We need to be clear what we are talking about.

The consultation discussions in November were for the South London RUS. This is a cross rail industry discussion and looks at the long term future of the rail services in its area.

The RUS (Route Ultilisation Study) tends to only look at the gaps in train service (normally only the peak periods) which then determine what investment is required for the long term. [It actually then leads the High Level Output Strategy (HLOS) which then determines how much money the industry and the Treasury have to pay Network Rail.]

As I said the RUS does not normally deal in the off peak services and the Forest Hill services are virtually never mentioned (in this context).

Each bidder for a franchise has to bid against the franchise specification. This is the detailed train service that the operator has to operate. It is this document that was important.

For the South Central timetable specification it would have said that the services will not be going to London Charing Cross. As I said there would have been some consultation by the DfT with the stakeholders. This includes local authorities and user groups. I went to a few of those meetings and I cannot remember much being said about the Charing Cross issue.

To clarify the earlier discussions the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) conduct 'consultations' about changes to Track Access Agreements (TAA). In theory anyone could send their comments to the ORR but the only Statutory Consultees are the other TOCs (Train Operating Companies). In any case the TAA follow the awarding of the franchise (and therefore follow the franchise timetable specification). All TAA consultation are there for is to protect the interests of the other TOCs, particularly the freight TOCs.

Peter Staveley