Key information
Petition presented by: Steve O'Connell
Date petition submitted: Wednesday 10 February 2016
Petition presented at: London Assembly Plenary
Summary of petition
"You've probably heard about Thameslink, it's the DfT's program that promises to further open up transport options in South London, making it faster and easier than ever before to get to central London.
The big question that's being asked and discussed at the moment is; which stations in South London should the Thameslink service stop at?
We believe that Norwood Junction is an ideal station, for a number of reasons:
1. It will cut down commuting time - the Thameslink service would mean traveling from Norwood Junction to Kings Cross would take around just 15 minutes – that's a faster time to get to work, from work, and to all the fun that the big city has to offer!
2. It will help South Norwood regenerate quicker – Increased accessibility will attract new residents to the area and in turn, attract more quality businesses to the area.
3. Increased demand requires increased supply - Norwood Junction station is a busy station, a c20% YoY increase in traffic through the station demonstrates the increasing popularity of the area for commuters which is only set to continue.
4. We're ready and waiting - There is a platform at Norwood Junction which is currently unused other than for trains passing through, meaning no extra platform or train line would need to be built for us to accommodate the Thameslink service.
If you'd welcome the Thameslink service stopping at Norwood Junction please sign our petition in support!"
Response information
Response title: Mayor's Response
Name of person responding: Boris Johnson, Chairman of Transport for London
Response date: Wednesday 9 March 2016
“Thank you for the petition presented at the London Assembly (Plenary) meeting on 12 February about the potential for Thameslink services to utilise Norwood Junction station.
The new Thameslink timetable is specified by the Department for Transport (DfT), and is being developed by Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway, the franchise operator. Transport for London (TfL) and I do not currently have responsibility for Thameslink service patterns.
The recently launched rail prospectus ‘A new approach to rail services in London and the South East’ which is available to view on TfL’s website at tfl.gov.uk/railpartnership, sets out proposals for the DfT and TfL to collaborate further towards the aim of providing a better quality, further integrated rail service in the South East. Central to this document is the proposal that TfL takes on responsibility for passenger rail services that operate mostly or wholly within the Greater London boundary. The document also highlights that frequency and consistency of service patterns in south London is lower than that in north London. TfL has already shown, with London Overground, how it can transform suburban rail services, and deliver improved frequency, capacity, reliability and customer service standards on metro services. We now plan to continue this for south London services in partnership with the DfT.
The prospectus proposes that responsibility for inner suburban rail services in London should be transferred to TfL as rail franchises become available. An indicative timetable for the transfer of services could see TfL take over the services currently operating as part of Thameslink by 2021.”