in Street platforms open gradually until the timetable changes in May 2018

4) Between August 2016 and August 2017, some contra-peak Charing Cross services will not be able to call at London Bridge. In the morning peak, there will be a 66 minute period when trains heading out of London will not be able to call at London Bridge. Similarly, in the evening peak there will be a 90 minute period when trains coming into London, towards Charing Cross, will not be able to call at London Bridge.

5) In the morning peak this will affect around 5,000 customers each day of which around 1,500 are travelling from Waterloo East to London Bridge and would have an alternative Tube option. The remainder will travel towards Kent and would be advised to go to Cannon Street for Greenwich line or Waterloo East for other Kent routes. This compares to around 26,000 customers travelling towards Charing Cross and 19,000 travelling towards Cannon Street in the same period and who would be disrupted if contra-peak services are allowed to stop.

6) It is important to note that the changes in August will be felt particularly acutely by customers in the Greenwich area (around 7 million journeys per year to/from London, of which half are estimated to be directly affected by the London Bridge run-through). These customers permanently lost their direct link to Charing Cross in January 2015 when their services were amended to operate to Cannon Street only. The Cannon Street run-through period means that these customers will also lose their direct link to London Bridge until Cannon Street services resume calling in January 2018.

7) Overall, around 15 million journeys are expected to be impacted by the Cannon Street run through. This includes customers from South West, Southern and Thameslink routes

Mitigation

8) During the period from 27 August to 2 September when trains are blocked from operating via London Bridge, Southeastern will operate an amended timetable. Where possible, services will be diverted to Blackfriars or Victoria. Other services may be cancelled or terminated early and tickets will be accepted on reasonable alternative routes. This arrangement has operated successfully in previous blockades.

9) During the longer-term run through periods, alternative travel arrangements will be in place with TfL to enable passengers to travel by Tube or Bus to complete their journeys. This was set out in a submission dated 18 May.

10) These changes have already been incorporated in programme communications however, a detailed communications strategy is being developed to ensure that as many customers as possible are aware of the impact of the changes, what it means for them and where they can go for information.

Risks and Issues

11) There are reputational risks associated with this stage of the Programme – particularly for passengers in the Greenwich area - however, these will be mitigated in part through the communications strategy and through the alternative travel arrangements agreed with TfL.

12) Whilst the changes in August represent a significant change for passengers, the risk of a repeat of the events seen early in 2015 is considered to be low because:

i) The work being undertaken by NR is relatively straightforward with little change to the signalling systems (which tends to carry the most risk); ii) Train drivers are already using the infrastructure so there is very little route learning to do; iii) The changes to the control room have already been undertaken; and iv) NR will also be opening part of the new concourse to create much more space for passengers.

Presentation & Handling Issues

13) Handling strategy will be developed nearer the time,

Next steps

14) NR would welcome the opportunity to update you on progress at the site, including a tour of the new station control room (now in operation) and the work site. They have offered mid-July which would be closer to opening the new facilities but prior to summer recess and would allow you to see the new concourse in a near complete state.

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