South London Line: Government have not persuaded me - Hughes (Southwark Liberal Democrats)

Southwark Liberal Democrats <info@southwark-libdems.org.uk>

South London Line: Government have not persuaded me - Hughes

November 13, 2009 2:55 PM
Originally published by Simon Hughes MP

Simon Hughes, Member of Parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey, this evening initiated a debate on the last day before the end of the parliamentary year on the future of the South London Line. This line runs from London Bridge and through South Bermondsey (both in his constituency) to Victoria, via Queen's Road Peckham, Peckham Rye, Denmark Hill, Clapham High Street, Wandsworth Road and Battersea Park.

Mr Hughes opposes the plans to end the current service in 2012 and wants government and Transport for London to rethink current plans which will force many of the passengers now using this line to have to change trains rather than continue to enjoy a through service.

The debate in the Commons this evening followed a meeting earlier today between the Mayor of London and members of the Greater London Assembly where other London politicians were also putting pressure on the government to think again.

Mr Hughes argued that not only will planned changes adversely affect local residents and workers in his constituency, but also those who visit South East London - particularly patients, relatives, students and staff needing to travel between Guy's Hospital and Kings College London at London Bridge and Kings College and the Maudsley Hospitals at Denmark Hill.

The changes will also make it more difficult for some people to visit Millwall's ground at the Den, for club games and other events.

Simon said:

"The minister's explanation, in tonight's debate, did not persuade me that it is impossible, to keep some services on the South London Line as well as well as opening the extended, overground East London Line and provide other rail improvements for South East London.

I have agreed with the Transport Minister, that I will have meetings with Department of Transport officials, and Transport for London in the near future, both of increasing ways of use of the line, and allowing South London line trains to terminate at London Bridge. There is still time and still good reason, to fight this battle and I will keep up the pressure at every available opportunity in the weeks ahead.

-ENDS-