More voices to be heard over Thameslink train cuts (From Streatham Guardian)
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More voices to be heard over Thameslink train cuts
8:00am Friday 24th August 2012 in News By Alice Foster, Reporter
Angry train users were united in protest in Streatham last week against proposed cuts to the Wimbledon loop Thameslink service
More commuters have the chance to submit views over proposed cuts to the Thameslink rail service after the consultation was extended.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has pushed back the end of the consultation from today to September 14 following calls from rail users, including many from Streatham.
If the Wimbledon loop terminates at Blackfriars from 2018 then residents here will no longer be able to travel to Farringdon and beyond without changing trains.
A DfT spokeswoman said the extension was in view of public interest in the consultation.
Lambeth councillor Jeremy Clyne welcomed the decision, noting that a lot of people were only just learning about the plans and were clearly appalled.
Coun Clyne said: “It indicates that the department is taking this protest seriously.
“I may be over optimistic but it does show to me that the message is starting to get through.”
MP Chuka Umunna said: “I am incredibly pleased that the consultation period has now been extended.
"Far too many people who would suffer from this possible reduction in Thameslink services knew nothing about it until recently and many are still not aware."
You can email views to thameslink@dft.gsi.gov.uk or write to The Combined Franchise Replacement Sponsor, Department for Transport, Zone 3/15, Great Minister House, 33 Horseferry Road, SW1P 4DR.
Comments(3)
Michael Pantlin
says...
10:09am Sat 25 Aug 12
more important to resist this change than get in a tizz about the word "Prisons" being shown in the destination of the 80 bus which after all terminates precisely at what it says on the tin, the prison.
mangad
says...
6:23pm Tue 28 Aug 12
This, incidentally, is absolutely nothing to do with the convenience of the operator. This has all been spec'd out by the government. First Capital Connect in this instance just do as they're told.
It also has nothing to do with cutting north-south links. By curtailing the Sutton loop, the system will be able to increase the number of north-south routes.
mangad says...
9:29am Fri 24 Aug 12
Put simply, less Thameslink trains can run if the Wimbledon loop retains its through services as the Wimbledon loop trains would have to the cross tracks (as they do now). This reduces capacity on the line significantly. It also prevents the Wimbledon loop having any increase in frequency. Curtail the trains at Blackfriars and you can significantly increase the number of through trains and passengers that can use the line from other destinations.
And does it really matter for a matter of simply changing train at Blackfriars which will be possible in a matter of minutes?
Put simply, Thameslink passengers on the Sutton loop are not suddenly going to have their journeys increased by anything more than a couple of minutes. And the benefits are huge. A cost benefit analysis will come out in favour of curtailing the trains. It has come out in favour.
All in all I suspect this is a lost cause and all that's happening here is that local politicians are giving people false hope. A delayed lost cause, but a lost cause.