Busses are not an alternative. I know the world doesn't revolve around me, but as an anecdote, on Tuesday this week, the 1704 from Victoria to Dartford was cancelled at the last second. Because it is pre-december, the Mrs could instead get the 1711 SLL to Peckham Rye and still pick up our little man before the nursery shut and the police were called. Come December, we have no fall back plan. Bus takes FOREVER at that time and our only alternative will be to maybe get the Herne Hill train and bus from there, or Train to clapham Junction and then ELL. Nightmare either way, probably not going to make it in time. We really don't know what is going to happen, and are not looking forward to it. But hey, on the positive side, it will be much easier for us to get to Surrey Quays on the ELL once every two weeks to get our Cafe East fix. Anyway I'm not dissing the ELL, I think it's a great addition. But I don't see why it has to be instead of the SLL, and in fact I think the timing smells fishy, encouraging us to see them as a trade off when in fact, they should be complimentary. Even as a trade, personally, I think it's a bad one. We've swapped two slots at Heathrow for a slot at Stansted. The home counties must be cackling! I'm pragmatic and utilitarian enough to realise that some people will win out of this, but it's certainly not me.