Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation was held before 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 requirements for Thameslink train services were included in the public consultation that began in May 2012 for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise. The consultation 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.