London TravelWatch has welcomed the publication of the Mayor of London’s ‘Rail Vision’ document, which today asks the Government for the power to integrate suburban London railways into the Transport for London (TfL) network.

David Leibling, Vice Chair, London TravelWatch commented: ‘This is something London TravelWatch has been advocating for several years.  We hope that today’s proposal will lead to all London’s rail services reaching the much improved quality of London Overground services since TfL took over, with decent standards for stations, enhanced ticketing facilities, additional staffing where appropriate and improved passenger information.  The ‘Rail Vision’ publication supports a number of our recently published transport users’ priorities, in particular, providing frequent and comprehensive public transport, which we have been discussing with all the prospective candidates for this year’s mayoral elections.

The ‘Rail Vision’ publication prioritises the devolution of suburban services from Dartford, Sevenoaks and Hayes, and the West Anglia inner-suburban services from Enfield Town, Hertford East and Chingford, areas which are already included in the London railway area as defined by Parliament.  By integrating these routes into the Transport for London network it should make it possible to run a ‘turn up and go’ service of four or more trains an hour, seven days a week for 19 hours a day.  The document promises better co-ordination of services and simplified fare tariffs, improved passenger information and security, station improvements, high quality cycle parking facilities and a visible staff presence across the network throughout the day.

David Leibling continued: ‘I am pleased that the document recognises the need to provide greater step free access at national rail stations.  It is excellent news that the document has recognised so many issues that match our passenger priorities such as the need to provide value for money, an effective interchange and improvements to station security.  We also welcome the opportunity to improve interchanges, such as West Hampstead.’

For more information, please contact the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or 07734 055494.