The Department for Transport has extended a vital consultation on the future of direct trains from Loughborough Junction, Herne Hill and Tulse Hill into central London.
They had invited comments on plans to terminate “Wimbledon loop” trains from these stations at Blackfriars by 2018 to ease congestion on the line. The trains currently continue through City Thameslink, Farringdon, St Pancreas and beyond.
Due to the strength of protest from local commuters and politicians the deadline for comments has now been put back to September 14.
Lib Dem councillor for Streatham, Jeremy Clyne, said he had asked for the deadline to be put back as not enough people knew about the plans.
He said: “Awareness levels are still woeful despite this proposal being potentially devastating for 100,000s of Thameslink residents and commuters.
“To us the Thameslink is vital, we have few other transport choices in this part of south London and people have made signifi- cant financial and personal com- mitment to live based solely on the Thameslink running through central London to Farringdon, St Pancras and City Thameslink stations and beyond.”
Resident Rebecca Mayo said: “We are urgently urging all local councillors and MPs, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers and the Department for Transport to do everything they can to wholeheartedly reject proposals that any of the existing Thameslink/ Wimbledon loop trains should terminate at Blackfriars station.”
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “This is a consultation document and we welcome any views on the best option to take. We encourage people to provide responses.”
Streatham MP Chuka Umunna said: “I am incredibly pleased that the consultation period has now been extended. Far too many people who would suffer from this possible reduction in Thameslink services knew nothing about it until recently and many are still not aware.”
To comment on the proposal email thameslink@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
