30.08.16
Delays continue despite new London Bridge concourse opening
Two-thirds of London Bridge’s new concourse opened over the Bank Holiday weekend, but delays at the station continue.
Services into the station have suffered extensive delays owing to a combination of the upgrade works and unforeseen incidents such as a hole under the tracks at Forest Hill.
Writing before the concourse opened, Mark Carne, the head of Network Rail, said that he knew the delays were “frustrating” but that the concourse would help deliver improved services.
The new concourse will offer improved connections and services to more destinations, including Cambridge and Peterborough, as well as providing space for over 80 retail units.
Carne said: “This is a big step towards the bigger, better railway passengers deserve. The opening of two-thirds of the concourse marks a major milestone in the redevelopment of London Bridge and, while there is plenty still to do, I am pleased passengers can now see the benefits beginning to come through.
“We are essentially rebuilding Britain’s fourth busiest station – the tracks, the platforms and the infrastructure which enables trains to run – while keeping the station open and doing our best to keep passengers moving.”
However, Southeastern services into London Bridge suffered delays of up to 20 minutes until midday today due to a signalling problem.
The company also cancelled services at London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Cannon Street stations on 27 and 28 August in order to allow for upgrades for the Thameslink programme, which includes the London Bridge works.
Southeastern has also said that it will not run services at Cannon Street on 29 August – 1 September.
Instead, trains will be diverted to Victoria, Blackfriars and New Cross and buses will replace trains at Deptford, Greenwich, Maze Hill and Westcombe Park stations.
Dyan Crowther, chief operating officer at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), said: “Our passengers are benefiting from the newly unveiled escalators, stairs and lifts and will be impressed by the new concourse.
“We’re looking forward to the completion of the station in 2018, with its new track and signalling, allowing the return of a new and improved Thameslink service at London Bridge."
The delays at London Bridge, along with other factors such as ongoing strikes by RMT, have contributed to problems on GTR, including a record drop in PPM.
(Images c. Network Rail)
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