Robin -

For Southern's response to the South London RUS consultation see

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20do...uthern.pdf



20.5 ?Southern argue that in order to benefit the maximum number of passengers, the additional 8 Thameslink (former Southern) trains per hour should all be directed to the Sydenham line. These trains will be able to ?bounce back? to achieve intensive peak use of the rolling stock. These trains should be formed of 12 car trains which would compensate for the limited capacity of the East London Line only being 4 car trains. This proposal would enable the passengers of the Sydenham line to have the capacity and frequency required to get them to the destinations in Central London where the majority wish to travel.

This will require the Thameslink Programme track plan to change to give priority of Thameslink trains to the slow lines instead of the current fast line plan.

Sydenham line platforms will need to be lengthened to 12 cars but such a scheme may eliminate the need to lengthen platforms along other routes currently planned for Thameslink trains.?


20.4 ?Sydenham Line trains to Charing Cross. Southern has identified very significant demand to Charing Cross for travelling to the West End. All else being equal Southern would support this proposal. However, there are also real concerns about Southeastern having enough capacity and so this would need to be looked at in the round with Southeastern demand. If there was a case for Southern taking higher priority than Southeastern then rather than all the Sydenham trains going to Thameslink as proposed in the response to 20.5 above, there could be a case for a proportion of these trains going to Charing Cross and more Southeastern trains going to Thameslink.?


Elsewhere Southern has argued for 8 trains per hour peak (see 2.3), and suggested that 10 car may not be sufficient for growth and option for 12 car should be appraised (see 4.1/2/3/4/5)