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Written Question
Railways: Abbey Wood and Crayford
Friday 28th February 2025

Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of additional Southeastern services directly from Crayford to Abbey Wood.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department requires all train operators, including Southeastern, to plan services and timetables designed to meet passenger demand while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand. As part of the recent December timetable change Southeastern introduced 12 extra Sidcup/ Greenwich line ‘rounder’ services in the morning and evening peaks. These trains provide direct services between Crayford and Abbey Wood, improving access to the Elizabeth Line and linking the Sidcup line with Cannon Street and New Cross. There are currently no further plans to introduce any additional direct services between Crayford and Abbey Wood.


Written Question
Bexleyheath Line: Southeastern
Thursday 27th February 2025

Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of additional Southeastern services from London Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line on the evening and weekend.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department requires all train operators, including Southeastern, to plan services and timetables designed to meet passenger demand while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand. There are currently no plans to introduce additional services on this route in the evening or at weekends. However, as part of the forthcoming May timetable change Southeastern will introduce two new weekday services on the Bexleyheath line, as follows:

  • 1025 Charing Cross to Dartford
  • 1523 Dartford to Charing Cross