Thameslink Programme: Effect on London Bridge and Kent Rail services
Sevenoaks Joint Transportation Board 9 December 2014 The problem • Overcrowding : Cross London transport networks (Thameslink and London Underground) and passenger figures continue to increase • Delays : Poor reliability from old infrastructure and existing track layout • Inadequate station facilities : Difficult station to move around, not accessible and outdated facilities The solution: The Thameslink Programme Transforming north-south travel through London by: • increasing the length of trains accommodated • the frequency at which they can travel • the number of routes served Network Rail has already delivered: • Longer platforms allowing 12 car operation • Improved capacity between Blackfriars & St Pancras • New stations at Blackfriars and Farringdon London Bridge station Network Rail is completely rebuilding London Bridge station and realigning the track in the approach to the station. This will: • Provide a new station with more space, better facilities and step free access from a new street- level concourse to all platforms • Allow more trains to travel through central London • Provide passengers with greater connectivity to more destinations • Improve punctuality and reliability London Bridge station: New concourse More trains through London Bridge, connecting passengers to more destinations Untangling the track to provide more reliable journeys
Unpicking the complexity – improving performance for all services New Thameslink network with new north-south connections Present stage of development
►Main station work began in May 2013 ►Platforms 12-15 have been rebuilt and are now open ►Platforms 10 and 11 are closed until January 2015 ►Comprehensive track work is underway and will be completed by end of 2017
10-Dec-14 9 Station layout: 20 December – 4 January 2014
There will be no escalator access from the Southern concourse to the vaults below There will be no access to platforms 8-15 The footbridge will still be accessible for interchange between platforms 1-6 The cycle racks on platform 8 will be relocated to Station Approach
10-Dec-14 10 London Bridge Station layout from January 2015 Changes from 5 January 2015 ► Southern section of station is completed with platforms 10 to 15 open for Southern terminating services ► NO Thameslink services at London Bridge until 2018
10-Dec-14 11 London Bridge Station layout from January 2015 Changes from 12 January 2015
► Platforms 1, 2 & 3 will continue to serve Cannon Street trains ► Platforms 5 & 6 will close for redevelopment & trains will not serve platform 4 ► CHARING CROSS TRAINS WILL NOT CALL AT LONDON BRIDGE
10-Dec-14 12 Station layout from 12 January 2015
10-Dec-14 13 Southeastern Railway service changes from 12 January 2015 Schedule of service changes
22 December 2014 - 24 December 2014 Between 22 and 24 December 2014, Southeastern trains to Charing Cross will not stop at London Bridge between 07:54 and 09:01. Southeastern services will continue to call at London Bridge at all other times. A small number of Southeastern services will be diverted to London Blackfriars, with an additional stop at Elephant & Castle
Christmas Timetable to operate between 24 December and 4 January Schedule of service changes
4 January – 12 January 2015 Southeastern will operate a normal timetable with engineering works taking place at the weekend 12 January – August 2016 Charing Cross services will not call at London Bridge but Cannon Street services will. A small number of services diverted into Victoria and Blackfriars August 2016 – January 2018 Cannon Street services will no longer call at London Bridge but Charing Cross services will. A small number of services diverted into Victoria and Blackfriars Ticket Acceptance: 20 Dec – 4 Jan 2015
From 20 December to 4 January valid National Rail tickets will be accepted on certain routes on London Overground, Thameslink, Southern, Southeastern, South West Trains, London Underground, Tramlink, DLR and London Buses.
Tickets will need to be shown to staff at ticket barriers. Ticket acceptance: 12 January 2015 – August 2016
• A decision has been agreed between Southeastern, TfL, DfT allowing passengers to use Transport for London services on specific routes to complete their journeys at no additional charge.
• Some passengers will be required to exchange their season ticket for one that has been re-coded to allow them to use the London Underground free of the charge on the specified routes. Southeastern will be writing to these season ticket holders over the next couple of weeks. Travel Advice
• Passengers are advised to wait for the right train at their home station. If they need London Bridge, passengers should wait for a Cannon Street service. • Alternatively, they should interchange on route as early as possible. They will be advised what their latest interchange station is. Communications Southeastern has put together a comprehensive communications plan : • Thameslink Meet the Manager sessions to give passengers the opportunity to ask questions • Briefings to councils and user groups • Letters and emails to all season ticket holders • Social media and website & SMS alerts • On-train posters, posters, leaflets • Information on Customer Information Screens and Passenger Information Screens • Station announcements that are already being played regularly. More trains through London Bridge, connecting passengers to more destinations