Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when and for what reasons the decision was made to remove Thameslink trains to Dartford via Lewisham from the timetable following the completion of the improvements at London Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

The public consultation for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise made clear that it would not be possible to operate services from Kent to the Thameslink Core via London Bridge (and therefore Lewisham) without reducing capacity into Cannon Street. Views were sought on this and on which Thameslink services from Kent should operate via Elephant and Castle. The Government’s full response to the consultation was published in September 2013. The specification of services to operate on the Thameslink route, following the redevelopment of London Bridge was included in the franchise Invitation To Tender and took into account responses to the consultation.