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.
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.
Notes to editors:
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
