North London residents set to benefit as Thameslink gets the go ahead

Hundreds of people using the Thameslink rail service to commute into and out of London every day from North London will benefit from a £5.5 billion investment programme approved this week.  The scheme, which is one of the biggest rail projects ever in the UK, aims to tackle overcrowding on some of the UK’s busiest routes by increasing passenger capacity.

The programme will be delivered in two phases:   

1. Capability for 12 car operations at a frequency of 16 trains per hour through the core London section and via the Midland Main Line towards Bedford by December 2011
   

2. Connection of the Great Northern services into the route and operation of 12 car trains on the Peterborough and Cambridge routes by December 2015.

These improvements will mean a tripling of the number of trains between the core Brighton to Bedford route through London from 8 to 24 trains an hour, reducing congestion on the London Underground.  The investment will see new stations and improved services with lengthened trains and upgraded platforms.  Passengers on the Thameslink will see 50% longer trains and additional new direct services.   Gary Ince, Chief Executive Officer, North London Business said “North London already has a strong rail network into and out of London with over 42 train stations. This investment will ensure that our residents, businesses and visitors will benefit from more comfortable and reliable journeys in, what are currently, overcrowded peak-time routes.  It’s fantastic news for the sub-region.”  

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