Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Louie French has today welcomed the return of Southeastern's loop services at peak times, connecting the Sidcup and Woolwich lines, urging people to use the service if they wish to see it expanded.
After Southeastern decided to stop the loop service, Louie, along with Conservative councillors, led the campaign to restore the train connections from Sidcup, Albany Park, and Bexley Village to the north of the borough. The loop service will give people a faster public transport option to travel to Abbey Wood to access Elizabeth Line services.
The new Southeastern timetable will restore twelve new loop services at morning and evening peaks. In conversations with Louie and Bexley Council, the railway firm has confirmed that the service could expand into off-peak hours if there's demand. Southeastern has committed to monitoring the situation.
The return of loop services comes after local campaigns led by Louie secured more services at Albany Park and the Bexleyheath line, serving Falconwood and Welling. It also follows the completion of step-free access at Bexley Village's station thanks to the previous Conservative government's Access for All scheme.
Louie French MP said: "I'm delighted that Southeastern will restore the loop service connecting the Sidcup and Woolwich lines at peak times.
"This is a victory for the many local residents who have urged the rail firm to bring back the services. I know it will make an enormous difference to people who want to access the Elizabeth Line or travel to Woolwich line stations by rail.
"It's taken a long time to get here, and I'm pleased that Southeastern is open to expanding the service further if there's demand. I encourage all residents who want better rail connections locally to use the railway whenever possible."
