Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce the introduction of Thameslink Class 700 trains into Kent.

New Class 700 trains started operating some Thameslink services between Sevenoaks and London Blackfriars via Bromley South and Catford in November 2016. GoVia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will be introducing more of these trains over the coming months.

GTR’s consultation on proposals for the 2018 Timetable included options for Thameslink services to operate on new routes in Kent and enhanced frequencies on other routes, including those via Catford. Detailed timetable development work is currently ongoing. The next phase of public consultation on the detailed timetable is planned for summer 2017.