Major changes to London Bridge train services begin this Saturday: London Bridge - new platforms 13 and 14

Tuesday 19 Aug 2014

Major changes to London Bridge train services begin this Saturday

Region & Route:
National

A nine-day part-closure of London Bridge railway station begins this Saturday, with no First Capital Connect or Southern trains calling at the station until Monday, 1 September.

The changes will allow Network Rail to carry out a huge programme of work as part of the £6.5bn Thameslink Programme to improve north-south travel through London – ultimately providing a much-improved London Bridge station with a concourse the size of the pitch at Wembley stadium and many more trains to and through central London from destinations across the south east.

The disruption is likely to affect up to 50,000 commuters every hour who normally travel into the station on First Capital Connect and Southern services. In addition, there will also be no direct trains to Gatwick or Luton airport stations from London Bridge.

Passengers are being urged to check their route into the capital and plan a different journey if needed. London Bridge Underground station will not be affected.

Nicky Hughes, Network Rail’s head of communications for London and the South East, said: “London Bridge is one of the country’s busiest stations and we’re rebuilding it piece by piece to transform north-south travel through London. This is a huge challenge.

“There are alternative routes for everyone affected and we urge passengers across London and the south east to visit our new website, check if you are affected and then find out your alternative routes so you know your travel options.”

Full information on the changes, the work we are doing and the different travel options available can be found at www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk

Alternatively check with your operator or with National Rail Enquiries.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information about the Thameslink Programme and how work rebuilding and improving London Bridge station will affect train services, visit www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk

Service summary

Saturday 23 August to Sunday 31 August no First Capital Connect or Southern services will run to, through or from London Bridge station.

First Capital Connect

First Capital Connect Thameslink route services will continue to operate between Bedford and Brighton. However, they will be diverted via an alternative route between London Blackfriars and East Croydon and will not call at London Bridge

Journeys between East Croydon and London Blackfriars will be extended by 8 to 15 minutes and some services will be altered at other stations.

Services between Ashford/Rochester and Bedford will operate between Ashford/Rochester and Blackfriars.

First Capital Connect Thameslink route services will not stop at Redhill (change at East Croydon for connections)

Some 12 carriage trains will operate, and will be non-stopping from East Croydon to Blackfriars.

Other services will call at Elephant & Castle where you can interchange with the Tube including the Northern line to/from London Bridge.

Some weekday services are expected to be much busier than usual, especially between East Croydon and central London.

East Croydon station and Brighton Main Line stations south of East Croydon are expected to be busier than usual. You may not be able to board the train of your choice.

Southern

Southern services will not operate to and from London Bridge and a revised service will be in operation across the network.

Southern services will not operate between Norwood Junction and London Bridge and between Crystal Palace and London Bridge.

Southern services via Peckham Rye will operate to and from South Bermondsey.

Some services will be diverted to Victoria.

Services to and from central London are expected to be much busier than usual.

Balham and East Croydon stations and Brighton Main Line stations south of East Croydon are expected to be busier than usual.

Southeastern

Southeastern services will continue to operate to, from and through London Bridge during the planned work.

Southeastern passengers will not be able to interchange onto Southern or First Capital Connect services at London Bridge.

Some weekday services to and from central London are expected to be busier than usual.

London Overground

London Overground will not operate to and from New Cross from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 August (services will run on the bank holiday, Monday 25 August).

A replacement bus service will run between New Cross, Surrey Quays and Canada Water.

An enhanced London Overground service will operate between Crystal Palace and Canada Water during the peaks. An enhanced service will operate between Crystal Palace and Dalston Junction at all other times.

Weekday services between Sydenham and Canada Water are expected to be busier than usual for this time of year, especially in the morning peak.

Crowding and queuing on platforms is expected at Sydenham, Forest Hill, Honor Oak Park, Brockley, New Cross Gate and Surrey Quays. Canada Water station is likely to be busier than usual on the southbound platform throughout peak periods.

Some weekday services between Clapham Junction and Kensington (Olympia) are expected to be busier than usual.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - National
020 3356 8700
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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