Local Conservative Councillors, supported by Member of Parliament for Beckenham Bob Stewart and Councillors are calling on Southeastern Railways to reverse the decision to remove services to Cannon Street from the Hayes (Mid-Kent) line from the 11th December 2022.
In September, Southeastern published their new timetable to take effect from December which included a number of changes across the area. Bob Stewart described the changes as a “mixed bag” for the area. Campaigners welcomed news that the Beckenham Junction to London Blackfriars service would be reinstated as part of the changes but were disappointed by the loss of the Cannon Street trains on the other line.
The removal of the Cannon Street services is to reduce use of a busy junction near Lewisham, so that more services can be provided elsewhere. However, local Councillors from wards along the Hayes line are frustrated that their residents are losing services with no acknowledgement of the inconvenience and no without consultation.
Councillors for Hayes & Coney Hall and Kelsey & Eden Park Ward, have been joined by Bob and Councillor Mark Brock (West Wickham) and Michael Tickner (Beckenham Town & Copers Cope) in setting up a petition calling on Southeastern to reverse the decision to remove the Cannon Street Service.
Bob said:
“These timetable changes are a real mixed bag of news. On one hand I am delighted the long-running campaign to restore the Blackfriars service has been successful but am disappointed in the removal of the Cannon Street trains. Many people have bought or rented homes to live on the line and to have that direct access to the City. Removing the link will have a ripple effect and lead to more crowded journeys on buses and other train services.”
Hayes & Coney Hall Councillor, Thomas Turrell, added:
“Removing this service will cause huge changes to people’s journeys. This is a major change to the services provided locally and Southeastern should have held a public consultation on their plans so that the views of local rail users could be taken into account. That is why we are petitioning Southeastern to reverse this change, we encourage people to sign the petition to show Southeastern the strength of feeling on this.”
Sign the petition below.
