Caroline has responded to a national public consultation on proposed changes to the Thameslink train service, raising concerns that it will severely hit thousands of people in south London, especially in Sutton, Lambeth and Southwark.
At present the Department of Transport is consulting on the specifications for the new rail franchise that will see Thameslink and Southern services operated by a single company. A key element of the consultation involves the suggestion that trains which run through Sutton on the Wimbledon loop, and then through south London, should terminate at Blackfriars, rather than continuing on through central London to St Pancras and beyond. Such changes would create havoc for many people in south London wanting to travel to north London every day.
In addition, Caroline has also raised issues regarding the need for additional train services on the Wimbledon loop (from 2 to 4 an hour) and for good services for passengers in Haringey and Lewisham. And of course, the need for the South London Line rail service to continue.
Caroline's submission to the Department of Transport can be seen here.
One good piece of news is that the Department of Transport have recognised the high level of interest in these changes and have agreed to extend the consultation until Friday 14th September.
To respond to the Department for Transport consultation on the future of the Thameslink email: thameslink@dft.gsi.gov.uk
And to find out more about the consultation proposals see the DfT website.
In additon to Caroline's submission you can see the submission that Simon Hughes MP has recently made.
You can also support the campaign to protect the Thameslink services for south London at this Facebook site and by signing the official petition to the government here.