A Lewisham East MP has delivered a petition to Southeastern signed by hundreds of people over the company’s decision for a new Blackheath to Charing Cross timetable.

On November 30, 2022 Janet Daby handed in a petition which has gained much support after Southeastern revealed its decision to cut direct trains through Blackheath to Charing Cross.

This is part of Southeastern’s new plans to introduce a new timetable across their network on December 11, 2022, with trains on the route being diverted to Canon Street to avoid congestion at Lewisham.

MP Janet Daby said: “Southeastern has a duty to its customers to deliver the best possible service.

“They say they have financial pressures, but these changes are drastic.”

Southeastern, which has been taken into ownership by Department of Transport in 2021, was criticised in the petition for not consulting residence on these changes.

Those travelling to London Charing Cross from Blackheath will now need to change at London Bridge instead of travelling directly.

A spokesperson for Southeastern said that reducing the number of trains crossing one another will give better punctuality and fewer cancellations overall.

According to Janet, concerns have been raised by Blackheath residents regarding the impact these changes could have on their work, social life and ability to travel.

Further concerns have been raised on issues the new timetable may have on the safety of women traveling alone at night.

She also said that with the current cost-of-living crisis and the constant push to improve London’s air, the need for a reliable and consistent transport is more important than ever.

Janet added: “When my constituents come to renew their railcards, these changes represent less value for their money.

“South east London has always been the poorer relation to north London in terms of transport connectivity.

“We do not have a tube network, and many rely on rail services to get around.

“This new timetable creates problems not solutions for my constituents.”

Blackheath Councillor Luke Warner said: “It is extremely disappointing that Southeastern has chosen not to consult the public before such a significant reduction of services through Blackheath.

“Not only will this make travel harder, but many members of our community are also furious with the way Southeastern have gone about this.

“Residents deserve better and we call on the Department for Transport to stop these unfair timetable changes.”

A spokesperson for Southeastern said: “All trains on this route will now go to London Cannon Street, as we need to reduce congestion at the busy Lewisham Junction to give better punctuality and fewer cancellations overall.

“To do this, we needed to reduce the number of trains crossing one another.

“This means that our customers looking to travel to London Charing Cross from Blackheath will now need to change at London Bridge instead of travelling directly.

“We know that for some of our customers this will be less convenient, which is why we’ve ensured that there are frequent trains from London Bridge to London Charing Cross.

“Our customers can find more detailed information about changing trains at London Bridge on our website.”

 

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