SOUTHERN 3: BROMLEY COUNCIL “QUESTIONING LEGALITY” OF SERVICE WITHDRAWAL
Bromley council have protested to Southern over the withdrawal of service between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction.
Deputy council leader Cllr Colin Smith said: “We have already protested vigorously about this deplorable decision by Southern Railway on behalf of our residents and indeed are even questioning the legality of this.*
“Whilst the service may well have been unpredictable in Southern’s own words, at least there was a service.
“Perhaps it is time for Southern to consider handing over their franchise to South Eastern who are at least trying to serve their customers and are managing the crumbling Network Rail infrastructure they have been sourced to work with.
“If this proposal is allowed to go ahead, Beckenham’s commuters will end up travelling on already overcrowded alternatives piling on the discomfort and inconvenience, with the additional time factor that this brings.
“Although a Saturday service is still operating, it is the weekday service that is most valued by commuters and whilst we welcome confirmation that tickets will be accepted on Southeastern trains, buses and trams.
“We are calling on Southern to rethink urgently and reinstate these vital services which are valued by many.
“Residents can be assured that this is a matter that we are not going to sit back and simply watch and we will be discussing this imminently with local MPs Bob Stewart (Con Beckenham) and Jim Dowd.”
*clarification awaited – ed.