Victoria - Dartford train service

[cle]

I've written my moan to Tfl, Southeastern and National Rail, but I thought I'd flag my annoyance here too.

I'm sure it's been done before but I've seen that the new timetable does not improve services on this line in the slightest. I understand some Southeastern Kent services were to stop at Peckham Rye and/or Denmark Hill to compensate the South London line being cancelled, but this has not materialised.

My main gripes are:

- Last train from Victoria to Denmark Hill and onwards is at 19:39! The other way is 19:28 from DH.

- No Sunday service on this specific line (Vic to Dartford)

- Trains are every 30 mins except for a short peak of 20 mins.

It's hugely popular, and Blackfriars is useless for the West End. Yes, the Blackfriars - Sevenoaks service runs to Victoria on Sundays - why can this not run to Victoria during the week as well every 30 mins during the week and supplement the Dartford train? So DH/PR and Nunhead would get more trains.

With the Lewisham A&E malarkey and new lifts/entrance, I see Denmark Hill becoming more and more important for healthcare workers, visitors and patients - many of whom cannot stick to 9-5. You can tell it's a busier station these days, and a lot seem to interchange there too.

Also, the area is becoming more popular with people who are likely to commute to work by train, and timetables should evolve to reflect this - as they should to modern working hours, 19:39 from Victoria as a last train is pathetic.

Shouldn't some extra services run to compensate this? I read somewhere it'd be 2014 - why does it take so long?

What are your thoughts, folk?

[StraferJack]

"Blackfriars is useless for the West End"

in what sense is this true? it's a 15 minute walk to the Strand/Theatreland/Covent Garden

You can bus it if you don't fancy walking

useless?

[JohnL]

Agree - up fleet street from Blackfriars, or up Holborn Viaduct and across Kingsway from City Thameslink.

It's easy to forget how close these stations are.

Sevenoaks-> Bedford line is very crowded now too (since about last Xmas).

StraferJack Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "Blackfriars is useless for the West End"

>

> in what sense is this true? it's a 15 minute walk

> to the Strand/Theatreland/Covent Garden

>

> You can bus it if you don't fancy walking

>

> useless?

[cle]

Ok, Blackfriars is useful for the far bottom right corner of the West End.

I was thinking predominantly W1 - Oxford St, Soho and so forth, and mainly due to its poor tube links.

[StraferJack]

sorry cle - I only picked out one particular point from your post as well. It did just jump out at me tho

blackfriars to st pauls is a 5 minute stroll - central line to Oxford St in what... 5-10 minutes after than

[AlexC]

I think the lack of trains into the evening on a weekday are a bit of a joke. I'm only going to Denmark Hill (I work in Victoria) but it's a pain once the direct trains stop. At least I can get there via the Overground. If I was travelling further out on the Dartford Line, it would be a different story.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi all,

I'm trying to do something about this. I know it is a major issue for many Southwark residents who use the trains from Nunhead/PR/Denmark Hill I actually was at South Eastern Rail Offices today.

Renata

[Mick Mac]

Thanks Renata.

I agree with Cle completely. It's an absolute pain as I work near Green Park and have been used to getting to Denmark Hill easily from Victoria for years. 730 last train is poor. As are the suggested alternatives.

[SingingWilks]

Agree Cle and thank you for reporting to TfL etc. 19:39 being the last service from Victoria is an absolute pain. If you could do something about it Renata you would have a lifetime of gratitude!