The Greenwich Line Users Group, (GLUG), local Councilors and our local MP, Nick Raynsford, have all been pressing for more information to be made available to Greenwich Line Users about the impact of the Thameslink Programme at London Bridge on the Greenwich Line.  At last the train operators seem to be listening as they are now conducting an information campaign for our line.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich posted the following news article on their website last week:

Network Rail is holding information sessions on future train route changes.

Network Rail is warning Royal Borough of Greenwich passengers about changes to their journeys through London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross from 2015.

Tracks will be changed as part of the Thameslink Programme, which includes the rebuilding of London Bridge station and laying new track and signalling.

The Thameslink Programme will affect services on the Greenwich line including Greenwich, Deptford, Maze Hill and Westcombe Park, as well as services from New Cross and St Johns.

When the programme is complete, each service will have dedicated routes allowing more trains to run. The new layout means trains on the Greenwich line are unable to continue on to Waterloo East and Charing Cross. From January 2018, passengers will be able to travel to Waterloo East and Charing Cross by changing at London Bridge.

Because of this, Network Rail and Southeastern will be conducting a special passenger information campaign between 21 and 31 October at the following stations:

  • Maze Hill: 21 and 22 October, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm 
  • Westcombe Park: 21 and 22 October, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm 
  • Charlton: 24 and 25 October, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm 
  • Deptford: 24 and 25 October, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm
  • St Johns: 28 October, 7am to 10am  
  • Greenwich: 29 to 31 October, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm 
  • New Cross: 29 to 31 October, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm 

Staff will be on hand to answer passengers’ questions and to distribute information leaflets.”

GLUG are continuing to push for various measures to be put in place to mitigate the disruption to Greenwich Line passengers but passengers are encouraged to visit their local station at the above times if possible to pick up information and talk to rail service staff.

Further information was also issued by the  Thameslink Programme in the following email today:

The Thameslink Programme will affect services on the Greenwich line including Greenwich, Deptford, Maze Hill and Westcombe Park, as well as services from New Cross and St Johns.

Whilst these services do not use the Thameslink route, the Thameslink Programme includes the redevelopment of London Bridge station and improvements to track and signalling around the station which these services use.

The changes to the layout of the tracks around London Bridge will mean each service will have a dedicated route allowing us to run more trains. Once complete, the new layout means trains on the Greenwich line are unable to continue on to Charing Cross and Waterloo East. From Janaury 2018, you’ll be able to travel to these stations by changing at London Bridge.

As the Programme progresses services will be affected at different times. Passengers using services on the Greenwich line, New Cross and St Johns will be affected at different times until 2018. There are changes you need to be aware of:

  • for all passengers from January 2015 for nearly 20 months, services to Waterloo East and Charing Cross will not stop at London Bridge
  • passengers using the Greenwich line from January 2015 onwards, Charing Cross services will be diverted to Cannon Street
  • passengers using New Cross and St Johns from January 2015 onwards, Waterloo East and Charing Cross services will not stop at New Cross and St Johns
  • for all passengers from August 2016 for nearly 16 months, no Cannon Street services will stop at London Bridge

We’re giving you an idea of the changes you can expect in advance. As the Programme progresses we’ll share more detail to help you plan your journeys.

We realise these changes will impact your usual travel plans and we’re trying to reduce the impact on you by sharing alternative travel options in advance. The alternatives include using the DLR, London Underground and buses.

We know ticket acceptance on different types of transport or different routes is a concern. We’ll start to share guidance on this from early 2014. We’ll be providing guidance on ticket acceptance in advance of all service changes.

You can sign up for email updates on the Thameslink Programme on their website where you will also find the same text on a page specifically aimed at Greenwich Line and New Cross passengers.
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If you have further questions GLUG can be contacted on greenwichline@outlook.com and the Public Affairs Manager at South Eastern is Mike Gibson  Mike.Gibson@southeasternrailway.co.uk.