South London locals said they will “quit their jobs” and not go into Central London any more after a rail network’s controversial timetable change, with MPs saying the reasoning for the changes is “complete nonsense”.

On December 11, Southeastern Railway will be reducing the number of trains going to Waterloo and Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath and Woolwich lines during off-peak times.

According to Southeastern, the changes were made to reduce “congestion at busy junctions”, such as Lewisham, and ensure “better punctuality and fewer cancellations overall”.

Clive Efford, Labour MP for Eltham, said at a debate in Westminster Hall on December 6 that it was “shameful” for the Government to agree to the service cuts.

The Labour MP said that he had asked rail experts about the busy Lewisham junction during a previous issue regarding Southeastern trains terminating at Victoria.

He said: “I spoke to some rail experts back then about that problem, and they said that it was complete nonsense, what was being said about Network Rail and Southeastern at that time.

"There is not a problem with those trains crossing over at that point unless there’s bad maintenance and lack of investment in the infrastructure.”

On Mr Efford’s point about rail experts, a Southeastern spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I would reiterate why we’re making these changes – and I would challenge the expert view that [Mr Efford is] quoting (we’re not aware of rail experts who have challenged our assumptions and thinking).”

The spokesperson said that all trains would terminate at Cannon Street under the new timetable to reduce the “notorious bottleneck” at Lewisham station.

They said: “This structural change will help reduce a ‘ripple effect’ where delays on one line quickly impact others.

"We have simplified our railway by reducing the number of routes that trains operate over to contain any delays to a single line and not spread delays to multiple lines thereby impacting the journey of many more customers.”

Under the new timetable, Southeastern are encouraging passengers to change trains at London Bridge if they wish to continue to Charing Cross.

A spokesperson for the rail service said that the station had been “re-designed specifically” under a £1bin investment for this purpose.

Abena Oppong-Asare, Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead, said that direct services to Waterloo are “essential” for old and disabled people in her area.

She said a mum in her constituency had contacted her saying she was “incredibly distressed” by the changes.

Ms Oppong-Asare said: “She said the changes mean she will no longer be able to drop her children off at school and be able to get to work by 9am, and that she may lose her job as a result.”

Huw Merriman, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, said that he empathised with those who will be negatively impacted by the changes. But he added that, as with any timetable change, there will be some who “feel like they’re losing out”.

He said: “I appreciate the concerns raised by some members. We should bear in mind that these timetable changes will be undoubtedly affected by the planned industrial action.

"When we can evaluate, we will.

"There will be transparency. We will reflect and act accordingly.”

Regarding the complaints by locals raised by MPs, a Southeastern spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they couldn’t comment on specific journeys of passengers without further detail, and encouraged passengers to contact Southeastern directly.

On accessibility at London Bridge, they said: “We’ll be making the interchange at London Bridge as seamless and accessible as we can. London Bridge Station is safe, gated, well-lit and weatherproof, with CCTV, customer help points, 17 defibrillators, one on every platform, free Wi-Fi and has extra staff on hand to help with assisted travel.

“The British Transport Police and London Ambulance Service also have a presence at the station.

"The £1bn redevelopment of London Bridge has provided step free access to all platforms and easier connections to other rail services and the Tube.”

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