Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays takes just 24 mins
Wandsworth and Battersea MP, Jane Ellison, and Wandsworth’s Assembly Member, Richard Tracey, took a test run along the new ‘South London’ line of the London Overground network, due to open in December this year, which will provide faster services from Clapham Junction to the East and City.
Jane was joined during the 2.5km journey by the Chief Operating Officer for Rail at Transport for London (TfL), Howard Smith. The line runs from Surrey Quays, over a new stretch of track, connecting to existing lines, with stations at Queens Road Peckham, Peckham Rye, Denmark Hill, Clapham High Street, Wandsworth Road and Clapham Junction. The average journey time from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays is approximately 24 minutes.
TfL currently proposes four, four-car services per hour, although increasing capacity is a priority, with scope for longer trains and more stations. In addition, Network Rail is nearing completion on work to convert Clapham Junction’s Platform 2 into two separate platforms, to accommodate existing Overground services and the new ‘South London’ line services.
Jane said, “I was delighted to have the chance to take a trip along the new line. The completion of the Overground orbital route will be hugely welcomed by my constituents, creating fantastic links to existing National Rail and Underground services. It was also a key manifesto pledge of Mayor Boris Johnson, which he made at Clapham Junction in 2008.
“The trains are spacious, comfy and air-conditioned, which I’m sure will prove very popular during the summer. It’s also great news for local commuters as several early trains will start from Clapham Junction, meaning a guaranteed seat for many.
“Work is scheduled to finish on time and on budget, so I hope to see the services fully operational on 9 December.”
October 9, 2012