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.

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