Calls to keep Southeastern loop line “rounder” services from Sidcup line to Abbey Wood

There are calls to retain the loop line service on the Sidcup to Abbey Wood after Southeastern announced plans to switch it to run on the Eltham line.

A petition from the Conservative’s leader in Greenwich Council Matt Hartley highlights that links to the Elizabeth line will be axed. Passengers would need to travel to Dartford then change.

Loop line trains will instead serve stations such as Bexleyheath, Eltham and Kidbrooke.

Bexleyheath already has a pretty quick bus in the 301 introduced in recent years to link the town with Abbey Wood.

Southeastern’s FAQ on forthcoming changes does provide the rationale behind many planned alterations – whether one agrees or not with plans to “detangle” trains through Lewisham – but fails to mention why loop line services are switching.

Before the pandemic there was a suggestion of two trains per hour from each of the Sidcup and bexleyheath lines heading to Abbey Wood to connect with Elizabeth line services, along with the possibility of trains from Maidstone heading to Abbey Wood.

Those proposed changes havn’t proceeded.

Other plans mentioned in 2017 but not progressed included:

“Victoria and Lewisham will double in frequency to four trains per hour, increasing capacity into London and accessibility to the hospitals at Denmark Hill. 

Sidcup Line passengers will benefit from additional capacity, and a new half-hourly all-day service between Crayford and Victoria which will serve the hospitals at Denmark Hill, and provide interchange opportunities at locations such as Peckham Rye to access the London Overground and routes to Clapham Common”.

Changes are set to be introduced on 11th December.