South Western Railway timetable plans opposed by Assembly

Plans by South Western Railway to make changes to its timetable from December 2022 are premature and based on predictions of future train travel which are not yet known.

The London Assembly has today called on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to both the Chief Executive of South Western Railway and the Secretary of State for Transport opposing the timetable plans due to their adverse impact on passengers.

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who proposed the motion said:

“We simply do not know the long-term impact of greater homeworking, flexible hours or for how long Covid-19 will impact on us. However, what we do know is that our trains were far too crowded before the pandemic started. Passenger numbers have already started to grow again and may easily return to pre-COVID levels with significant new housing developments and London’s growing population.”

“The South Western Railway’s proposals are a snub to communities across South West London. It is vital that South Western Railway backs down and totally reconsiders their long-term timetable changes.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly notes the proposed timetable changes by South Western Railway (SWR) commencing from December 2022.

This Assembly notes that the changes will lead to a reduction in frequency of services for a number of stations within the Greater London area for both commuters and off-peak passengers.

This Assembly notes that despite South Western Railway highlighting the potential growth of leisure travel their plans reduce off-peak frequencies at several busy London stations by 50%, from four trains per hour to two trains per hour, compared to May 2019. Including 2018/2019 entry and exit data (ORR data), these stations are:

• Mortlake, 1.8m;
• North Sheen, 0.48m;
• St Margarets, 1.41m; and
• Worcester Park, 2.36m

This Assembly believes the plans by South Western Railway are premature and based on predictions of future train travel which are not yet known. This Assembly further believes that train travel should be actively encouraged at a time of a climate emergency, yet these proposals could generate further road traffic. Furthermore, this Assembly is concerned that the long-term plans by South Western Railway will be followed by other train operating companies in London.

This Assembly opposes South Western Railway’s timetable plans and believes that a full review of their proposed timetable is now needed.

This Assembly calls on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to both the Chief Executive of South Western Railway and the Secretary of State for Transport opposing these timetable plans due to their adverse impact on passengers.